Best 3d printer for fine detail

Which 3D printers print the most detailed parts?

3D printing fine details on a part, model or object can be achieved by using a printer with the ability to print at a low layer resolution. We’re not talking about microscale and nanoscale 3D printing, but we are talking about the ability to print at a layer height down to 25 micron. At this resolution, ultra-precise features can be printed.

Layer resolution isn’t the be all and end all specification when it comes to detail, however, because some 3D printers actually perform worse at extremely low resolutions than they do at a standard layer resolution. Sometimes, the best way to get a detailed but accurate part is to compromise and settle for 100 micron resolution. At this resolution, parts will still appear stunning to the human eye with plenty of detail packed in.

If you are interested in buying a 3D printer that can print extremely detailed parts or you are interested in which 3D printers print the most detailed parts, below we have listed what we believe to be the best of the best right now in the desktop class.

Formlabs Form 2

The Formlabs Form 2 is a stereolithography (SLA) 3D printer. It 3D prints models from a tray of UV-curing resin down to a resolution of 25 microns, and its performance at this resolution is exceptional. Having used this printer extensively at its lowest resolution setting, we would honestly say that it is more accurate than any FFF desktop 3D printer available. Even parts, models and objects printed at a resolution of 50 or 100 micron look amazing.

The Form 2 is ideal for use within industries like dentistry and jewellery. To give you an example, Dr. Michael Scherer uses his Form 2 to fabricate surgical guides. Dr. Scherer scans his patient’s mouth, creates an STL file, sends that file to print and then lets his Form 2 3D printer create a detailed model for him. He also uses oral scan data to accurately 3D print retainers and aligners and crowns and bridges for his patients.

Blueprinter M3

The Blueprinter M3 is a Selective Heat Sintering (SHS) 3D printer (a similar process to SLS and a cost-effective alternative). The M3 has the benefit of being able to print parts without the need for support structure. This means you can create parts, objects and models that you perhaps couldn’t with a stereolithography or fused filament fabrication 3D printer. The layer resolution goes down to 100 microns with the M3, yet complex details and ultra-fine details really come through the thermoplastic powder, so looking beyond the official resolution and spec sheet is recommended.

We have dubbed the Blueprinter’s printing process as ‘free form’ because it’s seriously impressive how it prints parts without any support structure whatsoever. You really can print complex shapes that can’t be printed on other 3D printers. We also like the fact that this printer is environmentally-friendly (the thermoplastic powder can be reused, so there’s no waste) and we love the fact that this printer is so easy to use. You simply load STL files into the web-based Blueprinter software.

Zortrax Inventure

The Zortrax Inventure is a Layer Plastic Deposition (LPD) 3D printer. It can print at a layer resolution of 90-400 microns. This printer is a good compromise if you don’t have the budget for a Blueprinter because it boasts a dissolvable support system, allowing you to 3D print parts that you perhaps couldn’t with a FFF or SLA 3D printer. The Inventure would be ideal for printing complex parts that would ordinarily involve difficult removal of support structure.

The Inventure achieves this system by way of two extruder heads; one dedicated to the primary filament (Zortrax Z-ULTRAT Plus) and one dedicated to printing PVA, which is water soluble and non-toxic. With ULTRAT-T Plus, you can print complex parts and even moving mechanisms in one piece.

Ultimaker 2+

The Ultimaker 2+ is a fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printer. It boasts the best layer resolution on our list, with the ability to print at a layer resolution of 20 microns. New for 2016, this printer also boasts a swappable nozzle system giving you a high level of control over print detail and print speed. You can switch between 0.25, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 mm nozzles quickly and easily.

The Ultimaker 2+ also offers greater consistency than its predecessor, the Ultimaker 2, thanks to a revised airflow system with new fan caps that distribute air more evenly over the nozzle for smoother prints. Our tests have shown that the Ultimaker 2+ prints fine details extremely well at a layer resolution of 100 microns. Its performance tails off somewhat below this, however, and so for the best results we recommend a 100 micron resolution setting, with this being the best compromise.

Best 3D Printers for Small Parts & Fine Details

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Martin

Martin has a M. Sc. in physics and has gained many years of experience in industry as a lab manager and quality assurance manager. He has now tested dozens of 3D printers and is happy to share the collected experience with each new article.

FDM or SLA/DLP?

These are two fundamentally different technologies that not only work with different materials but also build them up in different ways. The extremely different results in terms of detail and fineness of the components can be explained by these differences.

FDM works with filament

PLA, ABS, PETG or Nylon*? These and many other polymers can be processed with 3D printers using FDM technology. FDM stands for Fused Deposition Modeling. This printing process is also sometimes referred to as FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication), which means roughly the same thing.

