gCreate Releases Updates for gMax 1.5+ and 1.5 XT+

gCreate makes large format printers. Really large. Their gMax 1.5+ has a build area of 16″ x 16″ x 12″ and their taller 1.5XT+ model has a build area of 16″ x 16″ x 21″. gCreate has just released a host of features that consumers are going to love while keeping the prices for their printers static. When you buy a gMax you get a lot of printer for the money.

Chief among the upgrades to the gMax 1.5 series printer are auto-bed leveling and heated beds. I previously reported that gMax was testing the BLTouch auto-bed leveling sensor. Shortly after that gCreate started offering the BLTouch as an optional upgrade and they were available in their online store for individual purchase for gMax owners to upgrade their machines. Now all gMax printers ship with a BLTouch auto-bed leveling sensor standard. This means no more pesky bed leveling, something consumers are sure to appreciate.

Even more exciting to those of us following the small Brooklyn-based 3D printer company is the announcement of the heated bed option, something that gMax owners have been longing for. The dual zone 16″ x 16″ heated bed was  made in conjunction with Keenovo and comes with a custom BuildTak print surface. It is controlled by a dedicated digital controller, which plugs directly into a standard wall outlet eliminating the need for a separate power supply. Though the gMax’s standard sanded acrylic beds were very easy to print on, with good adhesion and fairly easy removal of prints, the heated bed’s perfectly flat glass topped with Build Tak should ensure even smoother prints.

gCreate has replaced many of the gMax 1.5+ series 3D printed parts for the 2016 model with powder coated metal components, including Z-axis motor and self-leveling foot mounts. The new full graphical LCD screen is also mounted in a powder coated steel bracket and ships pre-installed on the printer and protect the electronics.

The gMax 1.5+ series, which uses authentic J-Head Mk V-BV hotends, already has the ability to print in numerous materials including PLA, ABS, NinjaFlex, SemiFlex, Stainless Steel, and Carbon Fiber Reinforced filament. However the inclusion of the heated bed and the machine’s all-metal E3D hotend compatibility opens up a wide door of new possibilities such as colorFabb’s popular nGen.

Both models will continue to ship fully assembled, calibrated, and pre-tested. Furthermore, the gCreate team is pleased to announce that even with the implementation of these updates the price of the gMax 1.5+ and gMax 1.5 XT+ will remain the same, starting at $2,495 and $2,995, respectively. This makes both printers still among the lowest price per cubic inch in the entire global desktop FDM 3D printing market. The price of each printer also includes a host of useful accessories and a complimentary full spool of top quality colorFabb PLA filament.

gCreate also announced that they are looking to expanded, and are currently reviewing potential new spaces in Brooklyn. The acquisition of a larger space will allow the team to move forward with their hiring initiative and add additional focus on ramping up production. gCreate is also expanding their presence both domestically and internationally. This company has come a long way since their successful Kickstarter in October 2013. If you’re looking to print big, really big, there might be a gMax 1.5+ printer in your future.

Check out the video below of Joe Telling/3D Printing Nerd reviewing the gMax 1.5 XT+: