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Who's 3D Printing At CES 2021? « Fabbaloo

By Kerry Stevenson on January 6th, 2021 in Event

Tags: 3ditext, anycubic, biqu, ces, consumer, creality, exhibition, formlabs, kallion, raise3D, snapmaker, uniz, yidimu

CES 2021 is coming up next week, and I wondered if any 3D printing companies are still exhibiting at that event.

CES, the Consumer Electronics Show, is the world’s largest gadget event, where tens of thousands of exhibitors display their products the crowds upwards of 200,000 individuals.

Or at least that’s how it used to be.

This year CES has “gone digital”, like so many other in-person events. It’s the first time for CES, as last year’s event, which we did not attend, took place just before the — well, when things happened.

Fabbaloo used to regularly attend this event, as it was one of the premiere venues for new 3D printing announcements. That’s because in the early 2010s MakerBot decided their 3D printers were “consumer devices” and thus this show was an appropriate platform for announcements.

Their presence rapidly attracted a number of other 3D printing companies who sought to gain the attention of the same media MakerBot worked with. At one point there were certainly well over 100 3D print exhibitors, so many that CES granted the technology its own section in the innovation hall.

However, after MakerBot’s sale to Stratasys their interest in the show faded, and they disappeared. Subsequently the number of 3D print participants dropped significantly, and the last year we attended, 2018, there were only two dozen exhibitors of interest. We have not attended since, and CES has even relegated the few remaining exhibitors to the back of one of the older halls, very far from the “innovation” areas. It’s not a good place to exhibit 3D printers anymore.

In spite of those circumstances, several companies persist in exhibiting at CES. While we are not planning on attending, I was curious to know which 3D print organizations are still exhibiting at the show in 2021.

I wandered through CES’s not-particulary-easy website and found their exhibitor directory, which lists the presumably thousands of exhibitors that will portray their offerings digitally this year. While the search function was pretty terrible, I managed to identify a short list of 3D print companies at CES 2021.

The 3DPrintMill / CR-30 [Source: Naomi Wu]

Creality is exhibiting, no doubt showing off their new belt 3D printer, the 3DPrintMill / CR-30. It may be they hope it could become a consumer item, or perhaps be noticed by mass media as an unusual product to feature.

SnapMaker multi-function device [Source: SnapMaker]

SnapMaker has been at CES previously, and they return again. They produce a modular device that is a 3D printer, laser engraver and CNC mill all in one unit.

The UNIZ IBEE 3D printer [Source: UNIZ]

UNIZ was a company we first saw at CES some years ago when they launched their very speedy resin 3D printer line.

Formlabs has always been at CES since I first met them way back in 2013.

The Photon Mono X resin 3D printer [Source: Anycubic]

Anycubic produces a line of low-cost resin and FFF 3D printers.

Raise3D’s professional series of 3D printers are able to use many different engineering materials, and they offer a sophisticated cloud platform from which to run them.

The BIQU BX 3D printer [Source: BigTreeTech]

BIQU is perhaps best known for their 3D printer components, but they also produce 3D printers of their own.

Yidimu produces the Falcon series of resin 3D printers.

3D scanner [Source: Kallion]

Kallion is a company I’m not familiar with, but they produce a one-click 3D scanning solution.

3DiTEX is a French company that apparently has a device that can produce 3D textiles in different materials. I’ll be investigating them further.

That’s all I found so far: only ten related companies. This seems to continue the downward trend of 3D print’s appearance at CES.

However, this year the event is entirely online and it’s possible you can make contact with these or other companies at the show.

Via CES

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Kerry Stevenson, aka "General Fabb" has written over 8,000 stories on 3D printing at Fabbaloo since he launched the venture in 2007, with an intention to promote and grow the incredible technology of 3D printing across the world. So far, it seems to be working!

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The 3D Printing Innovations at CES 2020!

Published on January 10, 2020 by Carlota V.

