Once I reviewed the eufyMake E1 earlier this yr, I made it clear that I feel the machine is revolutionary for bringing DTO (Direct-to-Object) UV printing to hobbyists. I additionally mentioned that it’s inevitable that different firms will try to copy that — in spite of everything, the eufyMake E1 Kickstarter marketing campaign raised nearly $47M (probably the most of any crowdfunding marketing campaign in historical past). Nicely, I used to be proper. Longer goals to be the primary to catch up and can quickly launch their very own DTO UV printer referred to as the ePrint.
Longer is usually recognized for his or her 3D printers and laser engravers. Their machines have by no means been notably compelling, however Longer has managed to remain in enterprise by promoting these machines at low costs. The upcoming ePrint UV printer might lastly push Longer into the next tier within the notion of the hobbyist neighborhood.
Just like the eufyMake E1, the Longer ePrint is a DTO UV printer that may print in full colour onto just about any materials. Additionally just like the E1, the ePrint will be capable of print 3D textures — a function that even most small enterprise and industrial UV DTO printers lack.
There are three massive components that Longer hopes will set the ePrint other than eufyMake and the E1. First, will probably be extra inexpensive. The ePrint SE will begin at $1,299 for VIPs (early backers who place deposits) and the ePrint will begin at $1,699 for VIPs.
The second massive benefit is the ePrint’s twin printhead design. The ePrint SE solely has a single printhead, however the ePrint has two and that ought to pace up print jobs.
The third is that Longer has ditched the entire proprietary ink factor, which is the most important disadvantage of the eufyMake E1. Customers will be capable of buy any UV printer ink they like in massive, cheap bottles. That ought to end in really substantial financial savings, as eufyMake’s ink cartridges are fairly costly.
The Longer E1 will launch on Kickstarter quickly (date TBD). However within the meantime, you’ll be able to pay $50 to reserve a printer on the Longer web site. Then, if you again the Kickstarter marketing campaign, you’ll obtain a $250 refund. So, you’re saving $200 by reserving now.
I’ll attempt to get a Longer E1 UV printer to evaluate and evaluate to the eufyMake E1, so you’ll want to maintain a watch out for that.
