u/sand-strudel

I received my Z1 yesterday here in Ontario, Canada. I believe I was in the top 200 on the backer list.

Here are my initial impressions, coming from a background in 3D printing with a Prusa:

• Packaging and Unboxing: Everything was packaged exceptionally well. There were some loose chips inside the machine that spread during unboxing, but it was actually nice to know that the machine was tested before shipping. Be mindful of where you open it, as you will definitely need a vacuum handy.
• Wi-Fi Setup: Connecting the machine to Wi-Fi in non-hotspot mode was a bit confusing. The wiki lacks documentation for this, and I couldn't find the necessary options within Makera Studio. Fortunately, the Android app had a Wi-Fi configuration option that got it connected.
• Makera Studio Software: The software needs some polish for daily use. It frequently prompts you to re-enter your authentication email. When preparing a CNC job, some settings lack measurement units (such as leveling height). The "start" menu also needs better explanations for technical terms like "Scan margin" and "Auto z probe."
• First Project (Epoxy): I ran the basic epoxy project and found it generally easy to get started. I did run into some minor slowdowns trying to match the drill bit names in Makerables with the physical bits that actually shipped. As a minor note, the documentation features screenshots of an older UI that no longer matches the current Makera Studio interface.
• Static Deionizer: This component worked incredibly well during the epoxy project.
• Y-Axis Jam and Probe Issue (Picture 1): After finishing the epoxy wolf, I inserted an aluminum piece to carve a clamp. I didn't realize the metal piece was shorter in height, and I jammed the Y-axis because the holding screw blocked the bed from moving. This caused the probe to bend. I thought I had ruined it, but luckily, the probe features a backup screw holder. I swapped it out and will look into fixing the original part.
• Unexplained Drill Bit Issue: During the jam incident, the drill bit inexplicably got stuck behind the probe. I still cannot explain how this happened, though perhaps the bed wasn't positioned or homed correctly.
• Collision Detection: The biggest shock from the jam was that the machine failed to identify the blockage and just continued operating. Coming from a Prusa 3D printer, this lack of collision detection was very surprising.

Overall, I am very satisfied with the quality the machine produces, but I am terrified of jamming the probe or bumping into the clamps and bed. I do wish the probe button was somehow separate from the work area/bed, it's annoying that it takes up that top right corner.

I hope this information and the images are helpful If anyone has questions, please feel free to ask.