3D image printing machine

The Best Cheap 3D Printers for 2023

While we'd hesitate to call 3D printing a mature technology, you might say it has reached its teenage years. Through their first decade-and-change, 3D printers have come down in price, grown easier to set up and operate, and become more reliable. And you may pay less than you expect: Many once-high-end features have migrated down to inexpensive models.

PC Labs has been reviewing 3D printers since 2013. Today, the state of 3D printing is strong, but that wasn’t always the case. For the first several years, it was often an adventure getting one of these printers up and running, let alone successfully through our testing regimen. Issues with filament-based—aka fused filament fabrication (FFF) or fused deposition modeling (FDM)—printers were abundant.

Filament feeders had to be coaxed into delivering filament from the spool to the extruder. Print beds had to be manually aligned. The extruder or hot end had to be positioned just right to minimize the gap between the nozzle and the build plate (the flat surface on which the object is printed). Objects frequently stuck to the build plate, and required careful, sometimes unsuccessful, efforts to pry them off. These and other issues required painstaking effort to resolve, often combined with calls to tech support.

Not so much anymore. While they can still be rebellious at times, 3D printers have grown up a lot, and achieving the 3D printer basics has gotten a lot less likely to end in a shouting match over small things. And they've gotten a lot more affordable, too, for curious DIY-ers and hobbyists to try.

If you're in the market for a beginner or low-cost 3D printer, it's important to know how lower-end models differ. Read on for mini-reviews of the top budget 3D printers we've tested. After that, we go into more detail on understanding the 3D printer specs and tech relevant to beginning buyers. Ready to take the plunge? Read on.

Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

Original Prusa Mini

Best Overall Budget 3D Printer

4.5 Outstanding

Bottom Line:

It requires assembly and calibration care (plus shipping from the Czech Republic), but the Original Prusa Mini is a compact, open-frame 3D printer that consistently produces superb-quality output for a great price.

PROS

Top-notch object quality
Supports a variety of filament types
Useful, professionally printed user guide
Great support resources
Versatile, user-friendly software

CONS

First-layer calibration can be tricky
Only includes starter packets of filament
Requires monitoring if young children or pets are around

Sold By	List Price	Price
Prusa Research	$399.00	$399.00	See It (Opens in a new window)

Read Our Original Prusa Mini Review

XYZprinting da Vinci Mini

Best Budget 3D Printer for Schools, Community Centers

4.0 Excellent

Bottom Line:

The XYZprinting da Vinci Mini is a consumer-oriented 3D printer that provides a winning combination of low price, ease of setup and use, solid print quality, and smooth, misprint-free operation.

PROS

Very low price.
Reasonably priced filament.
Good print quality.
No misprints in testing.
Easy setup and operation.
Quiet.
Prints over a USB or Wi-Fi connection.

CONS

Occasional problems in trying to launch prints.
Removing printed objects from the print bed is sometimes tricky.

Sold By	List Price	Price
Amazon	$199.95	$199.95	See It (Opens in a new window)
Walmart	$199.95	$199.95	See It (Opens in a new window)

Read Our XYZprinting da Vinci Mini Review

Toybox 3D Printer

Best Budget 3D Printer for Children

4.0 Excellent

Bottom Line:

The Toybox 3D Printer works well as a model designed for children, offering reliable printing from a browser or mobile device and a few thousand toys to print, plus creative options to output drawings or photos. Just bear in mind the tiny build area.

PROS

Reliable, misprint-free printing
Easy setup
One-touch operation
Well-composed help resources
Access to more than 2,000 printable toys and projects
Lets you create your own printable designs

CONS

Tiny build area
Not ideal for importing 3D files created elsewhere

Sold By	List Price	Price
Amazon	$299.00	$299.00	See It (Opens in a new window)
Toybox Labs	$379.00	$299.00	See It (Opens in a new window)

Read Our Toybox 3D Printer Review

Monoprice Mini Delta V2 3D Printer

Best Budget 3D Printer for Beginners, Non-Techies

4.0 Excellent

Bottom Line:

3D printing gurus will be intrigued by the Monoprice Mini Delta V2's use of the delta rather than Cartesian coordinate system, but beginners will just enjoy its low price, ease of use, and speedy printing.

PROS

Sub-$200 price
Quick, nearly misprint-free printing
Easy setup and operation
Sturdy steel-and-aluminum frame
Supports multiple filament types

CONS

Tiny build area
So-so print quality
Mere one-year warranty

Sold By	List Price	Price
Amazon	$323.98	$323.98	See It (Opens in a new window)

Read Our Monoprice Mini Delta V2 3D Printer Review

Anycubic i3 Mega S

Best Budget 3D Printer With an Open Design, Big Build Area

3.5 Good

Bottom Line:

The Anycubic i3 Mega S, an inexpensive open-frame 3D printer, produced decent-quality prints in our testing. To get the most out of it, though, may require precise calibration.

PROS

Modestly priced
Large build area for an inexpensive printer
Supports a variety of filament types
Generally solid print quality
Uses well-known Cura software

CONS

Finicky print-platform alignment
Supported coils of filament are small
Poorly placed spool holder

Sold By	List Price	Price
Amazon	$229. 98	$229.98	Check Stock (Opens in a new window)
AnyCubic	$279.00	$279.00	Check Stock (Opens in a new window)

Read Our Anycubic i3 Mega S Review

Anycubic Vyper

Best Budget 3D Printer for the Biggest Build Area Possible

3.5 Good

Bottom Line:

Anycubic's modestly priced Vyper whips up large 3D prints on its open-frame design, and provides automatic print-bed leveling. Just know that some minor assembly is required—and printed objects may require a bit of cleanup.

PROS

Relatively large build area
Automatic bed leveling
Simple assembly

CONS

Short (one-year) warranty
Includes only a small starter filament coil
Using Cura software with the Vyper requires tweaking a couple of settings
Test prints showed some "hairy" filament residue

Sold By	List Price	Price
Amazon	$339. 99	$339.99	See It (Opens in a new window)
AnyCubic	$369.00	$319.00	See It (Opens in a new window)

Read Our Anycubic Vyper Review

Creality Ender-3 V2

Best Budget 3D Printer for Tinkerers and DIY Types

3.5 Good

Bottom Line:

Hands-on tweaking defines Creality's budget-price Ender-3 V2, an open-frame 3D printer that you build from a kit. It produces generally above-par prints, but its print bed can be tricky to keep leveled.

PROS

Inexpensive
Slightly above-average print quality
Good-size build area for its price
Supports several filament types

CONS

Manual print-bed leveling can be tricky
Setup instructions could be deeper, more legible
Questionable quality control on some parts

Sold By	List Price	Price
Amazon	$299. 00	$246.00	See It (Opens in a new window)

Read Our Creality Ender-3 V2 Review

Flashforge Finder 3D Printer

Best 3D Printer for the Very Tightest Budgets

3.5 Good

Bottom Line:

The Flashforge Finder 3D Printer is moderately priced and offers good print quality, but it proved tricky to get up and running in our tests.

PROS

Quiet.
Good print quality.
Connects via USB 2.0 cable, USB thumb drive, or Wi-Fi.
Reasonably priced.

CONS

Some objects pulled off the platform during testing.
Poor documentation.
Modest build volume.
Limited to printing with polylactic acid filament (PLA).

Sold By	List Price	Price
Amazon	$259.90	$259.90	Check Stock (Opens in a new window)

Read Our Flashforge Finder 3D Printer Review

Polaroid PlaySmart 3D Printer

Best Budget 3D Printer for Dabbling in Small Objects

3. 5 Good

Bottom Line:

The Polaroid PlaySmart 3D Printer is a compact, stylish 3D printer with above-par overall print quality, but, alas, a tiny build area for the money.

PROS

Small, lightweight for a desktop 3D printer.
Easy to set up and use.
Supports PLA, PETG, and wood composite filaments.
Multiple-color support.
Wi-Fi camera monitors print jobs.
Prints from USB drives, SD cards, or mobile devices.

CONS

High price for its capabilities.
Small build area.
Too-brief warranty.

Sold By	List Price	Price
Amazon	$699.00	$699.00	See It (Opens in a new window)

Read Our Polaroid PlaySmart 3D Printer Review

XYZprinting da Vinci Jr. 1.0 A Pro

Best Budget 3D Printer With Closed Design, Roomy Build Area

3. 5 Good

Bottom Line:

The XYZprinting da Vinci Jr. 1.0 A Pro is a moderately priced closed-frame 3D printer with a large build volume and overall good performance, but a potentially balky filament-feeding system.

PROS

Spacious build area
Works with third-party filaments
Self-leveling print bed

CONS

Build plate is not heated
Limited to PLA- and PETG-based filaments
Guide tube is prone to detaching

Sold By	List Price	Price
Amazon	$299.95	$199.95	See It (Opens in a new window)
Best Buy	$449.95	$449.95	Check Stock (Opens in a new window)

Read Our XYZprinting da Vinci Jr. 1.0 A Pro Review

Monoprice Voxel 3D Printer

Best Budget 3D Printer for Cheap Filament

3. 0 Average

Bottom Line:

The Monoprice Voxel is an under-$400 3D printer that's easy to set up and use. It exhibits generally good print quality, but it was unable to print two of our test objects.

PROS

Easy to set up and use.
Budget price for printer and filament spools.
Supports PLA, ABS, and several composite filament types.
Versatile software.
Prints over Ethernet or Wi-Fi, or from a USB thumb drive.

CONS

Frequent misprints on certain test objects.
Slightly balky touch screen.

Sold By	List Price	Price
Amazon	$449.99	$369.26	See It (Opens in a new window)
Walmart	$429.99	$369.26	See It (Opens in a new window)

Read Our Monoprice Voxel 3D Printer Review

Buying Guide: The Best Cheap 3D Printers for 2023

How to Buy a Cheap 3D Printer

The biggest changes to 3D printers over the last few years have come to the cheaper models. Nowadays, many of those classic, ornery 3D-printing issues have been resolved (most of the time, anyway), even for consumer and bargain-priced 3D printers. Automatic print-bed leveling is the norm, and you can usually remove 3D-printed objects from heated and/or flexible build plates with a minimum of coaxing. And most 3D printer manufacturers have either developed and refined their own software, or have adapted an open-source printing platform such as Cura(Opens in a new window).

(Credit: Zlata Ivleva)

What separates more expensive 3D printers from cheap ones ("cheap" defined as $500 or less, for the purposes of this article) is often a select group of features. These include the build volume, the type of frame, the varieties of supported filament, the software, and the connectivity mix. Let's run through those in turn.

What's the Right Build Volume for a 3D Printer?

A 3D printer’s build volume is the maximum dimensions (HWD) of a part that it can print. (We say “a part” because a 3D-printed object can consist of multiple parts that are printed, then glued or otherwise pieced together.) While the smallest build volume of any 3D printer we have tested is 3.9 by 3.9 by 4.9 inches, we consider any build volume smaller than 6 by 6 by 6 inches to be small, any between that and 10 by 10 by 10 inches as medium, and any printer with at least one build dimension of more than 10 inches as having a large build volume.

(Credit: Molly Flores)

As a general rule, inexpensive 3D printers have small build volumes, while more expensive ones have larger build volumes. This depends in part on the type of printer. Closed-frame 3D printers—and most semi-open models, which have a rigid top, base, and sides but are open in front and, often, back—tend to have small build volumes, while open-frame printers, lacking as rigid a physical structure, often have relatively large build volumes for the price. You'll want to weigh the build volume against the kinds of objects you will print.

Should I Get an Open-Frame or Closed-Frame 3D Printer?

Which brings us to the frame "form factor" question: open-frame versus closed-frame. Closed-frame 3D printers are boxlike devices, with a rigid base, walls (with a see-through door in front), and top. Among their advantages? They muffle the operating noise, as well as reduce the odor from melted filament (which is potentially an issue with ABS plastic), and they provide some protection for people or pets who might inadvertently touch the hot extruder. A downside: They tend to have smaller build volumes than open-frame 3D printers, which have fewer (often, no) walls to constrict them.

