3D printer: Difference between revisions

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== Introduction ==
This article shortly introduces 3D printers and provides some advice on selecting a printer. The original article, created many years ago, listed many printers, but I stopped upgrading systematically around 2016. The [Https://edutechwiki.unige.ch/mediawiki/index.php%3Ftitle%3D3D%20printer%26oldid%3D74536 old version] is still around. There are no endorsements, since I only owned a RapMan (2010), a [[Fabbster 3D printer|fabbster]] (given away), a Creality (2015, given away), four different [[:category:Felix 3D printer|Felix printers (1.0, 2.2, Pro2 and Tec4.1]] (I still use the latter two), a [[Fokoos Odin-5 F-3]] (2022, bought for 200 Euros on sale) and a [[:fr:Creality K1 Max 3D printer|Creality K1 Max]]. I also use Prusa mini and I3 printers in our fablab.


== Introduction ==
According to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_printingn Wikipedia], retrieved 11 April 2023, 3D printing or additive manufacturing is the construction of a three-dimensional object from a CAD model or a digital 3D model.[1] It can be done in a variety of processes in which material is deposited, joined or solidified under computer control,[2] with material being added together (such as plastics, liquids or powder grains being fused), typically layer by layer.  
According to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_printing Wikipedia], retrieved 14:48, 14 October 2011 (CEST), {{quotation|3D printing is a form of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Additive_manufacturing additive manufacturing technology] where a three dimensional object is created by laying down successive layers of material. 3D printers are generally faster, more affordable and easier to use than other additive manufacturing technologies. 3D printers offer product developers the ability to print parts and assemblies made of several materials with different mechanical and physical properties in a single build process. Advanced 3D printing technologies yield models that can serve as product prototypes.}}
[[image:maker-campfire.jpg|thumb|200px|3D printer as geek campfire (Source:[http://blog.makerbot.com/2009/04/27/maker-revolution-gathering-round-the-makerbot-campfire/])]]
[[image:maker-campfire.jpg|thumb|200px|3D printer as geek campfire (Source:[http://blog.makerbot.com/2009/04/27/maker-revolution-gathering-round-the-makerbot-campfire/])]]
This article shortly introduces 3D printing and then lists cheap open source and commercial 3D printers.


See also:
See also:
* [[3D printing]] (explains some principles).
* [[3D food printing]]
* [[Fab lab]] (for a wider technical picture)
* [[Fab lab]] (for a wider technical picture)
* [[3D printers in education]] and [[fab labs in education]] (for a wider picture in education)
* [[3D printers in education]] and [[fab labs in education]] (for a wider picture in education)
* Printer-specific articles ([[:Category: Felix 3D printer|Felix]], [[:Category:RapMan|RapMan]], and [[:Category:Fabbster 3D printer|Fabbster]]
* Printer-specific articles: [[:Category: Felix 3D printer|Felix]], [[:Category:RapMan|RapMan]], and [[:Category:Fabbster 3D printer|Fabbster]]
* [[#Software|Software (listed below)]]
* [[#Software|Software (listed below)]]
* [[Hobby milling]] (an alternative subtractive technology)
* [[Hobby milling]] (an alternative subtractive technology)
Line 16: Line 17:
* [[Slicers and user interfaces for 3D printers]]
* [[Slicers and user interfaces for 3D printers]]


=== 3D printing technology ===
'''3D printing technology'''
 
The most popular 3D printing techniques are:
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fused_filament_fabrication#Fused_deposition_modeling Fused deposition modeling] ('''FDM)''', also called Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). A typical example of the first available low cost kit that required a few days of assembly was the [[RapMan]]. As of 2023, entry level printers are cheap (around 300 Euros) and are assembled fairly quickly. Consumer-grade quality machines cost around 1000.
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereolithography Stereolithography] (SLA): {{quotation|is a form of 3-D printing technology used for creating models, prototypes, patterns, and production parts in a layer by layer fashion using photopolymerization, a process by which light causes chains of molecules to link, forming polymers.[1] Those polymers then make up the body of a three-dimensional solid.}} (Wikipedia, Aug. 2017). SLA machines use a laser to harden selected areas.
* DLP (Digital Light Processing) works, like SLA, with resin. As opposed to a laser that will solidify very specific areas, a DLP printer projects an image onto the pool of resin which then hardens each layer, one at a time.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_laser_sintering Selective laser sintering] (SLS): {{quotation|an additive manufacturing technique that uses a high power laser (for example, a carbon dioxide laser) to fuse small particles of plastic, metal (direct metal laser sintering), ceramic, or glass powders into a mass that has a desired 3-dimensional shape}} (Wikipedia, retrieved 14 October 2011)
* Syringue-based systems like the early Fab@Home can print Epoxy (composites), ceramics or [[3D food printing|food]] and these materials are pushed down with a piston.
 
Most hobby 3D printers use FDM, i.e. an extruder (i.e. a kind of gun) that heats up plastic filament which is then deposited layer by layer. They can print different sorts of Polymers. In the early years, the two following plastics were popular.
* [[ABS]] (used for Legos and car parts) is solid, but warps when printed a room temperature. I.e. it is difficult to print objects that have a larger than 4cm footprint.
* [[PLA]] (polylactic acid) is made of starch (i.e. plants). It doesn't warp, but it was not very solid and started deforming (melting) at relatively low temperature. As of 2023, more solid PLA filaments are available.
As of 2015 a much wider range of [[3D printer filament]]s are available, including PET-G, PET, Nylon, TPU, TPEs, and various PLA-particle composites.


The two most popular 3D printing techniques are:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fused_deposition_modeling fused deposition modeling], also called Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). A typical example are low cost models like the [[RapMan]]
|+Comparison chart of 3D printing technology
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_laser_sintering Selective laser sintering]: {{quotation|an additive manufacturing technique that uses a high power laser (for example, a carbon dioxide laser) to fuse small particles of plastic, metal (direct metal laser sintering), ceramic, or glass powders into a mass that has a desired 3-dimensional shape}} (Wikipedia, retrieved 14:48, 14 October 2011 (CEST))
!Type
!FDM / FFF
!SLA
!SLS
!Piston
|-
|Material
|rolls of [[3D printer filament|various types of plastic]]
|Liquid resin
|Various powder (only Nylon or similar for low end machines)
|Anything that can be pushed down (e.g. chocolate or Epoxy resins or clay)
|-
|Durability
|OK (depending on type of plastic)
|Low
|High
|depends on the material, very little for [[3D food printing|printed food]] :)
|-
|Precision
|0.05 mm
|high
|good
|
|-
|Post-processing
|Easy (except when dealing with support materials)
|Treatment is required to improve solidity
|Blasting is required to remove bits of loose powder
|
|-
|Freedom of forms
|No.
Somewhat if soluble support is used in dual head printer.
|limited
|yes
|very limited
|-
|Heat resistance
|Depends on the plastic. E.g., popular PLA is starts weakening at 60 and melting at 160. PETG, and other popular plastic has a higher melting temperature. Some plastics like nylon are difficult to print but much more resistant
|limited
|good
|
|-
|Unit cost
|very low (starting at 150, a good model is about 1000)
|low
|high
|medium
|-
|Material cost
|very low to low (15-100 Euros/kg)
|30-250 Euros / litre
|100 - 1000 Euros / kg.
|
|}


The ''opposite'' of additive manufacturing is '''subtractive manufacturing''' that takes away material from an initial form. These alternative technologies include:
The ''opposite'' of additive manufacturing is '''subtractive manufacturing''' that takes away material from an initial form. These alternative technologies include:
Line 26: Line 93:
* '''Milling''', a process where parts of an object (e.g. a cube) are removed by drilling. For example, parts of car motors are produced like this. Milling is a fairly dangerous process, however [[hobby milling|hobbyist models]] that carve out from plastic or wood are safe to use in a classroom for example.
* '''Milling''', a process where parts of an object (e.g. a cube) are removed by drilling. For example, parts of car motors are produced like this. Milling is a fairly dangerous process, however [[hobby milling|hobbyist models]] that carve out from plastic or wood are safe to use in a classroom for example.


Most hobby 3D '''printers use an extruder''' (i.e. a kind of gun) that heats up plastic filament which is then deposited layer by layer. They can print different sorts of Polymers.
== Filement printer features you should you look for ==
* [[ABS]] (used for Legos and car parts) is solid, but warps when printed a room temperature. I.e. it is difficult to print objects that have a larger than 4cm footprint.
 
* [[PLA]] (polylactic acid) is made of starch (i.e. plants). It doesn't warp, but it's not very solid and starts deforming (melting) at relatively low temperature.
'''Must have features''':
 
* A '''strong extruder''' including a good filament intake system (you should be able to walk away from the printer and be sure that plastic is always extruded, even after 20 hours or printing). Newcomers don't often get the fact, that even a fairly small piece takes many hours to print !
* A good board and firmware (as above, there should be no mistakes, i.e. a print head that stops moving at some point)
* A heated platform up to 80 degrees at least
* Ability to print 0.1mm layers accurately
 
'''Nice to have features''':
 
* Support for different nozzle sizes up to 0.8mm (easy changing plus useful information on supported nozzles and how to change them)
* Support for multiple types of plastic, in particular PLA and PET-G, but also some stronger plastics like ABS or Nylon (for some, this is a must-have feature). Some people also want to print with flexible polymers, i.e. TPU or TPE. That requires a direct extruder where the motor sits on top of the nozzle (i.e. so-called Bowden extruders are not very suitable for TPU and not suitable for TPE)
* Extrusion and printhead movement speeds as slow and as fast as possible. Typically the first layer should be printed at 10-15mm/s but prototype quality should be printable at 150mm/s.
* A heated chamber (or at least a closed box) for printing plastics that warp, e.g. ABS.
* Accuracy (both detail and movement) down to 0.1mm resolution if possible
* Two print heads (for printer either two color models or designs that need support. In the latter case, there exit soluble plastics.
* Included easy-to use printer control software
* Support for a good machine code generation software (i.e. a [[Slicers and user interfaces for 3D printers|slicer]]). Most printers work with open source slicers but the vendor should nevertheless provide some good standard settings.
* Support for standard RepRap g-code (in order to avoid slicer software lock-in)
* Control hardware/software that allows to pause/resume a print and to manually extract filament.
* As many standard hardware parts as possible (this will allow for quick replacement) and allow you cope if the company goes out of business. This includes the control board.
* Use of open source software for controlling the printer. Except for very few exceptions, opensource solutions like [http://www.repetier.com/ Repetier Host] are simply better since you can still use your printer after the company and its software go out of business
* Automated bed leveling or model correction. Adjusting the bed (1-2 sheets of paper distance from printhead to bed in every position) is something that beginners have trouble with.
* A wide printing area (as wide as the objects you plan to print). 25x25x25 is OK as of 2023.


'''Syringue-based systems''' like the Fab@Home can print Epoxy (composites) or food and these materials are pushed down with a piston.
'''Comparisons'''


=== A workflow model ===
Comparing 3D printers is very very difficult for several reasons:
* Some do better than others with respect to different sorts of objects. Do the [http://www.thingiverse.com/search?q=benchmark benchmark pieces] represent what you would like to print ?
* Calibration is essential. Only a real expert can get the most out of a machine.
* How do you weight various factors ? (Reliability, smoothness/accuracy, min. layer size, speed or less obvious stuff like does the first layer stick, warping, dealing with overhangs, stringing)
* How do you account for the interaction between slicing software and printers, and between slicing parameters and printers ?


