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Engineering-Grade 3D Printers

Exacting and accurate 3D printers that can 3D print with a variety of advanced materials to achieve their prototyping and production needs. These 3D printers are also capable of reaching temperatures of up to 400°C for robust material applications. For companies and businesses looking to get started in additive manufacturing and prototyping with 3D printing, while using advanced materials like PEI, PEEK, Polycarbonate, polypropylene and carbon-infused nylons like NylonX, these 3D printers are an excellent choice.

Engineering-Grade 3D Printers Collections

All Engineering-Grade 3D Printers 3D Printers

Engineering-Grade 3D Printers

Ultimaker

Professional, engineering-grade 3D printers for rapid digital manufacturing.

Intamsys 3D Printers

3D Printers capable of printing high-performance functional materials.

MakerBot

High-performance, reliable, tinker-free 3D Printers

Raise3D

All Raise3D products: 3D printers, nozzles, filament, parts, etc

BCN3D

Accurate & Reliable IDEX 3D Printers and branded filament and accessories

LulzBot 3D Printers

Open-Source, Robust 3D Printers

MakerGear 3D Printers

Precise, Compact 3D Printers

Guides & Articles

How to Succeed with Quantum Dichromatic PLA Filament

Follow this guide for tips and tricks on how to get the best results when 3D printing with Quantum Dichromatic PLA filament.

How To Succeed with LayerLock SLA Build Surfaces

Successfully achieve strong bed adhesion for Laser, DLP, and SLA resin prints using LayerLock SLA Resin 3D Printing Build Surfaces.

How To Build A Successful Makerspace

Find out the necessary components to create an effective space for your maker community.

How to Succeed When 3D Printing with Polypropylene

Successfully produce 3D printed parts out of polypropylene filament with these tips on achieving stronger bed adhesion and minimizing shrinkage.

Tech Breakdown and How to Succeed: Ionic Hybrid Support Material

Supporting engineering-grade filament has been difficult without a support material dedicated to higher temperature 3D printing. Ionic aims to solve that.

How To Succeed with OBC 3D Printing Filament

From Dow Chemical, OBC combines flexible and rigid into one unique material with properties of both.

How To Succeed with LayerLock Garolite Build Surfaces

Successfully achieve strong bed adhesion for NylonX, NylonG, and standard filaments using LayerLock Garolite Build Surfaces.

How to Succeed with LayerLock Powder Coated PEI Build Plates

Powder coated PEI steel sheets are a great alternative build surface for strong bed adhesion. Here's how you can succeed using this durable build plate.

How To Succeed When 3D Printing With Nylon

Learn how to 3D print Nylon like a pro. Nylon is a stronger and more durable alternative to PLA or ABS and easy to 3D print with using these Tips and Tricks.

How To Succeed When 3D Printing With ASA Filament

Follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to print with ASA, the perfect material for any outdoor projects.

Best 3D Printers for Engineers

3D printers have been around for quite a while now, and they are an amazing type of technology that has many uses, especially for engineers. In the early days of this technology, the printers were extremely expensive and had a lot of limitations that made them impractical to use for most people. Due to a variety of advancements in the last few years, however, that has really changed. Learn more about modern 3D printers and get tips to find which ones may be best for you.

Impressive 3D Printing Features

Learn about some of the most impressive features that modern 3D printers have to offer. These features were either not available, or only available in limited ways, in the early days of this technology. Today, many of these features are even available on entry level devices that are affordable for small businesses or even individuals. Some great features to be aware of include:

Get your FILLament

Printing Materials – You can get 3D printers that use the specific printing materials that are needed for your work. Whether you are looking for rigid results, flexibility, or any other specifications, you can find a printer that will work for you.
Filament Color Changes – Many modern 3D printers can be loaded with multiple different colors of filament and complete color changes automatically, which makes 3D printing easier and faster.
Printing Speed – In the early days of 3D printing it took hours to complete even small tasks. Modern printers are able to complete jobs far more quickly so that you can get the results you need.
Size Limitations – Most modern 3D printers have a much larger print area so that you can create fairly large objects. Extremely large objects can be printed in multiple parts and then locked together, which eliminates most size-based restrictions.
Precision Printing – The precision of 3D printers is quite incredible. This allows you to create almost any object that you need, and have it look and feel exactly the way you want.

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Best 3D Printers for Engineers

The following are some of the best 3D printers for engineers. Purchasing one of these options will give you the features you need at prices you will love. Having access to these printers will allow you to create incredible prototypes, products, and much more with just the click of a mouse.