The 3D printer is fed with a roll of filament-formed plastic, which is melted in the device. The device outputs the melted material in layers, placing layer upon layer on top of each other to build the model. The finer and thinner the layers are dispensed, the smoother the surface will be later and the more details can be worked out.

0.075 mm Layer Height0.15 mm Layer Height0.55 mm Layer HeightA layer height smaller than 0.1 mm are no longer visible to the eye.

The plastics harden when they slowly cool down. To prevent this from happening too quickly, one sometimes works with a heated printing plate or even a heated, closed printing chamber. Nevertheless, it can happen that the filament pulls threads in empty spaces between two individual parts, edges are not printed cleanly or components even collapse. Supporting structures are also necessary for filigree components and must be considered in the design.

How easily these structures can be removed later depends on the shape of the component – but this also contributes to uneven surfaces. Because wherever a structure has been removed, this leaves traces.

Some plastics are better suited for fine details than others because the plastics liquefy better, cure more cleanly, become harder overall or can be printed in extremely fine layers. Nevertheless, you can always see the individual layers in the finished model. Some filaments allow subsequent smoothing with acetone or another chemical.

SLA/DLP creates detailed resin parts

SLA technology allows for highly accurate, isotopic, and waterproof models. Stereolithography is the longest-used 3D printing process to date. Here’s how it works: A liquid resin made of photopolymer contains a workpiece that is gradually lowered. A laser moves step by step over the starting material, which hardens the desired shape via exposure. For filigree structures and extremely smooth surfaces, this is the preferred process.

3D printers for home use that work with the SLA process are equipped with a resin tank. You fill the resin, i.e. liquid synthetic resin, from the supply bottle into the tank for each printing process. After printing is complete, you can filter the remaining material and return it to the supply bottle – it is not lost.

Resin printing processes are used for the manufacture of precision-fit hearing aids and dentures as well as for functional components, prototypes and extremely delicate models. Components with high precision are also preferably produced using this process.

FDM for beginners?

There are a few reasons that speak more in favor of a 3D printer with FDM technology for home use. SLA printers, as already mentioned, work with synthetic resin. The material is highly toxic and can enter the body through contact with the skin – this should be avoided at all costs.

Anyone working with synthetic resin must wear disposable chemical-resistant gloves, chemical safety goggles and respiratory protection. The vapors of the synthetic resin must not be inhaled. So the infernal noise generated by the resin printer during work seems almost unimportant. Only when completely cured (i.e. after post-treatment under the UV lamp) is the material no longer toxic.

The second point that speaks against resin printing is the effort. These printers have to be cleaned. The material remaining in the tank must be filtered and filled back into the bottle. Material residues and cleaning agents must be disposed of properly. All of this costs time and requires professional expertise.

And a third point speaks against resin printing: Equipment and materials are cost-intensive. Whereas with FDM printing you only have to pay for electricity and filament, with resin printing you also have to pay for protective goggles, respiratory protection, gloves and cleaning agents.

Those who have not been involved with 3D printing for so long will be able to familiarize themselves with the subject more easily with the help of a filament printer. This is because FDM devices are safer to use and much less complicated. Depending on the printer used and the filament selected, the level of detail achieved by an FDM printer is usually sufficient for home use.

How detailed do you want it to be? FDM printer for model making

What at first sounds like a nice gimmick is actually a very important application for 3D printing: Both for RC model making and for model trains, cosplay and similar applications, the individual parts are taken from the 3D printer. Since the requirements in model making are not always the same, it is worth taking a closer look at the subject.

Which applications require which accuracy? And above all, which 3D printers come close to meeting the requirements? You can almost watch the market for 3D printers grow at the moment, with new manufacturers appearing seemingly every day. Many of them come from China, and often the print quality is not convincing. However, some devices have been on the market for so long that they have been extensively tested for one application or another. We rely on this experience here.

In RC model making, it has to be reasonably accurate, but the details of the printed parts are not that fine. The FDM printing process is completely sufficient for RC model making. However, you should try out which filament has the important properties for you and meets your requirements, because the plastics differ greatly.

Beginners usually work with PLA because the filament is forgiving, inexpensive and made from environmentally friendly material. ABS is considered similarly beginner-friendly.

Finer details: SLA printer

For miniatures, dioramas, architectural models and other applications, it simply has to be finer than the FDM printer can manage. Then a resin printer is the right choice. If you don’t want to mess around with the resin yourself, you can use an online printing service.

This is not only available for FDM technology, but also for other printing processes. Especially for people who do not print so often themselves, who have children or pets, this is a sensible alternative to their own resin printer.