The following figure summarizes typical workflows. There a three fundamental design stages:
On of the first serious comparisons was done by [http://blog.makezine.com/volume/make-ultimate-guide-to-3d-printing/ Make Mag] in nov 2012. One of my printers (the Felixprinter 1.0) came out ok. Nevertheless the author complained about assembly that was more difficult than expected and glitches with some delivered parts (like calibration of the stepper motors) and he is right to do that. However, why compare a non-assembled printer with assembled ones. I bought mine ''assembled'' (400 Euros extra) and it worked out of the box! In addition, the testers used default settings of the slicer software. Had they '''selected a different profile''' they would have obtained widely different results. I was able to print a test design that failed without problems. The Make Mag test was serious, but far from perfect. - [[User:Daniel K. Schneider|Daniel K. Schneider]] 17:53, 22 November 2012 (CET)
* Model an object with any kind for modeling program, e.g. a [[3D modeling|3D modeler]], a [[computer-aided design and manufacturing|CAD]] drawing program, a CAD programming tool like [[OpenScad beginners tutorial|OpenScad]] or through 3D scanning.
* If the modeler can't export to STL, export to a popular exchange format like OBJ, then translate the OBJ with a program like Meshlab.
* Translate the model to a format that is appropriate for 3D printing, typically .STL, a stereolithography CAD format created 3D Systems. This file format is supported by many other software packages. STL basically describes an object with triangles using an x,y,z coordinate system. A similar format that can be used by some "cleaning/positioning/to-machine-code" programs is OBJ.
* Translate STL to machine code with a [[Slicers and user interfaces for 3D printers|slicer]], typically into so-called [[G-code]]


As you can see, there are several paths that lead from a design idea to a printed object. Absolute beginners can start simply by downloading STL files from a repository such as [http://www.thingiverse.com/ Thingiverse], positioning it, maybe resizing and then printing it. Intermediate users can merge existing objects together at any level, e.g. at STL level with a tool like Meshlab (free) or Netfabb (commercial).
Do not trust marketing hype. In any case, filament printers do have inherent flaws that no design can solve. Only trust reputable online sites (most receive something in exchange for rewiewing). Also, understand that some cheap printers start degrading after a few weeks and that others have poor quality assurance (i.e. some machines work fine but others need to repaired when you open the box).


Some low level "how to print an STL file" is described in the [[First steps with the RapMan V3.1 3D printer]] article.
== Fast 2023 FDM machines ==
I am looking into these models right now and may buy one. By the end of 2022 very fast "coreXY" FDM printers did appear on the market or were announce for Q2 or Q3 of 2023. An other options are IDEX printers where two extruders can work at the same time on copied or mirrored ''same'' objects. Since Summer 2023, fast "bed slingers" like the cheap Kobra 2 from Anycubic did appear.  


<graphviz border="frame" caption="caption">
Since I hate waiting a full day for a moderately large bag of LEGO or DUPLO compatible bricks I am interesting in getting one of these model and would print with a 0.6mm nozzle or larger.
graph ThreeD_printing_2 {
label = "Figure: Simple model of 3D design & printing workflows" [fontsize="9", fontname="Arial"];
node [fontsize="10", fontname="Arial"];
edge [fontsize="8", fontname="Arial", labelfloat=false];


# List of nodes
Some of these printers may require minor modifications, e.g. better PEI print plates (e.g. read [https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005004822611074.html this] for the Bambu) or better nozzles. All probably require verification and some tuning after the transport.
Idea          [shape=box,    color=red, label="Design idea"];
{| class="wikitable sortable"
Physics      [shape=box,    color=red, label="Physics constraints"];
|+
ThreeDGr      [shape=ellipse, color=red, label="Proprietary Vector\ngraphics"];
!Brand
ThreeDInt    [shape=ellipse, color=red, label="Interchange format"];
!Model
STL          [shape=ellipse, color=red, label="STL vector\ngraphics"];
!Cost (Euros)
STL_clean    [shape=ellipse, color=red, label="STL clean\nvector graphics"];
!Print volume & (machine volume size)
Phys          [shape=ellipse, color=red, label="Physical\nmodel"];
!Propriety
Gcode        [shape=ellipse, color=red, label="Machine\ncode"];
!Extruder(s) and AMS
Obj          [shape=box,    color=red, label="Printed object"];
!Resolution & hot ends
Obj_clean    [shape=box,     color=red, label="Cleaned\nPrinted object"];
!Max speed and flow
!Plate and Levelling
!Trouble detection & recovery
!Filaments
!Other
!Evaluations
|-
|[https://www.ankermake.com/ AnkorMake]
|M5
|850
|235x235x250 mm
|?
|Ultradirect extruder
|0.4mm nozzle, 0.1-0.35mm, 260 deg.


# Links
Idea        -- ThreeDInt          [label = "find"];
Idea        -- ThreeDGr          [label = "find &\nimport"];
Idea        -- Phys              [label = "find"];
Idea        -- ThreeDGr          [label = "draw"];
Idea        -- STL                [label = "find"];
Physics      -- ThreeDGr          [style = "dotted"];
Physics      -- STL_clean          [style = "dotted"];
Idea        -- Physics            [label = "machine,\nPolymer"];
ThreeDGr    -- ThreeDGr          [label = "import &\nmerge"];
ThreeDGr    -- STL                [label = "translate"];
ThreeDInt    -- STL                [label = "translate"];
ThreeDInt    -- ThreeDGr          [label = "import"];
ThreeDInt    -- ThreeDInt          [label = "import &\nmerge"];
Phys        -- ThreeDInt          [label = "scan"];
STL          -- STL_clean          [label = "clean, resize,\n& position"];
STL          -- STL_clean          [label = "merge"];
STL_clean    -- Gcode              [label = "parametrize\ntranslate"];
Gcode        -- Obj                [label = "print"];
Obj          -- Obj_clean          [label = "clean up\n paint"];
}
</graphviz>


Also take note that respecting '''physical constraints''' is important ! For example, you can't print bigger than your print area, you can't print designs that have a large footprint with ABS, you can't print large overhangs with a printer that doesn't allow printing support structures, etc.
Optional 0.2,0.6, 0.8mm nozzles.


== List of 3D printers ==
|250mm/s standard speed.
|PEI-Coated Soft Magnetic Steel
|Camera with AI
|ABS, PETG, PLA, TPU
|Noisy,


This section was revised on oct. 2011.  There are no endorsements, since I only own a RapMan which was the best thing buy when got it back in Jan 2010. Finally, this list is not complete, for example, several vendors sell RepRap Darwin, Mendel, Prusa and Huxley kits. You can find them in the [http://reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page RepRap wiki]. Look at this wiki if you need a real RepRap!. Below, we listed printers that either seem to be well known and known to work or that are new and somewhat exciting - [[User:Daniel K. Schneider|Daniel K. Schneider]] 20:44, 19 October 2011 (CEST).
app to view camera and pilot
|Good budget printer. Not coreXY
|-
|[https://de.anycubic.com/ Anycubic]
|Kobra 2
|309
|250x220x220mm
|
|Direct extruder
|0.4 nozzle (replaceable) 260 deg.
|250 mm/s (150 recommended). Benchy in 30 minutes.
|Magnetic Flex plate, Auto-levelling
|
|PLA/ABS/PETG/TPU
|
|New as of June 2023
|-
| rowspan="2" |[https://bambulab.com/en Bambu]
|P1P
|660
|256 × 256 × 256 mm


What should you look for ? According to my limited experience, the most important features are:
(size = 386*389*458 mm)
* A strong extruder (you should be able to walk away from the printer and be sure that plastic is always extruded)
|yes
* A good board and firmware (as above, there should be no mistakes, i.e. a print head that stops moving at some point)
|Direct extruder
* If you print ABS, a heated platform or chamber.
|0.05 - 0.35 mm, all metal 0.4mm nozzle (300deg)
|


Nice to have features:
* Support for multiple types of plastic (for some this is a must-have feature)
* Speed (as fast as possible)
* Accuracy (both detail and movement)
* Two print heads (for printer either two color models or designs that need support. In the latter case, use a different plastic.
* Included easy-to use software (STL file repair and positioning as well as machine code generation).


To do:
Benchy in 18min
* produce some specifications for each model)
|PEI-coated flex plate, Lidar levelling
* have some indication on how well these model operate. Speed, print size, resolution is not everything. An important criteria is knowing whether you can leave your printer alone. Many require constant attendance, because of filament intake problems for example.
|
|
|Simple version of X1. Medium noisy,


=== Do it (almost) entirely yourself ===
app to view camera and pilot
|Was developed as low cost version of X1. Mixed reviews
|-
|X1 Carbon
|1130 (1370 AMS)
|256 × 256 × 256 mm
(size=389 x 389 x 457 mm)
|yes
|Direct extruder
Optional (wasteful and not TPU compatible) automatic materialsystem (AMS), 90 sec to change color
|0.05mm, all metal 0.4mm hotend (300deg). Larger nozzles can be added with extra work only.
|500 mm/s max, 250mm/s default. 32mm3/S throughput. Benchy in 16min30s
|PEI-coated flex plate,
Lidar leveling, 120 deg.
|Spaghetti detection through camera
|PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS, ASA, PVA, PET Ideal for PA, PC, Carbon/ Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer
|Noise level: about 50 (sometimes more).


==== Reprap 3D printers ====


[[image:Assembled-prusa-mendel.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Prusa Mendel]]
Aliexpress Haldis store [https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805060155815.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.14.43e2180283aIaK&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa&_randl_shipto=US link] for new nozzle.
[http://www.reprap.org/ RepRap], a British project, is short for Replicating Rapid-prototyper. This type of 3D printer builds the parts up in layers of plastics. It can be assembled from parts bought in various places.
* [http://reprap.org/bin/view/Main/ShowCase Introduction to Reprap], retrieved 17:25, 24June 2009 (UTC).


Designs:
App to view camera and pilot
* Darwin. The design that inspired current (2010/11) Rapman and CupCake designs
|Mostly good reviews some negative because of various problems. All proprietary is also criticized.Very (!) wasteful AMS.
* [http://www.reprap.org/wiki/Mendel Mendel Overview] (second generation Reprap)
|-
* [http://www.reprap.org/wiki/Prusa Prusa Mendel Overview] (improved easier to build Mendel)
| rowspan="2" |[https://www.creality.com/ Creality]
* [http://www.reprap.org/wiki/Huxley Huxley Overview] (travel sized mendel)
|K1 (May 2023)
|650 (without options?)
|220*220*250mm


All RepRap printers can built with spare pars available from many places. However, this requires good "bricolage" skills. For those who don't have these, there exist many commercial kits that are relatively easy to assemble and also fully assembled kits (see below).
(size = 355*355*480mm, 12.5kg)
|?
|Dual gear light-weight direct extruder (190g)
|
|600mm/s,


Resources:
flow=32mm<sup>3</sup>/s
* [http://www.reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page RepRap wiki]. It includes many resources, like:
|Auto-leveling. Optional Lidar
** [http://www.reprap.org/wiki/Prusa_Buyers_Guide Mendel Prusa Buyers Guide]
|Filament sensor. Optional camera
** [http://reprap.org/wiki/Mendel_Buyers_Guide Mendel Buyers Guide]
|ABS, PLA, PETG, PET, TPU, PA, ABS, ASA, PC, PLA-CF, PA-CF, PET-CF
* [http://reprap.blogspot.com/ RepRap Official Blog]
|
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RepRap_Project RepRap Project] (Wikipedia)
|none so far
* Designs can be shared on [http://www.thingiverse.com/ thingyverse].
|-
|[https://www.creality.com/products/creality-k1-max-3d-printer K1 MAX] (summer 2023)
|1000
|300x300x300
(size=435x462x526mm, 18kg)
|?
|Dual gear direct extruder
|0.1 to 0.35 mm with a 0.4mm nozzle.