Best Entry Level 3D Printer

Forge in a flash

The Flashforge 3D Printer Adventurer 3 is an excellent option for engineers (or anyone) who just wants to dip their toes into the world of 3D printing. This is an extremely affordable option that still has a ton of great features. One of the best things about this printer is that it is really easy to use, thanks in large part to its auto-leveling technology. This helps those who are newer to 3D printing to avoid the frustrations of failed print jobs or endless configuration attempts.

Best Premium 3D Printer

Don’t be scared

If you are looking for one of the best and most reliable 3D printers on the market, with tons of great features, look no further than the Wiiboox Company Pro 300 Desktop 3D Printer. This printer has a dual head configuration for great results, and a maximum build dimension of 11.8’’ x 11.8’’ x 11.8’’. The print area is fully enclosed and has filtered air, which eliminates the risk of contamination or other issues from ruining a print job. While expensive for this type of 3D printer, you will be hard pressed to find a better desktop 3D printer.

Of course, we can help with 2D Printers as well

Best for Volume Printing

Make your 3D dreams a Creality

One of the biggest obstacles with most 3D printers is that you have to manually remove a completed job before starting something new. With the Official Creality Cr-30 3D Printer, however, that is not an issue. The area where the printing takes place is on a conveyer belt so that finished products can be moved away automatically, and the next job started. This is perfect for any engineer that needs to make a large number of copies of a product or wants to be able to queue up multiple print jobs and let them run overnight.

Best for Viscous Fluid Printing

Michelangelo would be jealous

While most 3D printers use some type of filament or other similar material for printing, this one can use a variety of different types of viscous fluids. The 3D Printers Ceramic Printer Machine from Powinsun allows you to make incredible ceramics using clay, porcelain, and more. This is a great option for many people who want the added flexibility of using one of many different materials that will flow through this machine easily.

Powerful custom machines at incredible prices. Shop Helix.

Best for Large Print Jobs

Print like a 500PRO

If you want to print larger objects, the X5SA-500PRO is a great option to consider. This 3D printer can create things up to 500 x 500 x 600mm, which is among the largest available on desktop 3D printers. These larger print jobs are made possible by the durable aluminum frame as well as the print base that can raise and lower on its own to accommodate your most advanced print jobs.

Start Your 3D Printing Today

No matter what types of things you want to be able to create, a modern 3D printer is quickly becoming a must-have for engineers. Taking the time to research the various features that each printer has and picking out the one that will work best for your particular needs is very important. NewEgg Business has a great selection of different 3D printers available to choose from so you can get exactly what you need.

All the tech your business needs is waiting for you at Newegg Business

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How a 3D Printing Station Helps Hundreds of AMRC Engineers

At first glance, a former coal mine doesn't seem like a place where the future of industry can be determined, but 40 hectares of reclaimed land near Sheffield has the highest concentration of experienced manufacturing professionals technology in the UK.

The Advanced Manufacturing Equipment Research Center (AMRC) at the University of Sheffield conducts world-class research in advanced processing, manufacturing and materials science. He works with more than 100 industrial companies, from giants like Boeing, Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems and Airbus to small businesses looking to increase their competitiveness. These partner companies approach AMRC with specific needs, and the Center employs the latest technologies and processes to develop concepts and solutions that customers can implement in their plants. nine0003

Additive manufacturing has long been a tool to help researchers quickly test concepts and ideas, but the complexity and high cost of the equipment have limited the availability of these technologies. Their problems are not unique. Companies often purchase expensive, state-of-the-art equipment that promises to spur innovation, but then fail to integrate it into work processes to operate it effectively.

AMRC's goal is to lead the integration of technology in a way that encourages innovation. The employees of the Center managed to find an application for 3D printing that companies may be interested in. AMRC recently installed an Additive Manufacturing Station with 12 Form 2 stereolithography (SLA) 3D printers, giving hundreds of engineers working on various projects free access to 3D printing technology. nine0003

“It made our job a lot easier. [At any given time] we're working on hundreds of projects involving hundreds of engineers. Now that employees have access to 3D printers, for every project that requires the use of additive manufacturing technology, the time to manufacture components has been reduced from one and a half weeks to several hours,” says Mark Cocking, technical director of polymer additives of the design and prototyping division at AMRC. nine0003

Watch the video to see how AMRC works. In addition, Cocking and other engineers working at the research center will talk about how 3D printing facilitates production in various industries.

