What's Happening?

The Printer In The School Cupboard, And How To Get It Going Again

2026-08-12T18:17:52-05:00

Hi, it's Jase from MindKits.

Every year around this point in Term 3 I get the same phone call. A school has a 3D printer, it's sitting in a cupboard or on a bench under a dust sheet, and the teacher who actually knew how to drive it has moved on to another job. Now someone else has inherited it and nobody's keen to be the one who wrecks it in front of a full class.

Happens heaps. It's not a school thing either - I get the same call from businesses who bought a machine for one project, finished the project, and then let it go quiet for eight months. The gear's fine. The confidence is the bit that's missing.

What actually happens in a training session

An hour on Google Meet with me is $195, and we work on the machine you've actually got in front of you. Not a generic slideshow. We'll go through the hardware, the maintenance bits that stop most of the common failures, filament types and why the wrong one makes your life hard, the slicer, and what to do when a print peels off the plate halfway through overnight.

Most people find the maintenance section the useful part. A lot of "my printer's broken" turns out to be a clogged nozzle or a plate that hasn't been washed since it came out of the box.

If you'd rather have someone in the room, on-site training is $390 for the hour. For schools that's often worth it because you can get a few staff around the machine at once and everyone asks their own questions.

There's also an intro to TinkerCAD session, $195 for the hour. Teachers ask for that one more than anything else, and it makes sense - kids can't print anything until they can model something. TinkerCAD's free, runs in a browser, and works on the Chromebooks most schools already have.

If you just want a quick hand getting a new machine out of the box, the onboarding session is $65, and a 30 minute remote troubleshoot is also $65.

We don't care where you bought it

Worth saying plainly: we'll train you on any machine, even if it didn't come from us. A good chunk of the printers I've helped with this year were bought somewhere else, sometimes years ago. Doesn't bother us one bit. A printer sitting idle in a storeroom isn't doing anyone any good, least of all the students who could be using it.

And if the machine really is crooked rather than just intimidating, we do repairs too. A diagnosis is $30, a routine service on a Bambu A/P/X/H or Ultimaker S series is $165 plus any parts, and on-site service around Auckland metro is $360 including travel.

Give us a ring on 09 367 7474, or fill in the form on the services page and tell us what you've got and what you want to do with it. We'll sort you out.

Jase

The Bambu Lab A2L Is Here, And It's a Lot of Bed for $799

2026-08-05T20:18:51-05:00

Hi, it's Tim from MindKits.

The new Bambu Lab A2L has landed, and I think it's going to suit a lot of people who've been asking us for a bigger printer without jumping to a much bigger price.

The printer is $799 on its own. The Combo is $1,049 and adds AMS lite for four-colour printing. Both versions are in stock with us in Auckland now.

The extra build space is the important bit

The A2L has a 330 x 320 x 325mm build volume. For comparison, the A1 gives you a 256mm cube. That difference is useful if you're printing full-size helmets, cosplay pieces, architectural models, large organisers or long functional parts.

It also means less time splitting a model into smaller sections, then lining everything up, gluing it and sanding the joins afterwards. Sometimes that process is unavoidable, but having more bed space gives you the option to print a larger part in one piece.

Bigger doesn't mean stripped back

The A2L uses a closed-loop PMSM servo extruder, the same approach Bambu uses in its higher-end printers. It monitors extrusion as it runs and makes corrections in real time. Maximum print speed is 500 mm/s, the hotend reaches 300 degrees, and it comes with a textured PEI build plate and a 0.4mm nozzle.

It also has a 1080p camera, a 3.5-inch colour touchscreen and Wi-Fi. You can manage prints through Bambu Studio and check on them remotely with Bambu Handy.

Should you get the Combo?

The Combo includes AMS lite, which holds up to four spools and changes colours automatically during a print. It makes sense for signs, display models, gifts, teaching projects, or anything with coloured text and logos.

If you mainly print workshop parts, brackets or prototypes in one material, the standard A2L at $799 may be the better buy. You can still add AMS lite later if your needs change.

Local support matters

MindKits is Bambu Lab's authorised New Zealand reseller. That means proper manufacturer warranty support through our Auckland-based team, plus genuine nozzles, hotends, build plates and spare parts held locally.

If you're weighing up the A2L against the P2S, get in touch and tell us what you plan to print. We'll give you an honest steer on which machine fits the job rather than simply pointing you at the more expensive one.

Bambu Lab A2L | A2L Combo with AMS lite

Tim

Getting Into Laser Cutting? Here's Why the Maker's Bundle Makes Sense

2026-08-02T19:35:41-05:00

Hi, it's Jase from MindKits.

We get asked this a lot - "should I just get the Beambox II on its own, or is the Maker's Bundle worth it?" So here's the honest rundown.

What's Actually in the Bundle?

The Maker's Bundle is the FLUX Beambox II 55W CO2 laser cutter, plus the Chuck Rotary Add-on and the Extension Pocket Add-on. All in one box, $6,799.

If you buy the laser on its own ($6,335) and then add the rotary ($449) and pocket ($299) later, you're looking at about $7,083 total. So the bundle saves you roughly $280 and you don't have to muck around ordering extras later.

What Does the Rotary Actually Do?

The Chuck Rotary clamps onto round objects and spins them while the laser does its thing. So you can engrave onto wine bottles, tumblers, drink bottles, mugs, rolling pins - anything cylindrical. It opens up a whole category of projects you just can't do with a flat bed alone.

We've had customers who started engraving tumblers and personalised chopping boards as a side thing, and some of them are genuinely flat out with orders now. Custom wedding favours, corporate gifts, that sort of thing. Turns out people love getting their name lasered onto stuff.

And the Extension Pocket?

The pocket drops the floor of the machine down, so you can fit thicker materials inside. Standard depth is about 125mm, but the pocket takes it to 215mm. That means you can work with chunky timber slabs, thicker acrylic blocks, or stack a rotary underneath without it getting cramped. If you're doing anything beyond flat sheet materials, you'll want it.

The Machine Itself

Quick specs for anyone who hasn't looked into it yet - it's a 55W CO2 laser. Work area is 600 x 375mm, which is a good size for most projects. Engraving speed goes up to 900mm/s and it handles up to 1000 DPI resolution. It'll cut through 20mm acrylic and 18mm softwood, so it's not a toy.

It's fully enclosed, sits on a desk, and has a built-in camera for previewing your layout before you fire the laser. Autofocus too, so you're not faffing about with manual adjustments. Works with LightBurn out of the box.

Why Now?

It's the middle of winter, which means it's the perfect time to be in the workshop getting set up. A lot of people making things for markets start their prep around now so they've got stock ready for the spring and Christmas rush. If you've been thinking about it, getting sorted now gives you a few months to learn the machine and build up inventory before things get busy.

We stock these locally in Auckland so it ships fast. And if you get stuck with anything, we're here to help - that's kind of our thing.

Have a look at the Maker's Bundle here, or if you just want the Beambox II on its own, that's on the site too.

Give us a yell if you've got questions.

Jase

When PLA Isn't Tough Enough - Pixel Hyper ABS

2026-07-22T19:03:40-05:00

Hi, it's Jase here from MindKits.

I get asked pretty regularly: "what should I use when PLA just isn't cutting it?" It usually comes up when someone's printing something that has to live in a warm spot - a dash mount for the car, a bracket near a motor, a clip that sits out in the NZ sun all day. PLA starts to soften around 60°C and that's that. Not ideal.

The answer most of the time is ABS (the same plastic used in LEGOs!). It handles heat a lot better - around 80-100°C depending on the print settings - and it's got more flex before it breaks compared to PLA. Engineers have been printing with it for years for exactly that reason.

The catch has always been that ABS is a bit of a pain to print. It warps off the bed, it smells, and if your printer isn't in an enclosure you're fighting it the whole time. That's put a lot of people off.

That's the problem Pixel Hyper ABS is built to fix.

The "Hyper" in the name means a reformulated ABS compound that prints at higher speeds without the usual drama - less warping, better bed adhesion, and a cleaner result all round. We tested a few options before adding this to the Pixel range and it really does behave noticeably better than older ABS formulations. It's still ABS so an enclosure is generally required and you want ABS to be dried before use, but it's not the nightmare some people remember from the early days of desktop printing.

Right now we've got it in three colours:

CryoFrost (white) - clean, bright white, good for functional parts that need to look tidy
Singularity (black) - the go-to for anything mechanical
Fog of War (grey) - sits nicely between the two, great for car and automotive stuff

Refills are $22 a kg, full spools $25. If you've already got a Bambu Lab reusable spool, the refills click straight in - no dramas. Pretty easy win if you're printing a lot.

Common uses we see for this stuff: automotive brackets and mounts, outdoor clips and fasteners, enclosure parts, anything mechanical that runs a bit warm, and gear/pulley teeth where you want some flex but not too much.

If you've been avoiding ABS because of past headaches, this is worth a second look. It's not perfect - it's still a more demanding print than PLA+ - but it's a lot more forgiving than it used to be. There is also Pixel Filament ASA the stuff that'll be in the Sun 24/7.

