Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I see there is a 5 star review out also...This isn't a criticism of that review but based on several printers that are comparable. First, I own a Cube (donated to local HS..see why in review), a Replicator 2 (home), and a Replicator 2X (work). I also have friends with everything from home built rep-raps (all flavors), a Rostock, and even a private Mojo. PROS- * small and compact * very simple operation * very simple software front end * 3D systems is a major player in the 3D printer world * available at many consumer outlets not just specialty stores * support was very good * 3D systems has an online design/download 'sandbox' up which is great for ready use items * Cubify Invent ($49) is an outstanding CAD designed for 3D printers...much easier to use than full blown CAD programs. CONS- * supposed to be able to print ABS...does NOT do this well * cartridge filament system while simple is VASTLY overpriced compared to rolled filament of most printers...like 400% markup * no heated build tray * simple front end is great for downloadable items from 3D systems but doesn't play well with outside CAD systems * front end is simple but leaves out many required selections to make it simple which impacts any print you use * slooooow * only has medium quality capability * glue based build plate * build quality is very nice looking but mechanically has high failure rate I purchased the V2.0 cube in January. I had actually thought I was getting a V1.0 (which has the heated build tray). The unit shipped quickly and was slickly packaged. The instructions were dead simple. It was ready to print out of the box. I set it up and had one of the demo parts (Rook) printing fairly quickly. For the next few days I downloaded and printed several demo parts...then the fun began. After less than 5 days of intermittent use the print head died. 3D systems was quick to diagnose but it still took a week to get a replacement print head. Since I have fairly good mechanical and electronics skill (I own a machine shop and I was a communications technician in the Navy) tearing the cube apart and installing the new print head was easy...but...since this is marketed for families with children and parents who are looking for a 'inkjet type' simple printer, I wondered how they would feel tearing into the guts of this printer. After 2 hours it was back up and running. I had about 7 or 8 solidworks (CAD) files from work. The Cubify Invent program opened some of them and the exported .stl files looked good when I loaded it with the provided "Cube Software", however printing was problematic with bad slicing and incorrect bridging. I would like to say that the Cubify Invent is a SOLID CAD system that was designed for 3D printers. It is easy to learn (lot's of online tutorials) and doesn't have needless commands that something like Solidworks or Autocad Invent has. Over the next two weeks I designed and loaded files from both Solidworks and Autocad Invent, of which, only about 20% would open or print correctly. Then...the print head died...again. This time they wanted me to send the entire printer back. They stated that shipping parts to the user was NOT the way support was supposed to work. (So I was correct when I thought about a soccer mom fixing a print head that reaches 500*F a little strange). So I sent it to Atlanta and waited 2 weeks for it to return. The reason for failure was listed as a dusty/dirty print head...since this is used in a regular office setting I assume they were talking about shavings from the plastic that came off from the drive gear as it pulled it into the printhead. This is understandable since the entire head is enclosed by a color matched cute cover. This second repair lasted another week and it again failed. Back it went to Atlanta. 7 weeks of ownership and it was broken for half of that time. BUT..it does have a warranty and support unlike 99% of the other printers out there. Since I had now burned through 2 cartridges of PLA printer filament, I opened the blue ABS I also had ordered. For the next few days I learned that without a enclosure or at least a heated build plate, ABS will not print very well. Even marble size pieces curled or cracked. PLA works well though. Compared to other similiarly priced printers this is not a good deal. You can get an Affina for about the same. It's a much flexible and can run PLA and ABS. You can also with inexpensive mods have it run Mylon. It also uses a front end that's more industry standard allowing you to effectively use .stl files from many sources. There's also Makerbot Replicator 1's that aren't much more and are dual extruders (print two different colors or materials), have larger build plates, and can print ABS very well. There are also several kits and built kits that are LESS and do more. Heck, Printbot jr. is basically same functionality for under $400 (and it uses inexpensive spooled filament). Bottom line...unless you want a dead simple cartridge based 3D printer that you can download premade prints and costs a lot more than most comparable printers, keep looking. Once I experienced the limitations and failed print heads I decided maybe it wasn't right for me. After the 3rd repair I bought 3 extra PLA cartridges (@ $49 each) and donated it to the local high school. For teaching the absolute basics about 3D printers it's a great teaching tool.