(Credit: Zlata Ivleva)

Low-cost 3D printers include both open-frame and closed-frame models, as well as a few stereolithography printers. If a relatively large build volume is a priority, you’re likely to get more bang for the buck with an open-frame model. Open-frames do have some clear downsides by definition: They tend to be noisy, emit odors when certain plastics are melted, and provide little protection for someone who might touch the hot extruder.

(Credit: Molly Flores)

Also, recognize some potential negatives of open frames, depending on the model. Some require assembly, being essentially kits, and most require more setup care than a closed-frame printer, plus more maintenance to keep them running smoothly. Still, these very traits should not deter—and may even appeal to—hobbyists and DIY folks.

What Should I Look for in 3D Printer Software and Connectivity?

Gone are the days when tinkerers had to cobble together several different programs to get a 3D printer to run. Manufacturers either include their own 3D printing program or modify an existing platform such as the open-source Cura.

3D printing software performs three main functions: processing an object file (resizing, moving, rotating, and in some cases duplicating it), slicing it (into virtual layers, based on your chosen resolution), and printing it. These are almost universally combined into a seamless process. Some high-end printers have software that supports a wider range of settings you can tweak, but even the basic suites work at least reasonably well.

More likely to vary among the cheaper set is the array of connection options from model to model. Nearly all have a USB Type-A port to fit a thumb drive for printing from document files. Most also have a USB Type-B port for connecting directly to a computer, and some offer Wi-Fi, too (or as an alternative), while a handful let you connect via Ethernet to share the printer across a local network.

Some printers support storing 3D files on an SD or microSD card (which may also contain the printer’s system files). Most 3D printer manufacturers (even the discount ones) have a mobile app to launch and monitor print jobs, and a few provide access to cloud services from which you can print.

While high-end 3D printers tend to have an abundance of connection choices, discount models vary widely in their choices. Some are generous and some are basic, so it pays to assess what a given model offers.

What Should I Look for in Filament Support?

Filament support tends to be a key area that separates the cheaper models from the higher-end ones. (See our guide to understanding 3D printing filaments for more particulars.) Inexpensive 3D printers tend to support a limited number of plastic filament types, some of them only PLA and/or ABS.

Recommended by Our Editors

3D Printing: What You Need to Know

3D Printer Filaments Explained

(Credit: Molly Flores)

PLA (polylactic acid) is a biodegradable, plant-based polymer, while ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) is the same tough plastic that Legos are made from. Objects printed from ABS are durable and nontoxic, though the material can be tricky to work with. ABS can emit an acrid, unpleasant odor during printing, and the bottom corners of objects being printed with it have a tendency to curl upward a bit, especially if you are using a non-heated print bed. This can lead to unsightly prints, and/or prints prematurely pulling off the build plate, ruining them.

Many entry-level and low-price 3D printers stick exclusively to PLA. If you want to experiment with a larger variety of filaments—which include water-soluble filament, wood- and metal-laced composites, and both tough and flexible varieties—you may have to pay more, although a few discount models support a wide range of materials.

Should I Consider a 3D Printing Pen Instead?

Although they aren’t printers per se, inexpensive 3D pens are close kin to 3D printers—using the same filament types and a similar extrusion system—and we include them in the 3D printing category. Rather than tracing out a programmed pattern, you use the 3D pen much like a normal pen, except that you draw with molten plastic. You can trace a pattern or draw freehand, and even draw in three dimensions as the plastic quickly solidifies and hardens once extruded.

(Credit: 3Doodler)

Most 3D pens cost less than $100, and some cost $50 or less. At a glance, 3D pens may appear to be toys, but some artists and craftspeople have taken to them, as it is possible to make quite complicated and beautiful objects with them. If your aim in 3D printing is something closer to freehand design and free expression than computer-centric, structured, and repeatable output, you might give one a try.

So, What Is the Best Cheap 3D Printer to Buy?

Buying a budget 3D printer needn’t mean a world of sacrifice. Plenty of capable and reliable models sell at less than $500, and while they may not be as feature-rich as their more expensive cousins, there's no sense in paying for things you don’t need.

Many casual 3D-printing experimenters will be fine with printing over a USB cable or from a thumb drive, and sticking to PLA may be the best choice for a starter 3D printer. If you focus just on the features you want, you may be pleasantly surprised at what you find. Below, check out a spec breakdown of the best under-$500 3D printers we have reviewed, paralleling our picks above. Also, for a look at the broader market, see our guide to our favorite 3D printers overall.

ProJet 6000 HD - 3D Printer

Integrated, Reliable and Proven

The ProJet^® 6000 HD from 3D Systems gives you one point of contact to support your applications and daily use of our gold standard technology for additive manufacturing. Customized to our specific 3D print engine, the broad spectrum of Accura^® SLA resins generate the consistency and mechanical properties required of each material.

Our SLA printers have high uptime numbers, while 3D Connect™ Service provides a new level of management in 3D production. This secure cloud-based connection to 3D Systems service teams for proactive and preventative support enables better service, improves uptime and delivers production assurance for your system.

Industry-Leading 3D Print Preparation Software

3D Systems' exclusive software for plastic printers to prepare, optimize and print 3D CAD data, 3D Sprint^® software delivers all the tools you need to quickly and efficiently go from design to high quality true to CAD printed parts without needing additional third party software.

With 3D Sprint PRO for SLA (optional), facilitate file preparation with native CAD import and advanced mesh repair tools, increase productivity with auto placement, enhance manufacturing efficiency with finely tuned supports, and reduce the need for additional software with embedded Geomagic trusted technology.

Consistently Accurate Parts with the Finest Features

Parts are accurate throughout the entire build platform, print after print, machine after machine. Features are reproducible down to 0.050mm or 0.002 in – depending on geometry, orientation and build mode.