[[image:candyfab6000.jpg|thumb|200px|right|The CandyFab 6000 sugar-based 3D printer]]
|600mm/s. 300mm/s typical (correct
==== The Quantum QRD bot ====
Benchy in 13min)


Announced on Jan 2012 at [http://www.buildlog.net/blog/2012/01/the-quantum-ord-bot/ The Quantum ORD bot]: a printer using [http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/93832939/makerslide-open-source-linear-bearing-system MakerSlide] bearing system.
|Flexible build plate, leveling with


The project was hashed out in about 3 hours, fabricated in about 2 hours and assembled in about 2 hours. That includes cutting all the custom parts. The structure and linear bearings are 100% MakerSlide. {{quotation|The parts are cheap. This uses less than $60 dollars worth of MakerSlide rail, wheels and idler pulleys. The rest are off the shelf items or fabricated by CNC router, laser cutter, 3D printer or other means.}} ([[http://www.buildlog.net/blog/2012/01/the-quantum-ord-bot/ The Quantum ORD bot]).
Lidar
|AI camera, filament sensor, power-loss recovery
|most
|WIFI/USB/Ethernet
|none so far
|-
| rowspan="2" |[https://www.prusa3d.com/ Prusa]
|MK4
|900 Kit
1200 assembled (incl VAT)
|250x210x220 mm
(size=500×550×400),


* [http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:16216 Plastic elements on Thingiverse]
7 kg. Optional enclosure for 350+
|no
|Direct drive extruder. Optional MMU
|quickswap 0.4mm nozzle (others on option)
0.05-0.30 mm


==== Candyfab printers ====
300 deg.
|20 min benchy in test for future upgrades.
|PEI spring steel sheets, Mesh bed levelling with load cell censor
|Filament sensor, power panic.
|PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, Flex, HIPS, PA, PVA, PC, PP, CPE, PVB, NGEN
|WIFI/Ethernet
medium noisy, silent with enclosure
|none so far
|-
|XL
|2500 ? (1 extruder)
|360x360x360 mm
(size=800×800×900mm)
|no
|Direct extruder (5 optional).
Hot swappable noozzles
|0.05mm


* [http://www.candyfab.org/ CandyFab Project home page]
(300 deg)
* [http://wiki.candyfab.org/ CandyFab Wiki]
|
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CandyFab CandyFab] (Wikipedia)
|Mesh bed levelling
* [http://forum.candyfab.org/ CandyFab Forum]
|
Note: As of oct. 2011 this project seems to have stalled (no wiki update since 2009).
|
|
|Good support. Excellent reliability. Input shaping for speed printing is not available as of April 2023.
|-
|[https://www.makerbot.com/ Makerbot]
|Method
|4000 to 6000
|190x190x196mm.


=== Cheap 3D open source printers or kits ===
152 x 190 x 196 (double extrusion)
|yes
|1-2 extruders
|300deg
|?
|
|?
|PLA, TOUCH, NYLON, PETG. Method X supports ABS and more
|
|Expensive, Various models
|-
|[https://snapmaker.com/ Snapmaker]
|J1
|1600
|300x200x200
160x200x200 (copy)


Below are the fabbers that were most popular in October 2011, sorted in alphabetical order. You can buy three types:
150x200x200 (mirror)
# Fully assembled (unwrap and maybe some small assembly)
# Easy to assemble (a few hours)
# Hard to assemble (3-4 days)


Most companies offer both kits and fully assembled 3D Printers. Some have web sites with a lot of information. Some have quite good customer support, others don't. Search the forums. Most designs are close or far derivatives from RepRap models.
30kg


This list is by no means complete. In particular, there more small companies that sell one or another variant of a RepRap design. See the [http://www.reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page RepRap wiki] and its buyers guide'''s''' (one for each model type).
(size=490x445x443)
|
|Independent dual extruder (IDEX).
20 seconds to change color
|0.4 nozzle (300 deg)
|350mm/s for 0.1 layers. 200m/s for normal layers.
(22 min for 2 mirrored benchys).
|Double-sided PEI Glass Plate.
|no camera
|Most, including TPU and nylon.
|slient,  
|Good quality parts. Default slicer not very good. Not as fast or large as competition. Only IDEX machine in this range.
|-
| rowspan="2" |[https://www.vivedino.com/ Vivedino] / [https://www.formbot3d.com/ Formbot]
|Troodon
|1000
|300x300x400 mm (or 400x400x500 large)


[[image:botmill-glider30.jpg|thumb|right|200px|BotMill Glider]]
(size= 600x680x610 mm, 28kg)
==== BotMill ====
|no
|Direct extruder
|0.4mm easy swap nozzle (0.2. to 0.8 on option), 0.05 to 0.3mm.
270 deg
|max: 500mm/s
|PEI coated flex bed.


Botmill sells 3D Printers that use the (more recent) RepRap ''Mendel'' design.
BLT touch sensor (36 points)
|
|most, including abrasives
|This is a kind of Voron architecture
|95% assembled, requires some skills.
|-
|Voron
|800 to 1500
|350x350x350mm (version 2.4). Other options are 250x250x250 or 300x300x300
|no
|Direct extruder
|0.4 nozzle, 285 deg
|
|Automatic leveling with inductive probe.
|
|
|Voron is a design and is sold in the form of various kits.
|Good (best current kit), but requires expertise to assemble and get it working.
|}
If you looking for a popular cheap machine, you could check out:


* The [http://botmill.com/index.php/glider.html Glider 3.0 3D Printer (Fully Assembled)]
* Creality Ender-3 S (the Pro version is more expensive, but worth it, the Plus version has more build space)
** $1400 fully assembled (that's cheap compared to most others)
* Artillery Sidewinder X2
** Print surface: 20.3 x 20.3 x 5.5 cm
* Anycubic Kobra
** 0.1 mm positioning accuracy, layer thickness = 0.3mm
* The older Axis 2.1 kit costs $1065.
** 20 x 20 cm build area
** 3mm (or 0.35mm?) extruder
** 1.75 ABS or PLA filament


Resources:
You can find these in many online shops. Prices can vary greatly at times. If you are low on budget, watch out for 50% sales, e.g. around 150 to 200 Euros.
* [http://botmill.com/blog/ Blog]


[[image:B9Creator.jpg|thumb|200px|right|B9Prototype - Source: [http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/b9creations/b9creator-a-high-resolution-3d-printer KickStarter]]]
If you are looking for a reliable, a bit more costly machine (out of the Box and staying), check out:
==== B9Creator ====


Probably the first opensource design that will use a none filament deposition technology:
* [https://www.prusa3d.com/ Prusa] mini or Prusa i3 MK3
Avoid expensive commercial brands that offer consumer machines with lesser functionality for higher prices, e.g. Makerbot Replicator.


* [http://b9creator.com/index.php/ B9 Creator]
== History of consumer-grade 3D printers ==


Hardware:
Below, some consumer-grade 3D printers that made early history after 2005 where Adrian Bowyer launched the RepRap Project. Most links will be broken, since pages have been taken down or the companies went out of business.
* So far a prototpye, but really watch this - [[User:Daniel K. Schneider|Daniel K. Schneider]] 15:20, 17 May 2012 (CEST)
* Deformable Mirror Device (DMD) projector to shine a 1024 x 768 pixel image onto a layer of photo-initiated polymer resin


Reading:
=== Reprap 3D FDM printers ===
* [http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/b9creations/b9creator-a-high-resolution-3d-printer B9Creator - A High Resolution 3D Printer] (Kickstarter)


[[image:buildatron-2.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Buildatron 2]]
[[image:Assembled-prusa-mendel.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Prusa Mendel]]
[http://www.reprap.org/ RepRap], a British project, is short for Replicating Rapid-prototyper. They all can be assembled from parts bought in various places. In 2018, there were several different [https://reprap.org/wiki/RepRap_Machines Reprap Designs]. The classic ones plus some other earlier designs are the following:
* Darwin. The design that inspired the first commercial Rapman and CupCake designs
* [http://www.reprap.org/wiki/Mendel Mendel Overview] (second generation Reprap)
* [http://www.reprap.org/wiki/Prusa Prusa Mendel Overview] (improved easier to build Mendel)
* [http://www.reprap.org/wiki/Huxley Huxley Overview] (travel sized mendel)
* [http://reprap.org/wiki/Delta Delta] / [http://reprap.org/wiki/Rostock Rostock]
* [https://reprap.org/wiki/Snappy RepRap Snappy] (2018, most 3D printable printer).


==== Buildatron ====
All RepRap printers can built with spare parts available from many places. However, this requires good "bricolage" skills. For those who don't have these, there exist many commercial kits that are relatively easy to assemble and also fully assembled kits (see below).


[http://buildatron.com/ Builatron] builds printers using the RepRap design
Resources:
* [http://www.reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page RepRap wiki]
* [http://reprap.blogspot.com/ RepRap Official Blog] (last post in 2014)
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RepRap_Project RepRap Project] (Wikipedia)


Hardware:
[[image:candyfab6000.jpg|thumb|200px|right|The CandyFab 6000 sugar-based 3D printer]]
* [http://store.buildatron.com/ Buildatron 2]
** Several versions of this wedge-shaped Prusa inspired design.
** Print area: 20 x 20 x 14cm.
** 1.75mm PLA filament
** Assembled version: $2500
** Kit version: $1600


[[image:Rapman-3-1-schema.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Rapman 3.1. schema - Source: [http://www.bitsfrombytes.com/ Bits from Bytes]]]
=== Candyfab printers ===


==== Bits from Bytes printers ====
Candyfab was one of coolest projects in the beginning of DYI 3D printing. It did sugar sintering.
[http://www.bitsfrombytes.com/ Bits from Bytes] produces and sells Reprap derivatives


Hardware:
* [http://www.candyfab.org/ CandyFab Project home page]
* [http://www.bitsfrombytes.com/ RapMan v3.11] (£750 / CHF 1270) is a device we acquired. We got it in January 2010 and was assembled by end of Feb 2010 Read the [[RapMan]] article. - [[User:Daniel K. Schneider|Daniel K. Schneider]] Nov 2009/Feb 2010.
* [http://wiki.candyfab.org/ CandyFab Wiki]
** Print area: 27 x 20.5 x 21 cm, not heated platform
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CandyFab CandyFab] (Wikipedia)
** 3mm nozzle
* [http://forum.candyfab.org/ CandyFab Forum]
** Resolution: x&y axis = 0.2mm, z axis = 0.7mm (roughly)
** [http://www.rap-man.com/ A1 Technologies] is a UK reseller
** Materials: ABS (warping for bottom surfaces larger than 4-5cm), PLA of various sorts.
** The Rapman is one of the first commercial kits for the RepRap v1 and it's probably one of the most beautiful designs. Assembly is rather difficult, but very well document. All you need is good reading skills. It works well, but does need what we could "RepRap printing skills". Some design elements could be improved, in particular: filament intake (extruder), connectivity (USB instead of a SD card), portability (after transport the structure may need adjustment), (optional) heated platform. The commercial 3D Touch solves some of these problems.
* [http://www.bitsfrombytes.com/catalog/3dtouch 3DTouch 3D Printer] is an assembled 3D printer and costs £1,995.00 (single head) or £2,245.00 (double head). We recommend a double head system. The [http://www.bitsfrombytes.com/store/bfb-3dtouch-3d-printer-education-pack Education pack] (£2,484.00) includes double head and plastic rolls. This model seems to be the successor of the BFB 3000 (or the same design ?). It includes more "industrial" parts, i.e. it's rumored to be reliable.
** Resolution: same as RapMan v3.11


