In the past few years, 3D printers were only a preserve of researchers and top commercial designers, but this trend has changed, and today, these printers are in use by students, ordinary designers, and even industrial designers. This is to say 3D printers appeal to all from educators, students, hobbits to professional designers, but it’s essential to remember not all 3D printers in the market will offer the best. Therefore how can you choose the best 3D printer? Consider the following aspects to guide your selection.
Software
An ideal 3D printer should have software that is powerful but easy to configure. Unless you’re involved in technical printing, you should opt for “easy to use” software. Most 3D printers are “open source” and are designed for DIYers and hobbyists who want to understand how the software works and have room to modify it to fit their needs. If your work involved complex designs, you can go for “more challenging to use” 3D printers that will give you better control of the process.
The Size of the Print Bed
The printer bed is what holds your object firmly from the outset; thus, it’s critical in determining the quality of the final product. The 3D beds are available in both heated and non-heated versions. Your object needs to be firmly held on the bed before the building process starts. This can be done by preheating the bed or by using adhesive gules. In cases where you use ABS filaments, a heated bed is required. As for the PLA filaments, they are more flexible; therefore, you can go for either adhesives or a heated bed. If the 3D print bed is large, it means you can print bigger objects.
Printing Materials
The choice of the 3D printer also depends on the materials you’ll use when printing. The materials to use will depend on your end goal and what you’re printing. It’s essential to know that not all 3D printers can use all materials. Most desktop 3D printers use plastic filaments and are ideal for ordinary consumers. The most popular ones are ABS, PLA, and PVA, and they are readily available in local stores and online shops.
Print Speed
The printer speed refers to the speed at which the extruder moves as it lays down the print material for the filament printer. If the 3D printer has a faster sped, it implies you can make quicker prints. It’s also crucial to understand the materials used can also affect the printing speed. Additionally, sophisticated prints will slow down the process. If you want a 3D printer with excellent printing speeds, you should pick a machine with at least 20mm/sec or higher.