Quick Kickstarter updates

Here's a few quick updates.

1. We now have a facebook page. Its located here.

2. We have 5 backers!

3. There are more new photos of actual parts assembled over at kickstarter. Check the updates page.

4. International shipping and metric concerns are addressed. I'm going to cut and paste the articles below.

Update #3: More info on international shipping and english vs metric.

Posted about 3 hours ago edit this post

Hey guys once again thank you for your pledges. I've recently recieved an email about trying to estimate overseas shipping. We are most likely going to use DHL to process the international shipments and on their homepage they have a rate quote link where you can get an estimate. You will need the following information. These will be shipped from one of 2 locations, either Tampa Florida 33647 or Spring Lake NJ 07762. Those would be the source location you can use for the estimates.

US shipments will go USPS priority.

Now for those of you who are international and have concerns about the english vs metric measurements. Everything is standardized one metric with 2 notable exceptions. The case screw holes are for US 1/4 20 screws but M6 should be fine. The only other english item is the 5/16 threaded z drive rod and that should be easily replaced with a m8 threaded rod. Given this may need a slightly different motor coupler but I highly doubt it.

Currently the walls are designed at .25" thickness but could be used with a 6mm wall thickness. The 6mm wall thickness with a 2cm M6 screw and locking nylon nut should work just fine.

Hope that answers any questions about standard vs metric you may have.

As always thanks for your support! You guys rock!

Update #2: Just a quick update....

Posted about 6 hours ago edit this post

Ok, guys. Thanks to our new supporters! Just wanted to let you guys all know that we have just set up a new facebook page. Its located here. Be sure to like us there and help us spread word about the Maxifab 3D Printing Framework! Thanks again.

http://www.facebook.com/maxifabber

Update #1: International shipping and design update.

Posted about 22 hours ago edit this post

Hello everyone! First off thanks to our supporters and potential supporters.

The design work is progressing well, with the help of my good friend Brian Cramer in NJ we're getting closer to finalizing more and more of the design. He's been printing a part here and there so we can test the dimensional accurateness of the different parts. Basically does this post fit that bearing, does the rod fit without needing reaming if not how much should it be upsized, that kind of thing.

Because of his help in this matter I now know that all the parts perfectly fit with the non printed components like the various bearings, rods and screws. Check the below pics to see our progress. and some test fits.

Based on a message I received I had to stop and ponder the logistics of international shipping and that required that I stop and actually figure out the weights of all the various components so I could figure out the shipping, Without having all the parts in hand but having some equivalents and a few test prints it seems the sum of the parts in the Maxifab printer equals about 6.5 -7ish pounds. Much lighter than I had anticipated.

To clear things up I have edited the rewards to show that the shipping in the US is included on all items. International rewards are going to be extra since there is no real way to estimate what shipping is going to cost to various countries. Originally I had thought to add a separate pledge tier to include a flat overseas shipping fee. But in retrospect that isn't really a great solution since the flat fee could be a lot higher or lower than the actual cost of shipping and I don't like the idea of ripping you off like that. But to estimate out the costs of shipping for a complete kit or assembled maxifab printer use 10 pounds and the origin being either from zip code 33647, or perhaps 07762. 07762 is a NJ zip code and based on the response I get here, there is a pretty good chance that the manufacturing and company will move to NJ where there are facilities available to us to use to produce your plastics, kits, and printers.

Anyway, thanks for the support and be sure to let your friends know about this exciting new product.