CES, the largest electronics trade show dedicated to consumers brings thousands of participants to Las Vegas every year, eager to discover the latest high-tech products, connected objects and all kinds of technologies. In 2019, the event attracted more than 175,000 international visitors and 4,400 exhibitors. This year, CES 2020 opened its doors on January 7, and gathered as always many curious visitors. A number of players in the 3D printing industry came to present their products, an opportunity for us to take a look at some new 3D printers, applications and innovative materials.

CES 2020 brought together 76 exhibitors specializing in the additive manufacturing sector (compared to 79 last year), including manufacturers of 3D printers such as Formlabs, Markforged, Global 3D Systems and 3D scanner manufacturers such as Artec3D.

Snapmaker is one of the 3D printing exhibitors at CES 2020

New 3D printers presented at CES 2020

Every year the manufacturer XYZprinting takes advantage of the international event to unveil one or more desktop 3D printers. This year, it unveiled for the first time the da Vinci Color 5D, an extrusion 3D printer that also offers laser engraving and 2D printing on paper. Based on the da Vinci Color mini model, it can print colour parts up to 230 × 180 × 180 mm using a combination of FDM and Inkjet technologies. Fernando Hernandez, EMEA Marketing Director of XZYprinting, added: “The da Vinci Color 5D can be used by a wide range of people, but will be particularly useful to small businesses and designers, thanks to its high quality printing and ease of use. The 2D printing and laser engraving capabilities make the da Vinci Color 5D a world first and the most comprehensive and user-friendly desktop 3D printer ever developed. Entrepreneurs and manufacturers will truly have the ability to bring their creations to life.”

On the hybrid side, Snapmaker has introduced a new version of its famous 3-in-1 printer that combines a 3D printer, laser engraver and CNC milling machine. The Snapmaker 2.0 is equipped with CAN data bus extension that makes it easier to transmit information wirelessly.

The da Vinci Color 5D 3D printer from XYZprinting

Finally, the French manufacturer Volumic presented its STREAM ULTRA SC machine, which won two CES awards: one for the 3D printing category and the other for sustainability and eco-design.

On the 3D scanner side, the Canadian manufacturer peel 3D unveiled peel 2 CAD, a professional and portable 3D scanner that allows to digitize an object easily and send it to an adapted CAD software. The company says: “Peel 2 CAD makes it easy to set up and perform 3D scans with CAD software. Thanks to this new solution, users can reduce the time spent processing scanned files and spend more time on innovative projects or higher value-added tasks“.

Some innovative applications presented at CES

The Swiss car manufacturer Rinspeed took advantage of the event to unveil its electric and autonomous concept car, MetroSnap. It is a modular car thanks to interchangeable cabins, called Pods, that the user can easily mount on the unique chassis, called Skateboard. Of course, we were curious about the 3D printing side of things: the manufacturer used Stratasys’ FDM and PolyJet technologies to design about thirty exterior and interior parts. These include the license plate, display frames and power sockets.

In the cosmetics sector, the South Korean company Amore Pacific has developed a system for 3D printing facial masks, customized according to the user’s skin type. The company is said to have designed a specific multi-material machine, dedicated to the creation of this hydrogel mask. An innovation that reminds us of the one launched by Neutrogena a year earlier.

The concept car integrates about thirty 3D printed parts | Credits: Stratasys

Of course, we can’t mention all the new 3D printing features of CES 2020 nor list all the interesting applications hidden in the aisles. We invite you to visit the event’s website to find out more!

What did you think of CES 2020? Let us know in a comment below or on our Facebook and Twitter pages! Sign up for our free weekly Newsletter, all the latest news in 3D printing straight to your inbox!

How much does a 3D printer cost?

3D printing is a one-stop solution for a wide range of applications, from high-resolution model production to rapid prototyping, rapid tooling for traditional manufacturing processes, production of aids and end-use models.

