Hello from Lanty in Chicago IL

[Lanty]

Hi guys,

So I’m seriously considering getting an Orion or Rostock MAX v2
(leaning towards the Max v2 at the moment) and am looking to the community for some additional info.

---
Q 1. Which one to get?

I know there are a few obvious pros and cons to each…
Orion cost more, but is pre-assembled and calibrated vs. the Max v2 that isn’t.
The Max v2 on the other hand has a much larger build area and at a lower price point leaves a little extra money for material and/or upgrades.
According to the specs provided the Orion has less positioning accuracy vs. the Max v2 and also a slower positioning speed. Orion has a built in SD card the max only states it’s firmware supports it (not clear on what this means or how you add an SD card – a slot on the RAMDo board?).

Feel free to point out any other differing features that seem noteworthy…That’s why I came here.

---
Q 2. Print quality is important to me!

Are people getting good prints out of these machines? I see a lot of “rough” looking prints and an occasional gem, so I feel like it’s possible, but still leaves me a little concerned.
Do you guys feel your prints are comparable to other printers at this price point?
How does the Orion compare to the Rostock MAX v2 in the print quality department?

---

I’m trying to research each so I can do a proper comparison, but it appears there have been a few revisions of this hardware and I fear I may be comparing apples to oranges (looking at outdated feedback on parts that have been already been improved/replaced). I realize I’m looking to buy a new product that hasn’t shipped, yet so info is limited at best, but I’m sure you MAX v1 owners will have some good input in regards to the v2.

Any info and advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Lanty

[Eaglezsoar]

Welcome to the forum!
The Rostock Max series have an LCD display that also has a slot for the SD card.
Yes we are getting good prints, better than any cartesian on the market in my opinion.
The Orion is a fine printer also, but the build space is much smaller.
You have to decide what is important to you and do you feel that you can build the kit form of the Rostock Max V1 or V2.
The Rostock Max V2 is scheduled to be offered preassembled very soon just so you know.
Irregardless of which printer you purchase from SeeMeCNC.com you have bought the very best, far exceeding the quality of
machines costing 3 times what the SeeMeCNC printers sell for.
If you are interested in veiwing the assembly manual for the Rostock Max it is available under the subtopic of Documentation.
or you can just get it here: http://www.geneb.org/rostock-max/Rostoc ... -Guide.pdf

[JohnStack]

Ok, lots of questions...LOL Welcome to the best online 3D printing community out there. You'll find folks who have been at this since the first Rostocks were built and those even before who have H1s, multiple printers, machinists, engineers, etc. Me, I'm at the lower end of all of them but involved... So, buying a product now is about the community behind it. This is probably the best.

Hi guys,

So I’m seriously considering getting an Orion or Rostock MAX v2
(leaning towards the Max v2 at the moment) and am looking to the community for some additional info.

---
Q 1. Which one to get?

I know there are a few obvious pros and cons to each…
Orion cost more, but is pre-assembled and calibrated vs. the Max v2 that isn’t.
The Max v2 on the other hand has a much larger build area and at a lower price point leaves a little extra money for material and/or upgrades.
According to the specs provided the Orion has less positioning accuracy vs. the Max v2 and also a slower positioning speed. Orion has a built in SD card the max only states it’s firmware supports it (not clear on what this means or how you add an SD card – a slot on the RAMDo board?).

https://www.dropbox.com/s/iicojd86t2rwy ... _Maxv2.jpg

Feel free to point out any other differing features that seem noteworthy…That’s why I came here.

Both have SD cards. They're your friends. Size is the primary difference. Without getting into a ton of detail, if you're a builder or want to know your 3D printer intimately or get big sizes, get a Rostock Max/


---

Q 2. Print quality is important to me!

Are people getting good prints out of these machines? I see a lot of “rough” looking prints and an occasional gem, so I feel like it’s possible, but still leaves me a little concerned.
Do you guys feel your prints are comparable to other printers at this price point?
How does the Orion compare to the Rostock MAX v2 in the print quality department?

---

I’m trying to research each so I can do a proper comparison, but it appears there have been a few revisions of this hardware and I fear I may be comparing apples to oranges (looking at outdated feedback on parts that have been already been improved/replaced). I realize I’m looking to buy a new product that hasn’t shipped, yet so info is limited at best, but I’m sure you MAX v1 owners will have some good input in regards to the v2.

Your questions are not new - they're concerns are shared by everyone.

Most of them revolve around the software and not the printer. Quality - once you get to a decent device (like Orion/Max), you're all about having good software and understanding the three-way relationship between what you want to print, the software (slicing) and the printer. IMHO, the Deltas by SeeMeCNC are equivalent in capabilities except for size.

There are extremely great prints in this forum - as good as they get for layered PLA - but it was, for the purposes of argument about the three things I outlined above. Getting the latest Max gets you onto great prints fast then a few aftermarket things (carbon fiber arms, E3D hot ends, etc) gets you onto better prints.

If you have the money and want to cut your teeth quick on printing, pick up the Orion, then buy a Max.
If you have the money and want to intimately know your printer first, buy a max, skip the Orion.
If you don't have the money and want to be a builder, buy a Max.
If you dont' have the money but really want desperately to print well - right away, buy an Orion.

Hope this helps.

[Lanty]

Thanks for the information Eaglezsoar and JohnStack!

