How much do 3D Printers cost? Why should you buy a 3D Printer?
3D printing is a modern-day marvel that has been making the eyes of creatives worldwide sparkle. 3D printers have been used to construct whole houses. They can be simple as well as futuristic, depending on one’s aesthetic. So this brings us to our main topic of discussion: can what 3D printer should you buy
How affordable are 3D Printers?
3D printing printers are becoming increasingly affordable, especially with many companies trying to create low-cost versions.
Various types of 3D printers exist, and each one has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Some people might be looking for speed versus precision, so it helps to know someone well-versed in the field.
For those of you who don’t, here are some. types of printers available online today.
3D Printers for Home Use
Most 3D printers that are available for home use are considered consumer-grade printers.
These printers produce decent-quality prints, but they are not as accurate or reliable as professional-grade printers.
Consumer-grade printers can range in price from around $200 to $1,000.
The most popular type of consumer-grade printer is the Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) printer.
FDM printers work by heating a thermoplastic filament and extruding it through a nozzle to form the desired object.
Another common type of consumer-grade printer is the Stereolithography (SLA) printer.
SLA printers use a UV laser to cure a liquid resin and then solidify it into the desired object.
Another type of SLA printer, called DLP (Digital Light Processing), uses a DLP projector for cross-sectional projection of the object onto a vat.
This vat contains photo-initiated polymerization liquid, which cures when struck by the UV laser built into the projector.
3D printers can be bought as computer kits such as ASUS Tinker Board or Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+.
These kits come with an SD card that has all the necessary software installed so that you can start printing almost immediately.
Professional-Grade Printers
Professional-grade printers are in a class above consumer-grade printers in terms of quality and cost.
They use high-quality materials and are built to be more accurate and reliable. Professional-grade printers can range in price from $1,000 to $10,000.
Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)
The most popular professional-grade printer is the Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF).
FFF printers work by heating a thermoplastic filament and then extruding it through a nozzle to form the desired object.
Another common type of professional-grade printer is the Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) printer.
SLS printers use a high-powered laser to fuse powders to form the desired object.
This process can produce finer details than FFF or SLA printers.
There are also 3D printers that use material jetting to produce high-quality parts.
Material jetting works much like 2D inkjet printers, but rather than ink or resin, a powder is laid down and selectively fused to form the desired object layer by layer.
Everyone has a different budget. Before choosing one that fits your needs, the price of 3D printers is something consumers may look into before purchasing.
