At the beginning of 2022, I joined the development team of the opensource project called VZBot. The team, comprised of former BMW engineers and numerous German machineshop owners, was focused on developing a 3D printer capable of ultra-high speed printing with the capability to print both low and high temperature thermoplastics. The team was obsessed with creating the fastest opensource 3D printer. In the process, we developed numerous techniques for optimization that are now commonplace in both commerical and industrial 3D printers, such as bottom-up remote-static cooling systems, carbon fiber motion components, skeletalized aluminum braces for ultra-light weight, and swapping stepper motors for servo-motors.

My machine, Serial #87, was one of the first 50 VZ330 models built from scratch. I implemented DSLR camera mounts, more flexible cooling system attatchments, and compatability for the magnetic Klicky bed measurement probe. Here is a video of a benchmark test. See an early picture of my setup below.