About this printer

Applications
Benefits
Tech Specs

Applications

Master patterns for vacuum casting
Sacrificial patterns for metal casting
Tools, molds and dies
Functional prototypes and models
High clarity, transparent products and components
Complex assemblies
Wind tunnel models
Under the hood components
Rapid production of flow test rigs
Mass customization (orthodontic, dental)
Custom assembly jigs and fixtures

Read more about SLA 3D printing technology

Benefits

Fast, robust and accurate 3D printing
Finest feature detail on parts of any size
Smooth surface finish
Ease of use – intuitive workflow
Multiple printers in one – quick and easy material changeover
Single source solution (for printers, materials and software)
Low material waste
Broad application flexibility

Tech Specs

Stereolithography technology (SLA)
Max build envelope capacity (W x D x H): 250 x 250 x 250 mm (10 x 10 x 10 in)
Highest precision and accuracy
Exchangeable Material Delivery Modules (MDMs)
Utilizing two laser spot sizes per layer – no compromise between speed or feature detail
True line drawing in X and Y to accurately define curves
Industry-leading 3D Sprint software for file preparation and production
Cloud connectivity for predictive and prompt service with 3D Connect

3D printing with plastics offers many choices for engineering grade materials, elastomers and composites. Do you need flexibility? Strength? Bio-compatibility? More?
3D print with plastics to build almost anything - used for prototyping, manufacturing, anatomical models and more. Select a plastic material and 3D technology to deliver the characteristics you need.

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ProJet 7000 HD

Mid-range integrated solution for SLA quality and accuracy

ProX 950

All the benefits of SLA 3D printing in extra-large format

Direct Wall Printer

Wallpen (Germany) has launched an innovative UV inkjet printing system for indoor and outdoor direct wall printing!!!!

According to the manufacturer, Wallpen's patented technology allows high-quality, long-lasting widescreen images to be applied to a variety of vertical surfaces, including plastic, wallpaper, wood, stone, ceramic tile, glass, metal, and concrete.

The new Wallpen printer has been in development for two years and has 15 patents. It features a four-color Xaar 128 printhead and is imprinted with a durable, lightweight aluminum module. Before starting work, the system scans the surface with a laser to identify its defects and irregularities and automatically adjusts to them.

The system is easy to transport and set up and is able to apply an image on walls up to 4 m high of any width at a speed of up to 4 m² / h with a resolution of 370 × 600 dpi. It can be transported in a small passenger car. The company expects that designers, artists, decorators and outdoor advertising producers will be interested in this novelty!!!

The

Print-Wall is a flexible and mobile device that prints images and graphics in vibrant, durable, high quality colors directly from USB to plaster, wallpaper, wood, clinker, stone, plastic, glass, concrete, many metals and tiles, and more similar materials.

Create promotional images in foyers, design facades or walls with unique photographs, or bring life to apartments, offices, corridors and decorate kindergartens or schools.

Automated wall painter

Printing allows you to transform any room in a few hours. The client needs to select an image, drawing or photograph, as well as indicate the dimensions of the print (width and height). The printer will do all the work. The result is an exact copy of the image on the wall without errors.

The unique ink is odorless and absolutely safe for humans and animals. The curing time of the ink is a fraction of a second. The high resolution of the print (370x600 dpi) makes the print on the walls extraordinarily lively and realistic. The printer is controlled by a tablet wirelessly, and a special application facilitates the operator's work with print settings. It is easy to assemble and disassemble, easy to transport. Therefore, we can do our work even in remote customer locations.

Wall and wallpaper printing

Printed on plaster

Printing on wood

Printing on plastics

Printing on glass

Direct Wall Printer Models

1. Wallpen printer. Germany is the most expensive option.

Cost of wall printing machine 45.700 euros without delivery and includes:

Three Packs of WallPen UV Ink Cartridges (85ml Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow)

WallPen cleaning fluid kit (500 ml for cleaning printheads)

Android tablet 10" for wireless operation

Six corrugations for transporting the machine

Two days of training for two people

One year warranty

Download presentation (in German)

Printer specifications WP100

Warranty: 2 years	Capacity: 8 square meters per hour
Certification: European Conformity, Independent Testing and Certification CE	Colour:Multicolor
After-sales service: Online support, video technical support	Dimensions (L * W * H): 1. 8 * 1 * 0.8 m
Features: Print length endless	Weight: 65 kg
Resolution: 1440 DPI	Ink Type: Water based ink
Print head: DX7	Ink Colour: 4 colors/CMYK
Applications: Hotels, clothing stores, building materials stores, manufacturing plant, restaurant, home use, retail, printing stores, construction work, advertising company	Ink volume: 4 print colors 200CBM

2. Perfect Laser Printer Co., Ltd. (China.)Model

PE-h40

Price from $12,000.00-$13,500.00

Shipping: US$22

Guaranteed Money Back

Single Head Wall Printer - CMYK

Industrial grade printhead (Japan) x 1

Color print speed 32 sqm/h

3d wall printer for special wall decoration. Has a computer control system. The device connects to the computer via a USB cable. You edit pictures (photos) in the computer and then send them to the printer. Management is very simple and convenient. The printer prints very quickly.

1. The printer can print photos on the wall directly.

2. Uses an Epson print head.

3.Printer has 1 year warranty period (does not include ink and print head)

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

3. Chulei laser printer. Model chulei laser

PE-P40

US $15 500.00

Dual Head Wall Printer - CMYK+W

Industrial Grade Printhead (Japan) x 2

Download Technical parameters of the printer in Russian:

Printer capabilities. how to organize your business.

work examples Order

Is it necessary to use rails for printing?

Question: Is it necessary to use rails for printing?

Answer: The car can work both on rails, and without them. Rails are required on objects with uneven floor surfaces

What is the set of consumables?

Question: What is the set of consumables?