However, when you consider investing in a 3D printer, the viability of a solution usually boils down to a simple question: Is it cost-effective for your business? How much does a 3D printer cost and how much time and money can it save your business? nine0003

3D printer prices range from $200 to $500,000 depending on the printing process, materials, and complexity of the solution.

In this guide, we'll break down 3D printing costs by technology, compare outsourcing versus in-house manufacturing, list factors to consider when calculating the cost of each model, and look at what else to look for when comparing different solutions. for 3D printing and other production methods. nine0003

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The three most well-known plastic 3D printing technologies today are Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Stereolithography (SLA), and Selective Laser Sintering (SLS).

Each technology has its advantages and disadvantages - take a look at the infographic:

Download this high resolution infographic here. Interested in learning more about FDM, SLA and SLS 3D printing technologies? Check out our detailed guide.

Prices for 3D printers have dropped significantly in recent years, and today all three technologies are available in compact, low cost systems.

FDM generally produces models at a lower cost if you only print relatively simple prototypes in limited quantities. SLA technology offers higher resolution and quality, as well as a wide choice of 3D printing materials at a slightly higher price. But this difference is quickly offset when you print complex designs or larger batches due to the less labor-intensive post-processing process. Finally, SLS technology is the most cost effective for medium to high volume production of high quality functional models. nine0003

Comparing the total cost of different 3D printers by price alone will not give you a complete picture of how the cost of a 3D printer and a printed model will compare. The cost of 3D printing materials and labor significantly affects the cost of a model, depending on the application and your production needs.

Let's look at the different factors and costs for each process.

FDM, also known as Fused Filament Manufacturing (FFF), is a printing method where the parts of a model are made by melting and extruding a thermoplastic filament, which a printer nozzle applies layer by layer onto the model being made. nine0003

FDM is the most popular form of consumer grade 3D printing, fueled by the proliferation of hobbyist 3D printers. However, professional and industrial FDM printers are also popular among professionals.

The cheapest 3D printers are FDM printers. DIY kits for FDM 3D printers start at $200. However, most of these models are more like toys or DIY projects that take a significant amount of time to build, set up and calibrate. The quality of the print largely depends on the success of these operations. In addition, machines require repairs and regular maintenance to keep them working, so they are more suitable for people with a higher engineering education who have a lot of time and patience. nine0003

Hobbyist FDM 3D printers cost between $500 and $1,500, come pre-assembled or unassembled, require less setup, but have the same disadvantages as the cheapest 3D printers. More expensive models are capable of large print volumes and work with a wide variety of materials besides low temperature ones such as PLA.

Professional 3D FDM printers start at $2,500 and large format professional FDM printers are available from $4,000. The cost of the most modern industrial FDM printers can exceed 10,000 US dollars. Most of these printers come pre-assembled and calibrated in the box, or they can be automatically calibrated. Printers in this category offer better print quality, a wider range of media, higher print volumes, improved reliability, and ease of use and maintenance. In addition, professional 3D printer manufacturers offer customer support services for troubleshooting. nine0003

Material costs for FDM 3D printing range from $50 to $150/kg for most standard and engineering filaments, and $100 to $200/kg for auxiliary materials. There are also cheaper alternatives, but they are of lower quality.

In addition, FDM printing can be very labor intensive. Successful printing of complex models requires support structures that must be removed manually or dissolved in water. To obtain a high quality surface and remove layer lines, lengthy manual post-processing of models, such as sanding, is necessary. nine0003

SLA 3D printers use the process of photopolymerization, that is, the conversion of liquid polymers into hardened plastic using a laser. SLA is one of the most popular processes among professionals due to its high resolution, accuracy and material versatility.

Models printed on SLA printers have the highest precision, sharpest detail and smoothest surface possible of any plastic 3D printing technology. But the main advantage of the SLA method is its versatility. SLA polymers have a wide range of optical, mechanical and thermal properties that match those of standard, engineering and industrial thermoplastics. nine0003

SLA 3D printers can handle a wide range of resin materials for a wide variety of applications.