The Best 3D Printers for Small Parts

The best tips are of no use if you don’t know what the individual printers really do. From the experience reports of other 3D fans and experienced model builders, you can find out which printers are really good with details, which ones work rather roughly, and above all, how good or bad the operation is.

The majority of people get along very well with FDM printers because for normal use the less expensive and easier to use devices are perfectly sufficient. Those who occasionally want to print finer parts can either familiarize themselves with his/her device and the different plastics (especially the material makes a lot of difference), or use a professional printing service for the few parts. On the other hand, if you really want to print fine details and the smallest parts often or all the time, you are better off with a DLP or SLA technology printer.

The ratio is somewhat unbalanced, which is why more FDM printers are presented than resin printers. By the way, one does not exclude the other: The relevant forums and communities let slip that many people will eventually purchase a DLP printer as a secondary device for the fine parts. Target group: architects: Architectural models in scales from 1:50 to 1:1000 naturally place very high demands on a 3D printer’s attention to detail.

Everyone has to decide for themselves whether having their own device in the office is a good idea. After all, printing costs not only money, but also time and nerves. If you don’t want to invest your valuable working time in working with the printer, you should outsource the creation of models for your customers to a 3D printing service. The devices that come into question in terms of quality and scope (keyword: size of the print space) for architectural models usually cost four- to five-figure sums, are very large and uninteresting for the hobby sector. Therefore, they are not considered in this article.

Creality Ender-3

Creality’s Ender-3* is great for most hobby applications and concept models, and presentation tools. The printer works with filament and comes as a kit, so you get to assemble your device yourself first. The price-performance ratio is excellent.

Ender 3*

Check Price at:

Amazon*

3DJake*

The device is extremely affordable and popular. The setup is done quickly, the printer is equipped with a 24 V print bed that heats quickly. It works with a Bowden extruder, but it can also process flexible materials.

Material change and color change are possible. The project is open source and comes from China. This means that you can modify your 3D printer with the appropriate knowledge and thus achieve an even better print quality. The device works very accurately and, above all, quietly. The details in the print are fine enough for tabletop figures – but small grooves are still visible. What also speaks for the printer: The device is so popular that you can quickly find help in case you encounter a problem.

Anycubic I3 Mega

The I3 Mega from Anycubic* already costs a bit more than the Ender 3, works very well with various plastics and comes as a kit. It is well suited for printing illustrative samples, hobby and concept models, and presentation materials. This printer is also very popular and easy to use. The 3D printer is delivered partially assembled, so you don’t have to do much yourself.

Anycubic i3 Mega*

Check Price at:

Amazon*

Pleasant is the touchscreen menu navigation, which is intuitive to use. The surface of the build plate on this device carries a special coating from which the models are very easy to detach after building – with excellent adhesion during printing. The device operates quietly and quickly, works reliably, but cannot be used well for flexible materials with Bowden extruders.

In case of problems, the large community of Anycubic I3 Mega fans on the Internet is happy to help, and customer support is also available.

Sidewinder X1

The Sidewinder X1* is also very affordable and suitable for home use, samples, models and presentation tools. The kit is delivered partially assembled, numerous tutorials and instructions for the assembly circulate on the web. The print volume is pleasant: the device allows 300 x 300 x 400 millimeters. The print quality is good, the device is solid and surprisingly well-made.

Artillery Sidewinder X1 V4*

Check Price at:

Amazon*

3DJake*

The solid construction also allows high printing speeds. The Sidewinder X1 is equipped with a direct-drive extruder, so flexible materials can also be used well. Since the print bed can deform at higher temperatures, some users retrofit their own build plate made of cast aluminum with a silicon carbide surface.

The touchscreen allows easy operation, and the calibration of the print bed is simple. In addition, the device supports all currently available slicers. The printer is very fast, but this leads to vibrations on the device. This can mean qualitative sacrifices in the printed object, but it does not have to. This printer is also quiet and works extremely detailed and especially clean in the details. It is a good choice for model makers, cosplayers and architects.

3DWOX 1

Sindoh is the name of the manufacturer of the 3DWOX 1*, another FDM printer. The device is well suited for hobby and home applications, and can print hobby models with just as much attention to detail as objects for research and education. However, the device is not as inexpensive as the previously presented printers.

Sindoh – 3D1AQ – 3DWOX 1*

Check Price at:

Amazon*

The device comes from South Korea and is praised by 3D printing fans as well as professionals for its excellent print quality. Unlike the models presented here, the 3D printer has a closed printing chamber that filters exhaust air with a HEPA filter. A live webcam sits in the print chamber and helps monitor all operations with the associated app. There is even a function for nozzle cleaning while still printing. The material selection is unlimited, open filament can be used just like the conventional cartridges.

