With 3D printers becoming more popular, functional and accessible than ever, many people are on the lookout for the best brand of 3D printer on the market. With so many options available, it can be easy to get lost in a haze of specifications, materials and technology you’ve never even heard of. So where do you start? Lucky for you, we have simplified the process for you by pointing you in the right direction. Snapmaker is not only an affordable, state-of-the-art brand, but their printers are easy to use, efficient and made to produce high-quality models and parts. If you are a beginner, the easy set-up, wealth of learning resources and safety add-ons are ideal for your first 3D printer. Alternatively, if you know your way around a 3D printer; the precision FDM technology, high-resolution capabilities and material versatility are great for those looking to use their machine for a variety of models, parts and jobs. To prove it to you, here are just a few reasons you should choose Snapmaker when searching for a 3D printer for sale.
3D Printing Technology
There are two main technologies that 3D printer companies use; SLA (stereolithography) and FDM (fused deposition modeling). While SLA technology is generally used for high-resolution work, machines that use it tend to be slower and more expensive to run. Snapmaker’s printers all use FDM technology, making their machines faster, less expensive and able to work with a much wider variety of materials. Their printers use singular or dual heated extrusion nozzles to melt the desired material (in the form of filament) in vertical and horizontal directions. This process, known as an additive 3D printing process, is ideal for producing full-size models as well as smaller parts quickly and efficiently.
Size
When choosing a 3D printer, size is a vital factor to consider. Not only do you want to ensure your printer fits your workspace, but you want to make sure it is adequate for the models or parts you wish to print. Even Snapmaker’s highest model does not exceed 665 mm × 943 mm × 705 mm (size of the enclosure), making it less bulky than other 3D printers available. The build or work area of a 3D printer is the maximum dimension or volume of the model it is capable of building. Snapmaker’s work areas go up to 350 mm × 400 mm × 400 mm, typically smaller than other printers on the market. The smaller size of this printer makes it ideal for high-precision work and is more cost-effective than it’s larger counterparts. Need to print a bigger design? Most model designs are able to be broken into smaller parts, providing the opportunity for more precise, moving parts in your creation.
Resolution
As with all printers, a 3D printer can offer different levels of resolution. The resolution of a printer is determined by the smallest possible movement of its nozzle. The smaller the movement available, the more material that can be deposited there- producing finer detail, clarity and an overall higher quality print than those with a larger minimum movement capability. Those printers with lower resolution produce a grainier, more inferior quality; as they are not able to produce the more accurate details achieved by finer nozzle movement. In the Snapmaker’s 2.0 series, printers achieve a resolution of 50-300 microns- depending on the layer height selected, while most equivalent 3D printers for sale only offer 100-200 microns.
Printer speed
The speed of your 3D printer is important to consider, and you may be fooled into thinking that faster equals better. However, a lot of speedier printers on the market sacrifice quality while doing so. A 3D printer that operates too quickly can cause defects in your model, as well as potentially overheating and deteriorating the machine itself. However, a printer that is too slow has its own issues, as filament can dry too quickly or unevenly as the nozzle rests in one place for too long. Snapmaker has created a printer that moves quickly and efficiently whilst not having detrimental effects on the quality of the print and longevity of the printer. When Snapmaker’s 3D printers are used for higher resolution work by adjusting the layer height, the speed of printing is slowed down to accommodate so that quality and care for your machine are not compromised.
Materials
One issue buyers come across when searching for 3D printers for sale is that their chosen model may not accommodate the type of material they wish to use. Or, they buy a printer with a specific project or material in mind, only to be limited to one or two filaments or photopolymers when they wish to move on to something new. Typically, FDM technology is more versatile when it comes to suitable materials, and Snapmaker’s printers are no exception. Their printers are compatible with PLA, Wood PLA, PETG, ABS and TPU. What’s more, their 3-in-1 model’s CNC carving capability can be used on a variety of materials such as wood, acrylic, PCB, carbon fibre sheet and even jade.
Software
Finally, in order to use a 3D printer, you will require 3D printing software. 3D printing software is necessary to facilitate the print you desire by relaying the model information to the printer. Once you have the design you want, your software then guides the precision printing process. Having the right software for your printer is important because some software cannot support certain designs or facilitate models that are too detailed. When you have the correct software, however, you are not only able to print what you wish; but you can also customise designs to your preference within the software itself. Snapmaker provides its own, tailored software Luban with every printer sold. This software is provided for free with any Snapmaker product and comes with tutorials and user manuals for getting started. Even better, Snapmaker is compatible with a variety of third-party software including Cura, Simplify3D, Slic3r and Repetier.