Optional self-printed printer kit parts?
Recently, after i bought self printed MK3 to MK3S upgrade kit, came up on idea, that it might be cool to set option of choosing (cheaper) and faster shipping - self printed parts - printer kits, for those who want to expand its farm at cheaper price and faster shipment.
So that 3 options would be available:
1.Self printed kit
2.Self assembly - ready printed parts
3.Assembled
Both customers and Prusa might have benefits.
RE: Optional self-printed printer kit parts?
This has been discussed a few times before. While the idea is neat, you would not save much money (maybe $5-10) on the price of a kit with self printed parts (most parts cost a few cents to print in terms of materials and cost). 99.5% of the cost is in non-printed components. (You cannot simply take the kit and subtract the prices of the plastic parts in the store. Those are marked up over the material cost to account for the cost of someone's time to actually grab the part, packaging, label it, etc)
I'm pretty sure it's not worth the overhead for PR to stock a whole different item in their inventory system and track it for shipment for $5 difference. If the price difference was closer to $60 you might have a case.
They probably also don't want to have to deal with supporting whatever arbitrary quality the purchaser can produce on their existing printer. Better to have a "known good" part printed to spec on their machines with tried and true g-codes and materials.
Suggestion - Consider the included printed parts "Free spares" if you want to print your own colour/design. That way if you have a blob of doom or other failure, you've already got replacements!
RE: Optional self-printed printer kit parts?
This has been discussed a few times before. While the idea is neat, you would not save much money (maybe $5-10) on the price of a kit with self printed parts (most parts cost a few cents to print in terms of materials and cost). 99.5% of the cost is in non-printed components. (You cannot simply take the kit and subtract the prices of the plastic parts in the store. Those are marked up over the material cost to account for the cost of someone's time to actually grab the part, packaging, label it, etc)
I'm pretty sure it's not worth the overhead for PR to stock a whole different item in their inventory system and track it for shipment for $5 difference. If the price difference was closer to $60 you might have a case.
They probably also don't want to have to deal with supporting whatever arbitrary quality the purchaser can produce on their existing printer. Better to have a "known good" part printed to spec on their machines with tried and true g-codes and materials.
Suggestion - Consider the included printed parts "Free spares" if you want to print your own colour/design. That way if you have a blob of doom or other failure, you've already got replacements!
Wait... If you are speaking at Prusas scale, cost of filament for single kit will cost 1$ worth of filament...
But "Time is money"?
eg. MK3S upgrade kit - 16euros compared to 33euros (2X more expensive) factory printed ones???? I d call this rather stimulation price
Self printed parts would be cheaper not because they will "save filament" but rather as aftermath of avoiding unncessary disruption of farm printers. Instead they could focus printing eg. Prusa Mini parts.
RE: Optional self-printed printer kit parts?
@vintagepc
If I already own MK3, I would see (personaly) benefit of shipping my new MK3 earlier, with additional discount. While all parts for incoming printer would be printed with ready gcodes with existing MK3...