3D Printer Buying Guide

3D Printer Buying Guide: What You Need to Know Before You Buy One

3D Printing in Manufacturing

The first 3D printers were developed in the ‘80s, but they really didn’t take off until the mid-2000s, when the price of hardware and the number of software tools available for model creation fell.

 Now, many different industries use 3D printers to help with everything from product prototyping to medical research. The most common use for 3D printers is for prototyping. Designers, engineers, and product managers can use CAD software to quickly design a prototype and print it out with a 3D printer.

This is faster and cheaper than sending a prototype to a manufacturer and waiting for it to be manufactured, assembled, and shipped. For example, if a company is designing a new car, there are hundreds of components that need to be designed and fit together perfectly.

The designers might create the engine and transmission, the side panels, wheels, steering wheel, and more — and each one could go through several prototype design changes before the company is satisfied with the design.

3D Printing for Consumers

For consumers, 3D printing is mostly used to create basic prototypes, models, and household items like toys, phone cases, and decorations. Many people also use it to print replacement parts for broken appliances, including refrigerators and washing machines.

 Some people even use 3D printers to create manufactured goods like clothing, appliances, and furniture. The big advantage of 3D printing over other manufacturing methods is that you don’t need a factory to start production. You can use a home 3D printer to create just a few items or even a single prototype.

On the other hand, 3D printing is not a perfect technology. It’s slow, expensive, and the print quality varies from machine to machine.

 Because 3D printing is an additive process, each object is built layer by layer out of plastic, so it can take hours to produce a single item.

What to Look for When Buying a 3D Printer

There are quite a few things to keep in mind when shopping for a 3D printer. First, decide whether you want to print with filament or if you’re looking for a machine that uses resin. Resin-based printers are more likely to create higher-quality items but are also more expensive.

Next, you’ll want to decide what size objects you want to be able to print. Smaller 3D printers can print more detailed prototypes, but they can only print small items. Larger printers can create larger objects but can’t print as many intricate details.

 Finally, think about your budget. If you want to be able to produce more than just prototypes, you’ll probably want to invest in a more reliable, long-term machine that will last for years.

Types of 3D Printers

FDM - Fused deposition modeling, or FDM, is the most common type of 3D printing. It extrudes a filament of plastic through a nozzle and uses a heat source to harden it.

• FDM printers can be very cheap (less than £300) and are used in both industrial manufacturing and consumer applications.

• SLA - A stereolithography 3D printer uses a UV laser to harden a resin into an object. SLA printers can be very expensive (£5,000+), but they can print very high-quality items and are used for industrial prototyping and creating medical equipment.

• SLS - Selective laser sintering 3D printers use a laser to fuse a powder into an object. SLS printers can create very large items and are used for industrial manufacturing and architectural prototyping.

• DML - Direct metal laser sintering uses a laser to fuse together a metal powder and create an object. DML printers are used for industrial manufacturing and can create large pieces.

What to look for when buying a 3-D printer?

The first thing to look for is:

• how easy is it to use the printer?
• How easy is it to load the filament?
• Can you use it with a mobile device? Does it have an LCD screen?
• Does it have Wi-Fi capability?
• Does it have an SD card slot?

Then, you should look at the build volume.

• What size objects can this printer make?
• Is there a heated bed? Does it have an extrusion rate of at least 20-25 mm/sec?

Finally, you should think about the price.

• What are you willing to pay for a printer?
• How many hours of use can you get out of it before it breaks?
• What features does it have?
• What materials can you use it with?

 Be sure to look at our list below for the best 3-D printers under £1,000.

XYZprinting da Vinci 1.0 Pro 3-D Printer

The XYZprinting da Vinci 1.0 Pro is a simple and easy to use 3-D printer with a small build area of 8 x 6 x 6 inches. It has an LCD screen and works with both Mac and Windows operating systems.

You can use this printer with a variety of different materials including PLA, ABS, wood, HIPS, PVA and Nylon. This printer comes fully assembled so you can start printing right out of the box!

It also has an easy to use wireless feature that allows you to print wirelessly from your computer or mobile device anywhere in your house or office!

