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What to look for when buying a 3d printer


6 Things You Should Know Before Buying a 3D Printer

When you learn about the many functions a 3D printer can perform, you can get pretty excited about getting one. 3D printers are fancy because of the many models you can get to print with them; figurines, smartphone cases, and an endless list of things.

There are different specifications of 3D printers, and they vary according to size, function, and technology. So, before you buy a 3D printer, read this article to learn things you should know about 3D printers.

1. Types of 3D Printers

Before buying a 3D printer, you should know the types of 3D printers that are available.

Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) Printers

FDM technology was first developed by S. Scott Crump in the late 1980s and later commercialized in 1990. Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) is an equivalent term for FDM created to give a phrase that is legally unimpeded in its use.

In order to create an object with an FDM printer, the files have to be in a computer-aided design (CAD) format which must be converted to a set-up that a 3D printer can understand, in most cases the STL design. These printers use both modeling materials and support materials. The modeling material constitutes the concluded object while the support material holds up the object during printing.

These materials take the form of a thermoplastic filament which is uncoiled and directed through an extrusion nozzle. The nozzle then melts the filaments and places them on a build platform or base. The build platform and nozzle are regulated by a computer which helps generate the X, Y, and Z coordinates to be adapted during printing. The nozzle moves vertically and horizontally over the base forming a thin layer of plastic which after cooling hardens and binds the layer beneath it. The base is then lowered to enable the formation of the next plastic layer, this process continues until the whole design is complete.

The final part of the printing using the FDM technology is removing the object from the printer once it is complete. This is done by soaking the object in a detergent and water solution or by breaking off the support base by hand. To improve the appearance, the object can be painted, sanded, or lacquered as desired.

Stereolithography (SLA)

The SLA printing process creates a model by illuminating a UV light beam on resin or any other photosensitive liquid to harden the area and create the desired model. This method makes the object of higher quality than that of FDM printed objects.

SLA printing uses similar technology to other minor 3D printing processes like Digital Light Processing (DLP) and LCD.

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)

The SLS printing model also uses a process similar to that of SLA. However, the only difference is that SLS uses lasers instead of Ultraviolet light beams and powders instead of photosensitive liquid. The laser melts and fuses the powder to create a solid model.

SLS printing process is the 3D printing process that can print metal objects and models.

2. Your Budget

When you know about the price of 3D printers and the cost of running them, you might reconsider getting one. However, do not panic; you can get a 3D printer for as low as 180 EUR-  a simple model like Creality’s Ender 3.

The FDM printer price ranges from 500 to 1500 EUR, while an SLS price ranges from 6000 to 18,500 EUR. Here you can get the best price from best buy 3D printers.

Note that the cost of the 3D printer does not cover all the materials you will need to print the models and objects. The cost of the material varies directly with the cost of the 3D printer. The prices of filaments change regarding the materials that were used in their production.

So, do not just consider the initial cost of getting the 3D printer; consider the subsequent amount you will need to 3D print objects. Spare parts are very affordable, and the price of 1 kg of the most popular filaments is around 20 EUR. With 1kg of filament, you can print a huge amount of 3D products. The consumption of filament depends on several different factors, so it is difficult to determine the exact number of models you can make with 1000g of material. Consumption is affected by model fullness, layer thickness, product size,…

3. Features

When you decide what type of printer you would like to get, you should check out the features you want your printer to have. Some FDM printers can cool the nozzle when you are done printing, and some other printers can move the nozzle away after printing to prevent overheating or the production of excess filament.

Apart from these safety features, be sure to check for other features like:

  •  type of plate,
  • touchscreen interface,
  • build volume,
  • print bed size,
  • sensor filament,
  • bed leveling,
  • how many extruders have,
  • Does it have a direct drive extruder or a Bowden tube system,
  • Wi-fi connection,
  • Diameter of filament (1,75mm or 2,85mm), …
4. End Result 3D model/ Which 3D material is best to use?