Answer: The consumable part is ink. One set of ink has 4 bottles with 4 different colors.
One bottle of ink - 500 ml. With one set of inks, 200 m2 can be printed.
h40 supports four CMYK colors.
Price - $100 for one ink set.
h50 supports CMYK+W five colors.
Price - $150 for one set of CMYK and $375 for one bottle of white ink
White ink imported from USA, Dupont brand. Bottle capacity 1000 ml. The white ink ingredient is different from CMYK. It is not recommended to use cheap analogues of white ink, because. they can easily block the print head.
We offer original ink produced by a well-known American brand, the quality of which has been tested by time.
Protective Liquid
Price is $85 per bottle. One bottle - 1000 ml. We suggest you buy 2 bottles for one year use

How is the machine controlled?

Question: How is the machine controlled?

Answer: Management using a built-in computer with a simple and understandable software for an ordinary user

What is the print height?

Question: What is the print height?

Answer: Print Height: 2m

What is the print length?

Question: What is the print length?

Answer: No limit. The standard rail length is 3 m. The rail can be extended. One set of rails is 1.5m. The price is $275 for one set. Rails can be disassembled. They can be easily and conveniently put into the car

Which cleaning fluid should I use?

Question: What kind of cleaning fluid should I use?

Answer: It doesn't need cleaning fluid, just uses purified water to clean the print head. The machine has an automatic cleaning system that can automatically clean the print head. Just click the "Clear" button in the program.

How much does a replacement print head cost?

Q: How much does a spare print head cost?

Answer: The price is $1500 for one piece. The scope of delivery includes fasteners for h40 and H40. The resource of the print head is from 60,000 to 80,000 m2. This print head is specially designed by Japanese company Epson only for our company. According to an individual contract, this type of print head is supplied only to our company.

How portable is this printer?

Question: How mobile is this printer?

Answer: The printer can be used with or without rails.
Operated by built-in touch screen. You can move it to any place without additional wires. You also don't need to buy extra. computer. When folded, the printer is quite compact

What happens if the power goes out during work?

Q: What happens if the power goes out during operation?

Answer: The machine is protected by UPS. While the machine is running, the UPS battery is being charged. The machine can continue to work for 12-15 hours after a sudden power failure. The cost of this UPS is more than $1500. In similar printers on the market, the battery can only last 20-30 minutes

3D printed anatomical models for preoperative planning and enhanced patient consent

Introduction

3D printed models are becoming increasingly useful tools in the modern practice of personalized, precision medicine. As case histories become more complex and treatments become truly unique, visual and tactile anatomical models can improve understanding and communication in the process of creating a solution for a particular patient.

Health care professionals, institutions and organizations around the world use 3D printed anatomical models as reference tools for preoperative planning, intraoperative imaging and calibration or pre-installation of medical equipment for routine and high complexity procedures, which has been documented in hundreds of publications1. Physicians often save time preparing and performing surgeries, resulting in significant reductions in operating costs while reducing patient risk, anxiety, and recovery time.

This guide provides practical step-by-step guidance for physicians and technologists to move from patient scans to 3D printed models by learning how to set up a CT/MRI scan, segment datasets, and convert files to 3D printable format.

“The unique advantage of image-based 3D printing is the ability to demonstrate anatomical spatial relationships with sub-millimeter accuracy. ”

Jeffrey D. Hirsch, MD

Associate Professor, Director of Community Radiology, Division of Diagnostic Radiology University of Maryland Medicine

Formlabs-printed anatomy models are already being used by several subspecialists in surgery, including but not limited to orthopedic, cardiothoracic, vascular surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oncology, plastic and reconstructive surgery, urology and pediatrics. This handbook provides an overview of the steps that can be applied to any Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) dataset, which is the standard format for storing images in any modern Image Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS)

WHAT YOU NEED FOR IN-HOUSE 3D PRINTING

CT or MRI scan and associated DICOM file

Recommended slice thickness: 0.25mm-1.25mm2

Computer with imaging software for segmentation or using an outsourced segmentation service

Form 2 3D printer and resin, e. g.:

Orthopedic white resin or OMFS
Transparent polymer for cardiovascular or urological surgery
SG Dental Resin for Surgical Guides (for approved applications only)

Form Wash and Form Cure for 3D post-processing (recommended for medical models)

Applications and benefits of 3D printed anatomical models medicine. Please consider your intended use, local regulations, medical imaging approvals, material specifications, biocompatibility requirements, protected medical information, and institutional standards before 3D printing or using anatomical models

Depending on your institution, anatomical models may be used for patient or pathological purposes:

Preoperative planning and intraoperative reference models for surgeons
Device calibration (e.g. mandibular plates) and surgical instrument design*
Molds for implant material or prostheses*
Teaching and simulation laboratories
Patient Education and Enhanced Informed Consent

* May be regulated and/or require institutional approval

Numerous published case studies and ongoing efforts have demonstrated the potential of 3D printing in clinical settings. Public use cases include preoperative planning3, intraoperative use4, patient-centric instrument kits5, customized implants6, bone cement molds or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) implants8, prostheses9and trays

These use cases have demonstrated success in a variety of fields and surgical specialties, including orthopedic, cardiac, oral and maxillofacial (OMFS), vascular, neurological, cardiothoracic, musculoskeletal, plastic and reconstructive surgery, oncology, pediatrics, interventional radiology, etc.

“While I would like to think that my brain can reconstruct a 3D interpretation from a 2D CT scan, I was surprised by the relative inaccuracy of the approach I have been using for 20 years. 3D models are invaluable in planning, especially when using the daVinci robot.”

Dr. Ronald Hrebinko

Urologist and Associate Professor of Urology

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

3D printed models can also provide significant benefits for the education of residents, fellows and students10. Individual models are particularly attractive when compared to the cost of cadaveric specimens and animal testing and the associated requirements for laboratory space, surgical instruments, and disposal

5 leading medical disciplines on the use of 3D printing technology

Chepelev et al.

Image sourced from http://www.materialise.com/en/blog/3d-printing-us-hospitals

Explore our collection of research publications, to learn more about how Formlabs printers and supplies are being used in healthcare.