This printer comes with free apps so you can edit your files before printing them on the printer and even use special features like color changing filament!

The da Vinci 1.0 Pro is a good choice for beginners or those on a budget.

Flashforge Finder 3-D Printer

The Flashforge Finder is a budget friendly 3-D printer that will give you professional results for a fraction of the price!

 It has an easy to use LCD panel, adjustable temperature settings and even built in WiFi so you can print wirelessly from almost anywhere in your house or office! The Finder also comes with free apps that allow you to edit your files before printing them on the printer.

This printer also works with both Mac and Windows operating systems so it’s compatible with most computers! The Flashforge Finder comes fully assembled so you can start printing right out of the box!

 This printer has an 8 x 5 x 6 inch build area and works with PLA, ABS, wood, HIPS, PVA and Nylon materials.

You can print both small and large objects on this printer making it perfect for everything from prototypes to finished products!

XYZprinting da Vinci 1.0 3-D Printer

The da Vinci 1.0 is a high quality, entry level printer that’s perfect for beginners! This printer is fully enclosed and has an automatic platform leveling system so you can focus on your designs instead of keeping the printer level!

If you’re looking for a solid, easy to use printer that won’t break the bank, then the da Vinci 1.0 is a great choice! This printer comes with XYZware, XYZmaker and XYZcloud software so you can use your computer to edit your models before printing them on the printer!

It also comes with free apps for both iPhone and Android devices so you can print wirelessly from anywhere in your house or office!

 The da Vinci 1.0 has an 8 x 6 x 5 inch build area and works with PLA, ABS, PVA and Nylon materials making it great for anything from prototypes to finished products!

MakerBot Replicator Desktop 3D Printer

The MakerBot Replicator is one of the most popular 3D printers on the market today! This printer is easy to use and comes with a convenient LCD screen so you can learn about your printer and print status at a glance!

The Replicator comes with MakerWare software so you can edit your models, slice them and send them to your printer wirelessly using a USB drive or SD card!

 The Replicator has an 8 x 6 x 6 inch build area making it perfect for printing larger objects and it works with PLA, ABS and other common materials so you can print everything from prototypes to finished products.

XYZprinting da Vinci Jr. 1.0 3-D Printer

The da Vinci Jr. is an entry level printer that’s perfect for beginners! This printer has automatic platform leveling, dual extruders (so you can print in two colors) and a 5.9 x 5.9 x 5.9 inch build area making it perfect for printing larger objects!

 The da Vinci Jr. has XYZware software that’s easy to use and comes with a handy touchscreen display so you can control your printer, slice your models and view the print status at a glance!

Where to buy a 3D Printer?

Because 3D printers can be used in many different industries, there are many different places you can buy them, including online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay. You can also find them in local electronics stores, at technology conferences, and in 3D printing meetups.

You can even buy used printers on sites like Craigslist, so be sure to do your research before making any purchases. The best places to look for printers are websites that specialize in 3D printing.

 They offer a wide selection of printers and will often have reviews from customers that offer helpful information about each machine.

 These sites will also let you know if there are any discounts available or if you can use your manufacturer’s coupon to save money on a printer.

Tips and Tricks: How to Find the Best Cheap 3D Printer

If you’re looking for a cheap 3D printer, don’t settle for an unreliable or low-quality machine. A £100 printer is likely to be just as disappointing as a £1,000 printer.

You might even end up spending more in the long run if the printer breaks or needs to be replaced quickly. It’s best to spend a little more up front and buy a reliable, high-quality printer.

This will save you time and money down the line when you don’t have to buy a new printer after a few uses.

You also don’t want to spend a lot of time troubleshooting a cheap printer, so it’s best to buy a machine that’s well-engineered and can print quickly and easily.

Conclusion

There are many different types of 3D printers available, and each one has different benefits and drawbacks.

To find the best printer for your needs, you’ll want to think about how you’ll be using it, how often you’ll be using it, and how much you’re willing to spend.

 Once you’ve found the printer that’s right for you, you’ll be able to create almost anything you can imagine.