The touch display makes for easy operation, but Sindoh uses its own slicer. The device is relatively quiet in operation, excellently manufactured and, above all, stable. For detailed, fine print objects, this 3D printer is a good choice.

Anycubic Photon

With a price comparable to the Ender 3, the Anycubic Photon* is one of the most affordable models available. The resin printer is just as well suited for detailed small objects, for concept models and art objects as it is for presentation tools and hobby applications. The desktop device uses an LCD as a light source and is therefore so much cheaper than SLA printers. Nevertheless, the print results are comparable in terms of fineness and accuracy for details.

Anycubic Photon*

Check Price at:

Amazon*

3DJake*

The Photon from Anycubic is almost beginner-friendly in terms of operation, and most importantly, it comes as a ready-made device. So nothing more needs to be set up. The printer achieves resolutions of up to 0.047 millimeters in X and Y, and up to 0.025 millimeters in Z. This is much finer than any FDM printer would allow. However, the print speed is not that great, the device is very slow – normal for DLP printers.

The printing speed always depends on the layer thickness. If you print small parts in series, the printer is faster than an FDM printer, because a complete layer is always exposed at once. So you pack your model (if it fits in size) ten times next to each other, and the printer does all ten models on one layer at the same time. The printer is popular, and the user community is just as happy to help with problems as customer support.

Minus points: The build space for the Anycubic Photon is relatively small, working with resin places high demands on safety and hygiene, and the models have to be reworked. Nothing works here without gloves, safety goggles and respiratory protection. After building, the models must be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol and cured under UV light.

Formlabs Form 2

Things get even more professional with the Form 2 from Formlabs*. The 3D printer is a good choice for illustrative samples, concept models, art objects, presentation aids and even templates and molds. However, it is not as cost-effective as the Photon – in fact, it costs several times as much.

Formlabs*

Check Price at:

Amazon*

The SLA printer produces the objects from the synthetic resin by means of a laser and delivers good and even very good results. The objects are extremely delicate, accurate and smooth. At the same time, the printer also has a stable design, works reliably and is easy to use. Not so pleasant is the small print volume, and the implications of resin printing along with the safety requirements are also unpleasant.

In addition, Formlabs’ Form 2 does not allow the use of third-party materials. The resin from other suppliers is certainly usable, but the print quality suffers extremely. The customer support is positively highlighted.

Create 3D Models: 3D Scanner, Software or Photogrammetry?

The 3D models for what is printed have to come from somewhere. Numerous models that other users have created are circulating on the Internet on the relevant platforms. If you don’t want to use this, you can build the model yourself digitally using a freely available program such as Tinkercad, Onshape or Fusion 360. Tinkercad is considered a solution for beginners and can be used intuitively; other CAD programs are more difficult to use.

But there is also the option of printing from “real” models. 3D scanners are available, simple devices are available in the three-digit dollar range. The sky’s the limit, and you’ll find scanners on the market for five-figure sums. Before printing, several steps are necessary. The original has to be scanned and then processed by software. This is not easy and does not always lead to the desired result. An alternative for non-reflective surfaces is photogrammetry.

It is important to know that the 3D printer can only produce clean details and very delicate, small parts if the template is correct – so a lot depends on the CAD software and the operator.

Conclusion: FDM Printers are Often Sufficient

Of course, there is no one best 3D printer for small parts and fine details. Depending on how delicate you want the print to be, how much money you want to invest and what previous knowledge you have, different devices will come into question for you.

Disclosure: This website is the property of Martin Lütkemeyer and is operated by Martin Lütkemeyer. Martin Lütkemeyer is a member of the Amazon Services LLC and other Affiliate Programs. These are affiliate advertising programs designed to enable websites to earn advertising revenue through advertising and linking to Amazon.com and others. Links marked with * are affiliate links.

Choosing the best 3D printer for printing miniatures

3DPrintStory

The use of 3D printers for printing game miniatures is gaining more and more popularity today. As the price of 3D printers continues to fall, it is likely that the demand for 3D printed game miniatures will only continue to rise. nine0005
If you pick the right 3D printer, you can get amazing 3D models for board games or to put an inspirational action figure from your favorite game on your desktop.

Today's desktop 3D printers have become reliable, easy to use and provide decent quality finished products.

How to choose a 3D miniature printer?

There is a wide range of desktop 3D printers that can be used for 3D miniature printing at home. And if you study the market a bit, or at least the options below, you can get great detailed 3D models. nine0005
With the right 3D printer, you can print your own figurines and even create your own board games.

