3D Printers
Best 3D Printers include:
Original Prusa i3, 3Doodler Pro, Creality Ender Pro, Original Prusa MINI+, Ultimaker S5 and BIBO 3D Printer.
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Learn More About 3D Printers
What are 3D Printers?
3D printers manufacture three-dimensional solid objects from a digital file. They do this by creating layers of material until the object is formed according to the model. 3D printers can create items of many different material types, including ceramic, wood, metal, nylon, resin, paper, or plastic. Some 3D printers also have laser-cutting, etching, and engraving features as well. Most 3D printers are stationary, but 3D printing pens are becoming increasingly popular.
3D printing has virtually unlimited manufacturing applications because it can be used to make products for just about any industry. They are frequently used to manufacture architectural scale models, machine prototypes, dental molds, eyewear, prosthetics, musical instruments, seed starters, shelving units, kitchen utensils, end-use tools, toys, and jewelry, either in parts or in entirety. 3D Printers are especially useful for industries that rely on prototyping and scale modeling because they can be used to quickly build a functional replica.
Filament vs. Stereolithography (SLA) Printers
There are many types of 3D printers, but the two most common are filament printers and stereolithography (SLA) printers. Filament printers use threads of raw material that are melted by the machine and then shaped into the object layer by layer. Filament printers are cost-effective, fast, reliable, and provide a great range of material options. SLA printers use UV light to harden a curable resin into the desired shape. SLA printers are generally more expensive than filament printers but provide smoother and more detailed objects.
3D Printers Features
The most common 3D printer features are:
- Built-in LCD screens
- Detailed user guides
- Dedicated power supplies
- Integration software
- Automated or manual material loading
- Swappable print heads or nozzles
- Open or closed framing
- Single- or multi-object printing
- USB, wireless, or ethernet connection
- Network integration with other printers and software
- Parts and labor warranties
- Cleaning parts and guides
3D Printer Comparisons
When choosing a 3D printer for you, you’ll want to keep an eye on the following factors:
Build volume: Build volume refers to the printing area size. The lower the print area, the smaller the maximum size of a printable object. This is also concurrent with costs, as printers with smaller build volumes tend to be cheaper overall. Small volume printers such as Creality Ender 3 Pro and Monoprice Voxel are best for jewelry, mechanical components, and other small items. Large volume printers, such as Markforged Mark Two, Ultimaker S5, and Formlabs Form 3, make much larger items, but also provide more support for longer jobs or multi-print items.
Build surface and beds: Surfaces and beds are the areas where the printed objects are resting as they’re being built. They factor into product quality and ease of removal, so their importance is paramount. Creality CR-6 SE and Dremel DigiLab 3D45 have auto leveling beds, which afford beginners a great deal of quality control. Monoprice Voxel and Creality Ender Pro boast removable and flexible heated build surfaces, making object removal an easy process.
Power supply: If you’re needing to handle large volume objects or back-to-back printing jobs, you’ll want to make sure that your printer can handle this. Otherwise, you run the risk of lost object quality or damage to your machine. You’ll also want to make sure that your 3D printer can let you resume printing in the event of lost power. Creality Ender Pro has a certified power supply to provide consistent power, and ANYCUBIC Mega-S allows you to resume printing after power loss.
Printing materials: You’ll want to consider which material type you will need for each printer and each object you want to print. For example, nylon products are food safe, so you can use it to print food contact materials. The type of material used will also determine which prints heads and nozzles you’ll need, as well as whether an open or closed frame (see below) would be best. Some printers, such as CEL-UK RoboxDual, Dremel DigiLab 3D45, and Markforged Mark Two, require the use of proprietary consumables.
Open vs. closed frame. A final consideration is whether you want a closed frame or an open frame printer. Open framed printers like Creality Ender 3 Pro and LulzBot TAZ 6 give better visibility of ongoing jobs but have a greater risk of personal injury and are more likely to have external printing disruptions. You’ll want a closed frame printer like Formlabs Form 3 or Ultimaker S5 to control internal temperature, which is necessary for sensitive materials like ASD plastic. Closed frames also reduce noticeable odors.
Pricing Information
3D printer prices range from $200-$1500 for small volume printers and from $2,000-$10,000 for large volume printers. There are several specialized 3D printers that have complex specifications to target specific industries and are thus more expensive.