Resources:
[[image:Rapman-3-1-schema.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Rapman 3.1. schema - Source: [http://www.bitsfrombytes.com/ Bits from Bytes]]]
* [http://www.bitsfrombytes.com/forum Forum]
=== Bits from Bytes printers ===
* [http://wiki.bitsfrombytes.com/ Wiki]
[http://www.bitsfrombytes.com/ Bits from Bytes] did produce and sell Reprap derivatives, in particular the [http://www.bitsfrombytes.com/ RapMan v3.11] (£750 / CHF 1270) we acquired in January 2010. It was assembled by end of Feb 2010 Read the [[RapMan]] article. The company is now dead, i.e. it was absorbed by 3D systems.
* Print area: 27 x 20.5 x 21 cm, not heated platform
* 3mm nozzle
* Resolution: x&y axis = 0.2mm, z axis = 0.7mm (roughly)
* Materials: ABS (warping for bottom surfaces larger than 4-5cm), "Hard", original translucid PLA (very different from "modern" processed PLA).
The Rapman was one of the first commercial kits for the RepRap v1 and it's probably one of the most beautiful designs. Assembly was rather difficult, but very well documented. All you needed was good reading skills. It did work, but did need what we could call "RepRap printing skills". Some design elements could be improved, in particular: filament intake (extruder), portability (after transport the structure may need adjustment), heated platform.


[[image:fabathome-model2.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Fab@Home version 2]]
[[image:fabathome-model2.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Fab@Home version 2]]


==== Fab@Home 3D printers ====
=== Fab@Home 3D printers ===


[http://www.fabathome.org/ Fab@Home], is marketed as "personal fabricator". As opposed to RepRap designs, Fab@Home uses a syringe system and can print a large variety of materials, including silicone, cement, stainless steel, cake frosting, and cheese. Hardware designs and software on this website are [[open source]]. This printer can include a dual syringe tool for printing two materials simultaneously.
[http://www.fabathome.org/ Fab@Home], is marketed as "personal fabricator". As opposed to RepRap designs, Fab@Home used a syringe system and could print a large variety of materials, including silicone, cement, stainless steel, cake frosting, and cheese. Hardware designs and software on their website were [[open source]]. This printer also included a dual syringe tool for printing two materials simultaneously.


Hardware:
Hardware:
* [http://www.nextfabstore.com/servlet/Detail?no=40 Fab@Home Version 2.0 - Kit for Single Syringe System] costs $2125 (oct. 2011)
* [http://www.nextfabstore.com/servlet/Detail?no=40 Fab@Home Version 2.0 - Kit for Single Syringe System] cost was $2125 (oct. 2011). An assembled [http://www.nextfabstore.com/servlet/Detail?no=34 Fab@Home V1.0 - Assembled Two Syringe System] would cost $3500
** Accuracy: Depends a lot on the materials, with a fine nozzle about 0.1mm in theory (+/- 100 micrometers according to the website).
* Accuracy: Depends a lot on the materials, with a fine nozzle about 0.1mm in theory (+/- 100 micrometers according to the website).
* An assembled [http://www.nextfabstore.com/servlet/Detail?no=34 Fab@Home V1.0 - Assembled Two Syringe System] would cost $3500


Resources:
Resources:
* [http://www.fabathome.org/wiki/ Wiki]
* [http://www.fabathome.org/wiki/ Wiki]
* [http://www.fabathome.org/wiki/index.php?title=Fab%40Home:Design_Library Design Library]
* [http://www.fabathome.org/wiki/index.php?title=Fab%40Home:Design_Library Design Library]
==== Imagine 3D Printer ====
[http://essentialdynamics.net/ Essential Dynamics] sells a syringe-based 3D printer.
Hardware:
* [http://essentialdynamics.net/ Imagine 3D Printer], launched end of 2011 (?).
* fully assembled
* Prints several materials, including food, chocolates, silicone, cheese, epoxy, organics, etc.
* $2,995
* no reviews found .....
Support/sharing site
* [http://mongasso.com/ Mongasso] (empty as of 1/2012)


[[image:cupcake-bunny.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Cupcake/Thing-O-Matic 3D Printer]]
[[image:cupcake-bunny.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Cupcake/Thing-O-Matic 3D Printer]]
==== Makerbot printers ====


[http://www.makerbot.com/ MakerBot Industries] sells other RepRap-inspired designs. Like other Reprap derivaties, their 3D printers include a plastruder and an Arduino-compatible microcontroller and they work with several kinds of plastic, e.g. ABS (Lego-like) and HDPE (milk-jug like). The founder of this company also is involved in the RepRap research project.
=== Makerbot printers ===


Hardware: Currently, (2012) there are several versions:
[http://www.makerbot.com/ MakerBot Industries] sold other RepRap-inspired designs. Like other Reprap derivaties, their 3D printers included a plastruder and an Arduino-compatible microcontroller and worked with several kinds of plastic, e.g. ABS and HDPE (milk-jug like). The founder of this company was also involved in the RepRap research project.
* A free design called [http://wiki.makerbot.com/cupcake CupCake CNC] and and its current (2011) [http://wiki.makerbot.com/cupcake-cnc-10:ultimate-build-instructions Ultimate]. Makerbot will sell the parts. I don't know if there is any difference in design with respect to the Thin-O-Matic kit.
* A free design called [http://wiki.makerbot.com/cupcake CupCake CNC] and and its current (2011) [http://wiki.makerbot.com/cupcake-cnc-10:ultimate-build-instructions Ultimate]. Makerbot will sell the parts. I don't know if there is any difference in design with respect to the Thin-O-Matic kit.
* [http://store.makerbot.com/replicator.html MakerBot Replicator]
**  $1,749.00 fully assembled
** dual head is possible (+$250)
** 225 x145 x150 milimeters printing area
** Layer thickness: .2-.3mm with 4mm stock nozzle.
** Speed: 40 mm/s
* [http://store.makerbot.com/thing-o-matic-kit-mk7.html MakerBot Thing-O-Matic® Kit] (formerly called Cupcake?)
* [http://store.makerbot.com/thing-o-matic-kit-mk7.html MakerBot Thing-O-Matic® Kit] (formerly called Cupcake?)
** Between $1225 and $1300 for the kit
** Between $1225 and $1300 for the kit and à2500 fully assembled
** 3mm extruder
** 3mm extruder
** 9.6 x 10.8cm print area
** 9.6 x 10.8cm print area
* [http://store.makerbot.com/assembled-makerbot-thing-o-matic.html Fully Assembled MakerBot Thing-O-Matic]
Later, this company developed closed sourced systems that became popular with institutional buyers. The company still sells expensive rather high-end machines.[[image:MakerGear_Prusa_Mendel_top_2_large.jpg|thumb|200px|right|MakerGear Prusa 3D Printer]]
** This is the old (well known) model
** out of stock (was $2500)


Other [http://wiki.makerbot.com/start devices] are in development as documented in the Makerbot wiki (oct. 2011)
=== Makergear ===


[[image:black-orca-030c.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Orca V0.3 3D printer]]
[http://www.makergear.com/products/3d-printers Makergear] sold two kits as of oct. 2011. One is rather destinated to people who want to play with the Mendel Prusa design and maybe do creative modifications. The other, i.e. the Mosaic was more of an end-user product.
 
==== Mendel Parts ====
 
* [http://www.mendel-parts.com/ Mendel-Parts] is a Dutch one-man company that started by selling parts for the Mendel design.
 
Hardware:
* [http://www.mendel-parts.com/index.php/complete-orca-v0-30-kit-unassembled.html Orca v0.3]
** Mendel-inspired design, but the big parts are laser-cut aluminum (and therefore "non-replicatable", but easier to assemble)
** $600 EUR
** ABS and PLA
** Print size: 210x210x165mm
** Choice between 1.75 and 3mm hot end.
** Speed: up to 300mm/s
** The V 0.2 is still available and costs slightly less (oct. 2011)
** Note: Very new as of oct. 2011. I couldn't find any detailed reviews, but the design looks good - [[User:Daniel K. Schneider|Daniel K. Schneider]] 20:44, 19 October 2011 (CEST).
 
* [http://www.mendel-parts.com/index.php/catalog/complete-kits/mendel-v2/complete-mendel-parts-kit-unassembled.html Mendel v2]
** €699.00
** I'd rather get the "non-replicating" Orca since it's much easier to assemble. Folks who want to play with the printer design itself, may look at this model or other Mendel Prusa kits.
 
Resources:
* [http://reprap.org/wiki/Orca RepRap Orca wiki page]
 
[[image:MakerGear_Prusa_Mendel_top_2_large.jpg|thumb|200px|right|MakerGear Prusa 3D Printer]]
 
==== Makergear ====
 
[http://www.makergear.com/products/3d-printers Makergear] sells two kits as of oct. 2011. One is rather destinated to people who want to play with the Mendel Prusa design and maybe do creative modifications. The other, i.e. the Mosaic is more an end-user product.
 
Hardware:
* [http://www.makergear.com/products/3d-printers Prusa 3D printer] kit
* [http://www.makergear.com/products/3d-printers Prusa 3D printer] kit
** $825 for a complete kit
** $825 for a complete kit
Line 315: Line 468:
** $999
** $999
** (Probably) fairly easy to assemble
** (Probably) fairly easy to assemble
* [http://www.makergear.com/products/mosaic-3d-printers Mosaic 3D Printer] fully assembled
** Price is unknown, since out of stock on oct. 19 2011
MakerGear also sells various sets of printed parts and other gear for assembling your own.


Resources:
=== Printrbot ===
* [http://www.makergear.com/ Home page] (Includes a blog and instructions)


[[image:printrbot.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Printrbot]]
Probably was one of the most popular 3D printers as of summer/fall 2012. S
==== Printrbot ====
 
Probably will become the most popular 3D printer by February 2012. See the [http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/printrbot/printrbot-your-first-3d-printer backers] at KickStarter.
 