SLA used to be used only in large and complex industrial 3D printers costing over $200,000, but the process is now much more affordable. With the Formlabs Form 3+ Printer, businesses can now use industrial quality SLA printing for as little as $3,750. With Form 3L, large format SLA printing starts at just $11,000. nine0003

Stereolithographic 3D printers will be shipped in a box assembled and calibrated. These are professional tools that are highly reliable and require virtually no maintenance. Technical support is also always available. It provides troubleshooting in a critical situation (but its probability is extremely small).

Most standard and engineered polymers for SLA technology cost between $149 and $200 per liter. nine0003

SLA printers are easy to use and many workflow steps such as rinsing and final curing can be automated to reduce labor costs. Printed models have a high quality surface immediately after printing and require only simple post-processing to remove supporting structures.

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D printers use a high power laser to sinter fine polymer powder particles. The unsprayed powder supports the model during printing and eliminates the need for special support structures. This makes SLS ideal for complex geometries, including internal features, grooves, thin walls, and negative taper. nine0003

Models produced using SLS printing have excellent mechanical characteristics - their strength can be compared with the strength of injection molded parts. As a result, SLS technology is the most popular plastic 3D printing process for industrial applications.

SLS printed nylon models are ideal for a range of functional applications, from consumer product design to healthcare applications.

Like SLA, SLS was previously only available in large format, complex 3D printing systems costing $200,000 or more. With the Formlabs Fuse 1 stereolithography printer, businesses can now solve industrial-scale tasks with SLS technology starting at $18,500. The complete kit, which includes the post-processing and powder recovery system, costs $31,845.

As with SLA printers, stereolithographic printers are shipped assembled and calibrated in the box. They are reliable and can operate 24/7. The package includes in-depth training and fast technical support. nine0003

SLS nylon print materials cost about US$100/kg. SLS does not require supporting structures and unused powder can be reused, reducing material costs.

SLS is the least labor-intensive plastic 3D printing process in the production environment, because the printed models are of high quality right away, and to remove excess powder, they simply need to be cleaned.

There are several processes for 3D printing not only plastics but also metals. nine0003

Metal FDM printers are similar in design to traditional FDM printers, but use extruded metal rods held together by a resin binder. The finished parts of the model are sintered in an oven to remove the binder.

SLM and DMLS printers are similar to SLS printers, but instead of polymer powders, they fuse metal powder particles layer by layer using a laser. 3D printers based on SLM and DMLS technologies can create strong, precise and complex metal products, making this process ideal for the aerospace, automotive and medical industries. nine0003

Prices for metal 3D printers have also begun to decline, ranging from $100,000 to $1 million today. However, these systems are still out of reach for most businesses.

SLA 3D printing is available as an alternative for casting workflows that allow metal models to be produced cheaper and faster than traditional methods and provide greater design freedom.

Technical report

Get design guides for 3D printing samples, see the step-by-step direct investment casting process, and study guides for indirect investment casting and sand casting.

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Different plastic and metal 3D printing processes have unique qualities that make them suitable for different applications. Below is a comparison of different printing technologies.