AMRC's Design and Prototyping Department works with researchers from all parts of the Center to develop everything from concept design to fully working prototypes for a variety of industries. nine0003

“Some of the models we create are just concept demonstrations, but we also often custom-make fixtures and fittings and other parts that are then installed on equipment for various research programs,” says Cocking.

To meet a wide range of needs, from nuclear physics research to composite materials, the station provides a variety of equipment, including industrial laser cutting systems, CNC milling machines, CT scanners, metal laser sintering machines, as well as 3D printers running Based on Filament Deposition Modeling (FDM) and Stereolithography (SLA) technologies. nine0003

Learn more about the three most advanced technologies for 3D plastic printing: FDM, SLA and selective laser sintering (SLS).

The design and prototyping department is staffed with a range of tools, including laser cutters, CNC routers, and plastic and metal 3D printers.

Previously, the Center had one industrial stereolithographic 3D printer, which, due to the complexity of the operation process, could only be operated by a few people. These people worked on all the additive manufacturing projects at AMRC, which slowed down the workflow and hindered innovation. nine0003

“It was much more profitable for us to make this knowledge open, train many users and give them the opportunity to work with the system, gaining new experience. We have found that if they can work with these devices, they will be able to come up with more and more component concepts obtained through the additive manufacturing process,” says Cocking.

“Engineers no longer need paperwork to turn their idea into a printed model. They can just come down here and do it without wasting time. This removes barriers to internal concept development, spurring innovation. Engineers can produce components in a matter of hours and present them to partners the next day or even the same day.” nine0003

The design and prototyping department currently has 12 Form 2 3D printers organized into one station. Cocking has placed all the printers on one side for easy access to all resins and patterns, and on the other side has set up an area with four Form Washers and four Form Cures for cleaning and final curing. On the side is a section with storage for platforms, PPE, instructions, risk assessments, and a buffer zone for models passing through the system. nine0003

Technician interacts with 12 devices using a touch screen on the side of the station, which is controlled by Formlabs' Dashboard software, providing model status and material quantities.

One technician is responsible for the entire station and monitors all printers. A technician interacts with 12 devices using a touch screen on the side of the station, which runs Formlabs' Dashboard software, providing model status and material quantities. When employees arrive at the Center, all they have to do is press the print button. nine0003

At the rear of the station is an area with four Form Washes and four Form Cures for cleaning and finishing. In addition, there is storage.

Employees can sign up for a training course and come to the Center to spend 45 minutes to an hour learning about the software and printing process. Upon completion of the training, they will run their first print job. After training and printing, they remove the platform with the finished models from the printer, pass them through the cleaning and final polymerization system, remove the supporting structures using the post-processing station and get acquainted with the risk assessment. Once they complete this process, they get permission to work with devices at any time. nine0003

“I needed devices that were convenient and easy to use so that employees could quickly learn how to use them and want to continue to do so. The Form 2 is the first compact stereolithography printer that I thought, "Yes, this is truly a revolutionary breakthrough." He is very easy to work with,” says Cocking. “The software is intuitive and the engineers get up to speed very quickly. After mastering the simple basics, they can independently continue their education and gain additional experience. To date, more than 100 engineers have learned how to work with Form 2.” nine0003

Preparation of models for printing on Formlabs 3D printers is carried out in PreForm. Download and test this software now. This does not require a printer.

The exchange of knowledge occurs predominantly organically, through direct communication. Engineers who start working with 3D printers take manufactured components back to their departments and use them in concept models and prototypes, or install them in equipment. Their colleagues find out how these parts were made, and they become interested. As a result, the Center receives more and more requests for training. nine0003

Complete brackets hold six arms on a stacking robot designed to automate the stacking of moving composite materials.

Since its installation, the 3D printing station has been used in dozens of research and development projects.

You can find detailed information about what exactly the engineers made with it.

Drilling caps: 3D printing station produced 500 high-precision drilling caps needed to prevent cross-contamination during drilling testing for the company Airbus , which reduced the order preparation time from several weeks to just two days.
Robotic Gripper Bracket: Researchers have designed and printed brackets for a complex stacking robot for automating the production of composite materials. It would be very difficult to manufacture such components in another way.
Temperature Probe Bracket: In an independent nuclear welding process project, researchers produced a dozen 3D printed parts such as washers, brackets and a sensor mounting system designed to withstand high temperatures and be placed in close proximity to the weld site . nine0064
Piping Roller: Composite researchers have created uniquely designed rolls for a winding machine designed to produce pipes, vessels and shafts for the aerospace and automotive industries.

