Summary
- Anker’s entrance into the 3D printing market with EufyMake was short-lived.
- AnkerMake M5 and M5C sales have stopped indefinitely, parts may become scarce, and community solutions might be needed.
Anker is a brand name known for affordable, yet reliable accessories. It was also briefly a name you could find on 3D printers, but that’s come to an end. Anker’s foray into the world of 3D printing seems to have fizzled out, leaving owners in an unfortunate situation.
Back in March, Anker announced it was spinning off its 3D printer business into its Eufy sub-brand—known for robot vacuums—as “EufyMake.” They promised “comprehensive customer service and support” for the AnkerMake M5 and M5C. However, it’s been over four months, and EufyMake still isn’t selling any 3D printers. It would appear to be a quiet exit from the 3D printing game.
Anker confirmed to The Verge that sales of the AnkerMake M5 and M5C are paused indefinitely. A spokesperson couldn’t confirm if they’ll ever return or if new models are on the horizon. EufyMake is selling some filament and accessories, but that’s it. The only device it sells is a UV texture printer.
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AnkerMake M5C Review: A Budget and Beginner Friendly 3D Printer
While Anker isn’t necessarily known for making 3D printers, they have certainly made an impression with the AnkerMake M5C. Its balance of power, style, and ease of use, all while maintaining a reasonable price, makes it an ideal candidate for many, especially those just starting their 3D printing journey.
Naturally, the big question now becomes, what happens to Anker’s existing 3D printers? If you own an M5C, you might be struggling to find one of the most critical parts: the hotend. As Redditors have reported, the M5C hotend has been removed from EufyMake’s official website due to “inventory reasons” (the M5 hotend is still available). The full extruder assembly also appears to be gone.
This is a big deal because the hotend is one of the most replaceable components on a 3D printer, and often the first thing that goes. It’s literally the part that melts the plastic. Without new hotends available to purchase, the M5C will eventually become useless. Anker says that while some accessories aren’t publicly listed, customers can reach out to customer support directly. But that doesn’t bode well for the future.
Ultimately, this is always a possibility when being an early adopter, though it doesn’t excuse Anker’s actions. The company made an attempt to enter a new market, but it didn’t last long. The good news is the 3D printing community is nothing if not resourceful. Someone has already made an adapter—that you can print yourself, of course—for putting a Bambu hotend on the AnkerMake M5C.
Source: The Verge
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