Why Prusa is the next Blackberry
TLDRThe video discusses the latest Prusa XL 3D printer, which features five independent print heads and is up to 10 times faster than its competitors. Despite its impressive capabilities, the presenter questions its market positioning and compares Prusa's situation to that of Blackberry, suggesting that they may need to innovate further to avoid obsolescence. The XL's high price and specialized use case make it a niche product, and the video speculates on Prusa's future direction in the rapidly evolving 3D printing market.
Takeaways
- 😲 Prusa's latest offering, the XL, boasts up to five independent print heads and is significantly faster than a Bamboo Lab X1 Carbon with an AMS.
- 🤔 The speaker questions who to recommend the Prusa XL to, suggesting it might become the 'Blackberry of 3D printing' due to its high price and niche appeal.
- 📈 Prusa Research revolutionized consumer 3D printing in 2012 with an open-source philosophy, leading to rapid development cycles in the industry.
- 🛠️ The XL's multi-head setup is efficient for multicolor or multimaterial prints, reducing the time and material waste associated with filament swapping.
- 💡 The XL's segmented heat bed is a practical feature, as it doesn't require heating the entire bed for small prints.
- 🚀 Prusa's community and brand loyalty are strong, but the company may have been complacent, allowing competitors like Bamboo Lab to innovate and steal the spotlight.
- 📱 Bamboo Lab introduced an appliance-like 3D printer that is user-friendly and significantly faster than previous models, challenging Prusa's market share.
- 🍽️ The video includes a sponsored segment for Factor, a meal delivery service focusing on healthy, chef-crafted, and dietitian-approved meals.
- 💰 The XL's price point of $3,500 semi-assembled or $4,000 fully assembled is high compared to competitors like the Bamboo Lab X1C, which offers speed at a lower cost.
- 📦 The XL's large print volume and multi-head capability may not justify its price for most consumers, especially when considering the broader market of 3D printers.
- 🔄 The speaker hopes that Prusa will pivot and innovate to stay competitive, rather than relying on incremental improvements to outdated technology.
Q & A
What is the latest offering from Prusa and what makes it unique?
-The latest offering from Prusa is the XL, which features up to five independent print heads and is capable of being up to 10 times faster than a Bamboo Lab X1 Carbon with an AMS. Its unique features include a large print volume, independent heads for multicolor or multimaterial prints, and input shaping for faster print speeds.
Why does the author compare Prusa to Blackberry?
-The author compares Prusa to Blackberry because they believe Prusa might become outdated like Blackberry did when faced with new, innovative competitors. Prusa was once a leader in the 3D printing industry, but the author fears they may lose their relevance if they don't continue to innovate.
What was Prusa's impact on the consumer 3D printing landscape in 2012?
-In 2012, Prusa released an open frame 3D printer design and an open source philosophy that significantly changed the consumer 3D printing landscape. It helped accelerate development cycles across the industry and maintained a strong track record for reliability.
How does the author describe the entry of Bamboo Lab into the 3D printing market?
-The author describes Bamboo Lab's entry into the market as a disruptive force, comparing it to the introduction of the iPhone in 2007. Bamboo Lab made 3D printing accessible and user-friendly with their X1 model, which was a stark contrast to the more complex and open-source friendly Prusa machines.
What is the main concern the author has about the Prusa XL's market position?
-The author's main concern is that the Prusa XL's competitive advantages cater to a very narrow niche, making it difficult to justify its purchase, especially considering its high price tag. The author feels that the XL may not be a compelling choice for most consumers when compared to other, more affordable options.
What is the price difference between the Prusa XL and the Bamboo Lab X1C with an AMS?
-The Prusa XL with a five-headed setup costs $3,500 semi-assembled or $4,000 fully assembled. In contrast, a top-of-the-line Bamboo Lab X1C with an AMS costs less than half as much.
What is the print volume of the Prusa XL and how does it compare to the Bamboo Lab X1C?
-The Prusa XL has a print volume of just over 14 inches in each direction, while the Bamboo Lab X1C has a smaller print volume of 10 cubic inches.
What is the author's opinion on the multi-head setup of the Prusa XL for multicolor or multimaterial prints?
-The author acknowledges that the multi-head setup of the Prusa XL is efficient for multicolor or multimaterial prints, as it allows for quick swapping between materials without the need for purging. However, they question the practicality and cost-effectiveness of this feature for the average user.
What is the 'torture test' that the author mentions in the script and what does it demonstrate?
-The 'torture test' is a four-color print test where each color is used for a very short amount of time, forcing the printer to constantly change and purge colors. It demonstrates the XL's efficiency in handling such a demanding task, but also highlights the niche nature of its advantages.
