Another campaign controversy on Kickstarter, where XMachines cannot fulfill pledges for Lorei 3D Printer after raising $500,000 dollars.

Last week we reported on the suspicious marketing surrounding the crowdfunding campaign for Next Dynamics and their NexD1 3D printer. Kickstarter intervened before it closed, preventing Next Dynamics from collecting nearly €400,000 euros from backers.

This week, supporters of the Lorei Uno and Lorei Duo 3D printers from XMachines have not been so fortunate.

XMachines raised $500,000 dollars in March 2015, promising superior print quality and speed for an attractive price of $399. The fact that it was designated a “Kickstarter Staff Pick” further bolstered confidence in the project.

Despite this impressive start, friction developed between the company and backers over multiple delays and infrequent communication. In a message sent on 2 February, it was confirmed that after two years of delay the project has collapsed.

Needless to say, the comments thread to the campaign is now a fiery torrent of rage. Some are discussing best options to recover their pledges via Kickstarter accountability rules. These include taking legal action.

 

XMachines Exploring Options for a “Positive Outcome”

XMachines Founder Josue Cruz is now exploring options to recover funds via several options. These include pursuing a strategic license or sell the intellectual property. The message to backers in full:

XMachines LLC does not have sufficient funds to manufacture additional rewards printers at this time. I believe the best course of action based on present circumstances is to pursue a strategic license or sale of the intellectual property. It is the Company’s hope that any license or sale agreement reached will allow XMachines to provide the Kickstarter Backers with their rewards. XMachines will provide updates to the Kickstarter Backers as developments warrant. While this obviously not the position in which we hoped to be, we continue to work hard towards a positive outcome for the Company and its initial backers.

So what happened? It’s not entirely clear. As recently as 31 December 2016, XMachines were sharing images to their Facebook page of the Lorei 3D printers being shipped. Stock has also been listed on Amazon, but is no longer available.

To complicate matters, users on reddit are claiming that a ransom campaign was sent to backers requesting more money; an additional $499 fee to receive a kit.

Some backers are speculating that after the campaign closed, XMachine refrained from delivering the Lorei Uno and Duo as originally designed. They chose instead to re-engineer the printer from scratch, file for patents, and design new addons like a “MegaBed” for bigger print volume.

With this news so soon after the Next Dynamics controversy, confidence in Kickstarter 3D printers is perhaps at an all-time low. Take care when swimming in the crowdfunding waters, people.