Which 3D printer to buy

To ensure the correct realization of the object through 3D printing, several aspects must be considered. 

If you want to know more about the features of the 3D printer and you are going to buy one, here is what you need to consider to orient yourself when buying:

• purpose of use;

• type of project;

• materials;

• technical characteristics of the machine;

• maintenance, servicing, and warranty of the machine.

Let's see together how to find the right 3D printer for you.

Purpose of use

First of all, it must be clear whether the objective is artisanal or industrial. 

This first consideration will allow you to orient yourself both in terms of prices and machine performance.

For example, some people may decide to buy the 3D printer as a hobby or because they want to embark on a small craft adventure. On the contrary, others may be looking for a 3D printer because they want to expand their production and their machine fleet.

Think about the goal you want to achieve to find the right balance between quality and price.

Project type

3D printing offers great versatility when it comes to reproducing objects (even very small ones). What you need to know is that not all printers guarantee the same accuracy and resolution. 

Therefore, being clear about the shapes, angles, and geometries of the object to be developed allows us to consider some machines rather than others. 

Let's take an example: 

if you need to develop jewellery with complex shapes and many details, you should opt for 3D printing with SLS or SLA technology rather than FDM, as this is more suitable for prototype printing where objects have few decorations and therefore easier surface processing.

So, if you are clear about the type of projects you are going to carry out, the precision and resolution parameters can help you understand the best machine for you. 

Materials

Among the many parameters to be evaluated, try to understand which materials you plan to work with. 

Cheaper 3D printers work with a narrower range of materials than more expensive ones. 

To date, there are several materials on the market that you can use to make your 3D projects:

• paper;

• pottery; 

• plastic materials;

• metallic materials;

• biological materials (food, fabrics, synthetic leather and more).

By carefully evaluating the most suitable material, you will be able to narrow the field and decide which printers to consider.

Technical characteristics of 3D printers 

A standard 3D printer is mainly composed of 3 elements that can make a difference in terms of performance: extruder, plate, and frame.

The extruder is made up of various components and is what will make the difference when it comes to print quality and precision. It is also important to consider where the extruder will deposit the material during processing: the plate. If it is small, we are probably talking about cheap 3D printing, but make sure it is preheatable: this will affect the quality of the creation. 

The frame, on the other hand, refers to the entire structure of the machine. Do not underestimate the dimensions, both in terms of the actual size, and in terms of the dimensions of the object you want to create. 

Maintenance, service, and warranty of the machine

Each printer offers different service conditions and warranty on the parts so, apart from the price factor, it is important to carefully evaluate three parameters: 

the necessary maintenance to guarantee the correct operation of the machine, the warranty on the parts and the expected assistance. 

It is also always better to check the availability of spare parts. Remember that some parts will have to be changed over time due to wear. In some cases, you will be able to replace the part yourself, in other cases you may need assistance.

Conclusions

In this article we have delved into all the aspects to consider before buying a 3D printer.

You should now be able to orient yourself and choose the right printer for your project. 

However, if you're still unsure, there are 3D printing services online. 

At ErrebiLab we are at your disposal to help you.