What you intend to print will determine the type of material and the 3D printer you will use. Each type of 3D printer has different kinds of material it supports. 3D filaments are very different from each other in their properties. If you want beautiful, aesthetically pleasing filaments, then SILK or PLA will be the right choice for you. However, if you need a strong and light filament, you will print the PAHT filament with carbon fiber. It is important to know the properties of the materials with which you will 3D print;

PLA FILAMENT (Polylactic Acid)

PLA filament is one of the most popular materials in the 3D world. It is used to create household items, figures, vases, phone accessory cases, holders, and home plastic materials. You can get it in full and transparent colors, with the addition of wood (PLA WOOD), glitter (PLA glitter), a special pearl gloss (PLA Pearl), …

Pros

  • It is eco friendly and biodegradable
  • It cools quickly, which prevents model warping
  • Suitable for non-heated print beds and adhesives

Cons

  • It has a low melting point which sometimes causes models to deform when you subject them to high heat.
  • It is not suitable for making joints or interlocking parts.

ABS FILAMENT (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

ABS filament is also a type of plastic made from petroleum-based substances. It is known for being flexible and strong. It is suitable for outdoor products because it can withstand harsh conditions.

Pros

It is very adaptable, making it easy to use to create joints and interlocking parts.

It does not deform when subjected to high heat because it has a high melting point.

Cons

Its high melting point makes it cool slowly and can cause model warping.

It emits fumes that can be dangerous to one's health.

PETG filament (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)

PETG is a thermoplastic polyester modified with glycol. It has a combination of PLA’s ease of use and ABS durability. It is used to make mechanical components, food containers, and water bottles. If you need a hard, strong piece and you are deciding between PLA and PETG filament, choose PETG and you will not be disappointed. In addition to its durability, it is also important to mention that is made of eco-friendly materials, as it is one of the few filaments that can come into contact with food. However, always ask the manufacturer for a food safety certificate.

Pros

  • It is FDA-approved that it is suitable for edible consumption containers.
  • It does not cause model warping
  • It is heat and water-resistant
  • It has good electrical properties

Cons

  • It is not biodegradable
  • It is more expensive
5. Goals

This is also one of the most important factors to consider before buying your 3D printer. Your goal will determine the type of 3D printer to get, the features it should have, and what filaments should you use.

It is important to think about the conditions in which you will use the printer. Outdoor use might require the printer to be waterproof and UV-resistant. And if you want it for indoor use, it must fit into your home. It is important to consider that if you are going to print ABS filament you will smell it during printing since it has a specific odor and is not the safest choice for your bedroom or your kids’ room.

When deciding where a 3D printer will be placed, you need to think about what print size suits you; how big do you want your 3D printed items to be? If you are looking to print small items such as figurines, phone accessories, car accessories, useful items for your home, etc. you can look at the Ender 3 or Ender 5 series printers. However, if you need larger models, the CR-10 series will be right for you, as it offers a larger print area and consequently larger prints. The CR-10 MAX printer is considered one of the largest on the market, offering prints up to 450 x 450 x 470 mm.

6.
Safety

You should look out for safety features before getting your 3D printers, primarily if you use them in your home or areas accessible to children. 3D printers work with heat, and you will need to take extra care to avoid bad burns.

Some 3D printers have enclosures around the print areas, while some take the nozzle away once you pause or stop printing.

Safety also extends to how environmentally friendly the 3D printer is. Some 3D printers use materials (like ABS plastics) that produce fumes. This type of 3D printer might not be suitable for indoor use or in a place that is not well-ventilated.

In addition, know what material is suitable for specific products. If you want to produce kitchenware or consumables containers, you must ensure the material is food-safe. Note that an FDM-type 3D printer can collect bacteria with its porous surfaces, making it unsafe for food containers.

Building vs. Buying a 3D Printer

3D printing technology leaves a chance for you to be a 3D printer maker or creator. You do not necessarily have to buy a 3D printer because you can build one for yourself. And even though making a 3D printer might be more time-consuming and hectic, it is cheaper than buying a new one.