Grab it from the Pixel range on the website, or flick us a message if you're not sure which material is right for your project. Happy to help.

Cheers,
Jase

Browse all Pixel Filament

CNC Parts, Gutter Plugs, and a Filament Addiction

2026-07-15T18:18:24-05:00

Hi, it's Jase from MindKits.

I had a read through a few reviews this week and had to smile. Not because they were all five stars, although that's always nice. It was the completely random mix of things people were using their gear for.

A CNC part on a weekend

Ties Van Roij bought a Onefinity CNC Woodworker from us more than a year ago. He'd needed help a few times along the way, then recently had to track down a part over a weekend. We weren't officially open, but the team got back to him and helped get it sorted.

He wrote: "From buying my Onefinity CNC, with support often within minutes whenever I've needed help over the past year, to needing a part and receiving it on a weekend when they aren't even open - they've always gone above and beyond."

I'll take that. Buying the machine is the easy bit. The real test is when you need a small part, you've got a job half done, and you don't want to spend the next week trawling the internet.

The filament addiction is real

Jason "Red" Petersen left us a review saying he comes to us to satisfy his "Filament Addiction" and get all the flavours he likes. Mate, fair enough. We've seen a few shelves at home that prove he isn't alone.

Pixel's one of those things where you start with a roll because you need it for a job, then the colours get you. One more black for parts, something bright for the kids, maybe a weird colour because you might need it one day. It happens.

Hyper PLA+ is a good place to start if you want easy, quick prints without mucking about. And if your shelf is already looking a bit full, no judgement from me.

Four gutter plugs before the birds moved in

Brad Watson had a much less glamorous project, but probably the most practical one of the lot. He needed four drain plugs for the gutters, and needed them quickly before birds started making themselves at home.

He grabbed some Pixel PETG, we got it out the door, and he had the plugs printed the next day. His review said the print quality was great and the shipping was speedy.

That's exactly why I like 3D printing. You spot a weird little problem around the house, make the bit you need, and get on with your day. No waiting for a replacement part that may or may not exist.

This is the good stuff

That's a pretty normal week for us really. CNC bits, far too much filament, and someone trying to keep birds out of the gutters. I reckon that's the best part of the job. Every machine ends up doing something different.

If you're stuck on a project, need the right material, or are trying to find a part nobody seems to have, give us a yell. We're in Auckland and ship all over NZ. No dramas.

- Jase, MindKits

Winter's the Best Time to Print. Here's What We're Loading Up On

2026-07-08T18:30:05-05:00

It's July. It's cold. And honestly, that's kind of perfect if you're into 3D printing.

There's something about a grey Auckland winter that's really good for output - you're not going anywhere, the heater's on, and your printer just keeps going. If you've been meaning to get a few projects done, or you've been holding off buying filament, now's a decent time to stock up.

We've had a lot of people asking about Pixel Hyper PLA+ lately, so figured it was worth a proper write-up.

What's the Hyper PLA+?

Pixel is our own brand - we develop it specifically for how people actually print, not for a spec sheet. The Hyper PLA+ is the higher-speed version - it'll push up to 500mm/s on machines that can handle it, but it also just prints well at normal speeds on anything from a Bambu A1 mini to an older Ender 3. No fiddling with profiles, no dramas with adhesion on a clean plate.

It's $23.49 a refill kg (or $25 with the reusable spool if you need one), which is genuinely not much for filament that behaves this consistently. We've got the CryoFrost white and Singularity black in stock here in Auckland - no waiting around for it to arrive from overseas.

What Are People Actually Printing With It?

Mostly the stuff you'd expect - organiser trays, phone stands, cable clips, costume props, replacement brackets for things that broke. But we've also had customers running it through prototyping runs and small-batch production bits. It's a solid all-rounder that doesn't need babysitting.

If you're doing anything that needs a bit more toughness, or you're printing parts that see some heat, the Hyper PETG sits at $23 a kg too. It's a bit more flexible than PLA, handles higher temps better, and the BSOD Blue colour looks excellent on anything mechanical.

The Refill Thing

If you haven't tried a refill roll yet, it's worth picking one up. You buy the spool once, then refills are slightly cheaper and a bit less plastic waste each time. The core fits most standard setups, so it's pretty painless to switch over.

Why Pixel?

A while back, Tim (who started MindKits back in 2008) got a bit fed up with the gap between "cheap filament that doesn't print well" and "expensive filament where you're paying for the brand name." So we made our own. The whole point was to get consistent, reliable filament into people's machines without the premium markup.

Every batch is tested, it's stocked in Auckland so shipping's quick, and if something's ever off you've got a local team to sort it out - not a contact form on an overseas website.

Browse the full Pixel range below - there's a good selection of types and colours to dig through, and the refill bundles are particularly good value if you get through a lot.

Browse Pixel Filament

Your Printer's Broken. We'll Fix It (Even If You Didn't Buy It From Us)

2026-07-01T17:57:36-05:00

It usually starts with a weird noise. Or a clog that won't shift. Or the calibration's gone sideways and you've spent two evenings watching YouTube videos with nothing to show for it except a slightly worse attitude toward 3D printing.

We get it. And here's the thing - you don't have to just live with it.

We fix machines regardless of where you bought them

This is probably the most common thing people are surprised to hear: we don't care where your printer came from. Bambu Lab, Ultimaker, xTool, some off-brand thing you picked up a couple years back - if it prints or cuts, our techs can probably sort it out.

The team here has pulled apart more machines than we can count. Flooded print heads, extruder rebuilds, hotend clogs, belts that need replacing, firmware that's gone funny - it all comes through. And a lot of the time, it's something that looks complicated but isn't actually that bad once you know what you're looking at.

Diagnosis is $30. That's it. So before you decide to bin the thing or buy a replacement, it's worth knowing what's actually wrong.

Routine service - what's actually included

If you just want a proper service rather than a repair, most Bambu and Ultimaker machines are $165 + parts. That's not just a once-over - it includes cleaning the hotend and extruder, lubricating the rails and lead screws, checking belt tension, a firmware update, full calibration, and a test print before it comes back to you.

A lot of people book this in once a year or so. It's the kind of thing that catches small issues before they become big ones.

Not in Auckland? Courier it to us

We're based in Auckland but we look after people all over NZ. If you're not local, just courier the machine in and we'll get it turned around and back to you. It's way less hassle than you'd think, and honestly pretty common - we've had machines come through from Wellington, Christchurch, the whole country.

For Auckland folks, we do on-site too if you've got a bigger machine or just don't want to deal with boxing it up. On-site service in the Auckland metro is $360 + parts, travel included.

Not broken - just stuck?

Sometimes the machine's fine, you just haven't quite cracked how to use it yet. That's what our training sessions are for. You can book a one-hour or two-hour session with Jase - online (Google Meet or Facetime) or in person. He'll walk through whatever you're trying to figure out, whether that's getting the first layer right, learning the software, or setting up multi-colour prints.

Online training is $195 for an hour. It's a pretty relaxed chat, not a lecture - bring your questions and we'll work through them.

If you're just getting started, the 30-minute onboarding session for $65 is a good shout. It's enough time to get your machine set up properly and know what you're doing.

Just give us a ring

If you're not sure what you need, call us on 09 367 7474 or flick a message through the services page. We'll work out what makes sense.

The machine's probably not dead. Let's have a look.

- The MindKits team

The Bambu Lab H2S Is Here - and It's Properly Exciting

2026-06-24T17:49:00-05:00

Bambu Lab's been on a bit of a roll lately, and the H2S is their latest - and honestly one of the more interesting things they've put out in a while.

Most 3D printers - even good ones - have a dirty little secret: they get less accurate over time. Mechanical wear, belt stretch, general drift. You recalibrate manually, accept it, print on. The H2S does something different. It's got a Vision Encoder that tracks positioning to under 50 microns - that's thinner than a human hair - and it automatically compensates for mechanical drift during calibration. Bambu's calling it the first in the industry and they're not wrong. It's the kind of thing engineers and makers who build functional parts have been quietly wanting for ages.

The extruder's been given a proper upgrade too. Bambu's moved to a PMSM servo motor - 67% more extrusion force compared to the previous H-series setup. Paired with up to 1000mm/s toolhead speed and 20,000mm/s² acceleration, it's quick. Like, noticeably quick if you've been used to anything but the top-end Bambu machines.

Build volume has had a nudge up too - 340x320x340mm, which is the biggest of any Bambu printer in the range. Useful if you've ever hit the ceiling on a P1S or X1C and had to split parts you really didn't want to split.

On the materials side, it's running a 350°C nozzle with 65°C active chamber heating - so pretty much anything you'd want to print is fair game. ABS, PA, PC, carbon fibre filaments, no dramas. And if you've got HEPA filtration and VOC concerns sorted, the sealed chamber mode handles that too.

There's also an optional 10W laser and cutting module - same concept as the H2D. If you want to add laser work to your setup down the track you can bolt it on. Not everyone needs it day one, but it's nice to have the option rather than needing a second machine.

