Weistek Speed

Looks like Weistek is launching a new high speed printer:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1102425987/ideawerk-speed-the-fastest-3d-printer

Chassis looks identical to their older models (and thus our Root/Root Plus), so looks like internal upgrades only.
I still don't know what exactly are the differences between our printers and the Weistek models.

Maybe there will be a Root Lightning model launched soon too...

What is the relationship between this and our printers? Does anybody know? Other than colors and name they seem identicle.

Asphalt wrote:What is the relationship between this and our printers?  Does anybody know?  Other than colors and name they seem identicle.

I don't know if you were there from the beginning, but the first time Root launched on KS, they got shut down for being a knock off of the Weistek product. Eventually they convinced KS that they were actually unique. 3DGP claims that only the chassis is shared, and the internals of the Root are unique. However, I was never sure about this.

Based on the identical firmware features and limitations, seemingly identical extruder (based on the disassembly videos I've seen), identical chassis, and identical software and hardware performance (right down to the lack of support for anything higher than .18mm layer heights) they are pretty close to identical, I'd say. With that said, GP3D has better bed clips and a nice glass plate.

I think the prices listed in the Weistek Kickstarter are a bit high, though. 779 Euros for the WT280 (equivalent to GP3D's Root Plus) is US$851.
Right now, the Weistek WT150 (equivalent to Root Basic) is selling for <$300 -- and even cheaper in quantity -- with free shipping on Alibaba.  (http://weistek.en.alibaba.com/product/60235743050-214302281/2015_new_upgrade_3d_metal_printer_and_3d_digital_printer_machine_with_touch_screen.html)

Compare the price for the same model on their Kickstarter. (it's what you get at the lower pledge level.)

I also noticed the high prices on the Weistek KS for the lower models, but I figure they're there to push the new Speed model, and the lower tiers are there to make the Speed look less expensive. You can see no one is backing the lower models (why would they when you can readily buy it?).

I knew going in, despite GP3D's claims, that I may be getting pretty much a Weistek clone. But the pricing on KS was good, so we didn't really lose (well, except the wait was surprisingly long for what was close to an off-the-shelf product).

I also strongly suspected all along that this would be a rebadged Weistek clone, and in fact the alleged changes were the things that made me the most nervous. I really like the fact that it's Mightyboard based (and can thus run MakerWare, which is my favorite slicer/client app), and the extruder was one of the things that Jetguy said was really great about the Weistek. And I agree. When I disassembled mine (back when I was running at temperatures too low and it was jamming), I was amazed at how the teeth weren't all covered in chewed up bits of filament. It was spotless.
I'm still a little nervous about the SD card reader's apparent unreliability, but that might just be caused by a marginal SD card.

So it sounds like you are saying I should turn up my temp when I get my new extruder head.

@Asphalt The optimal temperature may depend on the particular brand (or even batch) of filament you are using.

I had this red PLA filament from Seacans that was jamming on the Root, but was working pretty reliably at 200C on my Flashforge. At 205 = Frequent jams on the Root. 210C = fewer jams. 220C = occasional jams. 226 = Very rare jams. 227 = sweet spot. So, that's about 27C higher than the same filament prints on the Flashforge Creator. Weird, but at least it's working.