Disclaimer: Markforged has not compensated me for this review in any way. I do not own this printer, but I have had the opportunity to use it.
The Bottom Line – 1/10
The Markforged Mark 2 is the most expensive FDM printer I have ever used, while also being the least user friendly and least successful. When a print is successful, the surface finish is very nice, but I have never been able to produce a part that isn’t warped to some extent. I am doing everything right according to Markforged Support. I am using dry Onyx filament from Markforged, with CCF reinforcement, and using glue stick on their platform. I just can’t get this printer to make a flat part. A good portion of the time I can’t get it all the way through a print without a catastrophic failure. Every nozzle and tube on my machine has jammed at some point over just a dozen print attempts. Perhaps I am doing something wrong – all the reviews I have seen rave about this printer’s ease of use and reliability – but I have a decade of 3D printing experience and I have never had less success with a 3D printer than I have with the Markforged. My experience on this particular unit has been very poor.
Print Quality
The quality of prints seem great, with the exception of warping. I cannot get this printer to make anything flat, no matter what I try. I am using dry Onyx filament from Markforged, with CCF reinforcement, and using glue stick on their OEM platform. Given the extraordinary price tag of the Mark 2 ($17,490.00), this is simply unacceptable.
Software
Eiger is closed source, models are not private, and if you want to obtain an offline copy, the price is outrageous. The software does not provide standard features, like adding a raft to avoid print warping. Limited, slow, and not private. A poor product experience for an inflated price.
Hardware
The hardware is nice, but clogs frequently. I dislike the lack of a heated bed and the poor user serviceability.
Final Thoughts
I really dislike this printer – I don’t think there are any redeeming qualities.