Hardware:
* [http://printrbot.com/ printrbot.com]
* [http://printrbot.com/ printrbot.com]
* Open Hardware Design
* Open Hardware Design
* z axis: printhead moves up (not the platform)
* z axis: printhead moves up (not the platform)
* Heated platform that moves in the y axis (or x axis depending on how you look at it)
* Heated platform that moves in the y axis (or x axis depending on how you look at it)
* Cheap
* Cheap, i.e. between $400 (smallest, print bed not heated) and $700 (largest)
 
* The large Printrbot PLUS has a 8x8in heated bed
* Claimed to be fairly easy and quickly to assemble


[[image:shaper-cube.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Ultimaker]]
Documentation:
==== Shapercube ====
* [http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/printrbot/printrbot-your-first-3d-printer backers] at KickStarter
 
* [http://printrbot.com/instructions/ Asssembly instructions]
[http://www.shapercube.com/ Shapercube] has a printer based on the RepRap Mendel design
 
* [http://www.reprapsource.com/ Kit availabe at RepRapSource]
** Price: 950 Euros + VAT.
** Build area: 20 x 19.5 x 18.5cm
** Single or dual head
** 3mm filament
** Accuracy 0.0125mm
** includes a heated platform
** Fast (over 100mm/s print head movement
** Fairly heavy (16 kg)


[[image:ultimaker-2011.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Shaper Cube]]
[[image:ultimaker-2011.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Shaper Cube]]


==== Ultimaker ====
=== Ultimaker ===


As of Oct. 2011, the Dutch [http://www.ultimaker.com/ Ultimaker] seems to be the favorite open source design '''kit'''. It's fast, can print big and it's easy to assemble (compared to a RapMan for example). Ultimaker focuses on speedy PLA printing. PLA doesn't warp like ABS, it is ecological but fragile. ABS is very solid, not ecological and would require a heated bed for larger prints. Therefore, if you need to produce tough objects, Ultimaker may not be a good option.
As of Oct. 2011, the Dutch [http://www.ultimaker.com/ Ultimaker] was the favorite open source design '''kit'''. It was (comparatively) fast, could print big and was easy to assemble compared to a RapMan for example. Ultimaker focused on speedy PLA printing and contributed to make this somewhat ecological filament the most popular.


Hardware:
Hardware:
* [https://shop.ultimaker.com/en/ultimaker-kits.html Ultimaker Kit (Beta)] costs EUR 1200.
* The [https://shop.ultimaker.com/en/ultimaker-kits.html Ultimaker 1 Kit] costs EUR 1200.
** Reprap design
** Reprap design
** It can print 21x21x22 cm volumes
** It can print 21x21x22 cm volumes
Line 365: Line 498:
** User-friendly feed mechanism
** User-friendly feed mechanism
** No heated bed (?)
** No heated bed (?)
* Ultimaker 2 became a very popular machine in Fablabs, because of its good design, reliability and precision.


Resources:
Resources:
* [http://wiki.ultimaker.com/ Ultimaker Wiki]
* [http://wiki.ultimaker.com/ Ultimaker Wiki]
* [http://blog.ultimaker.com/ Ultimaker Blog]
* [http://blog.ultimaker.com/ Ultimaker Blog]
* [http://3DPrintBoard.com/ 3D Prining Forum]
* [http://blog.erikdebruijn.nl/ Erik's Blog]
* [http://blog.erikdebruijn.nl/ Erik's Blog]


=== Commercial closed source entry-level 3D printers ===
== Web services for 3D printing ==


We distinguish between commercial 3D printers that are closed source (below) and commercial open source/open design printers (in the previous section). As of december 2011, we counted two fully assembled machines and two announcement for kits. More models may exist or be in the pipeline. In any case, by summer 2012 one ought to be able to buy a commercial printer for around 1000 Euros or less. However, I suggest to read/find reviews before buying any - [[User:Daniel K. Schneider|Daniel K. Schneider]] 14:16, 15 December 2011 (CET).
There several companies who fabricate 3D objects from models created by the public. Typically, online 3D printing services also include a store where users can both upload and sell designs. Some sites also offer other manufacturing and commercial services and most also provide free resources for learning how to create things


[[image:cube_3D_printer.png|thumb|right|200px|Cube 3D printer]]
* '''[http://www.shapeways.com/ Shapeways]'''
====  3D Systems - Cube ====
* '''[http://www.sculpteo.com/ Sculpteo]'''
 
* '''[http://www.kraftwurx.com/ Kraftwurx]'''
[http://www.3dsystems.com/ 3Dsystems], a company that sells professional 3D printers (see below) introduced a consumer model on Jan 2012. This is probably the first consumer model created by a large 3D printer company. It may show a trend: Cheap price but proprietary material cartridges (same principle as home user 2D printers).
* '''[https://xometry.de/en/3d-printing/ Xometry]'''
 
; Hardware
* [http://cubify.com/cube/ Cube]
** Print size: up to 5.5 X 5.5 X 5.5 in. (140 x 140 x 140 mm)
** Print Cartridge (at $50, no idea how much it lasts ...)
** Durable, ABS Plastic in 10 Colors
** USB & Wi-Fi Connectivity
** Price: $1300
** Layer Thickness - 5 mil (125 Microns)
** Materials: ABS
 
[http://www.3dsystems.com/press-releases/3d-systems-debuts-first-consumer-3d-printer Announcement]
 
==== Fablicator ====
 
[http://www.fablicator.com/ Fablicator] is an US product that features a rigid aluminum frame.
 
* fully assembled
* Price: $3000
* Build area 7x7x7 inches
 
Announced for Jan 2012.
 
[[image:fabbster.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Fabbster 3D printer]]
==== Fabbster ====
 
[http://www.fabbster.com/ Fabbster] was announced for March 2012, but had a slight delay (April/Mai ?). This printer will be sold through retail shops for about 1500 € total.
* I signed up in Feb 2012 for the 500 € pilot program and got the machine on April 24 2012 - [[User:Daniel K. Schneider|Daniel K. Schneider]]
 
Read:
* [[Fabbster 3D printer]]
 
; Hardware
* The flyer announces a pretty fast engine
* 4mm nozzle (by default)
* 0.025 to 0.4mm layer size
* Customized Netfabb engine tool included
* Suggested retail price: 1000€
 
 
[[image:felix-1-printer.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Felix 1.0 3D printer]]
 
==== FelixPrinter ====
[http://www.felixprinters.com/ Felix] is the IMHO the first European company to offer a low cost printer that is easy to assemble, according to the website. Assembly of the current model seems to take about 5 to 12 hours depending on your DYI skills.
 
I could not find any reviews of this very new printer. The [http://www.linkedin.com/pub/guillaume-feliksdal/7/b87/890 Dutch owner/designer] is a specialist in precision mechatronics and robotics and that is a good indicator - [[User:Daniel K. Schneider|Daniel K. Schneider]] 13:19, 26 November 2011 (CET).
* Ordered one in March 2012. - [[User:Daniel K. Schneider|Daniel K. Schneider]] 15:26, 13 March 2012 (CET)
* Read: [[Felix 3D printer]]
 
;Hardware:
* The [http://www.felixprinters.com/product-catalog/home-products/felix-1-0-complete.html Felix 1.0] (nov 2011) has an introductory price of $800
** Aluminum frame, assembled by screwing 6 hex bolts, Drylin-sliding bearings, Opto-sensor, NEMA 17 motor
** RAMPS 1.4 electronics
** 0.35mm diameter nozzle, 1.75mm filament
** On major advantage of this model: It can be easily carried around (handle on top) and the geometry will remain stable, as opposed to "pure" RepRap designs that may need recalibration.
 
[[image:creatr-shadow-470x470.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Leapfrog Creatr]]
==== Leapfrog ====
 
[http://www.lpfrg.com/ Leapfrog] will offer an entry level ready-to-go 3D printer by the end of summer 2012.
 
; Hardware (according to the web site)
* The [http://www.lpfrg.com/product/creatr/ Creatr] should be available in Aug 2012
** € 1250
** Heated bed
** Build Size (WxDxH): 250 x 270 x 300 mm
** Max. Print Volume 19.5 Liter
** Positioning accuracy: 0.05 mm
** Min. Layer thickness: 0.2 mm
** Material types: ABS, PLA, PVA and experimental other types of plastics (PE, PPE, PC, etc), 1.75mm filament.
** Standard size extruder : 0.35 mm
** Speed X and Y axis: up to 0.35 m/s
** Extrusion speed 200 mm/min
 
* The [http://www.lpfrg.com/product/xeed/ Xeed] looks like a high-end filament printer, e.g. similar to the well-known BitsfromBytes 3D Touch.
** € 4,920, available end of summer 2012 ?
** On-board computer
** Multiple heads
** Closed chamber
 
[[image:solidoodle-beta-2011.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Solidoodle (beta)]]
 
==== Solidoodle ====
 
[http://www.solidoodle.com/ Solidoodle] is the first company to offer a fully assembled low-cost (under $1000) printer (Shipping Q4 2011). The box seems to have a closed chamber which is a good solution for printing ABS at a more or less constant temperature.
 
Hardware:
* The [http://store.solidoodle.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=50 Solidoodle 3D Printer]) has an introductory price of $699.
** Design: ReRap Sanguinololu v1.3 electronics
** Max Part size: about 10 x 10 x 10 cm
** Accuracy: .3mm (84dpi)
** .35mm nozzle, using 1.75mm filament (ABS), Sprint loaded extruder (no thumb screws).
 
Resources:
* [http://groups.google.com/group/solidoodle Solidoodle Google Group]
 
[[image:up-3d-printer.jpg|frame|right|Light-weight UP! 3D printer]]
==== PP3dp / Up! ====
 
* [http://pp3dp.com/ PP3dp] sells a light-weight fully assembled 3D printer
 
Hardware:
* [http://pp3dp.com/ UP!]
** $1500 + shipping (2012, this is about 50% off the 2011 price)
** 14 x 14 cm build area, heated platform (good for ABS)
** Supports ABS and PLA in later model versions
** 0.2 mm accuracy.
** Close source software
* Reviews: [http://blog.ponoko.com/2010/09/06/user-review-of-the-up-3d-printer/ Ponoko], ....
 
* [http://pp3dp.com/ UP! mini]
** Announced June 2012.
** $900
 
In oct. 2011, this model seemed to be the easiest solution (by a large margin) to start printing, i.e. you can unpack and print and don't need to learn about calibration with tools like [[Skeinforge for RapMan|Skeinforge]]. On the downside (if I understand right) one only can print ABS in three settings (fine, normal and coarse). Also, the print area is small compared to a RapMan.
 
Resources:
* [http://pp3dp.com/forum/ Official forum]
* [http://3dmake.blogspot.com/ 3D Make blog] (including "experiments")
 
=== Commercial desktop printers ===
 
==== Asiga ====
 
* The [https://www.asiga.com/ Asiga] is probably the most compact and the cheapest UV LED printer (from $7000)
* {{quotation|The Pico’s dual build resolution (50 or 37.5 microns in X&Y) and the ability to grow parts in 1 micron increments in Z, makes the Pico ideal for high resolution applications such as dental, jewelry and hearing. When building at 50 micron layers, the Pico achieves a build speed of approximately 6mm p/hr.}} ([https://www.asiga.com/products/pico/ Pico], retrieved feb 2012.
 
==== Objet ====
 
[http://www.objet.com/3D-Printer/Objet_Desktop_Family/ Objet] sells two Desktop models using [http://www.additive3d.com/ink_int.htm jetted photopolymer] technology
* Objet24 Personal 3D Printer
* Objet30 Desktop 3D Printer
 
Pricing is not known, the Objet 24 is rumored to cost around $20000.
 
==== StratSys / Dimension ====
 
[http://uprint.dimensionprinting.com/ uPrint] is the desktop series from Dimension / StratSys
 
* UPrint SE mono color is about $14000
* UPrint Plus SE multi-color is about $19900
 
These models use [http://www.additive3d.com/fdm_int.htm Fused Deposition Modeling] with a 0.254mm resolution.
 
* The [http://www.hp.com/go/designjet3D HP Designjet 3D printer series] is a uPrint from StratSys (see above). We don't know if it is totally identical. It may be just a bit more expensive.
 
