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Hello,

We are a small business in the Seattle area looking for a solid 3D printer. After a lot of research we have narrowed the field down to the Xeed. We are attracted to the Xeed’s material flexibility, build volume, heated chamber, and accuracy. The machine will be used for rapid prototyping and proof parts at a projected frequency of once or twice a week. Before we take the plunge, I’d love to hear what other users think about the machine and Leapfrog.

Have you received good support from the company?

How does the machine perform?

Is there anything you would caution me about on the machine?

Would you buy it again or go with something else given the chance?

I appreciate any other feedback you can offer.

Thanks,

-Matt

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Dear Matt,

I am living in The Netherlands where Leapfrog is based, working with leapfrog in my prototyping business with 3 engineers working in product development and machine building.

I have two Leapfrog HS printers working fine but it is not always stable, that’s why I have two, so I quickly know which component is causing the problem, such as Olimex A20 computer board, the motors, drivers or the circuit board.

Support from Leapfrog is very good and personal, (I am speaking Dutch but I need to speak English in the support area of Leapfrog, nice for you I think)

I will recommend you to start with a HS, price is more than half of a Xeed only difference you need to level it yourself.

A close heating case isn’t important because you are printing prototypes that are simply made in PLA.

Its super easy to print all color PLA with only heated bed, a heated area isn’t necessary.

When you want to make large production products in for example ABS ect. better have a heated print area like the Xeed or make a case around the HS.

Because surely you first 2 or 3 months trying to figure out how to programing is working fine. Then start your printing, that’s learning allot about all simple technics to make a nice print.

Maybe then within a half year there is a new type of Xeed or you can buy one extra HS.

I hope you know what I mean to say to you.

If you have more questions you can e-mail me on: dirkdedader@outlook.nl

Or ask on 3D hubs like this.

Best regards,

Dirk Wouters

www.dedader.nl

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Dirk,

Thank you for the input! Your English is very good!

The nature of our business means that we rarely know what size prints we will need to make. We would like to be able to print larger parts in ABS/Nylon etc. So I think the Xeed is the way to go. We may consider adding a second smaller printer for little jobs, or if we need to make multiple parts quickly.

I understand the Xeed has a built in computer which will save us from having to buy a dedicated PC to operate the printer. From your experience, is the built in computer easy to use?

Have you heard rumors of a next generation Xeed? If so we may want to wait for that.

Thanks again, we are a small family business so this is a substantial investment for us. Every bit of information helps!

-Matt

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I’ve had very bad customer experience with Leapfrog. My machine was a 2012 model if I’m not mistaken and it constantly gave me problems. I’ve spent more time trying to get it to work and have it actually function. Bad fabrication of key components, bad machine design and unreliable as hell are the main points that come to mind. I’m currently in the process of replacing their controller board with a Megatronics V3. The original one short circuited and the replacement they sent me is faulty and will loose communication with the PC. When I realized it had a problem it was already too late and machine was out of warranty.

The only feedback on Xeed I ever read were in their forums, a lonely post in the Xeed section from someone who had access to one at his school but which was useless because the machine would always jam after the first layer.

There are far better large volume printers out there. Check out the Lulzbot Tarz. I’ve heard great things about it.

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Matt,

Maybe you’re right, about professionalism of the XEED, especially for business performing.

I also think the new programming software would improve a lot, formerly I use simplify 3D, before June 2015 it was standard leapfrog licences code in a e-mail you get for free.

Now they deliver special materialize software, I hope it will improve the printer to.

I don’t know if there is a new Xeed coming soon,

I just want to show a overview of leapfrog product to explain my idea about HS and Xeed difference. (See attachment)

Hope you will make a good decision, it is certainly nice to start with printing and make new thing possible, with 3D printing.

Dirk,

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