Once I reviewed the eufyMake E1 UV printer, I used to be upfront about my issues associated to Anker’s historical past with their AnkerMake 3D printing endeavors. And lots of, many individuals responded with related issues. Particularly, many individuals introduced up AnkerMake’s questionable assist of the M5 and M5C 3D printers — lower than three years after the M5 reached backer arms. Now, because of reporting by Sean Hollister of The Verge, we’ve got some extra details about the way forward for Anker’s 3D printing enterprise and assist for current M5/M5C homeowners.
One constant criticism I’ve heard, which Hollister corroborates, is an absence of obtainable substitute components for M5 and M5C 3D printers. In an excellent world, a 3D printer wouldn’t ever want new components, except for these meant to put on (which ought to be common when doable). However the M5C is infamous for decent finish failures and homeowners have been sounding the alarm about substitute availability even earlier than the eufyMake E1 marketing campaign launched. Now the scenario appears to be like much more dire.
When you aren’t conscious, AnkerMake was Anker’s 3D printer model. For some motive — presumably PR or perhaps even due to authorized points (rumors abound) — Anker deserted the AnkerMake model and created the brand new eufyMake model for his or her E1 UV printer. I’m truly an enormous fan of the E1, however many AnkerMake 3D printer homeowners have been left feeling deserted.
It definitely doesn’t assist that Anker appears to slowly erasing AnkerMake from the web. As of this writing, ankermake.com redirects to eufymake.com. That web site does nonetheless have a assist part for the M5 and M5C, in addition to retailer with many substitute components. However there are some very obtrusive omissions, comparable to substitute M5C scorching ends.
Anker spokesperson Brett White advised Hollister that homeowners can contact assist through e mail once they want these components, but it surely isn’t truly clear if assist will be capable to present them or not. Anecdotally, M5C homeowners have advised me that they didn’t have any luck once they tried that route.
Even backing away from anecdotes and hypothesis, we do know that that Anker/AnkerMake/eufyMake is now not promoting any 3D printers. White mentioned that future releases of recent 3D printer fashions are doable, however that “the model has ended gross sales of the M5 and M5C in the intervening time.”
This does, after all, elicit apprehension in folks contemplating a eufyMake E1 buy. Kickstarter backers are nearly to start out receiving their E1 printers and lots of others are eagerly awaiting suggestions from these backers earlier than making a purchase order determination.
However UV printers are notorious for his or her excessive upkeep wants and potential for printhead clogs. By way of my testing over the previous 4 months, I’ve discovered that to carry true for the eufyMake E1. Contemplating the excessive value of the E1 (in comparison with the M5 and M5C), the likelihood that eufyMake might abandon assist within the years to return is an actual concern.