Nuclear Welding Project Probe Mounting System, rated for high temperature exposure and close proximity to the weld site. nine0003

Cocking and others in the design and prototyping department are already planning to expand the capacity of AMRC's additive manufacturing equipment.

“Some of our buildings are quite far from the main complex. We plan to take this station as a base and replicate it by placing satellite units in different buildings throughout the Center so that employees can access printers right in their department instead of driving here,” says Cocking. nine0003

Cocking and others in the design and prototyping department plan to recreate the 3D printing station at other AMRC locations and partner companies.

“After working in the industry for 12 years, I came to the conclusion that it would be very useful to have additive manufacturing facilities in the field to make it easier for engineers to access them,” says Cocking.

“This would cut the production time for custom-designed components from weeks to hours. Having ordered custom components myself, I understand how this can affect not only innovation but ultimately the release date. You can get your product to market a few months earlier just by using additive manufacturing processes.” nine0003

AMRC's partner companies seem to agree, as the success of the open access platform has also caught their attention.

“Some of our partners have expressed interest in completely recreating this station at their facility. They need easy-to-use equipment with the ability to scale. You can start with 12 printers, but as your needs increase, you can easily add more stations. Multi-platform printers allow you to organize serial additive manufacturing. It is already possible now, and at a reasonable price,” says Cocking. nine0003

“I'm seeing a shift from building small models to demonstrate concepts to building more and more ready-to-use components. We now print models with complex geometries that pass the same tests as injection molded parts,” says Cocking.

Different projects require models with different material properties. Developers at AMRC use a wide range of engineering polymers, from flexible and heat resistant materials to high tear resistance materials. With their help, employees solve complex problems and improve processes - from prototyping to production. nine0003

Learn more about the new Formlabs Form 3 stereolithographic 3D printers and the Form 3L large format 3D printer, how Formlabs engineering resins can be used in your projects, or request a free 3D print sample to see for yourself.

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Munich engineers build 3D printers to print freeform building structures

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Engineers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) are improving 3D construction printing technologies by experimenting with different materials and developing new additive machines. The most interesting project is a 3D printer that builds concrete blocks by selectively applying a cement binder mixture.

The vast majority of modern 3D construction printing techniques are based on the Contour Crafting technology by Professor Beroch Khoshnevis. In fact, the technology is a kind of robocasting: building mixtures are applied using an extruder mounted on a portal structure or a manipulator. In particular, portal 3D printers are preferred by the Yaroslavl company Spetsavia, which built the first residential 3D printed house in Russia. But the Irkutsk company Apis Cor, which printed a demonstration building in Stupino, created a telescopic manipulator on a turntable. nine0003

One of the biggest challenges in extrusion printing is finding the right mix for the building mix. A 3D printer can be used to print both decorative elements and fixed formwork. In the latter case, the size of the printed blocks can reach impressive sizes, and sometimes the walls of the building are erected in one go. Accordingly, the mixture must harden quickly enough so that the printed walls do not spread under their own weight, but not too quickly so that the layers have time to set well. nine0003

Munich researchers decided to use as a consumable a variant of a thoroughly forgotten, albeit promising material - sawdust concrete, a close relative of wood concrete. This material is a combination of cement mortar and ordinary sawdust, while wood concrete consists mainly of larger wood chips. The main charm of wood concrete and sawdust concrete is low thermal conductivity, due to which these mixtures serve as both structural and heat-insulating materials. In the 60s, it was from wood concrete that the modules of the Molodezhnaya Antarctic station were built. Today, such materials are used quite rarely, but they can become popular among construction printers due to another useful property - a lower specific gravity, which reduces the likelihood of self-destruction of fresh layers. The blocks in the illustration above are printed with sawdust concrete with a compressive strength of around 10 N/mm² and a thermal conductivity of 0.25 W/(m K). nine0003

But the most interesting experiments are carried out in the basement of the Department of Wood Structures and Construction, where one of the laboratories is almost entirely occupied by an experimental 3D printer. The setup is interesting in that it prints free-form blocks using a variant of inkjet printing. The idea was borrowed from the Italian engineer Enrico Dini, the inventor of the D-Shape technology. The technique resembles powder "gypsum" 3D printers, where layers are formed by applying a binder material. In Dini's experimental apparatus, sand is used as a consumable material, and epoxy resin, or metal oxides and magnesium chloride, serves as a binder. German engineers, on the other hand, print concrete structures by applying a well-diluted cement mortar to successive layers of sand, or selectively spraying water onto the layers of cement.