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Stereolithography (SLA) Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) Metal FDM Printing Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and Direct Metal Sintering (19008) 9008
Permission ★☆ ★ opa ★ ution ★ opa ★cle ★cle ★ MyQUTION
SUMPLE 1112 HICE ★ opa ☆ 1111111 ☆☆☆ 1 ☆ ★ opa
Ease of use x 300 x 600 mm (Desktop and Workshop 3D printers) Up to ~300 x 335 x 200 mm (Desktop and Workshop 3D printers) Up to 165 x 165 x 300 mm (3D - workshop printers) Up to 300 x 200 x 200 mm Up to 400 x 400 x 400 mm
Price range DIY kits for 3D printers start at $200 and hobby printers cost $500-1500. Professional 3D FDM printers start at $2,500, while large format professional FDM printers are available from $4,000. Professional desktop printers start at $3,750 and high-volume large format desktop printers are available from $11,000. nine0112 Workshop industrial printers start at $18,500 and traditional industrial printers start at $100,000. Metal FDM printers start at $100,000, but complete solutions including an oven are much more expensive. DMLS/SLM solutions start at around $200,000. These printers require special infrastructure conditions, which can further increase costs.
Cost of materials US$50-150/kg for most standard and engineering yarns and US$100-200/kg for auxiliary materials. US$50-150/L for most standard and engineering polymers. US$100/kg for nylon. SLS does not require supporting structures and unused powder can be reused, reducing material costs. Depends on material and technology. Significantly higher than plastic. Depends on material and technology. Significantly higher than plastic. nine0112
Labor Manual removal of support structures (soluble support structures may be used in some cases). Long post-processing is required to obtain a high quality surface. Washing and final polymerization (both can be automated). Simple post-processing to remove supporting structures. Easy cleaning to remove excess powder. Washing and sintering (both can be automated). Machining and other types of surface treatment can be used. nine0112 Stress relief, support structure removal, heat treatment, and mechanical and other surface treatments.
Materials Standard thermoplastics such as ABS, PLA and their various blends. Various polymers (thermosetting plastics). Standard, engineering (similar to ABS and PP, similar to silicone, flexible, heat resistant, rigid), injection molding, dental and medical (biocompatible). nine0112 Engineering thermoplastics - typically nylon and its composites (nylon 12 biocompatible + sterilizable). Stainless steel, tool steel, inconel, copper, titanium. Stainless steel, tool steel, titanium, cobalt-chromium, copper, aluminium, nickel alloys.
Applications Basic experimental models, low cost rapid prototyping of simple parts. Prototypes with a high level of detail requiring close tolerances and smooth surfaces: molds, tooling, templates, medical models and functional parts. nine0112 Complex geometries, functional prototypes, low volume production or limited trial production. Strong and durable models, tools and production aids. Strong and durable models with complex geometries; ideal for the aerospace, automotive and medical industries.

When calculating the cost of one model, the cost of ownership of equipment, material costs and labor costs are usually taken into account. It is important to understand the factors that affect each of these cost components, as well as the questions to ask in order to evaluate alternative production methods and uncover hidden costs. nine0003

Hardware ownership costs are fixed costs: 3D printer price, service contracts, installation and maintenance. These amounts must be paid whether your printer is idle or produces dozens of models per week.

Add up all projected fixed costs over the lifetime of the equipment, then divide by the number of models you plan to make. As a rule, the higher the performance and efficiency of your 3D printer, the lower the cost of ownership of equipment per model. nine0003

In recent years, desktop 3D printers have shown excellent results in reducing the cost of ownership of equipment. With a price 10 to 100 times lower than traditional industrial 3D printers and the ability to produce thousands of models over a lifetime, the cost of ownership can be negligible.

Questions:

  • Are there installation, training or additional initial costs other than the cost of the machine itself? nine0003

  • Do I need to sign a (mandatory) service contract? What does it include?

  • What accessories and tools are needed to make the final models?

  • What kind of maintenance is required for the machine to function properly? What is the expected annual maintenance cost? Will it change with an increase in production volumes?

The 3D printing raw materials and consumables you need to create models at an affordable price. These costs largely depend on the number of models you produce. nine0003

When calculating the cost of materials, determine how much material is required to create one model, and multiply this figure by the cost of the material. Count the amount of waste and any other consumables. As production grows, the cost of ownership of equipment decreases, and the cost of 3D printing materials tends to become more balanced.

Be sure to check what materials you need to create specific models, as the cost of 3D printing consumables can vary greatly. Please note that some 3D printers only work with their proprietary materials and thus limit your ability to use third party materials. nine0003

Questions:

  • What is the cost of each type of 3D printing material?

