Planning on treating yourself to a 3D printer but not sure where to begin or what to even look for? Rest assured that you have clicked on the right article! Below, you will find a helpful buyers guide that will talk you through all of the main features to look out for and considerations to make when deciding which 3D printer to get.
After reading through this guide below, you will find that you are able to get your hands on a high-quality, reliable 3D printer – no matter what your preferences are or what your budget might be! So, whenever you’re ready to begin, let’s jump right in!
What To Look For In A 3D Printer: Things To Keep In Mind
First things first, before you think about selecting a 3D printer, you should first take the time to consider the following:
1.What Do You Want to Print?
The first consideration that you should make when deciding which 3D printer model to buy is what it is that you’re looking to use your 3D printer for.
If you’ve already started to shop around for options, then we’re sure that you’ll agree with us when we say that there are a lot of different options out there on the market – and the models range from basic design printing to full-blown industrial level 3D printing – so it’s important to make sure that you’ve got an idea of what it is that you want to use your 3D printer for prior to shopping around for options.
In order to ensure that you don’t spend more money than you need to or end up with a 3D printer that doesn’t come with all of the necessary functions needed for you, we recommend that you take some time to decide what it is that you want to print, how often you plan on printing throughout the week, as well as how much money you would like to spend on a 3D printer, too.
2. What Type of 3D Printer Do You Want?
If you have already familiarized yourself with 3D printing, then we’re sure that you’ll already be aware that there are a variety of different 3D printers on the market.
More often than not, if you’re only planning on using your 3D printer for hobby purposes, you will find that you only need to purchase a FDM printer, which stands for fused deposition modelling. As you might already be aware, these types of 3D printers are designed to work with filament and other materials, in order to create different types of objects.
On the flip side, there are a variety of other 3D printers that you can opt for instead, with the most common being designed to be compatible with liquid resin while printing designs, including stereolithography printers, selective laser sintering printers, and digital light processing printers.
3.Make Sure That the Printer Comes With Safety Features
Alongside making sure that you are selecting the right printer for you and your needs, you are also going to need to make sure that the 3D printer you select is going to be safe and reliable to use.
Safety features such as built-in cooling fans and the ability to automatically pause the nozzle from releasing hot material when moved will not only help to prevent your 3D printer from becoming damaged but will also help to make sure that you do not get injured, too.
4. Make Sure That You are Buying From a Reputable Manufacturer
Though this point should certainly go without saying, we still think that it is important to mention it – as it is a factor that many buyers tend to overlook.
Besides making sure that you are opting for the right kind of 3D printer and know what it is that you would like to use your 3D printer for, it is also important to make sure that you are purchasing your 3D printer from a reputable, trustworthy manufacturer.
There’s no denying that 3D printers are an investment purchase, so the last thing that you want to happen is to find that your 3D printer is faulty, only to have a hard time getting satisfactory support from your manufacturer’s customer service team!
With that being said, while you are shopping around for a 3D printer, we strongly recommend that you opt for a 3D printing brand that offers an excellent customer service experience and has a track record of timely and professional services.
In addition to a great customer service team, we also recommend that you opt for a 3D printer that comes with a warranty, as warranties are a strong indication of reputability.
The last thing that you want to happen is to purchase a 3D printer and find that there is something wrong with it, only to discover that you don’t have a warranty to fall back on or have a responsive customer service department to reach out to and gain help from.
5. Consider the Resolution of Your 3D Printer
Last but certainly not least, alongside all of the above, the last main consideration that you should make when deciding which 3D printer to buy is the resolution capabilities of the 3D printer that you select.
The resolution of the 3D printer is extremely important and is typically measured in something that is known as microns. The micron amount will vary from 3D printer to 3D printer, but more often than not FDM printers come with a micron level of around 25-30 and resin 3D printers are usually much higher (upwards of 100).
Regardless of which printer you decide to buy, we strongly recommend that you take into account the belt tension and layer height, as these two components are very important at achieving a high-quality, smooth print with a professional finish. Ideally, you should aim to buy a 3D printer that is super easy to adjust and comes with a great number of microns.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of which printer you decide to buy, we strongly recommend that you take into account the belt tension and layer height, as these two components are very important at achieving a high-quality, smooth print with a professional finish. Ideally, you should aim to buy a 3D printer that is super easy to adjust and comes with a great number of microns.
Hi, my name is Michael Moore, and I have been 3D printing for a number of years now. I have created many cool gadgets over the years, but my current passion is creating one of a kind jewelry pieces. They can be so intricate and beautiful that many people wouldn't believe they are 3D printed.
Through Love and Robots, I hope to share my knowledge with others, and provide advice about everything 3D printer related.