The AMS Combo (printer plus the multi-material unit) is $2,940 inc GST and is taking preorders now - ETA December 2026. The base H2S starts at $2,498 if you don't need multi-material out the gate.

It's a solid preorder for anyone who's planning to upgrade their setup for next year or kitting out a professional space. As official NZ Bambu Lab resellers, you're not doing a grey import - full local warranty, and we actually know these machines inside out. If something goes sideways, you can talk to a real person here in NZ.

Have a look at the H2S on our website, or come in to the workshop if you want to talk it through - always happy to help figure out what's actually the right machine for what you're doing.

View the Bambu Lab H2S AMS Combo ?

3D SCANNING IN 2025: Why it's finally within reach for makers and businesses

2026-06-24T11:00:00-05:00

3D scanning used to mean a room-sized machine, a specialist operator, and a bill that made you wince. If you wanted to reverse-engineer a part, capture a sculpture, or bring a real-world object into your CAD workflow, you were looking at a significant investment - or outsourcing the job entirely.

That's changed a lot. Over the past few years, a new generation of handheld and desktop 3D scanners has made this technology genuinely usable for everyday makers, small businesses, educators, and product developers. We've been watching the space closely, and we think it's finally time to talk about it properly.

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WHAT MAKES A 3D SCANNER ACTUALLY USEFUL?

There are three things that have historically held 3D scanning back for everyday users:

1. Accuracy - early consumer scanners produced meshes full of noise and holes, making them frustrating to work with downstream in any serious modelling software.
2. Speed - slow scan times meant fidgety objects, people, or anything that moved slightly became a mess.
3. Software - the hardware might work, but if the bundled software was painful, the workflow collapsed.

The current generation of scanners - particularly from 3DMakerPro and Shining3D - have made genuine progress on all three. We're not saying every $400 scanner is a professional metrology tool. But for applications like reverse engineering parts for custom fabrication, capturing organic shapes for digital sculpting, creating assets for AR/VR or games, archiving heritage objects, artworks, or prototypes, and quality inspection on production runs - there's now real capability at accessible price points.

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WHAT WE CARRY AND WHY

We stock scanners from two brands we've specifically chosen: 3DMakerPro and Shining 3D (EinScan/Einstar).

3DMakerPro - Compact and approachable

3DMakerPro focuses on the small-to-medium object segment - things up to roughly 300mm. Their flagship Seal scanner hits 0.01mm accuracy for detailed work, while the Toucan opens up to full-body or large-object scanning with its dual-range system.

The Smart Grip accessory turns your phone into the display and control interface for the scanner - which sounds gimmicky until you've tried to use a laptop in a workshop or on-location. It actually removes a meaningful friction point.

3DMakerPro's software (JMStudio) has improved substantially over the last few updates - alignment, hole-filling, and export are all solid for the price point.

Shining3D (Einstar/EinScan) - Proven industrial pedigree in a portable format

Shining3D is a Chinese company with deep roots in professional scanning - their EinScan industrial line is used in automotive and aerospace environments. The Einstar line brings that pedigree into a more accessible, prosumer format.

The Einstar 2 is their latest consumer-focused model: wireless, fast at up to 1.5 million points/second, and built around their EXStar Hub software platform. The fact that it runs untethered is a bigger deal than it sounds - scanning complex or large objects without cable management is genuinely more pleasant.

The Einstar Rockit is a pocket-sized form factor - genuinely small, designed for fieldwork, reverse engineering on-site, or scanning where portability matters more than scanning volume.

For businesses needing more capability, the EinScan Rigil series steps up to tri-mode scanning (structured light, laser, and photogrammetry), industrial-grade accuracy, and the full EXStar ecosystem.

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WHAT'S ACTUALLY CHANGED ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY?

A few things worth understanding if you're new to 3D scanning:

Structured light vs laser scanning - most prosumer scanners use structured light (projecting a known pattern and measuring deformation). Newer models use infrared VCSEL arrays which are faster, eye-safer, and less affected by ambient light than older LED-based systems.

Photogrammetry integration - some scanners now blend photogrammetry (camera-based point cloud generation) with active scanning, giving you better colour texture capture alongside geometric data.

Software pipelines - the bottleneck used to be software. Tools like JMStudio and EXStar Hub now handle scan merging, hole filling, noise reduction, and format export (OBJ, STL, PLY, STEP in some cases) far more gracefully than their predecessors.

Wireless operation - removing the tethering constraint sounds minor but genuinely changes how you can work with larger objects, awkward geometries, or in field environments.

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WHO IS THIS FOR IN NZ?

We see the clearest use cases as:

Product designers and engineers needing to digitise existing parts for redesign or manufacture
Artists and sculptors wanting to bring physical work into digital mediums
Educators - 3D scanning is a natural companion to 3D printing in the school environment, and the workflows teach real spatial reasoning and digital manufacturing concepts
Fabricators and trades - reverse engineering custom brackets, panels, or fittings is surprisingly common
Heritage and archival - museums, iwi collections, and cultural institutions have used 3D scanning for documentation and digital preservation

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THINKING ABOUT GETTING ONE?

We're happy to talk through what makes sense for your application - scanner choice depends a lot on object size, material (shiny and dark surfaces are still challenging), accuracy requirements, and whether you need colour texture or just geometry.

If you're in Auckland, we also have demo units available - scanning is one of those things that's much easier to understand in person than on a spec sheet.

Browse our 3D Scanner range: https://www.mindkits.co.nz/3DScanning.aspx

What Are People Actually Making With a Laser Cutter? (And Why June Is the Time to Get One)

2026-06-18T17:27:00-05:00

It's June, which in NZ means two things: it's cold, and smart small business owners are starting to think about Christmas stock. Yeah, I know - feels early. But if you're making personalised products or custom gifts, you genuinely need the lead time.

We've been having a lot of conversations lately with customers who've picked up the FLUX Beambox II and turned it into a proper little income stream. One person's running a gift business out of their garage - custom wooden ornaments, engraved chopping boards, personalised wedding keepsakes. Another's doing corporate gifts for businesses in their region. It's one of those machines where the use cases just kind of multiply once you've got it.

So what can you actually make with it?

Heaps. Seriously, here's a quick rundown of what people are producing on the Beambox II right now:

Personalised timber products - chopping boards, serving platters, wooden signs, photo frames. These sell really well at markets and on Trade Me. The Beambox II cuts softwood up to about 18mm thick, which covers most timber you'd use for gift products.

Acrylic work - keyrings, plaques, custom signage, awards and trophies, fridge magnets. The machine cuts acrylic up to around 20mm thick and the edge quality is clean enough to sell without any finishing work needed. Great margin products if you're buying acrylic sheet in bulk.

Custom fabric and leather - the 55W CO2 laser handles natural materials well. People are doing custom leather patches, fabric labels for clothing and bags, decorative laser-cut panels.

Paper and card - wedding stationery, gift tags, intricate paper art, packaging inserts. Fast and precise at this kind of delicate work.

What makes the Beambox II good to work with?

The big one is the built-in camera. You place your material, click preview in the software, and you can see exactly where your design is going to land before you cut anything. No test runs on scrap material, no guessing. This is a proper time-saver when you're doing batch production.

Autofocus is another thing you appreciate quickly - especially if you're switching between material thicknesses. The machine reads the height automatically and adjusts the focal point. No messing around with manual spacers or test cuts to find your focus point.

It runs on LightBurn, which is the industry standard software for laser cutters and genuinely good to use. If you've used any other laser before, you'll be up and running in a day. If you're brand new to lasers, LightBurn has solid tutorials and a big community - you won't be stuck for long.

Work area is 600 x 375mm - enough for most products you'd want to make. You can fit a standard chopping board in there, or run a batch of 20 keyrings at once.

What's the investment?

The FLUX Beambox II 55W is $6,335 inc GST. It's in stock at our local NZ warehouse, so no overseas shipping wait - usually ships within a day.

We also have the Exclusive Maker's Bundle at $6,799 - that's the machine plus the Extension Pocket add-on (which handles thicker materials and supports rotary engraving) and the Chuck Rotary attachment for doing cylindrical items like cups and bottles.

If you're thinking about buying one for your business, have a chat with us. We're happy to talk through what you're wanting to make and whether the Beambox II is the right fit - or if something like the smaller beamo might actually suit your setup better.

Check out the full FLUX range on our FLUX Machines page, or give us a call.

Stop Printing Outside in PLA - Here's What Actually Works

2026-06-10T16:37:39-05:00

It happens to pretty much everyone when they get into 3D printing. You nail a great print, you stick it outside - on the fence, under the deck, bolted to the letterbox - and a few months later it's discoloured, warped, or just falling apart. You blame the printer. You blame your settings. But the culprit? Probably PLA.

PLA is brilliant for indoor prints. It's easy to work with, prints beautifully, and you'll find it in practically every spool drawer in NZ. But UV light and heat are its kryptonite. NZ sun is particularly rough on it - we've got some of the highest UV index readings in the world, and PLA just wasn't built for that.