==== 3Dsystems ====
 
* [http://printin3d.com/ 3D Systems] offers several models
 
* The Projet 1000 personal mono-color (?) printer costs around $11000.
* The ProJet™ 1500 personal 3D color printer costs around $/EUR 14500
* The VFlash monocolor costs about EUR/$ 10'000 and seems to be the other entry level printer as of Jan 2012.
 
In addition, you have to buy material cartridges. Dollar prices seem to be lower... (e.g. $9900 for V-Flash mono color)
 
; Other information
 
* 3DSystems bought ZCorp (see below) on Jan 2012 and therefore is probably the industry leader as of 2012. It also owns Bits from Bytes (the maker of the RapMan) and maybe some other smaller companies.
* 3DSystems announced an end-user consumer model for spring 2002 (see the "Cube" above)
 
==== ZCorp ====
 
* The cheapest ZCorp (one of the industry leaders) model, i.e. the [http://www.zcorp.com/en/Products/3D-Printers/ZPrinter-150/spage.aspx ZPrinter 150] is 164 kg and costs about $15'000. The multicolor version, ZPrinter 250, is $25'000.
 
==== Others ====
 
* [http://createitreal.com/pages/products.html CreateItReal] (Denmark) will sell a [http://www.createitreal.com/index.php/en/3d-printer/product 3D printer for $3000]. (planned for 2011, but not available in oct. 2011).
 
* [http://www.mcortechnologies.com/ Matrix 3D printer] from Mcor technologies is a Laminated Object Manufacture printer, i.e. glues and cuts paper. You have to buy a package with an annual fee (e.g. £6600)
 
=== web services for 3D printing ===
 
There exist probably several companies who do this. Typically, online 3D printing services also include a store where users can both upload and sell designs. Some sites also offer other manufacturing and commercial services and most also provide free resources for learning how to create things
 
Note: The laser cutting and engraving services will be moved once I decide to start resources on that topic.
 
'''[http://www.shapeways.com/ Shapeways]'''
* They take STL, VRML, Collada & X3D formats with some constraints, e.g. less than 500'000 polygons, a watertight mesh, etc.
 
'''[http://www.sculpteo.com/ Sculpteo]'''
 
'''[http://www.ponoko.com/ Ponoko]'''
* [http://www.ponoko.com/3d-printing 3D printing] and laser cutting.
 
'''[http://www.formulor.de/en Formulor]'''
* Laser cutting service. The company also provides Illustrator, CorelDraw and Inkscape templates
 
'''[http://www.vectorealism.com/en VectoRealism]
* Laser cutting (very similar or same as Formulor ?)
 
'''[http://www.razorlab.co.uk/ RazorLab]'''
* Laser Cutting and engraving.
 
=== To do - New developments ===
 
* [http://blog.makible.com/makibox-the-300-3d-printer-first-glimpse Makibox]


== Software and formats ==
== Software and formats ==
Line 582: Line 521:
# Model something or find a model
# Model something or find a model
# (Merge/adapt models)
# (Merge/adapt models)
# Translate to STL
# Translate to a printable model, e.g. STL, AMF, OBJ
# Translate to machine code
# Translate the printable model to machine code, e.g. g-code
# Print
# Print
=== 3D modeling Software and file formats ===
For more detailed information, see:
* [[Computer-aided design and manufacturing]] (CAD/CAM)
* [[3D modeling]]
* [[3D file format]]


'''File formats'''
'''File formats'''


The most popular file format is the .STL file format:  {{quotation|An STL (“Stereolithography”) file is a triangular representation of a 3-dimensional surface geometry. The surface is tessellated or broken down logically into a series of small triangles (facets). Each facet is described by a perpendicular direction and three points representing the vertices (corners) of the triangle. These data are used by a slicing algorithm to determine the cross sections of the 3-dimensional shape to be built by the fabber}} ([http://www.ennex.com/~fabbers/StL.asp The StL Format], retrieved 17:25, 24 June 2009 (UTC)). STL files can be created with most CAD programs. [http://www.alphaprototypes.com/how-to-create-stereolithography-files.aspx Alphaprototypes] provides instructions for several popular CAD applications.
The most popular file format was and still is the .STL file format:  {{quotation|An STL (“Stereolithography”) file is a triangular representation of a 3-dimensional surface geometry. The surface is tessellated or broken down logically into a series of small triangles (facets). Each facet is described by a perpendicular direction and three points representing the vertices (corners) of the triangle. These data are used by a slicing algorithm to determine the cross sections of the 3-dimensional shape to be built by the fabber}} ([http://www.ennex.com/~fabbers/StL.asp The StL Format], retrieved 17:25, 24 June 2009 (UTC)). STL files can be created with most CAD programs. [http://www.alphaprototypes.com/how-to-create-stereolithography-files.aspx Alphaprototypes] provides instructions for several popular CAD applications. More recent formats like [https://3mf.io/ 3MF] are more versatile and can for example include color information.


=== 3D Printing software ===
'''3D Printing software'''


We distinguish between three kinds of "printing software"  
We distinguish between three kinds of "printing software"  
* '''Preparation software''' will take a 3D model, allow you to make some adjustments (like repairing) holes, positioning and rotation and then output a clean printable format, in particular .STL files. The most popular software in that category is [[Netfabb Studio tutorial|Netfabb Studio]].
* '''Preparation software''' will take a 3D model, allow you to make some adjustments (like repairing) holes, positioning and rotation and then output a clean printable format, in particular .STL files. The most popular software in that category in the early days was [[Netfabb Studio tutorial|Netfabb Studio]] (now absorbed by Autodesk). As of 2023, most slicers include some automatic basic repair facilities.
* '''Slicer software''' will take as input an .STL model (or similar) and then produce machine code according to various parameters that you can set.
* '''Slicer software''' will take as input an .STL model (or similar) and then produce machine code according to various parameters that you can set.
* '''Control software''', can send print files to a printer and control the printer otherwise (e.g. manually move the print head, change temperature, etc.)
* '''Control software''', can send print files to a printer and control the printer otherwise (e.g. manually move the print head, change temperature, etc.)
* In principle, some software could do all
Some software can do all of these.


See: [[Slicers and user interfaces for 3D printers]]
See: [[Slicers and user interfaces for 3D printers]]
'''Special-purpose software'''
* [http://www.3dprintables.org/printables/index.php?title=STLGenerator STL Generator]
* CandyFab developed [http://wiki.candyfab.org/CandyFab_Software CandyFaboulous], written in [http://processing.org/ Processing], an open source programming language and environment for people who want to program images, animation, and interaction.


=== Related EduTechWiki articles ===
=== Related EduTechWiki articles ===


In EduTechWiki, we provide a few overviews and/or beginner's tutorials. See the category [[:category:3D printing|3D printing]]. For example:
In EduTechWiki, we did provide a few overviews and/or beginner's tutorials. '''However, most of these are not up-to-date, since there exist many better alternatives since the late 2010s.''' See the category [[:category:3D printing|3D printing]]. For example:


; Printers
; Printers
Line 623: Line 549:


; Modeling software
; Modeling software
* [[Computer-aided design and manufacturing]] (CAD/CAM)
*[[3D modeling]]
*[[3D file format]]
* [[OpenScad beginners tutorial]] (3D modeling with code) and [[Doblo factory]] OpenScad routines for creating DUPLO/LEGO clones
* [[OpenScad beginners tutorial]] (3D modeling with code) and [[Doblo factory]] OpenScad routines for creating DUPLO/LEGO clones
* [[Sketchup 3D printable objects tutorial]] (3D modeling with this Google tool)
* [[Sketchup 3D printable objects tutorial]] (3D modeling with this Google tool)
Line 634: Line 565:
* [[Netfabb engine for RepRap]] and [[Netfabb engine for fabbster build styles]]
* [[Netfabb engine for RepRap]] and [[Netfabb engine for fabbster build styles]]


== Links ==
'''3D objects can be found in various repositories'''
* [[3D assets]], See also the [[Fab lab]] and [[3D printers in education]] articles which also includes bibliographies or reviewed articles and books.
'''Repositories'''


See also the [[Fab lab]] article which also includes a bibliography.
* See [[3D assets]]


=== Repositories ===
== General Links ==


See also
(needs updating, some links are over a decade old ....)
* "Online printing services" (above), e.g. the largest (and probably most expensive) [http://www.shapeways.com/ Shapeways] includes thousands of printable objects.
* Various [[Computer-aided design and manufacturing|CAD/CAM]] and [[3D modeling]] software. Each installed software includes sample directories and other models are often available on various official and unofficial support sites.
 
* [http://new-objects.com/ New objects] (includes visualization and downloadable files)
* [http://3dprintables.org 3dprintables.org] (excellent wiki includes educational objects, often with links models on external sites)
* [http://www.thingiverse.com/ Thingiverse] (a place to share digital designs that can be made into real, physical objects). '''Many''' interesting objects for RepRap machines like the [[RapMan]].
* [http://www.georgehart.com/rp/rp.html George W. Hart's] Rapid Prototyping page includes STL files for (complex) mathematical/geometrical forms. In addition, simpler [http://www.georgehart.com/rp/makerbot/makerbot.html Makerbot Constructions] also are available. Most low end 3D printers can handle these (actually better).
 
In addition to repositories for printable objects, you also can try to adapt models made for 3D virtual environments, e.g.
* [http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/ Google 3dwarehouse/] includes an enormous amount of models. Most of these are not printable, but often it's enough to use a repair tool like netfabb to make a model watertight and otherwise correct.
 
=== General ===


* [http://www.graphics.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=1006 Fundamentals: 3D Printing of Digital Models] at graphics.com, excerpted from [Digital] Modeling (New Riders). This article explains how a commercial "powder-based" 3D printer works.
* [http://www.graphics.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=1006 Fundamentals: 3D Printing of Digital Models] at graphics.com, excerpted from [Digital] Modeling (New Riders). This article explains how a commercial "powder-based" 3D printer works.
* [http://kwartzlab.ca/wiki/3D_Printer 3D Printer] page at the [http://www.kwartzlab.ca/ Kwartzlab], a canadian FabLab / hacker space. Their wiki therefore also includes other interesting stuff.


* [http://www.explainingthefuture.com/3d_printing_directory.html 3D printing directory].
* [http://www.explainingthefuture.com/3d_printing_directory.html 3D printing directory].
Line 675: Line 594:


* [http://richrap.blogspot.fr/ Reprap development and further adventures in DIY 3D printing] (Interesting blog)
* [http://richrap.blogspot.fr/ Reprap development and further adventures in DIY 3D printing] (Interesting blog)
* [http://vimeo.com/47813027 Open Design: Products in a networked culture @ Fabfuse 2012] (Good video talk by Ronen Kadushin / Vimeo)
* [http://paper.li/Adngold/1350124199 L’actu de l’Imprimante 3D], mostly in French.
* [http://www.primante3d.com PRIMANTE 3D], site média spécialisé dans l'impression 3D
* [http://3dprintingforbeginners.com/ 3D printing for beginners] (Blog)
* [http://www.ic3dprinters.com/3d-printing-tips-tricks/ 3D printing tips and tricks]
* [http://www.sculpteo.com/en/fdm-vs-sls-3d-printing-technologies/ FDM vs. SLS 3D Printing - What They Mean and When to Use Them] (Sculpteo, 2015)


=== On wikipedia ===
=== On wikipedia ===
Line 686: Line 616:
== Acknowledgments ==
== Acknowledgments ==


* 17 October 2011 (CEST). Bart Bakker ([http://www.fablab.nl/articles/2011/01/03/mini-fablab Mini FabLab Utrecht]) for pointing out two missing items (the Ultimaker and the Solidoodle)
* 26 November 2011 (CET). Maarten Vermaak for telling me about the Felix printer.
* 9 dec 2011. Bart Bakker told me about the Printrbot. He has ordered one and will be able to tell more.
* Pictures are reproduced without permission. I don't think that any non-open source Maker should complain. After all, these may help selling.
* Pictures are reproduced without permission. I don't think that any non-open source Maker should complain. After all, these may help selling.


