3D printing has changed the way individuals produce objects from tools and toys to clothing and even body parts. 3D printing is part of a process known as additive manufacturing where an object is created by adding material layer by layer. Additive manufacturing allows designers to create complex parts at a fraction of the cost and time of standard means like forging, molding and sculpting.
Now, smaller consumer-friendly 3D printing equipment is bringing additive manufacturing to homes and businesses. There are a lot of 3d printing equipment available on the market today. Which one to choose will depend if you are a business or home user and what you wish to use it for.
As a rule of thumb, the more you pay for a 3d printing equipment, the more capacity and reliability you get. In order to help you choose the right printer for your needs, we’ve divided them into 3 categories: low-cost, mid-level and pro 3d printing equipment. This will help you understand which can deliver the performance and result you are after.
Low-Cost 3D Printing Equipment
Low-cost equipment prices usually range between $200 to $1000. Don’t expect a lot of performance from these systems and look forward to issues with reliability and parts. Equipment within this price range will have low-quality stepper motors and other parts. Surface quality will also be limited. Because they also tend to have poor repeatability, expect a great number of your prints to fail. However, these printers are the cheapest available on the market. Some of them are very easy to ease and some can be a great value for money. Consider these if:
You are just starting with 3D printing and don’t want to spend a lot of money
Don’t mind tweaking and spending time getting your printer to work.
Like hacking and want to learn more about 3D printing by figuring out how to improve your printer.
Mid-Level 3D Printing Equipment
This is the most competitive category. 3D printers priced from around $1000 to $3000 should offer higher reliability, repeatability, ease of use and better print results. Very few of them may fail, surface quality will be better and you can expect better part quality, a better frame, and a better build quality of the equipment. Common features of these printers include metal powder coated frames and colour/touch screens. Essentially, printers in this category are recommended for business users as they provide a better reliability and quality with the less finicky fuss. Home users may also benefit from 3D printers as they provide better results with less annoyance.
Pro 3D Printing Equipment
Starting at around $2500, these printers will have the highest performance and reliability. Full-featured, these are perfect for businesses and the most demanding of users. They are reliable, easy to use, and touchscreens, WiFi and dual extension are common features with printers in this category. Pro 3D printing equipment is recommended for those who wish to get good performance and print results and value easy of use.
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