If you decide to go with building your 3D printer, you can get the 3D printer kits where you will find an instruction manual, or you can check online to find available tutorial videos. When building your 3D printer, it is better to use a combination of videos and instruction manuals so that you do not make mistakes.

And if you do not have the time or energy to do this, get a pre-assembled 3D printer. The 3D printers you can buy these days usually come with a few parts that need to be assembled. It is definitely easier and less time-consuming, so if you can’t wait to start with 3D printing, is best to buy a 3D printer.

Extra Tips for Getting a 3D printer

Get an Auto-levelling 3D printer.

If you are into the 3D printing service, it is better to go for an auto-leveling 3D printer rather than a manual-leveling one. Manual leveling requires pre-leveling knowledge and a few DIYs. And in cases where the print bed is not leveled, it can cause scratch marks on the prints, poor adhesion, and nozzle clogging.

Get a decent filament.

The level of quality of your final product is of the essence. If you want to get the best final product, do not go cheap on the filament, as it determines how well the final product will be.

Conclusion

Getting a 3D printer requires your money and attention; you need to pay attention to the details to get the appropriate one for the intended purpose. Consider what you want to print, look out for the features you want in it, and determine if the quality of the final 3d model presents what you want.

Follow these tips diligently, and you will choose the 3D printer you want and need.

4 essential things to consider when buying a 3D printer

At Makers Empire we are continually testing different 3D printers in our office – we probably have the printers running 30 hours+ a week. These printers mostly fall in the $1,000-$2,000 range as  we want to test the latest printers for their suitability in terms of schools.

There are four essential things you need to consider when buying a 3D printer:

Size of the print bed

  • A bigger bed means you can print bigger prints.
  • A bigger bed also means you can print more students’ work at the same time. This is important because setting up to do a print run is time consuming so the more you can do at one time the better.

Auto-level/calibration

  • Some machines require the user to calibrate the bed  –  this amounts to putting a piece of paper on the print bed and using the software to gradually move the print bed towards the nozzle until it touches. It takes about 10 minutes.
  • Automatic calibration is available on many machines and we believe it is well worth the extra few hundred dollars more. With 3D printing there are already many things to learn and some things that can ‘go wrong’ so any help you can get is worth it.

Type of filaments and cost

  • Most consumer printers print ABS and PLA plastic.
  • ABS is made from oil and is more toxic than PLA which is made from corn starch. Choose PLA in locations with no fan or extraction, although many places use ABS, too.
  • Ensure you know how much the filament costs – $35–70/kg for ABS/PLA is normal. Some proprietary printers only work with their own filament which costs much more. Ask your supplier how much genuine or well tested non-genuine filament costs.

Software

  • Is the software easy to use? Is it very configurable and powerful?
  • Unless you are very technical we would suggest going for ‘easy to use’ software over power as your first foray into 3D printing — there is enough to learn already!
  • Understand that many 3D printers are ‘open source’ and built for hobbyists and DIYers who want to spend a lot of time digging around software and hardware, modifying their printers and understanding from the programming code upwards how it works.
  • These are easier to use: BEE THE FIRST, Up, Afinia, Makerbot
  • There are more difficult to use but give you more control: 3D printers that use the open source Cura and Repetier programs.

Bonus: Enclosure and air filters

  • An enclosed printer is safer. Some will even stop if the door is opened. This can be very useful in a pre-K/elementary setting.
  • We are beginning to see printers with built-in HEPA air filters. If your printer is not located in a well-ventilated area, this can be a great alternative and maybe an OH&S requirement.

Buying a 3D printer can be confusing so we hope the above tips and suggestions help you make an informed purchase. Hit us up on Twitter at @makersempire if you have any more questions.

8 nuances worth paying attention to

Sooner or later, everyone will learn about 3D printing. And only a few lucky people, imbued with the opportunities that 3D printing opens up, catch themselves thinking that they want to purchase a 3D printer. The desire gradually develops into a serious decision and the search for the right option begins. And here the potential buyer is faced with the fact that he does not fully understand what to choose among the whole variety of 3D printers. We will try to answer this question in as much detail as possible. What to look for, and how to make a choice? We want to offer a small checklist of the nuances that you need to pay attention to when choosing a 3D printer. You need to decide for yourself for what tasks you will use this technique? What features should a 3D printer have to solve your problems?

