Some of the print platforms that were shipped were unfortunately slightly warped making larger prints difficult to stick. It would also make the fibreglass heated bed hard to stick to it also.
We've been working on a solution and have now released a new and improved platform that combines the heater element and platform into one 3mm aluminium bed.
Besides just being flatter, there is better heat distribution to the edges and to the steel Flexplate. The steel Flexplate also grips better to the new platform (less likely to slip) and the magnets also perform better. There’s also no need for the springs any more, it just fixes straight onto the stand-offs. It also runs at a higher wattage and heats up quicker too.
Unfortunately we're not be able to offer it as a free replacement but we are making it available at essentially a cost price. It's now available for pre-order (until 26th May) for £20. We're hoping to start sending them out on the 10th of June.
RRP after the pre-order window will be £36.
Tracked shipping:
UK Shipping: £2.99
EU Shipping: £8.99
International Shipping: £11.99
Further note on shippping:
The size/weight heated platform (0.65KG) on it’s own just fits into our first shipping bracket, any extra item will tip the shipping into the next bracket.
If you order anything else we would still ship everything together with the new platform around the 10th of June.
UK shipping brackets:
Royal Mail Tracked Large Letter - 0-0.7KG: £2.99
Royal Mail Tracked Parcel - 0.71-1.99KG: 3.99
Express Courier - 2-25KG: £7.99
EU shipping brackets:
Royal Mail Tracked Large Letter - 0-0.7KG: £8.99
Royal Mail Tracked Parcel - 0.71-1.99KG: 14.99
Express Courier - 2-25KG: £15.99
Rest of World shipping brackets:
Royal Mail Tracked Large Letter - 0-0.7KG: £11.99
Royal Mail Tracked Parcel - 0.71-1.99KG: 15.99
Express Courier - 2-7.99KG: £24.99
Express Courier - 8-25KG: £34.99 (USA/Canada) £54.99 (Rest of World)
yet another disappoinment
so wouldn't that be covered under warranty?
Warranty Per the Website: “We rigureously test and quality control to ensure you recieve high quality components that function the way they were intended to.
However in the slim case you do recieve a faulty part or one that was damaged in transit we'll send out a replacement for you right away for up to an entire year after your purchase!”
Warranty Per the Kickstarter FAQ: “We offer a 1 year warranty on all components from the date your Proforge 2 ships and promise to replace any defect part/s. The warranty does not apply on accidental user damage from improper use or assembly.”
I gotta say, this is a pretty bitter pill to have to swallow considering the cost of shipping. As it stands, I have a printer that works as long as I use no more than a 50mm footprint and a DSE that failed before it could even finish calibrating, neither issue caused by “improper use or assembly”. When I submitted a claim I was told:
“We’re aware of the issues with these two components, we’re looking into improvements/solutions, should hopefully have something solid in a week or so.
We can send you a replacement servo if needed.
We can send you a replacement platform, but can’t guarantee it will be flatter than the one you already have.”
I opted to hold off on replacement parts to prevent unnecessary costs and now I have to essentially pay "extra" for a replacement. While I understand the new heated bed being more costly to manufacture, resulting in it not being a free replacement, I would have expected shipping costs to have been waived since it is a replacement of a defective part. Essentially, I can get a free likely-faulty platform with free shipping, or pay for a supposedly better upgrade ($25) AND pay for shipping ($15!!). I say supposedly better as there is no real proof other than the fact that I assume you tested them, but the original should have been tested as well, meaning either they were not tested thoroughly enough or there was an expected failure rate which was deemed acceptable and neither option really instills cause for confidence in the new version.
I was "brave" and ordered it really hoping that this kills lots of issues I do have. One concern I have: how do I remove the magnets from the original buildplate in order to place them again onto the new heated bed? I think they will not stick any more and then I have to order new heat resistent tape or something...
@fg We've thought about that, the platform will be including a fresh set of sticky pads for the magnets, but you should still be OK using the originals.
@Makertech perfect!
Any update on shipping of the new bed?
UPDATE:
There has been a slight delay in the manufacturing of the platforms but we're still expecting to be sending the the platforms out before the end of the month. We'll be sending out an official email update when we have a certain date on the shipping.
Thank you everyone for your patience.
why is it not covered under warranty.after all it's not our fault it's a poor quality of bed
I believe they will send you a new old style bed free, but you need to pay for the new style if you want it. I paid. Remember, this is from KickStarter, not a production 3D printer. There are down falls to paying discounted prices, but at least this item shipped. I've many Kickstarters that were successful but never shipped. It is your risk if you back them.
@deró oh i do,but the amount of issues is not acceptable.the cheap items is not acceptable.
My package arrived in USA yesterday. That was very fast because it only took 2-3 days to reach here. Thanks. I will go ahead to finish my printer building with new print platform.
i have a question why is my y access going over the endge on the far side away from the censor,so if u do the test strip before printing it would be off the deck.?
Installed new bed, definitely heats up quicker and is flat. I installed it without the standoffs to get a bit more height, prints sticking and bottoms so much better!
only negative would be that the cable tie down point is missing, so I get more cable rubbing than before.
Now to try again to get my second hot end working....
how did u get the printer to print the test line on the bed.mine wants to print off the bed? my y goes to far.
@Daryl Smith not sure what your test line is. My Y is off centered about 1cm but I haven't had time to adjust this yet. Options are to create a new mount for the Y sensor, increasing it's distance from the Z rail, or changing the Y bed offset in Marlin.
@Makertech,
tried to contact you a couple of day ago through the contac form on the website re:shipment on hold, can you please reply? Thanks
who were u trying to contact?
Makertech very quiet last month, perhaps working on Proforge3 kickstarter project?
@deró I will definitely be happy with a Proforge3, but if it comes soon that will make me pretty mad! hahaha. I think a Proforge3 needs that technology advances a couple of years; if they wanted they should be focusing in creating a business with the already modern printer they made. Just thinking about it.
But yeah where is @Makertech ? Are you a team or a person?
Apologies everyone for not being as active on the forum as I usually am - it's been quite busy these past few weeks as there is a new project in the works, we should be releasing very very soon! (however not the Proforge 3...yet)
Unfortunately, my new bed dips in the middle very slightly (~0.1mm) and I've had to reuse the springs to sort out alignment. There's a few variables, such as how tightly the brass standoffs are screwed in, weight of the connecting cables and manufacturing tolerances.
If you redesign the bed, I'd recommend putting standoffs / screw holes in 6 places rather than 4. Also, with the new bed, there needs to be someway to hold the cables away from the print head. I used one of the spare screws and a cable tie to hold it underneath as it was clipping the fans.