Review: Printrbot Simple Metal 3D Printer

3D Printing & Imaging Workshop
Review: Printrbot Simple Metal 3D Printer
Printrbot_Simple_Metal_reversed_3649cmyk
Printrbot Simple Metal 3D Printer: Last year’s portable “best value” returns with some serious upgrades.
Photo credit – Brian Kaldorf.
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Printrbot Simple Metal
printrbot.com
Price as Tested $599 (plus $39 for metal handle)
Build Volume 150×150×150mm
Bed Style Unheated steel (heated upgrade available)
Temperature Control Yes
Materials PLA (ABS if heated bed)
Print Untethered? MicroSD, OctoPrint compatible
Onboard Controls? No, but LCD add-on available
Host Software Repetier-Host
Slicer Slic3r
OS Mac, Windows, Linux
Open Software? Third-party software
Open Hardware? Auxiliary design files: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

The all-metal construction of the Printrbot Simple Metal feels more like a professional power tool than an entry-level 3D printer. The weight of this small, portable printer gives it a real sense of quality, and the inclusion of a now-standard auto-leveling bed makes it a real step up from its wooden predecessors. This printer is packed with features and rivals machines costing much more.

Same Great Value, Now ALL Metal

Upgrades from the original Simple (still sold as an upgraded “Maker’s Kit”) include a larger build platform that measures a healthy 150×150×150mm, a powder-coated steel frame, thicker polished guide rods, large linear bearings that are seated in machined aluminum carriage, and an all-aluminum, direct-drive extruder that includes a UBIS hot end with interchangeable tips. Our assembled review unit also came with an aluminum handle ($39 upgrade) with an integrated printed spool holder (free).

Many Optional Upgrades Available

With the healthy-sized bed you can print many substantially sized items in PLA and nylon on the unheated surface. ABS is supported if you add the optional heated bed upgrade. In fact, the heated bed upgrade ($99) and the interchangeable tips (ranging from 0.25 to 0.75mm for $8 each) allow you to experiment with just about any material. You can print tethered via Repetier-Host, untethered via onboard microSD card, or add onboard controls with the Printrbot LCD control kit accessory ($65). Don’t forget to print the fan shroud upgrade, it enabled our test unit to attain perfect scores on the Bridging and Overhang tests. 

Screen Shot 2015-04-30 at 3.26.03 PM
PRO TIPS
– During Slic3r setup, measure your filament diameter. Add 0.1mm to avoid a known bug and perfectly adjust your extrusion.
– Print the fan shroud from printrbot.com/project/simple-metal, it will greatly improve every print thereafter.
– Avoid Repetier-Host’s “write to SD” — manually transfer files to SD from your computer’s SD reader.
WHY TO BUY
It’s feature-packed, portable, and solidly built. With its high print scores and many available upgrades, the Simple Metal is a great value for beginners and ex-perts alike.

Improved Documentation, Great Support

The Simple’s setup documentation is professional and thorough. Due to the amount of information presented, it can feel a bit overwhelming, but it’s a fantastic reference when needed. Printrbot also has a robust help site (help.printrbot.com) and community forum (printrbottalk.com), and it’s common to the see the Printrbot’s founder, Brook Drumm, answering questions directly. That’s a nice customer service touch. There’s also a great education section for teachers and students (learn.printrbot.com).

A Few Minor Issues

The Simple Metal is pretty great, but it’s not perfect. The initial adjustment of the auto-level probe is a tad cumbersome. It takes a bit of double-hand holding to adjust the probe while fighting the tension on the wiring in the close quarters around the adjustment nuts. The inclusion of a laser-cut wrench helps, and is a nice, sentimental reminder of Printrbot’s beginnings. In addition, it can be hard to tell if the printer is turned on until you notice the glow from underneath the machine. This was not immediately apparent in a well-lit room. We also had a serious nozzle clog issue during an 8-hour overnight print that resulted in the filament forcing its way out of the extruder in a bizarrely perfect, spring-like coil.

Although it’s a common open-source toolchain issue not directly related to Printrbot, it can be a frustrating experience for a first-time user to walk through Slic3r’s multiple setup screens and dialog boxes. I’d like to see Cura formally recommended as another open-source option, as the Printrbot community already recommends it. I also was not impressed with the “write to SD” function of Repetier-Host; I took the microSD card out and loaded it into the computer to transfer the file manually, although it’s a bit hard to access.

Conclusion

This printer is a joy and doesn’t feel like an entry-level machine at all. I recommend this printer daily to visitors to Science City, explaining it has many features of higher-priced printers (plus some they don’t offer). This resonates with educators and budget-conscious parents. It’s also perfect for my friends at the local hackerspace, many of whom have spent quite a bit more on machines that don’t have the print quality or the fit and finish of the Simple Metal.

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Luis Rodriguez

Luis is the lead organizer for Maker Faire Kansas City and has been 3D printing since 2009, when he got his first MakerBot Cupcake. Luis works at Science City, where he manages the Maker Studio and Spark!Lab.

View more articles by Luis Rodriguez

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