Tip 1 : Decide on 3D printing technology

The first step is to decide on the technology of 3D printing. There are two main paths here. If you are faced with the task of manufacturing high-precision and miniature products, such as jewelry, then 3D printers using SLA or DLP technology are suitable for you. Such printers are specially designed for the manufacture of high-precision models. 3D printing in these printers occurs using a laser beam that illuminates the photopolymer resin. Hence the accuracy of the models. Prominent representatives of this segment: Form 2 3D printer or B9 3D printercreator If you have a wider range of tasks, and functionality, part size, and low manufacturing cost are more important, then an FDM printer will suit you. 3D printing on this equipment involves layer-by-layer melting of plastic. If according to SLA printers everything is clear. The scope of their application is jewelry, dentistry, high-precision prototypes of small parts. Then we will dwell on FDM printers in more detail. There is a lot more variety of different options for implementing printers.

Nuance 2: Evaluate your needs

Of course, you always want to get all the best and with maximum opportunities. Do you need all this to solve your current problems? What can be cited as an example? For example, the size of the working area of ​​the FDM 3D printer. There are printers on the market with a large print area (1m x 1m x 1m), and with a very small one (100mm x 100mm x100mm). But for most tasks, a certain standard has already developed. This is the printable area within 200 x 200 x 200 mm. With slight fluctuations in size in one direction or another. Most 3D printers have exactly this size of the working area. This volume is enough to solve 95% of any tasks. But options are possible ... If you plan to manufacture small parts, then a smaller size will probably be enough for you. But if your work will be related to manufacturing, for example, a master model for casting, or large prototypes, then only then it makes sense to pay attention to a printer with a large print area. In other cases, the size of the print area larger than the standard is nothing more than a nice bonus. But as they say, you have to pay for everything. Therefore, most often it makes sense to focus on the “standard” print area. And even if the part you need to print is larger than the working area of ​​your 3D printer, you can always cut it in a special editor, and then print 2 parts of the model and glue them together.

Nuance 3 : Decide on the complexity of the products

You should decide for yourself how complex models you will print on a 3D printer. If you plan to manufacture complex prototypes, or complex art models, then you need a 3D printer that can print with two materials. This is necessary so that your printer can print supports from soluble material. If the models are not the most complex, then you can get by with one extruder and save the budget. A complex model is a model with a large number of elements suspended in the air, or a model whose elements have angles of more than 30 degrees.

Point 4: Decide on the list of materials to be used.

Another important point. You must immediately determine for yourself a list of possible materials with which you are going to print. This primarily applies to materials with a high degree of shrinkage, such as ABS and Nylon. In order to print with such materials, a heated table is clearly required in a 3D printer. And it is very desirable to have a closed case to provide a thermal circuit around the model. If you plan to print only with PLA plastic. You don't need a heated table. But still it is better that the printer has a heated table. Now the difference in the cost of printers with a heated table is practically the same as the cost without it. But you get a universal solution with which you can perform the full range of tasks facing a 3D printer. One more moment. Ability to print with flexible materials Quite a number of 3D printers face the problem of printing with flexible materials. Of course, printing with various Flexes and Rubbers is very interesting at first glance. But the use of these materials in life is not very common. Usually, for most people, this happens like this: A couple of models are printed, and the understanding comes that this is not a fast and rather complicated process. And this is where the acquaintance with flexible materials ends. Therefore, it makes sense to demand such an opportunity from the printer if printing with such materials is very necessary.

