09-25-2015: XYZPrinting released the da Vinci Pro 3D printer

But it was „professional” only in name

On September 25, 2015, XYZPrinting – already a leading manufacturer of desktop 3D printers in the world at the time – introduced the da Vinci Pro. According to the company, the da Vinci Pro was designed as a high-performance 3D printer specifically for the needs of designers, engineers, architects, or any business in need of an affordable and user-friendly 3D printer capable of high-volume printing. In reality, it was a better-designed and nicer-looking version of their flagship da Vinci, with a few new but not groundbreaking features. And beyond any doubt, it was not "professional"...

The da Vinci Pro had a build volume of 20 cm on all axes, which was relatively small considering the massive size of the 3D printer itself (a piece of plastic block measuring about 0.5 x 0.5 x 0.5 meters). The inside of the 3D printer was so large (and underutilized) that it echoed...

Additionally, it featured WiFi connectivity (which was horribly slow regardless of the quality of the internet connection) and used a dedicated version of XYZWare software also labeled "Pro" (which wasn’t much different from the default version). The only truly significant difference was that the 3D printer "allowed" the use of third-party filaments, while other models required the use of original filaments with a chip.

But even that wasn’t simple... By default, the Pro had a slot for the original filament cartridge, but spools from other suppliers had to be installed "somehow" on the outside, from the back of the 3D printer (which, given its size, was a terrible solution).

The Pro was slow and printed poorly. It had a rather jam-prone extruder, and servicing it was a nightmare, taking a good few dozen minutes (due to the very awkward way the components were assembled).

The da Vinci Pro also came in a version with an integrated 3D scanner and laser engraver, both of which worked just as well as the 3D printer – which is to say, badly.

As of 2023, XYZPrinting no longer exists, and this 3D printer remains a testament to times that are long behind us.

Source: www.3ders.org