3D printer price range explained
3D printer are relatively new tools than open a door to a whole new realm of possibilities. It does not matter whether you are trying to design a wrench, care, mobile phone or a figurine of yourself, you can print a model using a 3D printer. There are many different devices on the market vastly varying in price from relatively cheap (under £145/$200) to very expensive (£3,625/$5,000 and above!).
What determines the price of the 3D printer is the capabilities and size of it. A wide range of technologies are also used in the different machines, from Digital Light Processing (DLP) to FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling), Stereolithography and more. If that sounds daunting and complicated don’t worry, choosing the right 3D printer for you is actually quite simple. Let us help you!
Some general guidelines before we even begin to delve into the different models and features:
What do you want to print? – It will be important to know what you want to print before you choose a 3D printer. If you are planning on printing big models you will need to purchase a machine capable of that, and vice versa if you are only going to creating tiny parts you do not need an industrial-scale printer.
Safety features – 3D printer that come with safety features are usually well made and of high-quality. Some FDM printers may cool the nozzle or move the nozzle away from the object when you pause or finish, preventing heat damage or excess filament landing on your creation.
High-quality features – Some features may seem like you do not need them, but they have a great impact on the overall printing experience. Look out for touchscreens, heated glass beds and dual filament support.
Resolution – 3D printing resolution is measured in microns. The lower end of FDM machines have around 25 microns, whereas higher-end resin printers have around 100. The resolution on your final print can be adjusted on the machine itself.
Reputable brand – It is a good idea to find a manufacture with a decent customer support system. This can help you if you run into problems down the line with your machine and need assistance.
Once you have your needs figured out, you will need to find a machine that will be able to give you the functionality that you require. There are three main areas that define a 3D printers abilities and they are:
3D printer build area
This is quite straightforward; the build area of a 3D printer indicates that maximum size of an object that it can produce. 3D printers can come in various shapes and sizes, depending on the needs of the user. However, you must pay attention to the specific build area of the models that you are looking at, some might have more height, whereas others might allow for wider objects to be created.
You may have to rotate some of your designs to fit the build area if a certain parameter does not fit. In general, the bigger the build area the better, it gives you much more freedom and flexibility with your designs. Bear in mind that typically the larger the build area is, the larger the price tag is! So you will have to determine what the sweet spot between affordability and functionality is for you.
3D printing materials
The basic principle of 3D printing is that a filament is heated up until it is workable, and it is the moulded into the preprogramed shape that is given to the machine. It is important to know that there is not just one material that can be used for this application, and different printers use different materials.
The most used filaments for 3D printing are PLA and ABS. These are used because they create temperature resistant and durable objects, but there are also other options available. If you have a specific material in mind, ensure that the machine you are buying is compatible with it before purchasing.
Other materials like clay, Sugru, and metal can also be used for 3D printing, but they are not as reliable as filaments. So if you are looking for a consistent dependable results we recommend to stay away from these materials, however if you are the experimental type that be our guest!
3D printer print speed
Not to dampen your excitement around 3D printing, but even with all of the advancements in recent years, 3D printing is still relatively slow. Low-end printers can produce around 50mm per second. Models that are larger in size take a significant amount of time because of this.
Faster printers can generate quicker models; however their layers are more noticeable and the overall finished product looks less refined. Some printers add an extra nozzle to speed up the process, and this also allows for multiple materials to be used at the same time. These are known as dual-extruder printers, and could be worth taking a look at.
In the end, it all comes down to the user’s personal preference and needs. We hope that we could assist you in an exciting purchase that will get you prototyping and creating in no time. If you are still unsure of what model could suit your needs the best, remember you can always acquire a relatively cheap model to test before committing to a large investment.