Nuance 5: Construction and kinematics

Next, you need to pay attention to the design of the 3D printer. Even if you are not a great specialist in technology, you can immediately see that some printers have an open design. And others are closed. As they like to be called in the Russian-speaking community "cubes". What does the appearance say? Printers with an open design, usually have kinematics with a horizontally moving table (based on Prusa 3D printers). This kinematics has some inherent flaws. Such as, not the highest print speed and possible print quality problems associated with the complexity of the settings. First of all, this is the so-called wobble. Also, the lack of a closed case can cause print quality problems with high shrinkage plastics (ABS, Nylon). The main advantage of printers of this design is their price. It is usually lower. But as you know, you have to pay for everything. In this case, the worst performance. The so-called "cubes" today, is the main design, which is represented by leading manufacturers on the market. Such printers are built according to the lifting table scheme. And they lack most of the shortcomings that are inherent in printers from the previous group. “Cubes” usually have a closed body, which allows the highest quality printing with plastics with a high degree of shrinkage. Closed case printers are more rigid. This results in better quality printing. The kinematics of moving the print head is represented by various designs. They have their pros and cons. But most of them have advantages over moving table printer circuits.

Nuance 6: Diameter and changeable nozzle

Most 3D printers on the market come with 0. 3-0.4mm nozzles. This is enough to solve the vast majority of tasks facing a 3D printer. Some of the printers have the ability to install a nozzle of a different diameter, others do not. As we wrote above, the need to print with nozzles with a diameter other than 0.3-0.4 mm arises very infrequently. This mainly concerns, or personal experiments, or some very specific tasks. If you do not plan to do this, then this opportunity is not so necessary. What do we mean by specific tasks? This is especially true for printing large items, where it is very important to reduce the printing time. This can be achieved by using large diameter nozzles. For example, with a diameter of 0.6-0.8 mm, or even a diameter of 1 mm. For printers with a large printable area, the ability to change nozzles is already a vital necessity. Therefore, here, as in the case of a heated table, the ability to change nozzles is a good bonus. It is not mandatory, but very useful if you do not have to pay extra for it.

Nuance 7: Print thickness

It is important to understand that most models on a 3D printer are printed with a layer of 0. 1-0.2 mm. These are the optimal values ​​that allow you to achieve quality and acceptable print speed. There are a certain number of printers that allow you to print with a layer of less than 0.05 mm, and get very high quality prints. But then there is the problem of a sharp increase in print time. And if such print quality is important to you, then it probably makes sense to turn your attention to 3D printers, which we talked about at the very beginning of the article. These are 3D printers using SLA or DLP technology.

Nuance 8: Extruder type

Today there are two main types of extruder. This is a direct extruder in which the bar feed motor is located in the printhead itself. And the so-called Bowden extruder, where the plastic feed motor is located on the body. And the plastic itself is fed to the extruder through a fluoroplastic tube. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each type of extruder? Bowden extruder, due to the lack of a motor on the print head, has less weight. And therefore, it has greater positioning accuracy, which affects the print quality. And a higher speed of movement, which, accordingly, has a positive effect on the speed of printing. But it has one drawback. It is usually difficult to print with flexible plastics on a Bowden extruder. Such as Rubber or Flex. All its positive features, this extruder reveals when using plastic with a diameter of 2.85-3.00 mm. But this type of plastic is less common than the now standard plastic with a diameter of 1.75 mm. And therefore, users of printers with such plastic are often deprived of the opportunity to use new types of materials. Which are primarily produced in the most common form factor of 1.75mm. The direct extruder usually doesn't have such big problems with flexible plastics. Easier to set up, but due to the greater mass of the print head, it is inferior to the Bowden extruder in terms of speed and positioning accuracy. What to prefer? This is the user's choice. We just wanted to talk about the pros and cons of these extruder types. Of course, there are many more nuances when choosing a 3D printer. But we think that even our small list will force you to look and study some points that you may not have thought about more closely. And it will save you time and money when choosing a 3D printer. 3Dtool company has extensive experience in the 3D equipment market. We work with leading Russian and foreign manufacturers, offering high-quality equipment for a reasonable price. Our service center is staffed by highly qualified specialists who are able to solve any problem in the shortest possible time, and all offered 3D printers come with a 1-year warranty.

In our assortment you can always find 3D printers for your tasks:

1) Budget 3D printers

2) 3D printers for business

3) Large area 3D printers

4) SLA and DLP 3D printers

Do you have any questions?

