Zortrax M200 review
Posted by Jacqui Adams on
Taken From TechRadar
Zortrax is quickly establishing itself as a 3D printer manufacturer to be reckoned with. The M200 printer started life as a Kickstarter campaign and rose to prominence when Dell ordered 5,000 units.
Dell and many other backers of the campaign had obviously seen something in this startup that had piqued interest, and it only takes a short time with the M200 to realise why Zortrax has been set apart from many other 3D printer manufacturers that have appeared on Kickstarter.
The design bases itself around a movable X, Y direct feed print-head, with a vertical Z plane build platform, similar to that seen on the Ultimaker 2 series of printers.
- Buy Zortrax M200 3D printer at GoPrint3D
However, the Zortrax M200 features several design elements that set it apart from other printers. There's the perforated auto-levelling build platform, solid build quality, optional side and front covers, and overall high quality of parts.
The M200 is designed for use with 1.75mm filament and is compatible with most filament types on the market including PLA and ABS. It ships with Zortrax's own Z-ABS filament. It has a respectable build volume of 200 x 200 x 185mm and minimum layer height of 90 microns.
This 90 micros might seem low against the likes of the Ultimaker 2, but with an X, Y precision of 1.5 microns, the M200 is capable of producing prints that far surpass the quality of printers which boast a far smaller layer height option.
The Zortrax M200 sells for £1449 (or $2040 in the US, which is around AU$2630).
Build quality
There are few 3D printers that come close to the solid and quality build of the M200. The case is made from aluminium and as with the Lulzbot Mini is beautifully finished. However unlike the Lulzbot the M200 is fully contained with the power supply neatly integrated into the base rather than bolted onto the side. The black finish and solid construction give the machine a durable feel, and the size and weight mean that when in use any vibrations or movement during the print process are kept to an absolute minimum.
The case features an open side, front and top design, but if you prefer to add sides to minimise the effect of exterior elements or to stop stray fingers from wandering into the print area then there is an option to purchase these side covers for around £100 (or $100).