We’ve found out a bit more about MCOR’s intriguing free 3D printing program, called “freeDrevolution”. As we wrote earlier, the idea is to give you (literally) a free commercial 3D printer (the MCOR Matrix, of course) and then you simply pay a flat fee to cover all printing costs – including maintenance and supplies. In principle this could permit unlimited 3D printing at a fixed cost, but you’ll obviously be limited by the capacity of your machine. We inquired about the pricing and found there there are some discounts available if you confirm a long-term deal. Here’s the details (per year equivalent cost):
- One year plan: £9,950 / €11,400 / USD$15,600
- Two year commitment : £7,600 / €8,700 / USD$11,900
- Three year commitment: £6,530 / €7,500 / USD$10,235
At the lowest cost level, this seems to be a pretty good deal. Of course, you must remember that MCOR’s 3D printer is fuelled by common paper as its print material, so you’ll have to supply that on your own. Nevertheless, could mean you pay only USD$10K per year for unlimited 3D printing!
Via MCOR
The first statement is contradicted by the second. If the flat fee covers all printing costs including supplies then it covers the raw print materials too. If it doesn't cover those supplies, then it doesn't cover "all printing costs".
The earlier article repeats the MCOR website's claim that they will "resupply you with consumables in an 'all you can eat' fashion." Do they use the fine print of the agreement to say "Not really." ? Do you actually have a copy of the agreement where it states paper is excluded from the consumables they cover? A link to it would be welcome.
Such exclusion of the paper supplies from the program is not stated on their website, so it sounds like bait-and-switch to me if the contract indeed does exclude that critical consumable…
The first statement is contradicted by the second. If the flat fee covers all printing costs including supplies then it covers the raw print materials too. If it doesn't cover those supplies, then it doesn't cover "all printing costs".
The earlier article repeats the MCOR website's claim that they will "resupply you with consumables in an 'all you can eat' fashion." Do they use the fine print of the agreement to say "Not really." ? Do you actually have a copy of the agreement where it states paper is excluded from the consumables they cover? A link to it would be welcome.
Such exclusion of the paper supplies from the program is not stated on their website, so it sounds like bait-and-switch to me if the contract indeed does exclude that critical consumable…