Call: +7 (495) 324-07-90 (Moscow) and 8 (800) 775-86-69 (toll-free in the Russian Federation) or write to the mail: sales@3dtool. ru and our employees will be happy to give you a detailed consultation on any topic of interest.


Which 3D printer to choose for home and hobby

A few years ago, 3D printers were bulky industrial machines, but now 3D printing is becoming more accessible for home use. When buying their first printer, many are disappointed. This may be due to the unsatisfactory quality of the resulting models or the complex setup and maintenance of the 3D printer.

In the reviews that are found on the Internet, printers are often shown after a lot of upgrades or a long selection of settings for printing. This is not at all the result that a beginner who first got acquainted with 3D printing will get.

In order not to be disappointed, before buying, you need to understand which model is suitable for your tasks. First of all, it is worth deciding what the printer will be used for. What is the main property that finished products should have? What is more important, the physical properties of the model or the ideal surface and detail? Not only the model depends on this, but also the technology by which the 3D printer will work.

Which technology to choose? FDM or LCD?

If you need to make a small detailed figurine with a perfectly smooth surface, you should pay attention to models that work on LCD technology (LCD works on a principle similar to DLP - Digital Light Processing or “digital light processing”).

LCD prints using a photopolymer resin that cures under UV light. This makes it possible to produce without deformation, even small and thin products that cannot be manufactured using FDM technology.

Resin model

Now on sale there are many photopolymer resins with different properties. A few years ago the choice was not great. Basically, finished products were not strong enough for use in functional models. Now engineering resins have begun to appear on sale. Products from them are not inferior in strength to models made using FDM technology from ABS or even nylon.

If it is necessary to produce large products with different properties, or the tasks will be very diverse, then the choice is with FDM technology. But it is important to understand that finished products will not have a perfectly smooth surface. Of course, you can polish the model, but this is additional time and labor costs.

FDM technology builds a model using molten plastic filament, which is fed from the print head. The print head (extruder) “grows” the model layer by layer on the printing table.

FDM Models

FDM technology became widespread much earlier than DLP. Thanks to this, a wide variety of 3D printers and consumables for them has appeared. You can find many decorative plastics that mimic various materials, or engineering plastics for making functional models or mock-ups.

Choosing an LCD printer

Photopolymer printers work on one of 3 technologies - DLP, LCD or SLA.

As home printers, devices based on LCD technology are usually used due to their availability and low price.

Printer design

SLA technology appeared the very first among photopolymer printers. With the help of a point-focused beam, the desired areas of the resin are gradually illuminated. This is repeated layer by layer.

How SLA 9 works0099

Since the surface of the model is perfectly smooth, SLA has become used in the jewelry and dental industries.

Pros:

Cons:

DLP technology appeared later than SLA, but it is very similar to it. The main difference is that the light source is not a focused beam, but a projector. This made it possible to illuminate the entire layer at once, which significantly accelerated the production of models. The quality of the surface was slightly inferior to SLA, but modern DLP printers, in terms of the quality of models, are almost as good as SLA technology.

How DLP works

Pros:

  • Faster production of models due to the illumination of the entire layer

  • Consumables are slightly cheaper than SLA

  • High surface quality (although may be inferior to SLA)

Cons:

LCD technology is the youngest of all. The DLP principle is taken as a basis, but an LCD display is used as a matrix or illumination pattern. LEDs are used as a source of UV light in LCD technology. Thanks to inexpensive components, we managed to get a simple, but high-quality and affordable photopolymer printer.


How the LCD printer works

Pros:

  • small cost

  • Cheap parts

Cons:

  • Low accuracy compared to SLA and DLP (for jewelers and dentists, the quality of LSD printing may not be enough, although more and more accurate models appear with the development of technology)

  • Possible stray light

  • The quality of models may decrease at the edges of the printable area (this can be corrected programmatically)

Resins that are used as a consumable for photopolymer printing can smell strongly and unpleasantly during operation. Try to use the printer in a well-ventilated area, or choose a printer with a sealed cabinet and filter.