If you don't want to design 3D models of figurines from scratch (and this will really require some skills and time from you), then you can find interesting 3D models on sites with free 3D printable models. After downloading the model, you can immediately print it or edit it before 3D printing for your own needs. We also recommend that you familiarize yourself with interesting 3D models from Dutchmogul. Perhaps in his wonderful collection you will find something interesting for yourself. nine0005
To get the same level of detail as the thumbnails above, your 3D printer must meet certain criteria. The most important feature of a 3D printer to consider is the level of detail it can reproduce. This criterion is formed based on the following parameters:

Nozzle diameter

To create a 3D miniature, heated plastic is extruded through a hole. Orifice is the diameter of the nozzle. Make sure the 3D printer nozzle size is less than 0.4mm. nine0005
XY Movement Accuracy

Consideration should be given to the accuracy of the 3D printer's X and Y movement.

Layer Thickness

Layer Thickness is the height of each layer of heated plastic that is used to create a 3D figurine or miniature. To get a more detailed model, you need to reduce the layer thickness. However, the low thickness means that 3D printing will take longer. In order to print a detailed miniature, you will most likely need a 3D printer that can print with layer thicknesses of 100 microns (0.1 mm) or less. nine0005
Material type

The most common materials used in 3D printers are ABS or PLA. To get a good surface, after 3D printing, it should be post-processed. If you are using ABS plastic, you can sand the miniature and steam it in acetone to get a smooth surface. It is also worth paying attention to PETG plastics, which are gaining more and more attention and positive user reviews.

Thumbnail size (scale)

If you want to start 3D printing game miniatures, think about the size you would like to get.

A 28mm (~1:58 scale) or 54mm (~1:32 scale) miniature can be made with a standard desktop 3D printer that melts plastic filament. To make a smaller miniature, you will need an SLA Resin printer, which uses liquid resin and strengthens it.

In addition to the figurine, you can also print larger models. 3D printing large models such as houses, huts, castles, trees, and tanks will require more expensive 3D printers that provide faster speeds with good 3D print quality. But there is an important point in the choice. It is better to choose high-quality 3D printing than a large one. You can always separate larger models for printing and then join them together using the same adhesive. The result will be much better than lower quality 3D printing on a 3D printer with a large workspace. nine0005
HICTOP CR-10S 3D printer

Value for money, the Hictop CR-10S is one of the best and most affordable budget 3D printers on the market. The Prusa i3 3D printer was taken as the basis for the design.

The Hictop printer uses quality materials for the power supply, motherboard and motion control systems. The metal framework is a rigid and strong design.

The Hictop printer will arrive unassembled, but assembly is easy. You will have to essentially screw in four bolts and connect the necessary wires. That is, you can proceed directly to 3D printing almost immediately after purchase. nine0005
The "S" at the end of the CR-10S stands for two Z-axis lead screws and stepper motors.

Dual axis system improves extruder movement accuracy. As a result, you naturally get more accurate 3D printing overall. This is an excellent inexpensive 3D printer that is suitable for 3D printing miniatures and figurines for board games.

The Hictop 3D printer has a mechanism to control the remaining amount of plastic. If the plastic runs out, the printer will go into pause mode and after feeding new material, you can continue printing from the area where you left off. This is a particularly relevant feature for printing large-scale 3D models. nine0005
These 3D printers are quite popular, so you will find a lot of information and tips on how to use them online. In addition, thanks to an active community, the Hictop CR-10S has a large number of modifications and upgrades that you can implement yourself and improve its already decent 3D printing quality.

Hictop CR-10S is a quality and affordable 3D printer, which is definitely suitable for 3D printing miniatures and figures of characters from your favorite games or movies. nine0005
FLASHFORGE CREATOR PRO 3D printer

FlashForge 3D Printer Creator Pro took inspiration from Makerbot Replica.

A nice feature of the FlashForge 3D printer is that it includes all the custom enhancements from Makerbot. These upgrades include:

Metal desktop supports. Thus, the working table became more stable during heating and assembling.

Plastic-coated knobs for easy workbench calibration. nine0078
The Central Processing Unit (CPU) supports Sailfish firmware which allows automatic calibration. In addition, the CPU helps regulate heat and delivers higher quality 3D prints.

The above features make the Creator Pro an excellent miniature 3D printer.

In addition, this 3D printer is made in a closed case, which allows you to print ABS plastic with much less difficulty.

Creator Pro allows you to print two colors at the same time. If you plan to paint the finished model in the future, then you don’t really need this feature, but in general it gives you much more options than the standard analogues with one extruder. nine0005
Since the Creator Pro is based on the Makerbot Replica, there is a lot of information available on the internet about this 3D printer.

3D printer SINDOH DP200 3DWOX

If you are looking for a reliable 3D printer for printing miniatures, then you should pay attention to Sindoh DP200 3DWOX. This is the best choice if you want to make 3D mini figures.