ASA is the one you want outdoors

ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate) is a material specifically designed for outdoor use. It handles UV well, doesn't discolour or become brittle in the sun the way PLA does, and tolerates a decent range of temperatures without warping or softening. If you've got something that needs to actually survive outside - think camera mounts, garden markers, drain channel clips, letterbox numbers, gate latches - ASA should be your first choice.

We've added Pixel Filament ASA to the lineup in two colours: CryoFrost (white) and Singularity (black). Both available as refills ($25/kg) or with a reusable spool ($28/kg).

How does it print?

ASA prints a lot like ABS - which is good, because it also doesn't have ABS's reputation for warping everywhere if you look at it wrong. You'll want a slightly higher bed temp than PLA, somewhere around 90-100°C, and an enclosure helps if you've got one. Nozzle temps in the 230-250°C range are the sweet spot.

If you're printing on a Bambu Lab with an AMS, just swap in your ABS profile and you're most of the way there. Works great on the P1S and X1C which have enclosed chambers. The A1 Mini can work too - just give it some time to get the bed warm and avoid big drafts.

One thing worth knowing: ASA does off-gas a bit during printing, so if you're printing indoors in a small space, some ventilation is a good call. Not a big deal in a workshop or garage, but worth being aware of in a bedroom or home office setup.

PETG is another solid option

If you want something a bit easier to print than ASA and still a step up from PLA for semi-outdoor use, Pixel's Hyper PETG is worth looking at. It's not quite as UV-resistant as ASA, but it handles moisture and mild outdoor exposure really well. Great for things like plant pot holders, outdoor cable trunking, weatherproof enclosures. Prints almost as easily as PLA+. We've got it in BSOD Blue and a few other colours.

TL;DR - match the material to the job

PLA for indoor stuff. ASA for proper outdoor exposure (UV, heat, rain). PETG sits somewhere in between and is a great all-rounder. All three are in the Pixel range, all made from quality polymers, and all backed by our no-quibbles returns policy - if it doesn't print the way it should, we'll sort it out.

Check out the full Pixel Filament range here: mindkits.co.nz/Pixel-Filament2

Why Our Customers Keep Coming Back (And What That Actually Means to Us)

2026-06-03T18:29:37-05:00

We don't do a lot of chest-thumping around here. But we've had a run of genuinely lovely reviews lately and we wanted to share them, partly because they're nice to read, and partly because they say something real about what we're trying to do.

Bryn's story is one that comes up more than you'd think. He bought his Bambu printer from another reseller - totally fine, there are a few options out there. But when he needed parts and accessories, he hit a wall. The original seller didn't stock them, which meant hunting overseas or paying international freight on stuff that really should just be available locally.

He found us, sorted his nozzles and upgrades at NZ pricing, and left us a review. The bit that stuck was this: "Its better to be able to do that (and get NZ pricing) than be forced to order them in from another country." That's exactly why we put the effort into stocking the full ecosystem, not just the hero products.

Matt Hastings had a different kind of experience. He picked up an SV08 Max and hit a few teething issues early on. So he did what any sensible person would do - he sent us an email. What followed was a back-and-forth troubleshoot with Tim and Sam, working through the problem until they cracked it. His review said: "Saved my sanity." That's the bit we love. Not "problem solved" or "great service" - but "saved my sanity." That's the real version of what good support feels like.

And then Nathan Eveleigh, who put it simply: "Only place I go for my 3D printing needs." Five stars, a smiley face, and we're stoked.

We're not a big corporate retailer. We're a small NZ team - Tim, Jase, and the crew - who actually use this gear every day and care about getting it right. When someone's machine is giving them grief at 9pm, they can email us and genuinely get a response. When you need a spare part, there's a good chance we've got it in the warehouse already.

If you've had a good experience with us, leave us a review on Google - it genuinely helps more people find us and it means a lot to the team. And if something didn't go right, even better to tell us. We're not going anywhere and we'd love the chance to sort it.

Thanks for being part of the MindKits crew. It's a good one.

The Discount Gets Bigger Every Day - MindKits Fire Sale On Now

2026-05-28T18:23:50-05:00

Wait, so the longer I wait, the better the discount?

Yeah, basically. That's kind of the whole thing with our fire sale running right now. It starts at 15% off today, goes to 17% tomorrow, and hits 19% the day after. So if you've been meaning to grab something from our clearance range, the maths is actually working in your favour this time.

The catch - and there always is one - is that clearance stock is exactly that. Once it's gone it's not coming back. We're not reordering this stuff. It's what we have, and the price keeps dropping until someone grabs it or it runs out.

So what's in the clearance sale? Honestly, a bit of everything. Electronics components, cables, Arduino bits, Bluetooth modules, sensors, LED matrices, LCD screens, and accessories for makers and tinkerers. The kind of stuff that's been sitting on shelves waiting for the right person to find it. If you're a maker who likes finding good deals on useful parts, there's heaps to dig through.

Some highlights from the clearance sale

Common Component Kit for Arduino with Case E1

~~was $27.80~~ $18.07 inc GST

Component Kit with Resistance Card for Arduino E2

~~was $39.73~~ $16.95 inc GST

48mm Square 8*8 LED Matrix - Super Bright RGB

~~was $14.87~~ $6.92 inc GST

60mm Square 8*8 LED Matrix - Super Bright RGB(CIRCLE-DOT)

~~was $14.87~~ $5.65 inc GST

Bluetooth - LiPo Add-On for Makey Makey

~~was $59.90~~ $32.34 inc GST

Color 24-Bit LCD 4-3in PSP Touch Screen

~~was $47.90~~ $26.83 inc GST

It's worth having a poke around even if you don't have a specific project in mind - sometimes you spot something that sparks an idea. Could be a spare part you've been after, a component that fills a gap in your workshop, or just something you didn't know you needed until you saw it at 17% off.

One thing worth knowing: the discounts apply to the clearance-tagged products, not the whole store. So if you're after a new 3D printer or laser cutter, those have their regular pricing. But for components, electronics, and accessories that aren't moving fast enough - those are the ones with the escalating deal.

We run these clearance events every now and then to make room for new gear coming in. Partly practical, partly because we'd genuinely rather our stuff end up with makers who'll use it than sitting in a box in our warehouse.

If there's something in there you're curious about - what it does, whether it'll work with a specific setup you have - just reach out. Tim and the team are pretty easy to get hold of through the website chat, or give us a call. We're not going to give you a runaround.

Check it out at mindkits.co.nz/clearance-sale before the stock runs out.

Your Printer's Sitting There - Let's Actually Sort That Out

2026-05-20T17:23:14-05:00

You'd be surprised how often we hear it. Someone buys a 3D printer or laser cutter, gets it set up, runs a few test prints - and then it just kind of... sits there. Not because they've lost interest. More because they hit a wall and didn't know where to turn.

That's where Jase comes in.

Jase does one-on-one training sessions - 1 or 2 hours, via Google Meet, Facetime, or in-person if you're in Auckland. No slides, no jargon, no rushing. Just you and your machine with someone who uses this stuff every day and can actually explain it in plain English.

What happens in a session

It depends entirely on what you need. Some people want to nail their slicer settings - figuring out why their prints keep stringing or why overhangs are failing. Others are new to the whole thing and just need a guided walkthrough of setup, workflow, and how to get good results consistently.

Some sessions end up going deep on materials - what filament actually works well for different applications, why you'd choose ASA over PETG outdoors, how to dial in settings for flexible TPU. It's the kind of thing that's hard to figure out just from reading forums.

For laser cutter training it's usually about getting past the software. xTool, LightBurn, the FLUX machines - they're all a bit different, and the fastest way to get confident is to have someone walk you through a real project, not just watch YouTube videos and hope for the best.

One thing people don't expect

We train on any machine - not just what you bought from us. Got a Bambu Lab printer from somewhere else? Picked up a laser cutter during a sale? Doesn't matter. If you need help getting the most out of it, we're sorted.

We've had teachers book sessions before setting up 3D printing in their classrooms - and come out of it feeling genuinely confident running it with students. Small business owners who'd been avoiding the machine in the corner of their workshop. People who were just stuck on one specific setting and needed 30 minutes with someone who actually knew the answer.

Training options available

We've got a 30-minute onboarding session ($99 inc GST) - good if you just need a quick-start walkthrough on a machine you've just set up. For more in-depth stuff, the 1-hour training session is $195.50, and there's a 2-hour option if you've got a lot to work through.

If your machine's gathering dust, it doesn't have to stay that way. Book a session and let's get it sorted.

- The MindKits team

The Bambu Lab H2D Just Landed - It's a 3D Printer, Laser Cutter, and Digital Cutter in One Machine

2026-05-13T17:18:48-05:00

Right so - Bambu Lab have done something a bit mental with their new H2D. It's not just a 3D printer. It's a 3D printer, a laser engraver/cutter, and a digital cutter all crammed into one machine.

If you've been sitting on the fence about whether to buy a 3D printer or a laser cutter, the H2D might have just made that decision for you.

