We are excited to share some important updates regarding our Unified 2 Firmware. After careful consideration, we have made the decision to switch from a free model to a paid subscription model. This change is necessary due to the high costs associated with hosting the firmware, purchasing printers for development, and the significant amount of time invested in its creation.
We understand that this change may raise questions and concerns, so we want to provide you with all the relevant information and benefits that come with this transition.
What happens when my subscription expires?
The firmware will NOT stop working after your subscription expires. Just make sure to download a copy before the expiration so you have it on your PC.
Once the order for the firmware expires only the download link from our website will not work any longer.
1️⃣ Free Subscription with Product Purchase
All products that require firmware, such as LCD kits, EZABL, EZOut, EZNeo, will now come with a complimentary 3-month subscription to the printer and/or board they are intended for. Additionally, for products with more universal compatibility (like higher end extruders, hotends etc), you will have the freedom to select the firmware of your choice upon purchase.
EZBoard users
Our EZBoard V1 and V2 firmware will remain 100% free for life (until we end of life the product officially) as a thank you for purchasing our boards.
2️⃣ Special Offer for Existing Users
During the initial launch of the paid model, we will provide a one-week window where you can “purchase” the three-month subscription for free or get $5 off the 1 year. This opportunity allows existing users to continue enjoying the benefits of our firmware without any immediate financial commitment. Our subscriptions also do NOT auto-renew so no worrying about forgetting to cancel if you no longer want the firmware. This starts on 7/15/23 and will end on 7/23/23. The $5 off code for the firmware and details are below.
3️⃣ Code Accessibility
Rest assured, our commitment to open-source principles remains intact. The core code of the Unified 2 Firmware will continue to be available on GitHub, alongside older versions of the firmware that have already been released. The only exception will be the board and printer model-specific configuration files. However, when you purchase the firmware, you will receive these essential files along with the complete source code.
4️⃣ Supporting the Community
We are proud to announce our sponsorship of Scott Lahteine, the lead developer and maintainer of the Marlin firmware, upon which our firmware is based. By supporting Scott, we are directly contributing to the continuous development of 3D printer firmware worldwide, benefiting the entire community.
5️⃣ Technical Support Option
In addition to the firmware purchase, we are offering an optional add-on for those who desire not only access to our firmware but also personalized technical support. By availing this add-on, you will have direct access to our dedicated support team, who will assist you with any issues you encounter. This support even extends to compiling the firmware for you if you are unable to do so on your own computer.
Closing
We believe that this transition to a paid model will enable us to provide even better support, continuous development, and innovation for our Unified 2 Firmware. We understand that change can be challenging, but we are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible for our valued users.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. Together, we can continue to enhance the 3D printing experience for everyone.
Use the code UF2LAUNCH5OFF at checkout for $5 off the 3 Month or 1 Year Firmware subscription.
YOU MUST ENTER THE CODE AT CHECKOUT FOR THE DEAL TO BE APPLIED
If used on the 3 Month, it will be $0. If used on the 1 year, it will be $13.
!!!IMPORTANT!!!
This code is limit one per customer and expires on 7/23/23.
This code does NOT apply to the aftermarket board firmware that we have already been charging for.
Happy Printing,
Tim Hoogland
Owner – TH3D Studio LLC
NOTE: The older 8-Bit Melzi firmware is no longer being updated due to these boards being end of life and that firmware will remain free on the website but on the last release (V2.71) that those boards were supported on.
I understand why you’re doing this, but for customers who’ve purchased your custom printer boards and parts, it rubs me the wrong way. I get that you’re doing a “free” 3 month subscription with purchase, but I question if this is a model I want to support. I most likely would not have purchased from you if this was the case when I made my original purchase. I think you should reconsider this subscription requirement for verified customers of at least the boards or at least until the board is EOL.
Thank you for reaching out to us with your concerns regarding our firmware charges. We truly appreciate your feedback and understand your perspective. We apologize if our current approach has left you with mixed feelings.
Developing firmware involves significant costs, and the increasing number of customers purchasing parts from various sellers has impacted our ability to sustain the development process. It’s important to note that even after the subscription period expires, you will still be able to continue using the firmware; however, you won’t have access to future updates.
Please be aware that our EZBoards will always remain free of charge, and we will continue to provide updates for them as long as they are actively supported. The charges we are implementing only apply to other boards we offer and stock boards.
We want to emphasize that developing firmware is a dedicated endeavor for our team. Time spent on firmware development diverts resources from other essential tasks and projects within our company. By introducing charges, we aim to allocate more time and resources toward keeping the firmware up to date and incorporating new features.
If you happen to come across anyone who would be willing to contribute to the firmware development or purchase printers to support our efforts, we would be more than happy to reconsider making it 100% free again. We understand that your time and skills are valuable, just as ours are. In order to sustain our operations, we have expenses such as employee salaries, taxes, insurance, and other necessary costs.
We also wanted to mention that we have observed most of the concerns about these changes coming from customers who haven’t made a purchase from us in over two years. We kindly ask for your understanding that the nominal $5 charge is meant to support the extensive time and effort we invest in refining and maintaining the firmware. However, if you prefer not to contribute, you can always choose to use Marlin directly, which remains an option that costs nothing and doesn’t require supporting us directly.
We genuinely value your patronage and strive to offer the best customer experience possible. Your feedback helps us improve, and we thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to let us know. We are here to assist you.