When choosing an LCD printer, pay special attention to the rigidity and positioning accuracy of the platform along the Z axis. If there are poor quality guides along the Z axis or even a slight play, then the surface quality of the finished model may turn out to be sloppy or the model will turn out to be unevenly striped.

Rating of the best LCD 3D printers for home

Anycubic Photon Mono

This is an LCD printer with a matrix that allows you to increase the speed and accuracy of printing. Anycubic Photon Mono will be a good helper for hobbyists and modellers.

Anycubic Photon Mono SE

Anycubic Photon Mono SE has an unusual parallel light source. This minimizes distortion at the edges of the printable area. You can effectively use the entire working area of ​​the machine and produce many small models at a time.

Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K

Model with high resolution LCD display and large print area. The monochrome display transmits UV rays better and allows you to print much faster than similar devices with a conventional display. The manufacturer claims a screen life of more than 2000 hours. Phrozen Sonic mini 4k is suitable for almost any task.

Wanhao GR1

Wanhao GR1 has high precision and large print area (140x78x200mm). The manufacturer tried to reduce distortion at the edges of the display, this allows you to make the most of the entire work area. High precision and a large print area allow Wanhao GR1 to be used not only for hobby, but also in production.

Anycubic Photon Zero

Small and very budgetary LCD device. Its resolution and small working area (total 97x54x150 mm) is enough for printing small miniatures, figurines or small engineering models. Anycubic Photon Zero is a good choice for beginners who want to get into photopolymer printing without spending a lot of money.

Choose FDM printer

If you plan to produce large and diverse functional models or experiment, a 3D printer that prints using FDM technology is an excellent choice.

First, decide on the size of the printable area and the properties that the finished model should have. After all, some materials require a closed chamber or good airflow to work.

Some printer models can be “upgraded” in the future. For example, if necessary, purchase spare parts for a closed case, put a nozzle of a different diameter, or change the thermal barrier to an all-metal one. But not all manufacturers provide for the possibility of such upgrades.

Printer design

Despite the same principle of operation, there are several different mechanics, which have their pros and cons.

Kinematics “Prusa” (Prusa)

Perhaps the most popular kinematics among home FDM devices. Mainly due to its simplicity and low cost. The main feature is the table that moves along the Y axis, while the extruder moves along the rest of the axes. Because of this, such kinematics was nicknamed “dragstol”.


Prusa kinematics

Pros:

Cons:

  • Slow print speeds. A massive table with a model is forced to constantly move along the Y axis, because of this, print quality will be worse at high speeds.

  • Some models have design flaws (for example, insufficient frame rigidity), they can be fixed, but for this you will have to be a little inventor. Or find a ready-made solution on the Internet.

This category also includes 3D printers with console kinematics. The same prusa, only halved. Because of this, the frame is less rigid, but the printer itself is more compact.

Kinematics Ultimaker

The extruder moves along the X-Y axes, and the table only along the Z axis. All motors are trying to be fixed on the body to lighten the weight of the moving mechanisms, thanks to which it is possible to achieve high print quality at high speeds.


Ultimaker kinematic diagram

Pros:

Cons:

H-BOT or Core-XY

These are 2 similar but more complex kinematics - the table moves only along the Z axis, and the extruder along the X-Y. But to move the extruder, 1 or 2 long belts and 2 stepper motors work in concert.

Example Core-XY kinematics

Pros:

  • High print quality

  • High print speeds without loss of quality.

  • Can be easily closed completely

Cons:

MakerBot Kinematics

Similar to the Ultimaker kinematics, but one of the motors is located on the Y or X axis carriage.

Pros:

Cons:

Delta

Deltas do not have the usual XYZ axes. There are 3 columns in the deltas, along which the carriages move, and the position of the extruder in space is calculated using a complex formula. The table is usually statically fixed to the body.


Delta printer example

Pros:

Cons:

Nuances of choosing an FDM 3D printer


In addition to kinematics, when choosing a printer, it is important to take into account some design features.