What's Actually in the Box

The base machine handles 3D printing with a proper 350 x 320 x 325mm build volume - that's noticeably bigger than a P1S. Add the laser module and you've got engraving and cutting covered. The digital cutting/plotting option handles things like vinyl and paper. Depending on which variant you grab, you can kit it out with different combinations.

The AMS 2 Pro Combo (which is what we're stocking at $4,499) gets you multi-colour printing sorted from the start. The AMS 2 Pro has tool-free access from the top - no more unscrewing the housing when filament jams up, which is a pretty welcome change if you've dealt with that before.

The Tech Nerd Bit

Bambu have gone pretty hard on the monitoring side of things. Four cameras, 36 sensors, and an AI nozzle camera with a macro lens watching for print failures in real time. It also does a full pre-flight checklist before each print - scanning the chamber for debris, checking nozzle size, the lot. For anyone who's come back to find a spaghetti mess where their print should be, that's actually really useful.

Dual nozzle setup means you can dedicate one nozzle to support material - which sounds like a small thing until you've spent ages trying to peel supports off a complex print. It also cuts down on filament waste during colour changes, which adds up over time.

Print speeds hit 600mm/s and there's a 5µm optical encoder for motion correction. Honestly, the spec sheet for this thing goes on for a while.

Who's It For?

The H2D makes a lot of sense if you've already got a 3D printing setup and have been eyeing up a laser cutter as the next step. Instead of buying two separate machines and finding space for both, you get one unit that does both jobs. Schools running makerspaces would get a lot of use out of it - students jumping between 3D printing and laser engraving in the same session without any machine-swapping.

Small businesses doing product prototyping or custom merch would also find it pretty handy. Print your prototype, laser engrave the branding, cut the packaging - all on one machine.

It's in stock now and you can have a look in the showroom if you're Auckland-based. Give us a ring on 09 367 7474 if you want to chat about whether it's the right fit, or head to the link below to check the full specs.

Check out the Bambu Lab H2D AMS Combo on the MindKits store

FLUX Beambox II 55W Is Back In Stock - Here's What People Are Actually Making With It

2026-05-06T19:48:33-05:00

Good news for anyone who's been sitting on the fence about getting a laser cutter - the FLUX Beambox II 55W is back in stock at our NZ warehouse and ready to ship.

We get asked a lot "what do people actually use these for?" And the honest answer is: heaps of stuff. It's one of those machines where you buy it for one project and then can't stop finding new uses for it.

What are people actually making?

Small business owners are using them to cut custom acrylic signage and personalised gifts. Schools have them running in makerspaces where students are designing and cutting their own projects. Woodworkers are adding engraved details they couldn't do by hand. We had one customer who bought theirs specifically to cut leather panels for bags - started as a side project and turned into a proper little business.

The laser cutter thing gets easier to understand once you see what comes out the other end. A piece of untreated timber goes in, a beautifully engraved keepsake comes out. A sheet of coloured acrylic turns into a perfectly cut custom nameplate. It's satisfying in a way that's hard to explain until you've done it.

The specs that matter

The Beambox II runs a 55W CO2 laser - that's enough grunt to cut through 20mm acrylic and 18mm timber. The work area is 600 x 375mm, which is pretty generous for a desktop machine. Engraving tops out at 900mm/s, so even detailed work doesn't take forever.

The bit that makes everyday use much less fiddly: it has a built-in HD camera and autofocus. You place your material, tap autofocus (done in 2-3 seconds), preview exactly where your design will land, and then run it. No more manually adjusting Z height, no guessing if your design is aligned. When you're working with a piece of timber or leather that you can't easily replace if you get it wrong, that preview function alone is worth it.

It connects to Beam Studio (FLUX's own software) and also works with LightBurn if you're already across that. Both are solid options depending on what you're doing.

In stock now, locally

Having it in the local NZ warehouse means you're not waiting weeks for it to arrive from overseas. It usually ships in a day. We've also got the Exclusive Maker's Bundle if you want to go straight in with a full kit of accessories.

If you want to see it in person before committing, come through to the showroom - we've got one set up and the team's happy to run through what it can do. Or if you're keen to just get into it, grab one here for $6,335.

And if you're thinking about a laser cutter but not sure where to start, give us a ring on 09 367 7474 - we're always up for helping people figure out the right machine for what you're actually trying to do.

Why People Come to MindKits

2026-04-29T22:13:14-05:00

We asked ourselves that question this week. After 15+ years, what keeps people choosing MindKits, not just once, but again and again? I know this sounds like a case of "We Love Us" syndrome but I genuinely feel honoured that we have customers who have come back to us for year upon year through their journey from Arduino, to ESP32's and now to 3D Printing. As chief Ninja, I love it.

Turns out the answer isn't really just about the products. It's about the moments that happen around them.

Nathalie and the five-star training session

Nathalie came in for a Bambu P1S and some one-on-one training with Jase. She's a teacher, so getting it right for her students mattered. She left us a five-star review saying "excellent training from Jase."

That one made our week. When a teacher walks away confident enough to bring a new tool into the classroom, that's the whole point.

Matthew, the right printer, and a surprise in the box

Matthew was trying to find the right machine. Angus pointed him toward a P1S, talked him through why it made sense for what he was after, and Matthew ordered one.

When it arrived, there was a handwritten note inside. And a free roll of filament.

That wasn't a policy. Nobody told anyone to do that. It's just what the team does when they reckon someone's going to love their new machine. Matthew noticed, and we're glad he did.

Stefan and the spare parts that were actually in stock

Stefan's Bambu needed spare parts. He came in, we had them, and he was sorted on the spot. Simple as that, but not always easy to find.

Carrying the right parts, stocked and ready, isn't glamorous. But it's the kind of thing that makes or breaks someone's day when their machine is down.

15+ years, and this is still the best part

Schools, small businesses, hobbyists, the person doing cosplay armour panels: we love all of it. The conversations, the problem-solving, the moments when someone figures out what they're trying to make.

If you've bought from us and had a good run, a Google review means the world to us. It helps other Kiwis find their way here. And if you're still looking for your first machine, come have a chat.

The MindKits team

Meet Pixel Filament! High quality. Lower cost. Earn rewards :)

2025-11-24T20:51:00-06:00

MindKits Launches Pixel Filament: Premium 3D Printing Filament at Unbeatable Prices

After a year of rigorous testing, MindKits is proud to introduce Pixel Filament - a new line of high-quality 3D printing filament that delivers top-brand performance without the premium price tag. Whether you're printing functional prototypes, artistic creations, or everyday objects, Pixel Filament is designed to give you professional results every time.

Why Pixel Filament Is Different From Other Budget Filaments

The 3D printing filament market is crowded with products making big promises, but Pixel Filament stands apart. By working directly with manufacturers and eliminating unnecessary middlemen, we've created a product line that matches the print quality of leading brands while keeping prices accessible for makers, hobbyists, and professionals alike.

Our confidence in Pixel Filament is backed by action. If you try any Pixel spool and aren't satisfied with the quality, simply return it for a full refund (minus shipping costs, with reasonable usage limits). No lengthy interrogations, no hassle - just straightforward customer service. This risk-free guarantee reflects our genuine belief that Pixel Filament will exceed your expectations.

The proof is in our own workshop. Our entire team has switched to Pixel Filament for internal prints, print farm operations, and personal projects. When the people making the filament choose it for their own work, you know it's something special.

Comprehensive Range of 3D Printing Materials

Pixel Filament isn't just one material - it's a complete ecosystem of printing options designed to handle whatever your projects demand. The current range includes PLA Basic, Hyper PLA+ (High speed), PLA Max (ABS like properties), Matte PLA, PETG (including High Speed, Carbon Fibre and Translucent options), Hyper ABS (High Speed), ASA and HIPS (ABS/ASA support material). Each material is formulated to deliver consistent results with vibrant, carefully selected colours that bring your creations to life.

Every spool features clear, dyslexia-friendly labelling with all the technical specifications you need at a glance. The packaging design prioritises functionality - you get the essential information without unnecessary clutter. Plus, all Pixel spools are reusable, reducing waste and supporting more sustainable making practices.

Pixel Filament Pricing and Value

Pixel Filament delivers premium quality at prices that make sense for regular makers. PLA Basic starts at just $25 NZD per kilogram, while specialty materials like Hyper PLA+ and PETG are priced at $26.50 NZD per kilogram (GST included). These competitive prices mean you can stock up on the colours and materials you need without breaking your budget.

Earn Rewards With Pixel Points

For customers who have purchased a 3D printer from MindKits, every Pixel Filament spool you buy earns you Pixel Points - up to 20% back on your purchase. These points accumulate in your account and can be redeemed for anything on the MindKits website, from more filament to upgrades, accessories, or even your next machine!

The Pixel Points system is straightforward and transparent. Once you log into your MindKits account, you'll automatically start earning points on Pixel Filament purchases if you're eligible. Points begin as pending when you place an order and become active once your order is paid and ships. You have 180 days to use your points, giving you plenty of time to save up for bigger purchases or use them right away to reduce your checkout total.

