Advances in technology have made it possible to print objects in 3D. There are just so many objects that you can create using a3D printer. Some of the objects that you can create with the aid of a 3D printer include jewelry, door knobs, toys and figurines, action figures, flower vases, and many more. But buying a 3D printer can be a bit complicated because there are several features that you need to consider.
This article comes in handy because it presents the five major things that you need to know about 3D printers so that you can make an informed decision before buying one. If you have searched for 'buy 3D printer', these are the things that you need to know about 3D printers.
- Resolution
Resolution matters in all types of printers because it determines the quality of output that you can get from any printing device. As regards 3D Printing, Resolution defines the quality or level of detail that an object that is created by a 3D printer has.
If your Printer has a low resolution, it will create objects that appear blocky, grainy, or of low quality. This is because the printing material is not deposited evenly on the surface, leading to the graininess of the final product. The contrast is that 3D printers with high resolutions are able to create objects that appear even, smooth, well finished, and of high quality.
The level of detail of an object that is created by a 3D printer is generally determined by the Printer's movement on the XYZ planes. A fine resolution is created when the print nozzles make smaller movements as they extrude the printing material.
Smaller movements make it possible for more material to be deposited at the site that is being printed, meaning that the object that is created will have a higher resolution or a finer look. On the other hand, if the print nozzles make large movements, they deposit lesser materials, and this leads to the printed object having a grainy look.
Since 3D printers create objects that have three dimensions, you should consider the features of all these dimensions before you decide to buy one. You should particularly be keen on the XY dimension as well as the Z-axis. The device that you select should be able to perform well with respect to the XY plane and the Z (height) dimension.
- Build Area (Size of Print Bed)
The build area of a 3D printer refers to the maximum size of an object that the Printer can create. In other words, build area means a printer's maximum print area. This parameter is measured in terms of the XYZ dimensions.
In general, it is common to find 3D printers with a print bed that measures five by 5x5 inches, which is adequate for Printing typical 3D objects. But a smaller print bed is not always a limiting factor when it comes to the size of the objects that a 3D printer can produce.
While working with some types of 3D printers that have a smaller build area, you can divide the job to be printed into smaller parts, which will be printed and then combined.
There are also 3D printers that have a small build area that will not be able to accommodate larger objects. Therefore, while selecting a 3D printer, you need to ensure that the device matches the types of printing jobs that you would like to work on.
- Printing Technology Used
If you search for 'buy 3D printer', you are likely to find printers that are based on any of these two technologies: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and stereolithography (SLA).
FDM is the most commonly used 3D printing technology in devices that are available in the market. FDM printers use dual or singular extruders that can be used with thermoplastic filaments. The filament is loaded into the Printer using the material spool and is heated and deposited onto a heated platform.
SLA printers, on the other hand, use photopolymers instead of filaments. A photopolymer is a light-sensitive substance whose properties change when it is subjected to light. Rather than using an extrusion nozzle, an SLA printer uses a laser to deposit resin onto the surface that is being printed.
Overall, SLA printers have higher resolutions but produce prints at much slower speeds compared to FDM devices. Also, FDM printers tend to be inexpensive when compared to SLA devices, but because FDM involves the use of extrusion nozzles, the images produced may have blemishes and therefore be of lower Resolution or lower quality.
When it comes to application, FDM printers are well suited for printing large, simple parts, while SLA devices are well matched for creating complex jigs and highly accurate tools and molds.
- Speed
You also need to consider your 3D Printer's speed because this is the feature that will determine how fast you can create prints using your device. Obviously, you would not like to buy a printer that will take ages to complete one printing job. But even as you look for a 3D printer that is fast, you should also ensure that the device's Resolution is good enough.
It is easy to find a printer that is fast but whose output is not so good. So you need to strike a perfect balance between the Printer's speed and its Resolution.
- Types of Printing Materials
There are many types of materials that you may want to use to create 3D objects with the aid of your Printer. But there may be a challenge in that different types of 3D printers are suited for Printing on certain types of materials. The types of materials that you would like to use should guide you on the type of Printer that you need to buy.
It makes sense to choose a printer that can be used with a wider range of materials rather than one that just uses a limited range of printing materials. But this again depends on the type of printing job that you would like to do.