If hearing so many amazing things a 3D printer can build, it is natural to feel like buying it. You can start with printing models of customised phone cases, figurines, musical instruments, cosplay materials, and so on. The possibilities are endless when it comes to building something using a 3D printer.
But before you go and buy a 3D printer from the market, you need to be aware of certain things. Knowing them will help you make a better decision. There are many technical factors that you must be fully informed before you randomly purchase a machine.
We are going to mention 7 things that you must know before buying a 3D printer.
Type of Printer
There are several kinds of 3D printers you will find in the market. The printers fall in a broad spectrum, and before you purchase one, you must know which one is the best for you.
- Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) – This model is formed by extruding and heating plastic, layer by layer. Most 3D printers work using this mechanism. Therefore, they are easy to find and widely available in the market.
- Stereolithography – the process used in this printer is additive, but instead of heating plastics, it uses the ultraviolet light beam for hardening the product. The print produced by this 3D printer is of higher quality.
- Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) – Quite similar to stereolithography, this printer uses powders and lasers instead of ultraviolet rays. The laser is known to melt the powder and creates the layer of printing material. Metal objects can be printed using this printer, which isn’t possible using the other two printers.
Engage in 3D printer comparison to find out the one that suits your needs perfectly.
Build or Buy
The community of 3D printing has many makers and creators, so you may want to give a hand at building one. You will find printer kits and building instructions on the internet if you’re going to make it. It can be quite cheaper than buying from the market.
Cost
Another major factor that you will have to consider is the price of the printer. The price will vary depending on the output’s quality. High-Quality printers are known to be about $1000. Professional ones can also go up to $2000. But if you want to start low, you will find ones in $100 as well.
Raw Materials
The materials needed for 3D printing are of two types – Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) and Ploy Lactic Acid (PLA). They are thermoplastics and become malleable and soft when heat is applied. You will have to compare your needs against the pros and cons of the two types of materials. Depending on the final result, you must choose to buy a printer. Both of them have their merits and demerits. Think about your final product, and based on that select the one that is best.
Safety
Safety is another factor that you consider when you shop for 3D printers. As you will be working with heated plastics, it can result in severe burns if you do not take proper care. Some of the printers will not have any enclosure near the print area. Therefore, extra caution is mandatory. The fumes are also hazardous, therefore you should do proper research before heading to the store.
Quality
If you want high-quality prints, you will have to see which printer provides better print speed and print resolution. Many factors affect these two elements. Therefore, you need to keep all of that in mind when you purchase a 3D printer.
Community
When a printer is quite popular and loved by all, you will find an online community that supports it. You can look for these online communities and what they have to say. Based on their opinions, you can make your final decision.
Make sure you all of these factors in mind when you look for a quality 3D printer. It will make sure that you get your hands on a decent quality product that in your price range.
