New matter mod t desktop 3d printer
MOD-t 3D Printer Review 2022 [UPDATED TODAY]
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Printing Area | 150mm x 100mm x 125mm |
Printing Speed | 80 mm³/s |
Supported Filament | PLA |
Filament Diameter | 1.75mm |
Extruders | 1 |
Extruders Diameter | 0.4mm |
As more entry-level 3D printers geared towards the novice flood the market, it can be troublesome to differentiate the good from the bad. Among these is the NewMatter MOD-t 3D printer, a marvel of minimalist design touted as one the most user-friendly printers on the market today.
In the wake of the blistering success of its crowdfunding run on Indiegogo, which raised over $650,000, NewMatter brought the MOD-t to market in 2016. Does it stand up to the lofty promises of its designers, notably unmatched ease of use and simplicity, all for less than $400-$500?
Table of ContentsShow
Design
The MOD-t oozes elegant simplicity, from the removable clear glass panels to the streamlined Apple-inspired forms of the encased extruder shell. NewMatter employed the design prowess of technology design studio Frog Design to conjure up the sharp, clean, and sleek white look, and it shows. The MOD-t is easy of the eye, rivaling the look of pricier models such as the Ultimaker 2 +.
The most amusing aspect of this focus on design is that it carries over to functionality as we found out when assembling and setting up. NewMatter has intentionally gone out of its way to make the MOD-t as friendly and functional as possible. Simplicity is such a core tenet of the design that the MOD-t doesn’t have a control panel or LCD. The only interactive element is a backlit button on the bottom left of the unit used to trigger, pause, or stop prints.
The build area is a modest 150mm x 100mm x 125mm that, considering we are looking at a pre-assembled unit for less than $500, is reasonable and more than suitable for first-timers to cut their teeth with small print projects.
The layer resolution options are surprisingly varied for such a small unit, with the ability to trigger faster prints at 0. 4mm (400 microns), down to a reasonably accurate 0.05mm (50 microns) on the slowest speed setting. The MOD-t boasts a max speed of 80 mm per second.
The nozzle is a fairly standard 0.4 mm hot end that accepts the common 1.75 mm filament. Material wise, the MOD-t only supports PLA, but at this price point, we can’t argue with this lack of versatility. NewMatter does, however, get points for not marketing the printer as compatible with other materials, only for users to find out this isn’t the case – a practice that unfortunately plagues kit printers in this price range.
The MOD-t internal workings diverge from the standardized Cartesian fused filament fabrication build and incorporate a rather novel axis control system. Doing away with the tried and trusted multiple motor/belt setup to move the extruder and build plate on the three axes, NewMatter has perfected a set of servomechanisms that run two horizontal and perpendicular geared pinion rods.
The build plate sits on the pinions via grooves or teeth that lie underneath and catch the gears. The build plate isn’t held in place and instead lays on top of the pinions. As the gears and teeth interact, the build plate is latched and moves on the Y and X axes. The Z-axis is assured by two vertical perpendicular pinions holding the extruder that act in the same way.
The pinion design isn’t so much to reinvent the 3D printing wheel, but rather to cut costs due to the inherent need for fewer, and less complicated elements. A much simpler design lowers production costs and allows NewMatter to ship the MOD-t at such a competitive price point.
The build plate is sadly not heated but is equipped with a removable flexible plastic surface plate to aid stability and the removal of prints by bending the plastic to ease them off.
Where the allure of the MOD-t trails off is connectivity, not so much in the sense of the options (standard USB or Wi-Fi), but the constriction of having to be online to ready and launch a print job, because the MOD-t works with NewMatter’s proprietary browser-based printing app.
In itself, the idea is excellent. It means anyone – using any OS – can dive in and start printing without any problems. Mac or Linux? No problem. The app then safeguards a library of prints either downloaded or purchased from the NewMatter website or uploaded by the user, triggered for printing in just a few short steps.
The app is intuitive and sticks to a format we’re all used to thanks to the pervasiveness of smartphone and apps. Hobbyist lingo or technical considerations won’t dumbfound novices nor will the simple interface of the app.
As mentioned above the app is ideal for beginners and allows a certain amount of limited flexibility for those wanting to venture a little deeper into the specifics of 3D printing. From the app, you can tweak the layer resolution, resize the print object, upload and share print files. But anything more, and the app falls short.