One or two extruders?

Two extruders can be used for dual color printing, but most commonly the second extruder is used for solvent support printing. If you need to print complex parts with internal cavities, then you should choose a dual extruder printer.

Closed or open printer?

Printing of functional models and parts uses plastic, which usually requires a closed chamber. If you plan to print functional prototypes or various models, you should look at printers with a closed chamber.

Bowden or direct?

There are 2 types of material supply to the print head of the printer - bowden and direct.

In a bowden, the feed mechanism motor is located on the printer body. This allows you to reduce the weight of the extruder and print at higher speeds without losing quality. But because of the long tube, printing with very soft plastics can be problematic.

Bowden feed pattern

In direct feeding, the motor and feed mechanism are located on the extruder. This increases the weight of the print head, but allows you to print with any kind of plastics.

Direct feeding scheme

Heated table or not?

The heating of the table improves the adhesion of the first layer of the model. And engineering plastics cannot be printed without a heated table.

Many manufacturers add useful additional features. They do not affect the quality of the print, but save time and nerves. The most useful additional functions are the filament presence sensor and remembering the print location after a power outage.

Filament sensor.

It will automatically pause printing if the plastic runs out. When there is a little plastic left on the spool, this feature will allow you not to stand over the guard printer until the old spool runs out in order to have time to push in a new bar “on the go”.

Power outage protection.

Remembering where to print when the power goes out can save you a lot of nerves when printing large models. You won't have to worry that after a power outage, you will have to run the model again for many hours or cut and reprint a piece of the model. It is especially disappointing to throw away a complex underprinted model with supports due to a one-minute outage.

There are also many extras. features that make using the printer more comfortable. For example, automatic calibration, touch screen, Wi-Fi and others.


Rating of the best FDM 3D printers for home

Anycubic Mega Zero 2.0

Inexpensive model with Pryusha kinematics. Good for getting started with 3D printing without a big investment. Despite the low cost, Anycubic Mega Zero 2.0 has a heated table and a resume function after a power outage. Thanks to direct feed, printing with soft materials should not be difficult.

Creality3D Ender 3 Pro

A very popular device due to its low price. But despite this, the Ender 3 Pro has a heated table and a decent print area. Can be sold assembled or as a DIY kit.

Flash Forge Finder


Small home appliance intended for children or educational institutions. The Finder doesn't have a heated table, but it does have a calibration assistant, a Wi-Fi module, and other additional features that make getting to know it a lot easier. All moving and heated elements are hidden as much as possible in the case so that the child cannot get burned.

Wanhao Duplicator 6 Plus

Wanhao Duplicator 6 Plus was based on Ultimaker kinematics, but instead of bowden feed, they made direct. Because of this, it will not be possible to print super fast, without quality loss, but there will be no problems with printing with soft types of plastics. There are 2 trim levels - with a closed case and without.

Flashforge Dreamer

The Dreamer is a closed body dual extruder printer with MakerBot kinematics. Thanks to this, he can cope with printing models of any complexity. Using a second extruder for soluble support, models with complex geometries can be produced. A good choice for engineers and those who like to experiment with different materials.

FlyingBear Ghost 5

Most commonly sold as a kit (assembly kit). Assembly usually does not cause any great difficulties, even for people far from electronics or mechanics. Flying Bear is equipped with a filament sensor, a function to resume printing after a power outage and Wi-Fi connectivity.

The Flying Bear makes a great first printer for the novice user who is ready to build their own printer.

Totals

In order for the printer not to become a useless toy, you should clearly understand what it is for.

For a fan of miniatures or detailed figurines, a photopolymer printer is a good choice. A small work area is more than offset by the detail that cannot be obtained using other technologies.

For an engineer or a fan of experiments, an FDM machine with a closed chamber and two extruders is well suited. This will allow you not to limit yourself in the choice of plastics and comfortably experiment with any materials.

For a beginner who has not yet decided whether he needs 3D printing, you can opt for inexpensive machines with slick kinematics. Due to their great popularity, you can find a lot of upgrades and reviews on them.

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