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Printrbot ran out of money. Couldn’t compete with cheap Chinese printers. The one thing about this whole conversation that is frustrating to me is how people b
by Robotbeat 3y ago
Printrbot ran out of money. Couldn’t compete with cheap Chinese printers.
The one thing about this whole conversation that is frustrating to me is how people blame these companies for not being cheaper than China, essentially. “Why aren’t you better than Bambu?? Why is business taking so long??” Like, this business is freaking hard. Hardware tech is nearly impossible to succeed in as a small company with low cost, consumer machines! Now competing with China, who got to free ride on accomplishments from OSHW companies and community, is just something they’re not doing for fun or whatever??
These folks are in a nearly impossible situation. China has nearly every advantage. It’s a miracle that any of them have stayed in business at all!
So while I do think it sucks they’ve pulled back on open source, it’s completely understandable. These companies are barely surviving as it is. It drives me nuts how people take this all for granted.
That said, Limor Fried is such a bawse. All hail Lady Ada!
- Fomite 3y agoI mean, we also watched Lulzbot self-immolate on the alter of open source. When it comes down to it, "Open Source" doesn't carry much of a price premium for a lot of people. "You can print the parts yourself" doesn't carry a price premium for a lot of people. I think Prusa enjoyed the "It Just Works" and being the logical upper-level consumer printer recommendation, and a little bit conflated that with the ethos of the company. Which worked for a long time. But I think he'd be better off pushing fair labor practices and superior support as the main things, rather than grousing about open source.