> I think an UM+ upgrade kit could be assembled by the community. What you
> need is:
> -Longer Z screw
> -Longer Z guides, but maybe these need to be thicker to remove the Z
> wobble.
> -New side panels (should be possible to design from the thingiverse
> lasercut stuff)
> -Extension cables for the steppers and other electronics.

> It's quite easy to extend the Z size, unlike the X/Y size which would
> require stronger guides or they would flex.

> On Thursday, September 27, 2012 4:48:11 PM UTC+2, ddurant wrote:

>> > ...Because if more accurate systems are going to become mainstream,
>> then FDM
>> > machines will become the matrix printer of 3D. Right now people are
>> still amazed by
>> > 3D printing, even if the resulting prints are rough and inaccurate. But
>> that will
>> > change quickly.

>> It seems like SLA will always be relatively small machines. Or the
>> tub-type will be anyway - if somebody came up with a way to do SLA without
>> having to have a pool of goo, it would be easier to go bigger. Powder
>> printers, also known for high-detail, are a bit of a turn off for me
>> because they have a much bigger footprint and seem like they'd be prone to
>> making a mess of the place - more of a shop machine than a home machine.

>> So... I'm not worried about FDM going away any time soon. SLA will
>> probably grow in popularity but I think it will be limited to smaller
>> machines.

>> What I'd like to see from UM is some different sized machines. I thought
>> the UM+ was awesome - saw one last year at MF:NYC - and if they offered an
>> upgrade kit, I'd be the first in line. I'd also like to see a machine
>> capable of doing ~500mm cubes, preferrably fed by pellets instead of
>> filament. Even though UM is one of the bigger printers out there, I still
>> sometimes wish it was bigger - having a .5m build area would open it up to
>> a lot more applications.

>> I also think they should offer a metal version. This is one of the
>> few things MBI did right - we've known for years that the general public
>> looks down on the wooden frames. Have a note on the store that says "wood
>> is plenty strong and cheaper but if you want metal, here's the option." I
>> know it's not necessarily an easy thing to actually do this but it would
>> look a lot better, which is sometimes important..

>> On Thursday, September 27, 2012 9:37:22 AM UTC-4, Gijs wrote:

>>> The biggest step I see now is the fact that MB has opened a store where
>>> the average consumer is able to see and buy a working 3D printer. I'm not
>>> saying this is the first time that a 3D printer is available in a consumer
>>> store (I believe the first was a BfB at Bijenkorf in the Netherlands sold
>>> by Freedom Of Creation) but this is a clear sign that UM should take a
>>> closer look at.

>>> Because isn't this what the original Reprap project is about? to put
>>> personal creation in the hands of people. MB seems to be confident enough
>>> about their product to take that step.

>>> UM is certainly not ready for that and I wonder if they will ever be.
>>> Because if more accurate systems are going to become mainstream, then FDM
>>> machines will become the matrix printer of 3D. Right now people are still
>>> amazed by 3D printing, even if the resulting prints are rough and
>>> inaccurate. But that will change quickly.

>>> cheers,
>>> Gijs