Used Ultimaker 3 Questions

[manac 0]

Looking at a used Ultimaker 3 v 1.5 and looking for advice.

The 1.5 doesn’t have the NFC reel holder, are there any other major differences to a later version?

How is Ultimaker’s support/parts availability for the older printers?

What is the X Y mechanism called?  Looks like a cross between CoreXY and Cartesian.

How are the Bowden extruders?  Do the changeable print cores work well?

Thanks,

Matt

[JohnInOttawa 104]

I bought a used UM3 a couple of years ago, I can share what I looked at, disclaimer, it was my first UM3 so I may not have caught all that I should, but printer has worked fine, so here goes.

 

1) If it old enough not to have the NFC holder, then what color are the sliding blocks?  They should be black, not white.   there was a recall on early versions of these for cracking, replaced free (I believe) by Ultimaker. Not sure if that would apply in this case.

2) Check the hours.  If they are high enough, you might obviate the first concern as you'd want to replace belts and blocks anyway.

3) Print cores.  These don't last forever.  I'd check the underside wiring, the insulating coating can wear through from occasional rubbing over a long time.

4) Abrasive material usage - both feeders and nozzles take a beating from this stuff.  Original UM feeders are too soft for stuff like nylon/CF and the UM print cores except for CC red will wear out very quickly.  I bought two 3dSolex Hardcores and put in abrasive nozzles, I've had no issues except for the occasional trouble with autolevelling. Likewise, Bondtec hardened feeders, pretty easy retrofit.

5) silcone nozzle shield - this is a consumable,  mine only came to me with the one that was installed and it needed changing.

6) Firmware!  The older printer may or may not be at the current level.  I've run across a number of reports where someone tested a printer with the existing (obsolete) firmware, bought it, brought it home, then did the upgrade and effectively bricked it.  If the seller can bring the printer up to standard before you see it,  that is a potential problem pre-solved.

 

That's all I've got. Good luck!

John

[manac 0]

Thanks, I asked the seller if he could demo it and what came with it.

He never bothered to get back to me.  That’s one thing about my Mendal Max 3, it’s all open source.