John:
Might want to leave her checkbook alone for a few more months. Most of the good looking startups
are supposed to start delivering this summer. The increasing quality of the prints is due , IMO, to the
evolving software methods and the evolving extruders. Those are really the most inexpensive components too. So at the moment, its a premium on the lack of competition for a good looking machine.
Just my opinion, but I think you can target about $600.00 or so by fall for a machine that will match the 1500.00 ones today. The X,Y,Z componenets are all light duty, nothing heavy is required, and its all
basically identical to CNC, just an extruder instead of a spindle.
When I look to the technology, what Im seeing is much better software, like easily removed
support structures as a result of more logic in the way their applied. The extruders are REAL
simple devices as well. All in all, I think 3d printing is almost ready for prime time, a few more
months will likely see the competitors smooth things out in terms of whats available.
I plan to build an extruder now for my robotic arm and see about controlling it myself..
just my opinion of course..