It sounds like both units are pretty comparable in terms of their build quality. A bigger built volume is a definite plus to me since you never know what it is you might want to print and more build volume provide you with greater versatility if needed. I’m mechanically inclined so putting the Max v2 together isn’t really a concern to me. Now calibrating it and getting it dialed in on the other hand…

Q.
How is the calibration process? How often do you need to re calibrate and how long would you estimate it takes?

I saw this blog that gives a pretty detailed description to how he calibrated his Max v1. Not sure if that is the correct or recommended way, but sounds about right to a new comer like me.
http://www.robertshady.com/content/begi ... eemecnccom

Thanks for the link to the assembly guide. I also found the WIP version for the Max v2 here. It’s not complete yet, but gives me a pretty good idea as to what is involved.
http://forum.seemecnc.com/viewtopic.php ... 2&start=10

[JohnStack]

I would follow Geneb's process in the assembly manual. It hasn't failed me. The blog post was fine - similar - but with Gene's - it's been vetted by the community.

How often to calibrate? I ask that question quite a bit. Not really all that often. If you make any hardware change you calibrate. If you live somewhere where the humidity changes more than 15% from month to month, calibrate. If you print more than three times a week, maybe calibrate once every two.

Most say check belts and sway of anything continuously. I haven't had any tension problems but there have been numerous posts. The head gets loose with prints - which usually means that you should calibrate if it moved or got loose.

Lastly, there are currently some very advanced calibration techniques being discussed. http://forum.seemecnc.com/viewtopic.php?f=54&t=4035

It doesn't take much to square up your towers or even to check - and I would.

Lastly, lots of this depends on good prints. If you continue getting them, you're not likely to calibrate...hate that to be the case but it is. There's no finite rule on this...

Go buy your printer and get building!!!

[Lanty]

It is done!

I just ordered a Max v2 (in white) some ABS and Nylon and a .35 and .7 tip to play around with.
Now I just have to do the hard part and wait for it to arrive.

Thanks everyone for the help and advice.

[JohnStack]

Ohhhh just wait.... CONGRATS! Are you going to Goshen next weekend? You'll pick up LOADs of tips and meet everyone. I'm flying in from San Diego to go. Should be loads of Rostock Max nuts there.

[Print_This]

im also in the Chicago area, ( far west burbs ) good to see more Chicago seemecnc 3d-ers

im new here as well but have been having a blast with my Rostock Max!

[Lanty]

Ohhhh just wait.... CONGRATS! Are you going to Goshen next weekend? You'll pick up LOADs of tips and meet everyone. I'm flying in from San Diego to go. Should be loads of Rostock Max nuts there.

What’s going on in Goshen next weekend? I’m guessing some kind of CNC crew meet up at the local high school/college or somewhere similar?

im also in the Chicago area, ( far west burbs ) good to see more Chicago seemecnc 3d-ers
im new here as well but have been having a blast with my Rostock Max!

Glad to hear you’re enjoying it! There are 2 Max owners where I work, so were gaining in numbers by the day!

[jmpreuss]

What’s going on in Goshen next weekend? I’m guessing some kind of CNC crew meet up at the local high school/college or somewhere similar?

The midwest reprap festival. A huge event.

[McSlappy]

Damn you guys and your close proximity to each other. I want a reprap festival :/

[geneb]

You need to get on the #reprap IRC channel and talk to Auzze and TechnoBill. Both are in .au and they're great folks.

g.

[Lanty]

What’s going on in Goshen next weekend? I’m guessing some kind of CNC crew meet up at the local high school/college or somewhere similar?

The midwest reprap festival. A huge event.

Great info guys,
Man that is tempting. 2.5 hr drive to get there isn't too bad assuming the whether is good (which it hasn't been lately).

http://midwestreprapfest.org/

I sooooo wish i had my kit already, It would have been perfect timing. Assemble it, make a few lousy prints and feel discouraged, go to festival and get valuable advice needed to make greatness!

[geneb]

You could always go there and buy the kit... *grin*

I'm pretty sure there's going to be work space available for people that are building printers. I think Maker's Tool Works is having a build event as well.

g.

[Lanty]

You could always go there and buy the kit... *grin*
g.

That had totally crossed my mind!

I just emailed the SeeMe CNC guys to see if my order has shipped yet and if they would have kits available at the fair.
Might be quicker to just pick up my kit, plus it gives me another excuse to go to the fair.

Thanks for the nudge!

[Print_This]

you could have bought that special assembled kit they advertised on the site to be picked up ready to at the show as well but i think only a limited production amount of them was offered, and i hope this was the last snow fall today! lake effect all the way there lol

[Lanty]

you could have bought that special assembled kit they advertised on the site to be picked up ready to at the show as well but i think only a limited production amount of them was offered, and i hope this was the last snow fall today! lake effect all the way there lol

I believe that was an Orion kit, I ordered a Rostock Max v2 (bigger build volume and a bit cheaper if you assemble it yourself).

I saw this in the CNC tweet feed and assume it's the kit you saw.
"Only 3 weeks left to get your Special Edition MidwestRepRapFest Orion Delta! Only available to anyone coming!"

It's supposed to be in the low 50's in Chicago on Friday according to Google! Keep your fingers crossed.

[johnoly99]

Lanty!

Just got to your email now. Sorry man, it shipped today. Good news! it'll be there friday though, so you could bring it back w/you and build it here? lol, kinda confusing, wish i would have caught it sooner, and i would have had her pull it just so you could have a great excuse to come to the event!

[Lanty]

Not a problem.
This Friday is sooner that I was expecting, so if it makes it here before the weekend that would be great!

[Lanty]

I got home today to find a package from SeeMe CNC waiting for me!

I'll start a build thread for anyone interested.

[Lanty]

Here it is...
http://forum.seemecnc.com/viewtopic.php?f=77&t=4556

[img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7090/1322 ... 82da_m.jpg[/img]