Stratasys announced “end of service” for multiple notable FDM machines.
Stratasys was one of the original two manufacturers of 3D printers, having their founder, Scott Crump, invent the FDM process (known outside of Stratasys as FFF). The company quickly developed a series of early industrial 3D printers that were mainly used for prototyping by businesses large and small.
Buying an industrial 3D printer is quite different from the desktop units we see today. Then the machines were extraordinarily expensive in today’s terms, perhaps even priced well over US$100,000.
Because of the high pricing, businesses typically acquired the machines for use over many years, and wrote off the cost over that time period. Because of this you still see quite old machines in use at many businesses. If it works, don’t change it!
Over time these machines degrade and require maintenance. Stratasys offered a number of service programs that would enable repairs for the equipment.
However, there must come a time when that support must end, and that has apparently happened for the following Stratasys gear at the end of February next year:
- mojo 3D Printer
- Dimension BST 1200es 3D Printer
- Dimension SST 1200es 3D Printer
- Dimension Elite 3D Printer
- Fortus 250mc System
- uPrint SE 3D Printer
- uPrint SE Plus 3D Printer
At that time Stratasys will cancel any service programs and be unable to guarantee spare parts availability, although they will “give every effort possible.”
They will still sell materials for the uPrint and Fortus 250 machines, but these “will incur a price increase”.
They really, really want those customers to migrate to their newer F123 series, which are significantly more capable.
I’ve actually used a few of these machines, and seeing them go is both sad and inevitable.
Honestly, it is time for them to go. Let’s take a look at the mojo, which we first saw at the launch event back in 2012. Here’s the basic specifications that you can compare to today’s devices:
- Weight: 27kg (50lbs)
- Build volume: 127 x 127 x 127 mm
- Material: Proprietary Stratasys ABSplus, Ivory color only
- Minimum layer size: 0.17mm
- Controller: Dedicated separate PC
- Printhead: Integrated with filament canister
- Restriction: 100% infill, all the time
- Price: US$9,900
Looking back at these specifications is a bit shocking. I just tested a US$199 desktop device that is vastly more powerful and speedy than the mojo. Price-wise, that’s about 50 Creality’s for one mojo.
Technology always changes, and we all have to keep riding that wave.
Via Stratasys