This 3D printer is easy to use, suitable even for beginners in the world of 3D printing. Below are some of its features:

3D printing table covered with aluminum PTFE.

3D printing resolution is 50 microns (0.05 mm).

Equipped with a high efficiency particulate air filter and a closed chamber for 3D printing, which is especially good when using ABS plastics.

Easy to use material cartridge chamber.

Sindoh does an excellent job of printing minifigures in high detail.

One of the disadvantages of the Sindoh DP200 printer is that it can only use manufacturer's filament. Consequently, you will pay more money for cartridges because you will not be able to use materials from other manufacturers. The price of these cartridges, of course, is higher than analogues. nine0005
Otherwise, the Sindoh DP200 3DWOX 3D printer is a great option for high quality 3D printing of detailed models.

DREMEL DIGILAB 3D printer

The use of SLA technology for 3D printing helps to obtain miniature products of very high quality. SLA also helps print miniature parts as small as 28mm. The price of this wonderful 3D printer is comparable to the cost of a laptop.

SLA printing differs from FFF printing in the very essence of the processes. During SLA 3D printing, liquid resin is baked using a UV laser. The formation of the part looks like a gradual lifting of the finished model and a bath with liquid material. nine0005
Industrial 3D stereolithography printers now available at home! The Dremel Digilab 3D printer has proven itself as a hobby printer, which differs from expensive industrial analogues in its exceptionally smaller workspace.

Key Features of the Dremel Digilab 3D Printer:

The minimum wall thickness of the 3D model is 25 µm (0.025mm).

Faster 3D printing compared to FFF 3D printers. nine0078
Excellent surface quality of the finished 3D model.

Digilab is a great SLA 3D printer. It is easy to use and, according to user reviews, reliable.

With this 3D printer, you can use resins to make investment casting molds. It can also be used to make jewelry by casting metals.

Some disadvantages of using SLA for 3D printing:

It's expensive. The resin needs to be updated, as over time it ages and loses the necessary properties. nine0078
Resins require maintenance. Make sure you start 3D printing only after the balloons created by adding resin to the tank are gone. When you're done printing, you should clean the tank thoroughly to remove cured resin, which can affect the quality of subsequent 3D prints.

When cleaning this 3D printer, be careful to use latex gloves and alcohol.

Conclusions

This article is to help you choose a desktop 3D printer to print board game models or just beautiful fantasy characters and landscapes. 3D printers and board games are a very good combination, and the models listed above are a good choice if you want to create your own game miniatures. nine0005
We hope you found this overview helpful. Good luck with your ideas in the world of 3D printing!

Best Small Business 3D Printer 2022: The Best Professional-Grade Printers

Whether you're looking to jump into professional 3D printing for the first time or upgrade an existing print farm, we're ready to push you in the right direction with our guide to the best 3D printers for business. small business.

Nowadays, a business-ready printer must not only produce affordable, high-quality parts and prototypes; it should actively increase productivity and optimize workflows. Below you'll find a selection of the most reliable and user-friendly mid-range printers on the market today, for start-ups and established businesses alike. nine0005
We have selected proven working machines suitable for applications ranging from rapid prototyping to end-use parts and everything in between. Let's dive in.

Contents

Best Small Business 3D Printers

Formlabs Form 3+ / 3L - Professional Resin Printer

Ultimaker S5 / S5 Pro Bundle

Raise3D Pro2 / Pro2 Plus
Prusa3S+ 903 Best Inexpensive i3S+ 903 small business printer
Desktop Metal Studio System - Best small business metal 3D printer

Things to consider when buying a small business 3D printer

Software and workflow

Materials

Resolution

Workpiece size and volume
Sphere 9007 Applications
Small Business 3D Printer FAQ

Best Small Business 3D Printers

Formlabs Form 3+ / 3L - Professional Resin Printer

The Formlabs 3+ and Formlabs 3L Resin Printers are designed from the ground up for the fast-paced, performance-oriented small business that wants to go without outsourcing. They allow companies to easily implement streamlined, affordable prototyping and in-house manufacturing of functional end-use parts.

Print quality is nothing short of industrial quality with fast, accurate printing that features rich features and a flawless surface. These printers excel in areas where highly precise and functional parts are required, such as jewelry making, hybrid visual effects, mechanical engineering, medical, and miniature/figure making. nine0005
The two printers are basically the same except that the FormLab 3L offers a larger build volume of 335 x 200 x 300 cm and two light processing units to compensate for the larger build platform. If your job involves large models or prototypes, or if you need to batch print large quantities of small parts, we recommend FormLab 3L. Otherwise, FormLab 3+ offers the same reliable accuracy and speed at a more affordable price.