[[Category: 3D printing]]
[[Category: 3D printing]]

Latest revision as of 09:58, 11 September 2023

Introduction

This article shortly introduces 3D printers and provides some advice on selecting a printer. The original article, created many years ago, listed many printers, but I stopped upgrading systematically around 2016. The old version is still around. There are no endorsements, since I only owned a RapMan (2010), a fabbster (given away), a Creality (2015, given away), four different Felix printers (1.0, 2.2, Pro2 and Tec4.1 (I still use the latter two), a Fokoos Odin-5 F-3 (2022, bought for 200 Euros on sale) and a Creality K1 Max. I also use Prusa mini and I3 printers in our fablab.

According to Wikipedia, retrieved 11 April 2023, 3D printing or additive manufacturing is the construction of a three-dimensional object from a CAD model or a digital 3D model.[1] It can be done in a variety of processes in which material is deposited, joined or solidified under computer control,[2] with material being added together (such as plastics, liquids or powder grains being fused), typically layer by layer.

3D printer as geek campfire (Source:[1])

See also:

3D printing technology

The most popular 3D printing techniques are:

  • Fused deposition modeling (FDM), also called Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). A typical example of the first available low cost kit that required a few days of assembly was the RapMan. As of 2023, entry level printers are cheap (around 300 Euros) and are assembled fairly quickly. Consumer-grade quality machines cost around 1000.
  • Stereolithography (SLA): “is a form of 3-D printing technology used for creating models, prototypes, patterns, and production parts in a layer by layer fashion using photopolymerization, a process by which light causes chains of molecules to link, forming polymers.[1] Those polymers then make up the body of a three-dimensional solid.” (Wikipedia, Aug. 2017). SLA machines use a laser to harden selected areas.
  • DLP (Digital Light Processing) works, like SLA, with resin. As opposed to a laser that will solidify very specific areas, a DLP printer projects an image onto the pool of resin which then hardens each layer, one at a time.
  • Selective laser sintering (SLS): “an additive manufacturing technique that uses a high power laser (for example, a carbon dioxide laser) to fuse small particles of plastic, metal (direct metal laser sintering), ceramic, or glass powders into a mass that has a desired 3-dimensional shape” (Wikipedia, retrieved 14 October 2011)
  • Syringue-based systems like the early Fab@Home can print Epoxy (composites), ceramics or food and these materials are pushed down with a piston.

Most hobby 3D printers use FDM, i.e. an extruder (i.e. a kind of gun) that heats up plastic filament which is then deposited layer by layer. They can print different sorts of Polymers. In the early years, the two following plastics were popular.

  • ABS (used for Legos and car parts) is solid, but warps when printed a room temperature. I.e. it is difficult to print objects that have a larger than 4cm footprint.
  • PLA (polylactic acid) is made of starch (i.e. plants). It doesn't warp, but it was not very solid and started deforming (melting) at relatively low temperature. As of 2023, more solid PLA filaments are available.

As of 2015 a much wider range of 3D printer filaments are available, including PET-G, PET, Nylon, TPU, TPEs, and various PLA-particle composites.

Comparison chart of 3D printing technology
Type FDM / FFF SLA SLS Piston
Material rolls of various types of plastic Liquid resin Various powder (only Nylon or similar for low end machines) Anything that can be pushed down (e.g. chocolate or Epoxy resins or clay)
Durability OK (depending on type of plastic) Low High depends on the material, very little for printed food :)
Precision 0.05 mm high good
Post-processing Easy (except when dealing with support materials) Treatment is required to improve solidity Blasting is required to remove bits of loose powder
Freedom of forms No.

Somewhat if soluble support is used in dual head printer.

limited yes very limited
Heat resistance Depends on the plastic. E.g., popular PLA is starts weakening at 60 and melting at 160. PETG, and other popular plastic has a higher melting temperature. Some plastics like nylon are difficult to print but much more resistant limited good
Unit cost very low (starting at 150, a good model is about 1000) low high medium
Material cost very low to low (15-100 Euros/kg) 30-250 Euros / litre 100 - 1000 Euros / kg.

The opposite of additive manufacturing is subtractive manufacturing that takes away material from an initial form. These alternative technologies include:

  • Laser cutting, a fairly simple to use technique for creating "flat" 3D objects by cutting "sheets" like wood or plexiglass. One can create designs that involve sticking or gluing components together.
  • Milling, a process where parts of an object (e.g. a cube) are removed by drilling. For example, parts of car motors are produced like this. Milling is a fairly dangerous process, however hobbyist models that carve out from plastic or wood are safe to use in a classroom for example.

Filement printer features you should you look for

Must have features:

  • A strong extruder including a good filament intake system (you should be able to walk away from the printer and be sure that plastic is always extruded, even after 20 hours or printing). Newcomers don't often get the fact, that even a fairly small piece takes many hours to print !
  • A good board and firmware (as above, there should be no mistakes, i.e. a print head that stops moving at some point)
  • A heated platform up to 80 degrees at least
  • Ability to print 0.1mm layers accurately

Nice to have features:

  • Support for different nozzle sizes up to 0.8mm (easy changing plus useful information on supported nozzles and how to change them)
  • Support for multiple types of plastic, in particular PLA and PET-G, but also some stronger plastics like ABS or Nylon (for some, this is a must-have feature). Some people also want to print with flexible polymers, i.e. TPU or TPE. That requires a direct extruder where the motor sits on top of the nozzle (i.e. so-called Bowden extruders are not very suitable for TPU and not suitable for TPE)
  • Extrusion and printhead movement speeds as slow and as fast as possible. Typically the first layer should be printed at 10-15mm/s but prototype quality should be printable at 150mm/s.
  • A heated chamber (or at least a closed box) for printing plastics that warp, e.g. ABS.
  • Accuracy (both detail and movement) down to 0.1mm resolution if possible
  • Two print heads (for printer either two color models or designs that need support. In the latter case, there exit soluble plastics.
  • Included easy-to use printer control software
  • Support for a good machine code generation software (i.e. a slicer). Most printers work with open source slicers but the vendor should nevertheless provide some good standard settings.
  • Support for standard RepRap g-code (in order to avoid slicer software lock-in)
  • Control hardware/software that allows to pause/resume a print and to manually extract filament.
  • As many standard hardware parts as possible (this will allow for quick replacement) and allow you cope if the company goes out of business. This includes the control board.
  • Use of open source software for controlling the printer. Except for very few exceptions, opensource solutions like Repetier Host are simply better since you can still use your printer after the company and its software go out of business
  • Automated bed leveling or model correction. Adjusting the bed (1-2 sheets of paper distance from printhead to bed in every position) is something that beginners have trouble with.
  • A wide printing area (as wide as the objects you plan to print). 25x25x25 is OK as of 2023.

Comparisons

Comparing 3D printers is very very difficult for several reasons:

  • Some do better than others with respect to different sorts of objects. Do the benchmark pieces represent what you would like to print ?
  • Calibration is essential. Only a real expert can get the most out of a machine.
  • How do you weight various factors ? (Reliability, smoothness/accuracy, min. layer size, speed or less obvious stuff like does the first layer stick, warping, dealing with overhangs, stringing)
  • How do you account for the interaction between slicing software and printers, and between slicing parameters and printers ?

On of the first serious comparisons was done by Make Mag in nov 2012. One of my printers (the Felixprinter 1.0) came out ok. Nevertheless the author complained about assembly that was more difficult than expected and glitches with some delivered parts (like calibration of the stepper motors) and he is right to do that. However, why compare a non-assembled printer with assembled ones. I bought mine assembled (400 Euros extra) and it worked out of the box! In addition, the testers used default settings of the slicer software. Had they selected a different profile they would have obtained widely different results. I was able to print a test design that failed without problems. The Make Mag test was serious, but far from perfect. - Daniel K. Schneider 17:53, 22 November 2012 (CET)

Do not trust marketing hype. In any case, filament printers do have inherent flaws that no design can solve. Only trust reputable online sites (most receive something in exchange for rewiewing). Also, understand that some cheap printers start degrading after a few weeks and that others have poor quality assurance (i.e. some machines work fine but others need to repaired when you open the box).

Fast 2023 FDM machines

I am looking into these models right now and may buy one. By the end of 2022 very fast "coreXY" FDM printers did appear on the market or were announce for Q2 or Q3 of 2023. An other options are IDEX printers where two extruders can work at the same time on copied or mirrored same objects. Since Summer 2023, fast "bed slingers" like the cheap Kobra 2 from Anycubic did appear.

Since I hate waiting a full day for a moderately large bag of LEGO or DUPLO compatible bricks I am interesting in getting one of these model and would print with a 0.6mm nozzle or larger.

Some of these printers may require minor modifications, e.g. better PEI print plates (e.g. read this for the Bambu) or better nozzles. All probably require verification and some tuning after the transport.

Brand Model Cost (Euros) Print volume & (machine volume size) Propriety Extruder(s) and AMS Resolution & hot ends Max speed and flow Plate and Levelling Trouble detection & recovery Filaments Other Evaluations
AnkorMake M5 850 235x235x250 mm ? Ultradirect extruder 0.4mm nozzle, 0.1-0.35mm, 260 deg.


Optional 0.2,0.6, 0.8mm nozzles.

250mm/s standard speed. PEI-Coated Soft Magnetic Steel Camera with AI ABS, PETG, PLA, TPU Noisy,

app to view camera and pilot

Good budget printer. Not coreXY
Anycubic Kobra 2 309 250x220x220mm Direct extruder 0.4 nozzle (replaceable) 260 deg. 250 mm/s (150 recommended). Benchy in 30 minutes. Magnetic Flex plate, Auto-levelling PLA/ABS/PETG/TPU New as of June 2023
Bambu P1P 660 256 × 256 × 256 mm

(size = 386*389*458 mm)

yes Direct extruder 0.05 - 0.35 mm, all metal 0.4mm nozzle (300deg)


Benchy in 18min

PEI-coated flex plate, Lidar levelling Simple version of X1. Medium noisy,

app to view camera and pilot

Was developed as low cost version of X1. Mixed reviews
X1 Carbon 1130 (1370 AMS) 256 × 256 × 256 mm

(size=389 x 389 x 457 mm)

yes Direct extruder

Optional (wasteful and not TPU compatible) automatic materialsystem (AMS), 90 sec to change color

0.05mm, all metal 0.4mm hotend (300deg). Larger nozzles can be added with extra work only. 500 mm/s max, 250mm/s default. 32mm3/S throughput. Benchy in 16min30s PEI-coated flex plate,

Lidar leveling, 120 deg.

Spaghetti detection through camera PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS, ASA, PVA, PET Ideal for PA, PC, Carbon/ Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Noise level: about 50 (sometimes more).