To check your eligibility and view your PP balance, simply log into your MindKits account and scroll down to your account dashboard. If you've ever bought a machine from us, you already qualify to start earning.

Seamless Compatibility With Your Workflow

Pixel Filament is engineered to work flawlessly with standard slicer settings, eliminating the frustration of dialling in new profiles. The filament is fully compatible with Bambu Lab and eSun presets, meaning you can drop it straight into Bambu Studio or Orca Slicer without any adjustments. Through extensive testing, we've found no need to create custom profiles - the existing settings just work.

For users of Cura, PrusaSlicer, Luban, or Simplify3D, complete technical specifications are available on each product page to help you configure your settings appropriately. If you need assistance getting started or optimising your prints, our support team is ready to help you achieve the best possible results.

Supporting the New Zealand Maker Community

The launch of Pixel Filament represents more than just a new product line - it's our way of giving back to the community that has supported MindKits for years. By offering premium filament at accessible prices with a rewards program for our customers, we're helping makers across New Zealand take on more projects, experiment with new techniques, and bring their ideas to life without worrying about filament costs eating into their budgets.

The more you print with Pixel, the more you earn, and the more projects you can tackle. It's a cycle that benefits everyone in the making community, from hobbyists printing terrain for tabletop games to professionals creating functional prototypes for clients.

Start Printing With Pixel Filament Today

Ready to experience the difference that premium filament at fair prices can make in your 3D printing projects? Browse the complete Pixel Filament range on the MindKits website, choose your favourite colours and materials, and start earning Pixel Points with every purchase. With our no-risk money-back guarantee, you have nothing to lose and better prints to gain.

Check out our full range here and start growing your PP today!

Whether you're stocking up on reliable PLA for everyday printing, exploring the strength of carbon fibre reinforced filament, or trying translucent PETG for the first time, Pixel Filament has you covered. Visit MindKits today and discover why we've made Pixel our go-to choice for all our printing needs.

Watch our quick intro to Pixel with Angus and a cameo by Tim =) Angus somehow managed to escape the basement, and cornered Tim on why Pixel can be so inexpensive - Watch the video here

About MindKits: MindKits is New Zealand's trusted distributor of Bambu Lab 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines, and electronics. As an official Bambu Lab distributor, we serve businesses, schools, and makers across New Zealand with quality equipment, expert support, and now, premium Pixel Filament.

Keywords: 3D printing filament NZ, Pixel Filament, cheap 3D printer filament, PLA filament New Zealand, PETG filament, Bambu Lab filament, reusable filament spool, 3D printing materials, affordable filament, quality 3D printer filament

Elegoo Centauri Carbon: Fast, Affordable, and Ready to Print

2025-11-18T21:00:58-06:00

If you've been eyeing up a CoreXY printer but put off at the price tags, the Elegoo Centauri Carbon might just be your new best mate! This properly engineered machine punches well above its weight class and is ready to show more expensive printers how it's done.

What Makes It Special?

This beauty fly's hitting speed up to 500 mm/s without sacrificing quality. Independent testing scored it 95.65 out of 100 at standard print speeds - ranking among the top three desktop printers tested. Not bad for a budget-friendly machine!

The secret? CoreXY motion keeps the bed stationary while the print head zips around, delivering cleaner prints at higher speeds. The die-cast aluminium frame (a hefty 17.5kg) stays rock-solid even at 'ludicrous speed' (yes, that's what they call the fastest mode).

Print What You Want

While most entry-level printers tap out at basic PLA, the Centauri Carbon's hardened steel nozzle heats to 320°C. Translation? Print carbon fibre reinforced filaments right out of the box - no upgrades needed. Drone parts, car brackets, seriously strong functional parts? You're covered.

The fully enclosed chamber keeps temperatures stable, meaning ABS and ASA behave themselves (no warping dramas). Plus, there's an activated carbon filter for when you're running exotic materials.

Ready to Print, Actually Ready

Reviewers consistently get quality parts printing within 20 minutes of unboxing. Auto bed levelling, automatic calibration, and a user-friendly touchscreen mean more printing, less fiddling.

The magnetic dual-sided build plate flips between textured (for most materials) and smooth (for PLA at just 30°C, saving power and warm-up time).

Smart Features That Matter

Built-in camera for remote monitoring and time-lapse videos. WiFi connectivity means no mucking about with USB drives. There's even a filament cutter in the toolhead, ready for Elegoo's upcoming multi-color system.

Key Specs:

Build Volume: 256 × 256 × 256 mm
Max Speed: 500 mm/s
Nozzle Temp: Up to 320°C
Fully Enclosed
Auto Bed Leveling
WiFi & Built-in Camera
Compatible with PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, carbon fibre materials, and more

The Bottom Line

At only $840 NZD, the Centauri Carbon delivers performance rivalling printers costing twice as much. Perfect for hobbyists leveling up, schools needing reliable teaching machines, or small businesses prototyping.

Ready to see what CoreXY can do? The Elegoo Centauri Carbon is available now at MindKits with full local support, fast NZ shipping, and all the filament you need.

Tackling Moisture in 3D Printing Filament - Angus’s Eibos Filament Dryer Review

2025-10-21T15:53:58-05:00

Hi, it’s Jase here from MindKits. Moisture in 3D printing filament is often the hidden culprit behind print failures and frustrating results. Recently, Angus put together an excellent video reviewing the latest filament drying solutions from Eibos, and I wanted to share some insights from that with you.

Why Drying Filament Matters

Most plastics used in 3D printing are hygroscopic, meaning they absorb moisture from the air. When printing, any water trapped inside the filament turns to steam, causing bubbles, stringing, and poor print quality. It sounds simple to just 'dry' your filament - but as Angus explains, many filament dryers on the market don’t actually do this effectively because they only heat without proper ventilation to remove moisture.

What Makes Eibos Dryers Stand Out?

Angus reviewed two key Eibos products: the Easdry (available now ) and the Polyphemus (coming soon) filament dryers. These devices combine heating with controlled ventilation, which means the moisture is actually driven out, not just heated inside a closed box. The Polyphemus even has a unique spinning feature so the spool rotates during drying to ensure even moisture removal, something you probably haven’t been doing yourself but really should!

The Easdry is great for common filaments like PLA, PETG, ABS, and TPU with adjustable heat up to 65°C. The Polyphemus goes even further with temperatures up to 80°C, perfect for the thirstiest filaments such as nylon or carbon fibre PETG. Angus reports drying a full spool of carbon fibre PETG in just 3 hours using this system!!

Thorough, quality drying at speed is an under appreciated feature that stands out in the category. As more businesses turn to 3D printing for in-house manufacturing of end use parts filament drying is going to become a larger area of focus to maintain the best dimensional accuracy and surface finish for professional application, Eibos is the ideal solution.

Bonus: Filament Storage System

After drying, you need to keep your filament dry. Eibos offers the Eurus vacuum storage system, which is a great companion product to keep your filament moisture-free until your next print.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been battling moisture issues in your prints, investing in a proper filament dryer like the Eibos Easdry or Polyphemus could be a game changer. Angus’s hands-on review makes it clear that these aren’t just another heated box but well-thought-out systems designed by folks who really get the problem. Check out the full video for more details and head over to MindKits to grab these dryers when they’re available.

Check out Angus's Ebios Review on the MindKits Youtube Channel! - We are just getting started

Keep your filament dry, print quality high, and happy printing!!!

The VORON we have at home - SOVOL SV08 Review

2025-10-15T18:24:12-05:00

The Perfect Entry into the Voron-Inspired Open-Source 3D Printing World

At MindKits, we understand the excitement and intimidation around building your own 3D printer, especially when it comes to open-source Voron designs. That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce the Sovol SV08 - a powerful, reliable, and user-friendly gateway into the Voron-style 3D printing experience without the daunting build complexity.

Why Choose the Sovol SV08?

If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a Voron but shied away from the hours of assembly, printing hundreds of parts, and endless tuning, the Sovol SV08 is your perfect launchpad. Unlike traditional Voron builds that require a deep dive into technical assembly and customisation, the SV08 arrives with a thoughtfully preassembled modular design. You can have it ready for your first print in about 40 minutes, no technical crisis required.

Open-Source Spirit with Plug-and-Play Convenience

One of the most exciting features of the Sovol SV08 is its 100% open-source lineage. Borrowing directly from the Voron community’s collaborative ethos, all the CAD files and firmware (Klipper) are freely available and customisable. You get a solid foundation that's entirely yours to modify, from simple upgrades to full tool head swaps - giving you the freedom to innovate without starting from scratch.

Features That Impress

Build Volume: A spacious 350 x 350 x 345 mm print area, ideal for large, intricate projects.
High-Quality Components: Linear rails on all axes, a direct drive extruder with planetary gearbox, and hardened extruder gears for durability.
Advanced Tooling: A high-flow hotend that heats up to 300°C paired with a heated bed reaching 100°C.
Ease of Use: Comes with a bright LED work light, filament runout sensor, and a camera for print monitoring and time-lapses.
User Interface: A basic screen and dial for controls supplemented by a full-featured web interface for advanced settings and slicing profiles.