To cater for this, NewMatter also provides the Printer Tool desktop software where the user can upload a . gcode file and apply all manner of parameters such as adding or removing supports, tweaking the extrusion speed and a selection of other custom settings.
Assembly
From unboxing to launching that first test print, NewMatter has once again aimed for simplicity. The MOD-t ships well-packaged and adheres to the efficient and straightforward ethos down to the accessory boxes placed in a modular fashion to protect the printer.
As for what’s in the box, the MOD-t is a veritable treasure chest of accessories: printer, wire brush, scraper, clippers, USB cord, kettle lead, filament spool holder, filament spool, PSU, and build plate.
From here, all that needs assembling is the build tray, which involves placing the surface plate onto the build plate and sliding it into place. It couldn’t be easier. The next step is loading the filament into the printer via either the MOD-t browser or MOD-t Printer Tool desktop software (you’ll need to connect your PC via USB to establish a Wi-Fi connection, but from there onward you can use the printer wirelessly). Attach the spool holder to the back of the printer, pop on the filament and feed it into the device.
From here, we had to feed the filament until it popped out of the other end of the spoil tube. Initiate the feeding process of the app, which heats the hot end, then load the filament into the hole at the top of the extruder carriage.
The above steps are easy enough that, with the helping hand of NewMatter’s succinct introduction guide of the browser app, are within the means of even the most unversed newbie. The build plate is also self-calibrated by the printer, so no user-led calibration process to tackle.
Printing
Overall, the MOD-t produces quality prints if you stick to the curated selection from the NewMatter app. We were hard pressed to find much wrong with the results. The mistakes are minimal, and the printing process is slow, but not unbearable. Thanks to the glass casing, the noise is relatively low for a printer of this caliber.
From loading up a print via the app to launching it with a simple touch of the button on the device, by way of bending the flexible surface plate to remove a finished print, the process was easy and intuitive.
Where the print quality starts to tread shaky ground is when more detail is required, or put otherwise when you opt for print jobs that aren’t part of the NewMatter store. Most of our tests with outside prints ended up with mild to severe imperfections, and in a few cases in that all too familiar mess of scrawled filament.
The root of the problem is the build plate, which as we mentioned above isn’t attached or clipped into the pinions. Instead, the natural friction of the gears is what keeps it in place; the natural vibrations of the printing process shift the plate in small increments.
Support
NewMatter offers a rich library of support articles and video walkthroughs covering setup to navigating the browser app. It’s cheery and unassuming, perfect for a daunted beginner.
Beyond this, there’s no support whatsoever as NewMatter shut down in early 2018 taking the web app, crucial to the MOD-t’s functionality with it.
Users can still make use of the MOD-t Printer Tool desktop software and upload . gcode files made with third-party software to generate prints, but that’s it.
Verdict
For someone who wants to explore and discover the world of 3D printing, the MOD-t is great. The price tag is reasonable, the curated library designs varied enough to keep interest, and the ease of use is unmatched.
However, the MOD-t suffers from its own simplicity especially in the wake of the company shutting its doors. The core idea of using the web app to initiate, manage, and shop for print designs mean the MOD-t is all but redundant for first-timers.
The MOD-t has, therefore, only become a viable option as a unit for seasoned makers who know how to create .gcode files and who want a well-designed entry-level printer. Beginners will struggle too much with the MOD-t without the helping hand of NewMatter to guide them.
Tips & Tricks | New Matter's MOD-t (Updated 4/21/2020) – Blog
Update: April 21, 2020:
The MOD-t 3D printer is no longer manufactured and its parent company, New Matter, no longer offers support for troubleshooting, hardware, or software issues. The steps laid out in this blog post – while previously accurate – are no longer viable. We recommend the LulzBot 3D printers, MakerBot 3D printers, Glowforge 3D laser printers, and also some other alternatives for the classroom or makerspace curriculum.
Unfortunately, the MOD-t 3D printer is no longer made but, with Cura, it’s possible to keep using it. 1. Do not update the Cura software once it has been downloaded. |
The way students or makers can continue using a MOD-t printer involves downloading a special software called Cura. In order to use the Cura Software on your computer and get it to work with the MOD-t, students can simply download version 15.04.6 of Cura software from June 7, 2016. DO NOT update the software after downloading it. This version works best with the MOD-t and newer versions will not work as smoothly. Instructions for doing this simply are also below.