What does the author suggest for Prusa's future strategy to stay competitive?
-The author suggests that Prusa needs to innovate and differentiate themselves from competitors. They hope that the Prusa XL represents a path forward with a core XY setup that can compete with other printers in the market, rather than focusing on expensive, niche features.
What is the role of the company Factor in the script and how is it related to the topic of 3D printing?
-Factor is a meal delivery service that is mentioned in the script as a sponsor. The connection to 3D printing is made through an analogy, where the author compares the evolution of the 3D printing market to the importance of healthy eating, suggesting that just as Factor makes healthy eating easy, innovative companies like Bamboo Lab are making 3D printing more accessible and efficient.
Outlines
🤖 Prusa XL: A Technological Marvel or Niche Product?
The first paragraph introduces the Prusa XL, a 3D printer with up to five independent print heads, and discusses its impressive features, such as increased speed and reliability. However, the narrator expresses concern about the product's market positioning, comparing Prusa to the once-dominant BlackBerry, which lost relevance due to complacency. The narrator also mentions the competition from Bamboo Lab, which has revolutionized the 3D printing experience with its user-friendly and faster machines. The paragraph concludes with a critique of Prusa's recent product releases, suggesting they were rushed and may not be enough to maintain the company's market share.
🚀 Prusa XL vs. Bamboo Lab X1C: A Comparative Analysis
This paragraph delves into the competitive advantages of the Prusa XL, focusing on its large print volume, segmented heat bed, and multi-head setup for multicolor or multimaterial prints. The narrator explains how the XL's design reduces the time and material waste associated with changing filaments in traditional multimaterial setups. Despite these benefits, the paragraph highlights the high cost of the XL compared to the more affordable and still capable Bamboo Lab X1C. A direct comparison of print times for a multicolor part on both printers shows that the XL's efficiency does not justify its significantly higher price. The narrator also discusses the XL's potential market niche and the broader implications for Prusa's future in the 3D printing industry.
🔮 Prusa's Future: Innovation or Obsolescence?
The final paragraph reflects on Prusa's current position and the challenges it faces in a rapidly evolving market. The narrator suggests that Prusa's recent products, the Mark V and the XL, may be seen as incremental improvements rather than groundbreaking innovations. Drawing parallels with BlackBerry's decline, the narrator warns that Prusa risks becoming obsolete if it does not adapt to the changing landscape. The paragraph also acknowledges Prusa's impressive manufacturing capabilities and the potential for the company to pivot and innovate. The narrator expresses a desire for Prusa to remain competitive and invites viewers to share their thoughts on how the company can achieve this.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Prusa
💡3D Printing
💡XL
💡Bamboo Lab
💡Open Source
💡Mark V
💡Input Shaping
💡AMS
💡Factor
💡Blackberry
💡Eligio Orang Storm Giga
Highlights
Prusa's XL 3D printer features up to five independent print heads and is considered a significant advancement in the field.
The XL is up to 10 times faster than a Bamboo Lab X1 Carbon with an AMS, showcasing a major improvement in 3D printing speed.
The video discusses the possibility of Prusa becoming the 'Blackberry of 3D printing' due to its perceived lack of innovation compared to competitors.
Prusa Research revolutionized consumer 3D printing with an open-source philosophy and a reliable track record since 2012.
Bamboo Lab's X1, dubbed the 'iPhone of 3D printing,' has challenged Prusa's market dominance with user-friendly and faster technology.
The XL's large print volume and independent heads for multicolor or multimaterial prints are highlighted as its main selling points.
The video speculates that Prusa may have released the Mark V and XL in response to the competition from Bamboo Lab.
The XL's efficiency in multicolor or multimaterial printing is demonstrated through a comparison with the Bamboo Lab X1 Carbon.
Despite its advanced features, the XL's high price tag and niche market are questioned as potential barriers to widespread adoption.
The video compares the XL to an '800lb panda' in the 3D printing market, suggesting its size and capabilities are impressive but not necessarily appealing to all consumers.
The XL's segmented heat bed is noted as an innovative feature that conserves energy and improves print efficiency.
A sponsored segment discusses Factor, a meal delivery service that emphasizes healthy eating, much like Prusa emphasizes innovation in 3D printing.
The video raises concerns that Prusa's incremental improvements may not be enough to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
The XL's multi-head setup is shown to be more efficient in specific, extreme multicolor printing scenarios compared to the X1 Carbon.
The video suggests that Prusa needs to innovate beyond just improving existing designs to avoid becoming obsolete.
The narrator expresses hope that Prusa will pivot towards more innovative designs to maintain its market position.
The video concludes by inviting viewers to share their thoughts on how Prusa can stay competitive in the current 3D printing landscape.