Performance That Rivals Flagship Printers

The SV08’s flying gantry motion system enhances print stability and accuracy, especially on taller prints, by keeping the bed stationary. This design not only ensures consistent levelling but also delivers flagship-level print quality at less than a third of the cost of comparable high-end printers like the H2S.

Who Is the SV08 Best For?

Whether you’re a cosplayer, tinkerer, creator, or just starting out, the Sovol SV08 offers a compelling blend of reliability, quality, and customisation potential. It bridges the gap between locked-down “appliance-style” machines and complex open-source kits that eat days of your time to build.

Final Thoughts

At MindKits, we proudly offer the Sovol SV08 as an accessible, high-performance 3D printer for anyone wanting to step into the open-source Voron world. It’s an excellent choice for those who value control, quality, and community-driven innovation without the overwhelming build process.

Discover the Sovol SV08 and its bigger sibling, the SV08 MAX, and start building your own 3D printing legacy today.

Watch our VORON SV08 Review on Youtube!

For more details and to purchase, visit our Sovol page at MindKits.co.nz. If you have questions, join our friendly team on Discord or contact us through the website.

Your Own Mini-Factory: Why Smart Companies Are Building 3D Print Farms

2025-09-28T22:44:50-05:00

The Manufacturing Catch-22

You've nailed your product design. Customers love the prototype. You're ready to manufacture. Then reality hits.

Traditional injection moulding? That'll be $70,000-$140,000 NZD for tooling, plus 8-10 weeks of waiting. If you discover even a tiny design flaw once customers start using it? Expensive mould modifications or start over completely.

You don't have to play that game anymore!

Welcome to the new era of Bridge Manufacturing

Smart companies are building production capability with print farms: fleets of 3D printers running in parallel. Think 50 Bambu Lab printers humming away, managed by software that orchestrates them like a symphony.

Here's where the math gets interesting: 3D printing can be considerably cheaper than injection moulding for anything under 20,000 units. For injection mounding the break-even point sits around 40,000-50,000 parts. For that crucial validation phase—your first 500 to 2,000 units—3D printing wins because there's no tooling cost.

Even better: while your competitor waits 10 weeks for their mould, you're already shipping, collecting customer feedback and implementing design refinements.

Why This Changes Everything

The real magic isn't just cost, it’s agility in a fast-moving economy.

Customers want a small tweak after launch? Maybe mounting holes need to move 3mm? With traditional manufacturing, you're stuck. With a print farm? Update the file, hit print, ship the improved version tomorrow.

One company restarted production in 7 hours using 3D-printed parts instead of waiting weeks for tooling. That could be the difference between staying in business and watching your production line sit idle.

This is "discovering the unknown unknowns"—you can't predict every issue until real customers use your product. Print farms let you iterate toward perfection instead of betting everything on one frozen design.

The Tech That Makes It Work

Bambu Lab's Farm Manager software (launched mid-2025) handles unlimited printers on your local network with real-time monitoring, automatic job queuing, and smart power management.

One operator in the Netherlands runs 35-45 Bambu printers, scaling based on demand. His clients require strict NDAs—everything stays local, fully encrypted, GDPR compliant. Total control.

When Does This Make Sense?

Print farms shine for new products with uncertain demand, anything under 20,000 units (sweet spot: 500-10,000), products needing customisation, and fast-moving markets where speed beats scale.

The hidden benefit? Your print farm isn't locked to one product. Unlike injection moulding tooling, those 50 printers manufacture whatever you need. Today it's Product A, next month Product B, next quarter both plus seasonal items. Flexibility you can't get any other way - Clearly this is the future!

The Bottom Line

The global 3D printing market reached $23.4 billion in 2025 and is growing at 23.4% annually—projected to hit $101.7 billion by 2032. This isn't experimental—it's production-ready, with over 4.5 million printers sold globally in 2024 alone.

Here's what it comes down to: Would you rather spend $100,000 NZD betting you've predicted the future correctly, or spend that on flexible manufacturing capability that adapts as you learn what customers actually want?

For many companies, bridge manufacturing isn't a temporary solution—it's the smarter way to manufacture, period.

Ready to explore what a print farm could do for your business? The MindKits team can help you evaluate whether this approach makes sense for your products.

Why resin printing isn't so scary

2025-09-16T21:10:33-05:00

Why Resin Printing Is Worth Your Time

Resin printing is a phenomenal technology, and us kiwis don’t utilize it enough. Why? I’m not sure, there’s certainly a lot of anxiety that goes around when it comes to the potential for mess and safety concerns however despite the horror stories, a few key steps to set up a workspace and using your brain all but completely nullify any potential risks.

For the added effort though, what are you getting out of it? Absolutely unmatched detail and accuracy that’s what. For wargaming miniatures, dioramas, figurines, sculptures, precision components and parts demanding perfect optical clarity, nothing else comes even remotely close. And while the hobby may still be a bit niche here in New Zealand, overseas the community built around this medium is vibrant, creative and abundant with tons of incredible creators making amazing stuff for you to print and enhance your hobbies (and maybe save some money along the way!)

The GK3 Pro: Designed for Real People

With all that in mind, the best way to get the most out of resin printing is a machine that doesn’t fight you every step of the way. And that’s where i’d like to introduce you to the GK3 Pro from Uniformation, a machine that genuinely feels like someone who actually prints designed it. This is not just another entrant into the spec sheet contest.

It’s got all the features you’d want and expect out of a resin printer in todays market, a 16k high transmittance mono LCD, 385nm light source for improved clear resin performance, a heated vat, ball screw and linear rails, Wi-Fi for sending off prints and a camera for print monitoring.
But it doesn’t hit performance targets and then calls it a day, what actually makes the GK3 Pro worthy of your consideration if the aggressively user focussed design that puts it ahead of the pack.

USB and power button? On the front, where they belong. Which sounds like it shouldn’t even be a selling point but you wouldn’t believe how many resin printers have crossed my desk that can’t even get this right.
Adjustable feet for getting the whole machine level as well as a bubble level to dial it in without extra tools. A flip top lid that holds its position at any angle, because nobody has ever liked those bucket lids and it’s got a silicone gasket keep the smells contained.

Tweakable Hardware, Smart Touches

But it doesn’t stop there, by far the GK3’s weirdest feature is a tilting screen allowing you to comfortably interact with the machine without hunching over. If you’re over 6ft like myself you’re gonna very quickly appreciate this.
By far my favourite feature though is the use of quick release latches absolutely everywhere, not a resin caked bolt or screw in sight.
The build plate looks a little unconventional too, but for good resin. It’s thiccc with 3 c’s to keep the resin away from the areas you’ll be touching it and even has a gutter around the edge to prevent drips.

When you have a build plate full of models, hang it from the built-in hook to let resin drain back into the VAT. Rounding things out is a massive carbon filter that actually works. It is magnetic for easy swapping, and you can even 3D print your own duct adapter with an included file if you want to vent outdoors.

On the motion side, a beefy ball screw keeps backlash low and repeatability high. It comes stock with ACF release film (Uniformation calls it CPFA), which they claim lasts longer with the machine’s 385 nm UV light. Prints look textured on big flat areas, although you can swap for regular PFA if this bothers you.

The Secret Sauce: 385nm Light

Here is why that unusual 385 nm light matters. Compared to the standard 405 nm, it offers higher energy that’s more focused. You get cleaner clear prints with sharper detail. Less bloating means you can consider pigment-free resins that are less brittle. For miniature fans, this is huge. The high-transmittance LCD results in shorter exposures and extends screen life. In practice, prints take about 25 percent less curing time compared to other 16K models.

No Resin Lock-In, Kind Ecosystem

Worried about getting locked in? Don’t be. The GK3 Pro’s auto-feeding system uses pressurized cartridges, but you have the option to buy empties and fill them with any resin you like. It’s flexible, not tied to a single brand. The printer can purge the lines between bottles easily, so swapping resins is simple.

Heating matters for resin, and Uniformation solved it with an under-LCD heater. It only warms up the resin actually being printed. This process is fast and focused. Once the resin reaches temperature, the curing reaction keeps everything warm and the heater switches off. Efficient and smart.

Wash and Cure Stations That Deliver

Uniformation’s wash station is, honestly, a highlight. It feels premium. The heavy metal case, simple timer controls, and handy drain all add to the experience. The lid seals tightly to keep solvents in. You can use the basket for loose parts or slot in the build plate directly to minimize air exposure. Ultrasonic cleaning is aggressive, so post-processing stays quick. Most fumes come from cleaning, not printing, so anything that shortens these times is a win.

The cure station is more than a typical UV box. It is filtered and matches the magnetic filter style found on the printer. The control panel lets you set both cure and dry times. Heated drying means prints go straight from wash to cure to finish, almost hands-off.

Who Is This For?

Uniformation has built an ecosystem for serious makers: war gamers, engineers, artists, or even the casual hobbyist who just wants better results. It is not just about flashy numbers. This system makes resin printing easier, faster, and less messy. If you’re curious, check out some sample prints. They speak for themselves.