Click and download version 15.04.6 of Cura from the link above (highlighted in the above image). Install the software using the instructions that come up on your screen. DO NOT UPDATE the software for any reason. Upon install or startup of the Cura software, you will also see the window pictured below, which prompts you to update your Cura software – always click “No.”
Once Cura is installed and you are able to open the software, you will see a menu on the left side of the window that looks like the image below. Go to the top left-hand corner and select “Machine,” then “Add new Machine” in the drop-down menu.
Once you click “Add new Machine,” you should see a window pop up that looks like the window below.
Click “Next” and you will then see a screen with several printer options. Select “other” as shown below.
After Selecting “Other,” click “Next” on the “Select Your Machine” screen and you should then be brought to the next screen pictured below
On the “Other Machine Information” screen, select “custom” and click “Next.”
Basically, after Selecting Next on the screen above, you'll see the custom configuration screen pictured below. In the screen below, enter and select the following values as pictured:
- Name: Choose Name
- Y: 150
- X: 100
- Z: 125
- Nozzle: 0.4
- Bed Center: 0,0,0
*Enter all values in the fields reflected in image below.
Next, click “finish” and now you have completed the first main step of matching the Cura Software Printing bed to the mod-T print bed size. Then, you must go to File, “open profile,” and select the “Cura profile.” You can download the Cura profile from the link listed below and saved to your desktop.
Once the profile has been saved to your desktop, you will be able to open it by selecting “Open profile” and selecting “Mod T profile” from your computer hard drive. (The default name is “MOD-t_NM Cura Profile 151020. Ini””).
Once you have selected and opened the profile, you are ready to start!
Creating a Cura Profile:
- Navigate to the GitHub page.
- Download the text from this site into a text or .INI document.
After Configuration
Once you configure your MOD-t printer and Cura, you will be able to begin printing and designing with Cura. You will be able to drag. STL or 3D design files into the Cura window and begin to work on them! After you are done with your file design, you can save the file as a G-code and print it using the New Matter Software on your desktop computer via the Wi-Fi or wired connection.
Once the G-code file saves from Cura on your computer: Open New Matter Printer Utility. Then, go to settings in the New Matter window. Select “Advanced Mode” and Click “Print file." After clicking “Print file,” select the saved G-code document you would like to print, then follow the on-screen instructions and wait for the printer to load the file!
We certainly hope this was helpful and appreciate you checking out this variation to our Tips & Tricks series. Also, be sure to check back next week as our Eduporium Experiment series resumes with a look at the Monk Makes Rover!
NEW MATTER MOD-t 3D Printer User Manual
NEW MATTER MOD-t 3D Printer User Manual
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of your new MOD-tTM 3D printer! We are excited to welcome you to the New Matter community and help guide you on your 3D printing journey. To start printing, go to www.newmatter. com/setup where you will complete the setup process. For questions or comments:
Web: support.newmatter.com
Phone: (866) 949-8722
Email: [email protected]
Social media: @newmatterhelp We look forward to hearing from you!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR MOD-T
- You should visit www.newmatter.com/setup after re-viewing this manual for your MOD-t.
- Your main portal for controlling MOD-t via Wi-Fi: store.newmatter.com.
- Always print with a clear cover for best results and for your safety. nine0022
- Always start printing with a clean print tray properly mounted on the X and Y axis gear arms.
- Log in to store.newmatter.com to explore our curated library of 3D designs.
- All information provided in this manual can be found on the Internet at www.newmatter.com/setup.
- Technical support is always ready to help. Visit support.newmatter.com or see the following page for more information. nine0022
NEW SUBSTANCE ECOSYSTEM
Your MOD-t 3D Printer
Once you have everything set up, MOD-t will be able to print designs from our store via Wi-Fi.
New Materia Shop
New Materia Shop is a portal to your MOD-t. Here you can shop online or print your own. files over Wi-Fi.
MOD-t Utility
MOD-t Utility configures Wi-Fi settings and updates printer firmware via USB. The app also supports MOD-t offline control, including filament loading/unloading and G-code printing. file are prepared using properly configured third party applications. nine0013
NEW MATERIAL STORE
3D Design Marketplace
Browse our catalog and download designs that are great for home, school or office.
Your print queue and control panel
Once logged into your New Matter account, manage your 3D print jobs and track activity on your MOD-t.
New Materia Store
Stock up on consumables and accessories to keep doing great things! nine0013
New Matter Support
Get help with your MOD-t and learn more about 3D printing.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX?