Formlabs Form 3+ and 3L's focus on productivity extends to the surrounding ecosystem for a seamless end-to-end workflow. You can switch between 30 different types of resins, each with different characteristics and properties, in seconds with the easy-to-change Formlab cartridges. Formlabs Form Wash and Form Cure accessories fully automate resin print post-processing with a “set it and forget it” feature. nine0005
Formlabs PreForm SLA software includes automated features such as adaptive layer thickness, mesh recovery, and one-click support generation for true printing. The cloud-based print monitoring and management panel also means you can scale up with multiple printers or queue multiple prints from anywhere without much hassle.

Investing in a complete Formlabs ecosystem is expensive, which can be prohibitive for some businesses. In this case the Prusa SL1S Speed is a great low cost alternative. Since it bears the Prusa name, you are buying 3D printing royalties. It's fast, easy to use, delivers professional-quality prints and keeps running costs low. nine0005
Ultimaker S5 / S5 Pro Bundle

The Ultimaker S5 and S5 Pro are working FDM printers for high fidelity rapid prototyping of functional parts for the arts, medicine, mechanical engineering, automotive, consumer goods and architecture industries.

Like consumer-grade Ultimaker printers, the S5 and S5 Pro are designed with ease of use in mind to increase productivity without the hassle while reducing costs. At the heart of this is a dual extrusion system, compatibility with a wide range of materials, easy network printer management, and near-zero one-click printing speed with Ultimaker Digital Factory software. nine0005
With desirable and identical specifications, the Ultimaker S5 and S5 Pro produce industrial-grade prints with a level of detail and smoothness that conventional FDM printers rarely achieve. The Ultimaker S5 and S5 Pro allow you to produce durable and precise parts such as mock-ups, prototypes, functional parts, tools and proof samples.

The Ultimaker S5 Pro is an S5 with an enclosed, temperature controlled material feed station. The station filters out toxic fumes and maintains a dust and moisture free environment with a reliable air filtration system to keep materials in optimum condition. nine0005
In addition, the station can simultaneously hold up to six different front-loading spools of thread. Automatic media handling manages spool changes and runtime switching to ensure trouble-free printing. It really is a handless seal.

Although smaller in footprint and build volume than its S5 sibling, the Ultimaker S3's more affordable price, smaller footprint and identical specifications make it a great choice for smaller businesses with less cash to spare. nine0005
Raise3D Pro2 / Pro2 Plus

Raise 3D calls the Raise3D Pro2 and its more expensive Pro2 Plus counterpart the "best industrial-grade 3D printers" under the sun, delivering fast, highly detailed prints backed by a durable and strong frame. Both will make a solid addition for performance-oriented small businesses looking for a reliable and versatile solution for manufacturing and rapid prototyping.

Features include dual extruders, a comprehensive HEPA air filtration system, and end-to-end control of the entire print process with RaiseCloud software, making it easy to manage a flock of printers remotely. nine0005
Raise3D Pro2 and Pro2 Plus material compatibility is extensive: PLA, ABS, HIPS, PC, TPU, TPE, PETG, ASA, PP, PVA, nylon, as well as fiberglass, carbon fiber, metal-filled, wood-filled and filled are supported.

With the same basic hardware and specifications as the Raise3D Pro2, the Raise3D Pro2 Plus differs in build volume. It increases the build volume with single extrusion to 305 x 305 x 605mm and dual extrusion to 280 x 305 x 605mm, adding verticality for taller prints. nine0005
Raise3D E2 should also be mentioned in passing. With a smaller footprint and build volume, combined with the IDEX system, the Raise3D E2 takes on the form of a desktop printer. It's a great choice for small design studios that don't need as much print area as the industrial-strength Pro2 machines.

Prusa i3 MK3S+ is the best value for money 3D printer for small businesses

A favorite of hobby makers around the world, the Prusa i3 MK3S+ makes our list as a low cost savior for the smallest businesses that are put off by the exorbitant prices of the Form 3+ and Ultimaker S5. nine0005
While the Prusa i3 MK3S+ is a workhorse of its kind, it's not a production tool or design powerhouse like the other best small business 3D printers we've rounded up. Its footprint is significantly smaller than most professional grade printers for business use. If you're working from home, the Prusa i3 MK3S+ won't take up an entire room.

More compact and less ambitious, it is a reliable companion for companies that want to produce one high-quality prototype quickly or focus on producing small, highly detailed, limited-edition parts. nine0005
The Prusa i3 MK3S+ does just that, but without compromising the quality of the finished product. Print results come close to what you'd expect from other printers on our list, but at a fraction of the cost. Multiple built-in failsafes and sensors ensure easy printing with high hardware quality and decent media compatibility, including PLA, PETG, ASA, PC, HIPS and more.