Aliexpress Haldis store link for new nozzle.

App to view camera and pilot

Mostly good reviews some negative because of various problems. All proprietary is also criticized.Very (!) wasteful AMS.
Creality K1 (May 2023) 650 (without options?) 220*220*250mm

(size = 355*355*480mm, 12.5kg)

? Dual gear light-weight direct extruder (190g) 600mm/s,

flow=32mm3/s

Auto-leveling. Optional Lidar Filament sensor. Optional camera ABS, PLA, PETG, PET, TPU, PA, ABS, ASA, PC, PLA-CF, PA-CF, PET-CF none so far
K1 MAX (summer 2023) 1000 300x300x300

(size=435x462x526mm, 18kg)

? Dual gear direct extruder 0.1 to 0.35 mm with a 0.4mm nozzle. 600mm/s. 300mm/s typical (correct

Benchy in 13min)

Flexible build plate, leveling with

Lidar

AI camera, filament sensor, power-loss recovery most WIFI/USB/Ethernet none so far
Prusa MK4 900 Kit

1200 assembled (incl VAT)

250x210x220 mm

(size=500×550×400),

7 kg. Optional enclosure for 350+

no Direct drive extruder. Optional MMU quickswap 0.4mm nozzle (others on option)

0.05-0.30 mm

300 deg.

20 min benchy in test for future upgrades. PEI spring steel sheets, Mesh bed levelling with load cell censor Filament sensor, power panic. PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, Flex, HIPS, PA, PVA, PC, PP, CPE, PVB, NGEN WIFI/Ethernet

medium noisy, silent with enclosure

none so far
XL 2500 ? (1 extruder) 360x360x360 mm

(size=800×800×900mm)

no Direct extruder (5 optional).

Hot swappable noozzles

0.05mm

(300 deg)

Mesh bed levelling Good support. Excellent reliability. Input shaping for speed printing is not available as of April 2023.
Makerbot Method 4000 to 6000 190x190x196mm.

152 x 190 x 196 (double extrusion)

yes 1-2 extruders 300deg ? ? PLA, TOUCH, NYLON, PETG. Method X supports ABS and more Expensive, Various models
Snapmaker J1 1600 300x200x200

160x200x200 (copy)

150x200x200 (mirror)

30kg

(size=490x445x443)

Independent dual extruder (IDEX).

20 seconds to change color

0.4 nozzle (300 deg) 350mm/s for 0.1 layers. 200m/s for normal layers.

(22 min for 2 mirrored benchys).

Double-sided PEI Glass Plate. no camera Most, including TPU and nylon. slient, Good quality parts. Default slicer not very good. Not as fast or large as competition. Only IDEX machine in this range.
Vivedino / Formbot Troodon 1000 300x300x400 mm (or 400x400x500 large)

(size= 600x680x610 mm, 28kg)

no Direct extruder 0.4mm easy swap nozzle (0.2. to 0.8 on option), 0.05 to 0.3mm.

270 deg

max: 500mm/s PEI coated flex bed.

BLT touch sensor (36 points)

most, including abrasives This is a kind of Voron architecture 95% assembled, requires some skills.
Voron 800 to 1500 350x350x350mm (version 2.4). Other options are 250x250x250 or 300x300x300 no Direct extruder 0.4 nozzle, 285 deg Automatic leveling with inductive probe. Voron is a design and is sold in the form of various kits. Good (best current kit), but requires expertise to assemble and get it working.

If you looking for a popular cheap machine, you could check out:

  • Creality Ender-3 S (the Pro version is more expensive, but worth it, the Plus version has more build space)
  • Artillery Sidewinder X2
  • Anycubic Kobra

You can find these in many online shops. Prices can vary greatly at times. If you are low on budget, watch out for 50% sales, e.g. around 150 to 200 Euros.

If you are looking for a reliable, a bit more costly machine (out of the Box and staying), check out:

  • Prusa mini or Prusa i3 MK3

Avoid expensive commercial brands that offer consumer machines with lesser functionality for higher prices, e.g. Makerbot Replicator.

History of consumer-grade 3D printers

Below, some consumer-grade 3D printers that made early history after 2005 where Adrian Bowyer launched the RepRap Project. Most links will be broken, since pages have been taken down or the companies went out of business.

Reprap 3D FDM printers

Prusa Mendel

RepRap, a British project, is short for Replicating Rapid-prototyper. They all can be assembled from parts bought in various places. In 2018, there were several different Reprap Designs. The classic ones plus some other earlier designs are the following:

All RepRap printers can built with spare parts available from many places. However, this requires good "bricolage" skills. For those who don't have these, there exist many commercial kits that are relatively easy to assemble and also fully assembled kits (see below).

Resources:

The CandyFab 6000 sugar-based 3D printer

Candyfab printers

Candyfab was one of coolest projects in the beginning of DYI 3D printing. It did sugar sintering.

Rapman 3.1. schema - Source: Bits from Bytes

Bits from Bytes printers

Bits from Bytes did produce and sell Reprap derivatives, in particular the RapMan v3.11 (£750 / CHF 1270) we acquired in January 2010. It was assembled by end of Feb 2010 Read the RapMan article. The company is now dead, i.e. it was absorbed by 3D systems.

  • Print area: 27 x 20.5 x 21 cm, not heated platform
  • 3mm nozzle
  • Resolution: x&y axis = 0.2mm, z axis = 0.7mm (roughly)
  • Materials: ABS (warping for bottom surfaces larger than 4-5cm), "Hard", original translucid PLA (very different from "modern" processed PLA).

The Rapman was one of the first commercial kits for the RepRap v1 and it's probably one of the most beautiful designs. Assembly was rather difficult, but very well documented. All you needed was good reading skills. It did work, but did need what we could call "RepRap printing skills". Some design elements could be improved, in particular: filament intake (extruder), portability (after transport the structure may need adjustment), heated platform.

Fab@Home version 2

Fab@Home 3D printers

Fab@Home, is marketed as "personal fabricator". As opposed to RepRap designs, Fab@Home used a syringe system and could print a large variety of materials, including silicone, cement, stainless steel, cake frosting, and cheese. Hardware designs and software on their website were open source. This printer also included a dual syringe tool for printing two materials simultaneously.

Hardware:

Resources:

Cupcake/Thing-O-Matic 3D Printer

Makerbot printers

MakerBot Industries sold other RepRap-inspired designs. Like other Reprap derivaties, their 3D printers included a plastruder and an Arduino-compatible microcontroller and worked with several kinds of plastic, e.g. ABS and HDPE (milk-jug like). The founder of this company was also involved in the RepRap research project.

  • A free design called CupCake CNC and and its current (2011) Ultimate. Makerbot will sell the parts. I don't know if there is any difference in design with respect to the Thin-O-Matic kit.
  • MakerBot Thing-O-Matic® Kit (formerly called Cupcake?)
    • Between $1225 and $1300 for the kit and à2500 fully assembled
    • 3mm extruder
    • 9.6 x 10.8cm print area

Later, this company developed closed sourced systems that became popular with institutional buyers. The company still sells expensive rather high-end machines.

MakerGear Prusa 3D Printer

Makergear

Makergear sold two kits as of oct. 2011. One is rather destinated to people who want to play with the Mendel Prusa design and maybe do creative modifications. The other, i.e. the Mosaic was more of an end-user product.

  • Prusa 3D printer kit
    • $825 for a complete kit
    • 8 x 8" Heated Build Surface PCB
    • Either 1.75mm or 3mm hot end (allowing to print either more precisely or faster). Most current printers feature a 3mm nozzle.
    • supports both ABS and PLA
  • Mosaic 3D Printer kit
    • $999
    • (Probably) fairly easy to assemble

Printrbot

Probably was one of the most popular 3D printers as of summer/fall 2012. S

  • printrbot.com
  • Open Hardware Design
  • z axis: printhead moves up (not the platform)
  • Heated platform that moves in the y axis (or x axis depending on how you look at it)
  • Cheap, i.e. between $400 (smallest, print bed not heated) and $700 (largest)
  • The large Printrbot PLUS has a 8x8in heated bed
  • Claimed to be fairly easy and quickly to assemble

Documentation:

Shaper Cube

Ultimaker

As of Oct. 2011, the Dutch Ultimaker was the favorite open source design kit. It was (comparatively) fast, could print big and was easy to assemble compared to a RapMan for example. Ultimaker focused on speedy PLA printing and contributed to make this somewhat ecological filament the most popular.

Hardware:

  • The Ultimaker 1 Kit costs EUR 1200.
    • Reprap design
    • It can print 21x21x22 cm volumes
    • USB connectivity, drivers for Win/Mac and Linux
    • 0.4mm nozzle The theoretical resolution: 0.0125 mm for the X and Y axis and better for the Z-axis. Don't know what the practical one would be.
    • User-friendly feed mechanism
    • No heated bed (?)
  • Ultimaker 2 became a very popular machine in Fablabs, because of its good design, reliability and precision.

Resources:

Web services for 3D printing

There several companies who fabricate 3D objects from models created by the public. Typically, online 3D printing services also include a store where users can both upload and sell designs. Some sites also offer other manufacturing and commercial services and most also provide free resources for learning how to create things

Software and formats

Roughly speaking, the production pipeline looks like this:

  1. Model something or find a model
  2. (Merge/adapt models)
  3. Translate to a printable model, e.g. STL, AMF, OBJ
  4. Translate the printable model to machine code, e.g. g-code
  5. Print

File formats

The most popular file format was and still is the .STL file format: “An STL (“Stereolithography”) file is a triangular representation of a 3-dimensional surface geometry. The surface is tessellated or broken down logically into a series of small triangles (facets). Each facet is described by a perpendicular direction and three points representing the vertices (corners) of the triangle. These data are used by a slicing algorithm to determine the cross sections of the 3-dimensional shape to be built by the fabber” (The StL Format, retrieved 17:25, 24 June 2009 (UTC)). STL files can be created with most CAD programs. Alphaprototypes provides instructions for several popular CAD applications. More recent formats like 3MF are more versatile and can for example include color information.

3D Printing software

We distinguish between three kinds of "printing software"

  • Preparation software will take a 3D model, allow you to make some adjustments (like repairing) holes, positioning and rotation and then output a clean printable format, in particular .STL files. The most popular software in that category in the early days was Netfabb Studio (now absorbed by Autodesk). As of 2023, most slicers include some automatic basic repair facilities.
  • Slicer software will take as input an .STL model (or similar) and then produce machine code according to various parameters that you can set.
  • Control software, can send print files to a printer and control the printer otherwise (e.g. manually move the print head, change temperature, etc.)

Some software can do all of these.

See: Slicers and user interfaces for 3D printers

Related EduTechWiki articles

In EduTechWiki, we did provide a few overviews and/or beginner's tutorials. However, most of these are not up-to-date, since there exist many better alternatives since the late 2010s. See the category 3D printing. For example:

Printers
Modeling software
Preparation and Slicing

3D objects can be found in various repositories

Repositories

General Links

(needs updating, some links are over a decade old ....)

  • 3ders.org “latest news and developments of 3D printing technology, and informations of 3D printers.”
  • 3D Printing (Explaining the Future, oct. 2011). Includes a review of both commercial and open source printers.

On wikipedia

Acknowledgments

  • Pictures are reproduced without permission. I don't think that any non-open source Maker should complain. After all, these may help selling.
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