After unpacking the MOD-t, make sure you have all the accessories. Then, using a Mac OSX (10.7+) or Windows (7+) computer, navigate to www.newmatter.com/setup where you will complete the installation process.
- 3D printer MOD-t
- Transparent cover
- 0.5 kg Filament spool BOX A
- Spool holder BOX B
- Power supply B
- BOX BOX C
- Box Print Box C
- Box of the USB D
- Box Box Box Box Box Box Box Box Box Box Box Box Box Box Box Box Box.
- Wire brush BOX D
MOD-t SPECIFICATIONS
0002 store.newmatter.com | MOD-t primary interface. Requires Wi-Fi and supports desktop and mobile browsers including Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. Uses WebGL for rendering. Microsoft Internet Explorer and Edge browsers are not currently supported. | ||
MOD-t Utility | Configures MOD-t wireless network settings and updates printer firmware via USB. Additionally provides a standalone interface to MOD-t. Supports G-code printing file prepared using properly configured third party applications. nine0021 Multifunctional button 9000 9000 mod-T. PREPARE MOD-T CREATE A TRAY ASSEMBLY
LOADING FILAM Thread load
UNLOADING THE FILING
PREPARING THE TRAY FOR PRINTING THE DESIGN WARNING: Do not force the print tray or apply excessive force to the gear rods. nine0022 USING THE MOD-t 3D PRINTER PRINTING A DESIGN FROM THE NEW MATERIAL STORE
PRINT DESIGN FROM EXTERNAL SOURCE
START PRINTING PAUSE / CANCEL PRINTING
REMOVING THE PRINTED DESIGN FROM MOD-t
MOD-t MAINTENANCE PRINT SURFACE MAINTENANCE CLEANING THE MOD-t ACRYLIC COVER COMPLIANCE AND SAFETY WARNINGS COMPLIANCE FCC
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS USER AGREEMENT DISCLAIMER
WARRANTY INFORMATION MOD-t 3D PRINTER LIMITED WARRANTY (NORTH AMERICA) TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THIS LIMITED WARRANTY INDICATES YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY WITH RESPECT TO THE PRODUCT AND IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS, OBLIGATIONS AND IMPLIED OTHER SUBLIMITS. NEW QUESTION DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF QUALITY, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. SOME LAWS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES. IF THESE LAWS APPLY, ALL EXPRESS AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES ARE LIMITED TO THE DURATION OF THE WARRANTY SET FORTH ABOVE. IN NO EVENT WILL New Matter BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSS OR EXPENSES, INCLUDING LOSS PROFITS, LOSS SAVINGS OR OTHER ECONOMIC LOSS. In the case of failure of the above funds or in relation to any other claims for any other theories of recovery, the general responsibility of the New Matter, if any, for losses, losses or otherwise, associated with the product, is limited to the amount that you paid for the product that has evaluated LOSSES. nine0013 To obtain warranty support, you must contact New Matter during the warranty period. See page 5 for technical support contact information. RETURN AND REPAIR POLICY DEFECT ON ARRIVAL ARRIVAL DEFECT
CUSTOMER SUPPORTreport this ad Your MOD-t 3D printer comes with 90-day limited warranty. If you would like to return or replace your MOD-t, please contact New Matter Technical Support. On our online support page, you can find answers to frequently asked questions, how-to videos, articles, forums, and chat (Monday, Friday, 9:66 p.m. PT). Documents / Resources
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MOD-t 3D printer New Matter09 Home » 3D printers » MOD-t 3D printer New Matter $299.99 Best price on: amazon.com Buy Now MOD-t 3D printer New Matter $299. 99 nine0005 BUY Inexpensive thread nine0005 Abundant cartridges Extremely cost effective Easy to use Ecofreindly Explore your creativity and love for technology with the New Matter MOD-t 3D printer. Designed for the non-technical, this incredible Wi-Fi connected printer only takes minutes to set up and start using as it requires no assembly. The MOD-t 3d printer is also low maintenance despite offering very consistent quality. The ability to print directly from your smartphone, tablet, or computer, the accompanying web interface is as easy as it is smooth. Ideal for families, the MO-t 3D printer is equipped with a transparent cover so you can watch every step of your project being done while staying a safe distance from hot or moving parts. As easy as it is to use, the MO-t 3D printer also looks sleek and stylish on any desktop or countertop. nine0013 Ashley
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