Resin printing may seem daunting, but with the GK3 Pro, the process becomes enjoyable. Sometimes, it’s the soft factors that turn a good tool into a favourite.

Ready to dive in? Contact us, join the Discord, or check out the links below for our full range. If you’re gearing up for resin for the first time, explore our safety guide before you start to get the most out of your experience. The right setup transforms a challenge into something fun.

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Open Frame vs. Enclosed, a 3D Printer Buying Guide

2025-09-02T21:54:05-05:00

So you've finally decided to take the plunge into 3D printing. But as you browse through options, one question keeps coming up: should you go with an enclosed or open printer? It's a bigger decision than you might think, and getting it wrong could limit your projects before you even get started.

Let's break down the key differences and help you choose the right printer for both your current needs and future ambitions.

The Basics: Open Frame vs. Enclosed Explained

Open 3D printers have no walls around the printing area - everything's exposed and accessible. The Bambu Lab A1 is a great example, offering excellent reliability and ease of use, but your prints are subject to room temperature changes and air currents.

Enclosed 3D printers surround the print area with walls and a lid, creating a controlled environment. The Bambu Lab X1 Carbon exemplifies this approach, maintaining stable conditions regardless of what's happening in your room.

Upgradeable options like the Sovol S8 start as open printers but can have enclosures fitted later – giving you flexibility to upgrade when your needs change.

The Long-Term Perspective: Why Your First Choice Matters

Here's where many new users make a costly mistake: they buy based only on immediate needs. The Bambu Lab A1 might seem perfect for beginners - it prints PLA and PETG beautifully with excellent reliability. But what happens when you want to print functional parts that need to withstand heat? Or when you decide to start selling custom items online?

Suddenly, that "perfect beginner printer" becomes a limitation. You'll find yourself researching upgrades or replacement printers sooner than expected.

Why Enclosures Make a Real Difference

Temperature Control

The biggest advantage of enclosed printers is consistent ambient temperature. Room drafts, seasonal changes, and air conditioning can all affect print quality on open machines. Enclosed printers like the Bambu Lab X1 Carbon maintain stable conditions, leading to more predictable results.

Material Compatibility

Want to print durable parts that won't deform in a hot car? You'll need materials like ABS or ASA. These engineering plastics require consistent temperatures to prevent warping – something open printers struggle with. The Bambu Lab H2 Series takes this even further with its actively heated chamber, handling the most demanding materials with precision temperature control.

Better Success Rates

Failed prints waste time and materials. Enclosed printers significantly reduce failures caused by environmental factors, making your printing sessions more productive and less frustrating.

Matching Printers to Your Space

Open Printers Work Well When:

You have a dedicated, temperature-stable room
You're primarily printing PLA for decorative items
You need easy access during prints
Budget is the primary concern

The Bambu Lab A1 excels in these situations, offering excellent reliability and user-friendly features in an open design.

Enclosed Printers Shine When:

Your workspace temperature varies (garage, basement, spare room)
You want material flexibility
Print quality consistency matters more than easy access
You're thinking about future projects beyond basic plastics

Our Recommendations

Testing the Waters: Bambu Lab A1 Series

Perfect if you're exploring 3D printing as a hobby. It offers excellent reliability and user-friendly features in an open design. Just know you might want to upgrade for advanced materials later.

Ready to Commit: Bambu Lab P1 and X1 Series

The P1S and X1 Carbon offer the material flexibility and consistency to handle whatever projects you throw at them. It's an investment that grows with your skills and ambitions.

Maximum Value: Sovol S8

Need big prints with upgrade potential? The S8 delivers serious build volume and is compatible with an enclosure later when you're ready to tackle advanced materials.

Professional Applications: Bambu Lab H2 Series

When reliability and advanced material capability are non-negotiable. The actively heated chamber handles demanding engineering materials with precision that other printers can't match.

Making Your Decision

The choice ultimately depends on your goals and workspace. If you're confident you'll stick to basic materials and have a stable environment, an open printer offers great value. But if there's any chance you'll want to explore engineering materials or start a side business, investing in an enclosed printer saves money and frustration in the long run.

Still not sure which direction to go? That's exactly why we're here. At MindKits, we help customers navigate these decisions every day. We'll discuss your specific situation, space, and goals to recommend the printer that makes the most sense for your journey.

Get personalized recommendations from our team - we'll help you choose the printer that fits your needs and grows with your ambitions.

The Ultimate Guide To Filament Types

2025-08-24T16:05:55-05:00

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO 3D PRINTER FILAMENTS AVAILABLE AT MINDKITS

Choosing the right filament is essential for unlocking the full potential of your 3D printer. MindKits offers a diverse range of 3D printer filaments, each tailored for specific applications, strengths, and print characteristics. Here’s an expert overview of the available filament types, their unique properties, and ideal use cases.

PLA (Polylactic Acid)

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Standard PLA: PLA is a plant-based, biodegradable filament renowned for its ease of use, reliability, and good surface finish. It’s non-toxic and suitable for beginners and professionals alike, making it ideal for educational projects, prototypes, and decorative prints.
Specialty PLA (eMarble, PLA-CF): eMarble is a PLA-based filament with a marble-like appearance, offering eco-friendliness and enhanced visual appeal. PLA-CF is carbon fiber reinforced, providing improved stiffness and a matte finish, perfect for engineering parts and models requiring extra strength .

PETG & PETG Composites

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PETG: Known for its durability, chemical resistance, and ease of printing, PETG is a popular choice for mechanical parts and functional prototypes.
PETG-CF: This composite filament blends PETG with carbon fiber, offering increased strength and a shiny look, making it suitable for drone parts, racing models, and load-bearing structures.

Nylon (Polyamide) & Nylon Composites

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Standard Nylon (ePA, ePA12): Nylon filaments are prized for their toughness, flexibility, and impact resistance. ePA is based on nylon 6/66 copolymer, while ePA12 offers lower moisture absorption and high durability—excellent for gears, functional prototypes, and parts requiring high wear resistance .
Nylon Composites (ePA CF, ePA12-CF, PA6-CF, PA6-GF, PAHT-CF): These filaments are reinforced with carbon or glass fibers, significantly boosting stiffness, strength, and heat resistance. They’re ideal for engineering applications, automotive components, and parts exposed to mechanical stress or high temperatures .

TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)

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TPU 95A: TPU is a semi-flexible, chemical-resistant material with strong layer bonding. It’s perfect for applications requiring flexibility, such as phone cases, gaskets, and wearable devices.

Must Be Dried Before Use: TPU is highly hygroscopic and will readily absorb moisture from the air, which can lead to poor print quality, stringing, and bubbles. Always dry your TPU filament at 50–60°C for at least 4–6 hours prior to printing and store it in a dry, sealed container when not in use.

Polycarbonate (PC)

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ePC: Polycarbonate filament is chosen for its excellent mechanical properties, fire resistance, and high toughness. It’s suitable for structural parts, enclosures, and components requiring heat resistance up to 80°C.

ABS and ASA

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ABS: Known for its strength and slight flexibility, ABS is a staple for engineering and prototyping. It requires a heated bed and good ventilation due to fumes.
ASA: Similar to ABS, ASA offers improved UV resistance, making it suitable for outdoor applications .

Composite and Metal Filaments

Carbon Fiber Reinforced Filaments: Available in PLA, PETG, Nylon, and more, these filaments offer superior strength, stiffness, and a matte finish, making them ideal for engineering parts and artistic models .
Glass Fiber Reinforced Filaments: These provide exceptional strength and dimensional stability, especially useful for parts that need to withstand significant mechanical loads.
Metal Filaments: Advanced metal-filled filaments allow for the creation of robust and intricate metal-like parts, suitable for artistic and functional applications.

Other Specialty Filaments

CPE, Support Materials, Wood Filament: MindKits also stocks a range of specialty filaments, including CPE for chemical resistance, dedicated support materials for complex prints, and wood filaments for a unique aesthetic .

Comparison Table: Key Filament Types at MindKits

Filament Type	Key Properties	Best For
PLA	Easy to print, biodegradable	Prototypes, models, educational use
PLA-CF	Carbon fiber, high strength, matte	Engineering parts, brackets, toys
PETG	Durable, chemical resistant	Mechanical parts, functional prototypes
PETG-CF	Strong, shiny, low warping	Drone parts, racing models
Nylon (ePA, ePA12)	Tough, flexible, impact resistant	Gears, functional parts
Nylon-CF/PAHT-CF	High stiffness, heat resistant	Automotive, engineering components
TPU 95A	Flexible, impact resistant	Wearables, gaskets, phone cases
Polycarbonate (PC)	Tough, fire resistant, heat resistant	Structural parts, enclosures
Polypropylene (PP)	Durable, fatigue resistant	Living hinges, electrical components
ABS/ASA	Strong, UV resistant (ASA)	Prototyping, outdoor parts
Metal/Composite	High strength, unique finishes	Artistic, functional, and robust parts