Machine idea
Why not making a cheap machine?
Would be an mk2 with aluminium extrusions instead of the threaded rods, possibly even a cr10 type of frame if it is cheaper than the aluminium plate, the mk42 heated bed and a new board with silent stepper drivers. Sell it for 400-450€ maximum. Kit only. I would be a success.
Re: Machine idea
That's the race-to-the-bottom that plenty of firms are already engaged in. It's not a long-term profitable strategy. Prusa is in the enviable and uncommon position of being able to sell an open-source product at scale to the point at they are having a tough time meeting demand. They are expanding and hopefully paying their talented team well. Why change that?
and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan
Re: Machine idea
Race to the bottom? I´d call it an entry level machine.
The Mk2 it´s a good machine but its noisy and uses the threaded rods that are a nuisance to assemble, heavy to ship and more time consuming to pack. Using the best the mk2 already has and some simpler solutions and a board with silent stepper drivers would solve many problems.
Having this machine at a slightly higher price than the chinese machines would make the consumers think twice before buying a chinese machine.