The widespread use of advanced imaging in radiology has become a key factor in diagnosis and communication between physicians. While these visualizations have traditionally been used in the 2D plane as CT or MRI scans as DICOM files, software developers have recently created tools to reconstruct diagnostic images as 3D anatomical imaging.

3D printed models are a natural extension of these various 3D rendering options and offer many additional benefits such as tactile feedback and other tangible information that visualizations cannot provide.

When a patient's severe foot deformity could not be fully represented with 2D images, surgeons used a 3D printed model to plan how to correct gait with preoperative equipment and work with clinical staff and receptionists.

For example, research on a custom 3D printed model allowed a UK orthopedic surgeon to find a solution with a lower risk of abnormal injury to a boy's forearm

“Access to the model has changed standard CT-indicated therapy from a four-hour complex osteotomy to a simple, much less invasive 30-minute soft tissue procedure,” says Dr. Michael Eames

A successful operation was completed in just 30 minutes — reduction of more than three hours from the originally scheduled time in the operating room, saving the hospital an estimated $5,500. Subsequently, the patient spent less time on post-operative care and recovered more quickly

Workflows from scan to 3D model

Creating 3D printed files and 3D printed models requires special considerations and minor changes in the medical imaging workflow

The tailored workflow can be divided into three steps: image acquisition, image segmentation and 3D printing

IMAGE ACQUISITION

Image acquisition is the first step and is already integrated into the workflow. The most common imaging techniques suitable for 3D printing are CT and MRI. In general, 3D models can be printed from any volumetric image dataset (slices) with sufficient contrast to differentiate tissues.

Cone-beam CT is also widely used for dental and otolaryngological imaging of teeth, but contrast can be worse than conventional CT, making segmentation more difficult. See recommendations for setting up patient scans for 3D models in the second part of this booklet

IMAGE SEGMENTATION

The main goal of this step is to reduce the complexity of the original image while leaving the necessary characteristics unchanged and isolated. Once the radiographer has received the DICOM, they must perform Regions of Interest (ROI) processing, which will be rendered as a 3D printed object. The process of identifying and separating tissues and other areas of interest is called segmentation. Depending on the complexity of the model, it is performed by a radiologist-technician under the guidance of a radiologist or directly by a radiologist. Once the segmentation is completed, it is reviewed by the surgeon for final approval13

A number of commercial and open source software products can be used for the segmentation process (see the list at the end of this section). Before choosing a software solution, consider your intended use, regulatory requirements in your area, and recommendations at your institution.

ROI segmentation steps can include automatic methods (eg thresholding, edge detection and region enlargement) or manual selection and adjustments. Thresholding uses parameters that can be identified and associated with a particular ROI, such as bones with higher Hounsfield values relative to their surroundings.

Thresholds may need to be dynamic and include more sophisticated algorithms to account for factors such as CT noise and beam hardening that can create artifacts and other unwanted results.

Another option is to use a growth region to automate segmentation, where the algorithm assigns voxels as belonging to one part or another based on similarity or difference to surrounding voxels. This may require additional adjustments and clarifications.

After segmentation is complete, convert the segmented objects to a file type that can be used by the 3D printer. This file type is usually an STL or OBJ file format.

After conversion, make any necessary physical adjustments that are more common in 3D modeling, such as smoothing surfaces, filling holes, and fixing other minor features. These adjustments can be made by a specialist in various CAD or CAM programs and should always include review by a physician to ensure that the result is clinically useful.

Once the radiologist has received DICOM, they must define regions of interest (ROIs) that will be displayed as a 3D printed object. Source: ITK-Snap

In-house 3D printing enables healthcare providers to rapidly create high resolution medical models.

3D PRINT

Once the final file is ready, it can be exported and sent to a 3D printer for production. There are several key factors to consider when choosing the right 3D printing technology, including: the cost of the printer, software, and materials; print speed, accuracy and resolution; ease of use and access to customer service; the type of printed materials, including biocompatibility and sterilization for certain uses.

After printing, parts should be rinsed with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) to remove excess resin and, depending on the material and application, post-cured in a curing chamber. All biocompatible resins require post-cure prior to use, while standard Formlabs resins such as White and Clear Resin increase post-cure strength and stability.

Learn more about print options

Visit our Software Support and Resources pages for more information on how to set up files for printing and learn more about specifications such as internal supports and minimum wall thickness

POTENTIAL FIELD 3D PRINTING SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE

Note: Each section requires only one kind of software that completes the workflow steps. This list is for ease of reference and research and does not constitute an endorsement of any particular software or vendor. If you require anatomical models without segmentation or printing in situ, specialized service providers offer conversion, segmentation and/or printing services for a fee (e.g. Anatomage, Armor Bionics, Axial3D and Materialize)

Check your local regulations and intended use before choosing a software solution.

Transform + Segmentation

Materialise Mimics*	ITK-SNAP
3D Slicer	4DICOM
Axial3D	Seg3D
Osirix	Embodi3D (DICOM - STL conversion, no segmentation)
Ossa 3D	Vitrea Vital Images
Anatomage Medical Design Studio

Pre-Editing + File Management, Smoothing & Identification

Blender

Materialize 3matic

Autodesk Meshmixer

Support Generation + Print Orientation

Formlabs PreForm

Materialize e-Stage Note: Cardiac cases may require advanced removal of supports from within the valves (PreForm video tutorial)

Printer

Formlabs Form 2 or Form Cell System

Formlabs Fuse 1

Post-print

Formlabs finishing kit	Form Wash and Form Cure
Ultrasonic cleaner (e. g. GT Sonic)	CUREBox CB-4051

* Formlabs and Materialize have partnered to offer a comprehensive package of services in the US, Europe and Japan. Mimics inPrint is a specialized software solution for creating accurate virtual anatomical models from medical images and preparing files for 3D printing. Integrated into Clinical Environments (PACS), Mimics inPrint includes predefined workflows with direct link to Formlabs 3D printers.

Patient Scan Setup for 3D Models

Some conventional medical imaging scans cannot be converted to high quality 3D models for clear and accurate anatomical structures. Plain radiographs (X-rays) and ultrasounds are not commonly used for 3D printing and these imaging techniques are not recommended.