  • How much material is required to create one particular model, including waste?

  • What is the shelf life of the materials?

  • Do I need other consumables to create models?

  • Can the machine work with third-party materials?

While 3D printing can replace complex traditional manufacturing methods and provide significant time savings, depending on the 3D printing technology, it can still be quite labor intensive. nine0003

Professional desktop 3D printers are generally optimized for ease of use. DIY kits for 3D printers and hobby printers often require additional effort to adjust settings, while regular maintenance or material changes on traditional industrial machines can involve time-consuming tasks that require the assistance of a skilled operator.

Post-processing workflows vary depending on the 3D printing process, but in most cases include cleaning up models and removing support structures or excess material. However, there are solutions to automate some specific tasks. For example, Formlabs Form Wash and Form Cure simplify the wash and finish process for Formlabs SLA 3D printers, while Fuse Sift offers a turnkey post-processing and powder recovery system for the Fuse 1 SLS printer. nine0003

More complex processes such as SLA and SLS do not take much time to achieve high quality models, while models printed using FDM technology require lengthy manual post-processing to improve quality and remove layer lines.

Questions:

  • What is the whole model production workflow? What specific steps are required to set up printing, change materials, and post-process models?

    nine0298

  • How long does it take to post-process one particular model?

  • Are there any tools or devices available to automate some of these tasks?

Outsource production orders to 3rd party service bureaus or labs when you use 3D printing only occasionally or to produce large models in non-standard materials. Typically, the bureau has several in-house 3D printing processes such as SLA, SLS, FDM, as well as metal 3D printers. They can also provide advice on a variety of materials and offer additional services such as design or improved finishes. nine0003

The main disadvantages of outsourcing are the high cost and duration of production. One of the main advantages of 3D printing is its speed compared to traditional production methods. But it is noticeably reduced if the delivery of the model produced by the involved organization takes several days or even weeks. And as demand and capacity grow, the costs of outsourcing are rising rapidly.

Desktop 3D printers are the perfect solution for fast model production. Depending on the number of parts needed and the volume of prints, the investment in a professional 3D printer can pay for itself in just a few months. nine0003

With desktop and workshop printers, you can pay for the capacity that matches your business needs and scale your production by adding more devices as demand grows, without the heavy investment of a large format 3D printer. Using multiple 3D printers also allows you to print models from different materials at the same time. But if there is a need for the production of large parts or the use of non-standard materials, service bureaus can come to the rescue. nine0003

Investment, material and labor costs are relatively easy to calculate. But what about indirect costs and hard-to-calculate factors that affect your business? Let's look at some of the main considerations when comparing a desktop 3D printer to outsourcing or other manufacturing methods.

Save time: What if you could get products to market a few months faster? Or reduce the delivery time of your products by a few days or weeks? 3D printing simplifies traditional prototyping and manufacturing workflows, helping you save time and stay ahead of the competition. nine0003

Top results: 3D printing allows you to create more iterations, overcome failures faster, and produce better end products. Troubleshooting a design early on also helps avoid costly redesign and the use of additional tools.

Interaction: Having high-quality prototypes and models allows you to communicate more effectively with customers, clients, suppliers and other stakeholders. Avoid misunderstandings and costly mistakes. nine0003

Intellectual Property Protection: Do you work with confidential information? Making your own models means you don't have to transfer intellectual property (IP) to third parties, reducing the risk of IP leakage or theft.

Usually, calculating cost per part, lead time, and comparing alternatives to see if a solution is right for your business is a tedious task of creating a complex spreadsheet in an attempt to collect all of the often hidden information from a manufacturer. nine0003

Use our simple online tool to calculate cost per model and order lead time when printing with a Formlabs stereolithographic 3D printer and compare time and cost savings with other manufacturing methods.

Calculate cost and time

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