Easy printing and software equally appeal to aspiring entrepreneurs getting into 3D printing for the first time. You won't get tired of managing your printer fleet with a cloud-based management system. nine0005
Desktop Metal Studio System - the best metal 3D printer for small businesses

Despite the ridiculous name, Desktop Metal Studio System is a reliable, advanced metal printing solution suitable for prototyping, manufacturing, automotive design , consumer products and even small disposable parts designed for heavy industry applications.

As the name suggests, this is a desktop-friendly solution with the same approach as the native Fabricate software. The software covers all aspects of part creation, reducing the complex, often confusing, not to say intimidating, metallurgy into a well-managed, step-by-step process. Like the other printers on our list, Fabricate is workflow aware and you can easily manage and control multiple printers for consistent and productive printing. nine0005
It's amazing how easy it is to create difficult-to-machine parts with a high level of geometric complexity. The results often surpass traditional casting in terms of density and accuracy, while still allowing fine undercuts and internal channels to be produced, resulting in superior surface finish in every print.

Desktop Metal Studio System comes with a sintering oven in an office-friendly package. The latter has temperature profiles that match the type of material and design, ensuring industrial sintering strength with every print. In addition, the print is much less messy than most powder-based metal systems and has many safety features, not least a fully enclosed chamber. nine0005
Things to Consider When Buying a Small Business 3D Printer

Software and Workflow

Time is money, as the old saying goes, and the software installed on a 3D printer plays a huge role in determining workflow and efficiency . Whether you're looking to scale up production, quickly complete an order, or reduce manual steps to improve productivity, look to robust software suites that allow you to monitor and manage multiple printers via the cloud. nine0005
One-click printing, Wi-Fi connectivity, automated slicing processes are all worth considering if productivity comes first. An intuitive user interface and ease of use are also important to efficiency.

Materials

When choosing a small business 3D printer, look for material compatibility, especially if your application requires more exotic and abrasive filament types. Generally, professional printers offer wider compatibility than hobbyist printers: PLA, ABS, PETG, and flex materials come standard. nine0005
You may also want to consider purchasing a dedicated metal or resin printer if these materials are in your printing plans. Dedicated machines tend to produce better results with selected media than general purpose printers.

Resolution

Resolution, often referred to as layer height, is a measurement in mm (or microns) that determines the thickness of each printed layer. The lower the resolution, the better the details and textures. nine0005
For small businesses, 20 to 100 microns is sufficient in most cases. If you want the most accurate results, look to resin printers, high-resolution machines that excel at printing richly detailed parts.

Stock size and volume

Print volume refers to the available printable area or, in other words, the maximum print size. The best small business 3D printers have a higher build volume than standard consumer printers, but it's worth checking if they have a high enough build volume if you're planning on making large prototypes or if you plan on mass printing. nine0005
The physical footprint of the printer is probably not that important, but it's worth considering if you're planning to set up a print farm and have limited space in your workshop, lab, or office.

Applications

While most professional 3D printers are suitable for a variety of applications, we recommend that you find out if a particular machine is suitable for your preferred use case. A compact printer like the Prusa i3 MK3S+ is well suited for printing small prototypes and limited edition parts in a small home office environment. nine0005
The Metal Studio System is ideal for making disposable metal parts for heavy industry. The Ultimaker S5 Pro makes it easy to print with multiple filament types, automatically switching between them as needed to create complex, detailed parts. You got the idea; make sure the printer meets your needs.

Small Business 3D Printer FAQ

What is the best 3D printer for starting a small business at home? nine0005
Although 3D printers, even professional-grade ones, have shrunk considerably since the early days of the technology, they are still bulky machines. To save space and reduce costs, we recommend the Prusa i3 MK3S+ as the best 3D printer for starting a small business at home. The print quality of the Prusa i3 MK3S+ approaches that of three times the price of printers, and its compact size, along with its elegant orange and black color scheme, fits perfectly into a home office environment. nine0005
What is the best small business metal 3D printer?

Several printers on our list allow metal 3D printing, but one printer stands out above the rest, the Desktop Metal Studio System. The printer is designed from the ground up to work exclusively with metal for a variety of professional applications. The results are excellent and the Fabricate software greatly simplifies the normally complex art of metallurgy. The printer also comes with an industrial-grade perfect sintering oven. nine0005
What is the best resin 3D printer for small businesses?

We recommend Formlabs Form 3+ and Formlab Form 3L for small businesses that want to work exclusively with resin. As ecosystem printers, they have everything you need from design to post-processing to help you set up a reliable, productivity-focused workflow. The print results are excellent, replete with fine detail and a smooth surface. Choose the Formlab Form 3L if you need more build volume to print larger parts or for faster batch printing.
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