The most commonly used imaging modalities for evaluating internal structures are computed tomography and MRI imaging. These rendering methods generate a DICOM file. DICOM is a standard for storing and transmitting medical images and can be thought of as a series of slices.

DICOM images cannot be edited in 3D design software or sent directly to a printer. To convert a DICOM file to a format suitable for 3D printing, such as an STL or OBJ file, separate software is required to calculate the surface area of interest. This surface will become a 3D model.

Almost any DICOM file with sufficiently fine detail (eg thin slices) can be converted to a format that supports 3D printing of the structure of interest.

The following articles may be helpful in preparing, printing and post-processing anatomy models:

Design models for print support

Design features and geometric recommendations

Post-curing printing

Post-processing basics

Criteria for creating a printable scan

The first consideration when converting a CT or MRI to a 3D model is what needs to be shown; bones, vessels, and whole organs are all modeled differently. A model with outdated structures not only detracts from the focus of the model, but it will also be harder to produce. Scanning at the right specifications makes it easy to create a 3D printable model. The main features are intravenous contrast and slice thickness.

For 3D models of bone structures, low contrast images are likely to be sufficient for accurate and detailed printing. Models containing solid organs, tumors, or vascular structures almost always require contrast magnification scans

Introductory contrast information

The CT brightness change allows the segmentation software to highlight different structures, allowing you to print an area or organ of interest. Some structures, such as bones, are inherently bright on CT scans. This makes it easier to 3D print when started from a non-contrast CT. However, intravenous

(IV) contrast is needed when you want to 3D print a blood vessel, tumor, or most organs. A contrast agent is injected into the patient just before the scan. With IV contrast, blood vessels (arteries and veins) and solid organs (such as the liver, kidneys, spleen, heart, and brain) become brighter when scanned, allowing the segmentation software to accurately separate them from surrounding tissues. See images below for a comparison of non-contrast and contrast-enhanced CT scans of the abdomen.

The effect of intravenous contrast is shown with two axial (transverse) CT scans of the upper abdomen. On a right scan, the aorta is enhanced, whereas on a left scan, the aorta appears very similar to the adjacent soft tissue. The contrast allows you to isolate the desired structures in post-processing. Source: Embodi 3D

In addition to enhancing contrast, slice thickness and resolution are equally important for planning when creating a 3D model. Most clinically useful scans were obtained at adequate resolution for 3D printing. However, if you try to 3D print an anatomical model while scanning with thick sections, your

model will have a rough surface. According to numerous sources, when creating a model for 3D printing, it is very important to use scans with slices less than 1.25 mm.

Two CT scans of the chest. The image on the left shows a frontal view constructed from 5 mm thick slices, while the high resolution scan shows a similar view of the chest using only 1 mm thick slices. Thick slices in the left image create rough textures that will result in a lower quality print. Source: Embodi 3D

The thickness of sections obtained from CT or MRI scans are converted directly into details generated from 3D scans. Depending on the focus object, areas of the image should be reconstructed with isotropic voxels of 1.25 mm or less15. According to a Mayo Clinic presentation in March 2016, 1 to 5 mm slices can be used for large structures, while 0.75 mm can be used for thin bone16. Thicker regions may degrade model accuracy, while very thin regions (e.g. <0.25 mm) may require extensive segmentation and STL enhancement, especially in the presence of image artifact. Cardiac models show sufficient accuracy with 0.5 mm patches, but thinner targets may be required for thin objects such as the inferior wall of the orbit17. Generally, thicker areas can create fuzzy or less accurate prints. However, unnecessarily thin areas can lead to significantly more work in the post-processing step.

Regulatory Issues

Please check local regulations, material data, patient information, and institutional requirements before 3D printing or using anatomical models. If you work in the US, please refer to the latest FDA presentation which outlines its guidance document18 Please note that these documents and recommendations are subject to change. Make sure you are using the latest guidelines.

Formlabs is the industry's leading manufacturer of 3D printers and materials used by healthcare providers to support the practice of medicine

Conclusion

Barriers to the transition to personalized precision medicine are fast disappearing. The advent of affordable, professional-grade 3D printers has enabled healthcare providers to produce anatomy models for specific patients and specialties with inspiring results. In some cases, the initial cost of a high quality printer has been covered by the time saved in the operating room after the surgeon used the 3D printed model to prepare for one complex procedure.19

“Medicine is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and when a tool like desktop 3D printing comes along that allows you to create personalized medical solutions, there is no doubt that it needs to be used to its full potential.”

Todd Goldstein

Instructor, Institute for Medical Research. Feinstein Director, 3D Printing Lab, Northwell Ventures, Northwell Health

Understanding the workflow required to integrate 3D printing is key to success.

This tutorial covers everything you need to get started, popular workflows and tools and techniques to ease the transition from patient scanning to 3D printing

Contact us to learn more about 3D printing in Your institution and join the community of innovators in precision medicine

