Here Are Seven Things To Keep In Mind When Buying A 3d Printer

The purchase of the right 3D printer is no joke. In spite of the excitement and knowledge we get from a 3D printer choosing the right one is always a challenge. There are a variety of 3D printers available, each with its pros and pros and. It was very difficult for me to find my first 3D printer and went to buy Anet A6 3D printer after reading a post on the internet that recommends it for those who are new to the field. Well I was not totally wrong , but I would have conducted more research prior to buying my first 3D printer. I've put together a list of factors that every enthusiast and hobbyist needs to take into consideration and pick the printer that best suits their preference.

Volume Of The Print:

Each printer is limited in the amount of prints it can produce. Bigger the objects you are planning to print, the more robust and accurate the printer must be. Anet A6, which is a basic printer, can only print objects up to 220x220x240mm (W LxH). This is pretty small when you consider printing real-life objects such as robot arms or bust models. Always check the maximum print size prior to purchasing a 3D printer.

Auto/Manual Leveling The Bed

Leveling can be the most painful thing you need to work with in the course of industrial 3d printer. This requires adjusting the heating bed to make sure that the nozzle does not in contact with the floor. This could be extremely painful if you do it by hand all the time. While it is fun initially, the fun is gone after about three or four attempts. A perfect solution to this issue is an auto leveling feature that can level the heating bed for you and lets you print right away. This will save a lot of time over the long term and also save you a lot of hassle, however auto leveling printers come with an expensive price.

Different Types Of Filaments Use:

Filaments function as fuel for the 3D printer. It is the material that is heated , then extruded through nozzle to print desired objects. There are several filaments that are suitable to print 3D models. However, a particular 3D printer may only be able to print a limited number of filament types. Below is the table I found on the internet, this shows the types of filaments available and their properties.

Nozzle Size:

This is the part which is the one that extrudes the filament that has been melted. This Nozzle will move around the X, Y and Z directions to print the desired model. Sizes of the nozzles in a 3D printers can differ between different printers. 0.1, 0.2 , 0.3 and 0.4mm are the most common sizes for nozzles. They are the ones that with 0.1mm prints high-quality and 0.4mm being most commonly used. Also Nozzles made out of various materials like Brass, Steel, Titanium and so on are used in 3D printers. Printers with multiple extruders can be utilized to print many objects using various materials. Printers that are equipped with multiple extruders tend to be expensive, but they are fun to explore.

Resolution To Print:

Print resolution is something you will keenly look upon when quality of the print is important to you. The print resolution is what determines the detail of the print. You must know the distinction between XY and Vertical resolutions. The XY resolution refers the maximum distance that the motor of a stepper can traverse in a given time. Vertical resolution, often referred to as the layer height refers to the thickness of the material that is employed to print the object. The lower the resolution, the higher the quality and details in the print. Prints printed with lower resolution will have a smoother, more polished surface but this comes at the cost of using more filament and taking longer time to print.

Security:

3D printers come with a significant amount of risk. These include hot extruders, hot beds, mechanical components, toxic fumes resulting from melting certain filaments, and more. These aspects should be taken into consideration when buying an metal 3d printer one for your kids or if you have children who live with you. You can choose an enclosed 3D printer to safeguard yourself from injury. However, closed frame 3D printers come with a higher price in comparison to open frame counterparts.

Community:

You'll need lots of help in the beginning of 3D printing. Imagine if you have friends who have used the 3d printer you just bought! They'll be able to help you in the setup process and help you resolve any issues you might run into. This is the reason why they have a community. It's always best to purchase a 3D printer that has an enormous community behind. Forums, websites, Social media forums are great ways to join the community to seek help or ask for advice regarding your experience with 3D printing.