Elektor PCB Prototyper

[mikefi]

I got interested about purchasing Elektor PCB Prototyper that was introduced in December/2010 magazine.

It seems wery interesting and efficient machine, but I don't want to buy pig in a poke.

Does anyone know has the manufacturer released any usefull information on this equipment, other than the usual hype about how good their machine is?

Videos, manual, Hi-res pics of the produced PCB's, anything?

[bigclive]

I too was intrigued by the PCB router and did some research on the 'net. Unfortunately this is one of the first pages I found...

http://colinbususer.blogspot.com/

It appears the guy had a long, expensive and unpleasant experience with Colinbus and a badly manufactured machine with hardware and software issues.

Perhaps theyve resolved all issues now, but it doesn't look like they put much emphasis on customer service.

I wonder why Elektor has aligned with them as opposed to a more common router like a Roland Modela which is widely used in educational establishments.

http://www.rolanddg.com/product/3d/3d/mdx-20_15/mdx-20_15.html

[mikefi]

Yeah, I found the Colinbususer-blog too.
He pointed directly how unprofessionally Colinbus handled the reclamation.
This is one of the reasons I haven't yet ordered the PCB Prototyper from them.

I too was hoping that Colinbus had resolved any issues they have had with manufacturing and aftersales. But I cannot find any info that would confirm that.


I asked Colinbus for more info about the new PCB prototyper via Email, they replied fast and informed that more info and demonstration video would be available on their website within a few days...It now has been two weeks since I received their reply, but no updated info on their page.

The other reason why I haven't ordered the prototyper yet, is the lack of information about the machine. Few pics and barely basic specs. are not suffifient enough.
I'm not going to buy over 3000€ machine without knowing any details.

How about Elektor itself?
It's their project too, I would think Elektor should have some motivation to release new info and data on the machine...
But no, just the few pics and the price.
The artcle in a December issue was a good start, but leaves too many open questions.

[bigclive]

Another odd thing is that even in the magazine article promoting the machine it appears as though the Elektor staff themselves have not actually got a machine or seen it directly in operation. They do say they have seen examples of routed PCBs, but who knows what they were routed on or if they were the best of a few go's.

I'm looking at a Roland myself now. Apparently they don't come up second hand very often because they are so reliable. But new they cost less than the Elektor Colinbus machine and are absolutely proven.

Perhaps Elektor could do an article on the use of an industry/education standard 3D router like the desktop Roland ones to make PCBs.