LINKS

Chepelev, Leonid, Andreas Giannopoulos, Anji Tan, Dimitrios Mitsouras and Frank J. Rybicki Medical 3D Printing: Terminology Standardization Techniques and Report Trends 3D- printing in medicine 3, no. 1 (2017) doi:101186/s41205-017-0012-5
Mitsworth, Dimitris, Peter Lakouras, Amir Imanzadeh, Andreas A Giannopoulos, Tianrun Kai, Kanako K. Kumamaru, Elizabeth George, et al. "3D Medical Printing for the Radiologist" RadioGraphics 35, no. 7 (November 2015): 1965–88 https http://doi.org/101148/rg2015140320
Kerr, William, Philip Rowe, and Steven Gareth Pierce "Accurate 3D Bone Reconstruction Using Ultrasonic Synthetic Aperture Techniques for Robotic Knee Arthroplasty" Computerized Medical Imaging and Graphics 58 (June 2017): 23–32 https://doi org/101016/j compmedimag 201703 002
Chen, Xing, Jesse K Possel, Katherine Waconne, Ann F van Ham, P. Christian Klink, and Peter R. Roelfsema "3D printing and modeling of customized implants and surgical guides for lower primates" Journal of Neuroscience Methods 286 (July 2017 ): 38–55 https://doi org/101016/jjneumeth 201705 013
Wong, K. S., S.M. Kumta, N. V. Geel and J. Demol "One-stage reconstruction with a 3D printed, biomechanically assessed custom implant after complex resection of pelvic tumors" Computer Surgery 20, no. 1 (January 2, 2015): 14–23 https:// doi org/10 3109/1092908820151076039
Tan, Eddie T.V., Ji Ming Lin and Shri Kumar Dinesh “Creating Acrylic Patient Cranioplasty Implants with an Inexpensive 3D Printer” Journal of Neurosurgery 124, no. 5 (May 2016): 1531–37 https://doi org/10 3171/2015 5 jns15119
Tan, Eddie T.V., Ji Ming Lin and Shri Kumar Dinesh “Creating Acrylic Patient Cranioplasty Implants with an Inexpensive 3D Printer” Journal of Neurosurgery 124, no. 5 (May 2016): 1531–37 https://doi org/10 3171/2015 5 jns15119
Abdel Hey, Joe, Tarek Smyra, and Ronald Moussa "Customized Implants with PMMA Cranioplasty Using 3D Polylactic Acid Printing Plates: Technical Note with 2 Illustrative Examples" World Neurosurgery 105 (September 2017): 971–979 e1 https http://doi.org/101016/j wneu 201705 00
Keith, Jelleten, Gerwyn Smith, and Paul Bredveld, 3D Printed Upper Limb Prosthesis: An Overview of Disability and Rehabilitation: Rehabilitation Techniques 12, no. 3 (February 2, 2017): 300–314 https://doi org/ 101080/1748310720161253117
Azer, Sami A., and Sarah Azer, “3D Anatomical Models and Impact on Learning: A Review of Quality in the Literature,” Health Professions Education 2, no. 2 (December 2016): 80–98 https://doi org/101016 /j hpe 2016 05 002
Preoperative-planning-with-custom-3d-printed-surgical-model-reduces-theater-time by 88 percent" Formlabs Accessed November 22, 2017 https://formlabs com/preoperative-planning-with-custom-3d-printed-surgical-model-reduces-theater-time/
Christensen, Andy "Medical Imaging Software" 3D printing | Wohlers Associates Accessed November 22, 2017 http://www.wohlersassociates com/
Matsumoto, Jane S., Jonathan M. Morris, Thomas Foley, Eric E. Williamson, Shuai Leng, Ciarán P McGay, Joel L. Kuhlmann, Linda E. Nesberg, and Terry J. Vrtiska "3D Physical Modeling: Applications and Experiences in Mayo Clinic RadioGraphics 35, No. 7 (2015): 1989-2006 doi:101148/rg 2015140260
Kikinis R, Pieper SD, Vosburg K (2014) 3D Slicer: a platform for subject image analysis, visualization and clinical support. Intraoperative image processing. Imaging Therapy, Ferenc A. Jolez, Editor 3 (19): 277-289 ISBN : 978-1-4614-7656-6 (Print) 978-1-4614-7657-3 (Online) https://www slicerorg/wiki/ CitingSlicer
Mitsworth, Dimitris, Peter Lakouras, Amir Imanzadeh, Andreas A Giannopoulos, Tianrun Kai, Kanako K. Kumamaru, Elizabeth George, et al. "3D Medical Printing for the Radiologist" RadioGraphics 35, no. 7 (November 2015): 1965–88 https http://doi.org/101148/rg2015140320
TJ Vrtiska, MD, Jane Matsumoto, MD, Jay Morris, MD, Imaging: The Role of the Radiologist. A Key First Step” Mayo Clinic (March 4, 2016)
Mitsworth, Dimitris, Peter Lakouras, Amir Imanzadeh, Andreas A Giannopoulos, Tianrun Kai, Kanako K. Kumamaru, Elizabeth George, et al. "3D Medical Printing for the Radiologist" RadioGraphics 35, no. 7 (November 2015): 1965–88 https http://doi.org/101148/rg2015140320
Nooshin Kiarashi, PhD, FDA/CDRH/Department of Radiological Medicine, "FDA Current Practice and Regulations, FDA/CDRH-RSNA SIG Joint Meeting on Custom 3D Printed Anatomical Models", excerpt from https://www fda gov/ downloads/MedicalDevices/NewsEvents/WorkshopsConferences/ UCM575723 pdf
Preoperative-planning-with-custom-3d-printed-surgical-model-reduces-theater-time by 88 percent Formlabs Accessed November 22, 2017

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND LINKS

1531–37 https://doi org/10 3171/2015 5 jns15119 Kikinis R. , Pieper S. D., Vosburg K. (2014) 3D Slicer: A Platform for Objective Image Analysis , imaging and clinical support. Intraoperative image processing. Imaging Therapy, Ferenc A. Jolez, Editor 3 (19): 277-289 ISBN : 978-1-4614-7656-6 (Print) 978-1-4614-7657-3 (Online)

Rybicki F. Christensen, A. (05/12/2017) Recommendations for Medical 3D print: Patient safety. Retrieved Nov 03, 2017 from https://www 3printrcom/ guidelines-medical-3d-printing-patient- safety-3345869/ (n d ) http://www conceptualiz com/resources html

Biomedical Modeling, Inc Materials (16.10 .2013) Biomodeling process: From 2D to 3D https://www slideshare net/Biomedical_Modeling_Inc/the- biomodeling-process-from-2d-to-3d-27259255

Choosing the Best Medical Imaging Scan for a 3D Printed Medical Model (December 27, 2016) https://www embodi3d com/blogs/entry/183-choosing-the-best-medical-imaging-scan-to- create-a-3d-printed-medical-model/

Documentation/4 6/Training (n d ) https://www slicerorg/wiki/ Documentation/4.