While 3D printers are not as popular as they would have liked. Such devices can not be found in every electronics store. If you decide to purchase such a device, you will have to use an online store or a well-known eBay auction. Partly, that's why the best 3D-printers, and not only those that are sold in Russian retail chains, have got to today's collection.
Contents:
- 3D printer of which company to choose
- Rating of the best 3D printers
- Best confectionery 3D printer
- Best 3D printers with layered printing technology
- Best stereolithographic 3D printers
- Which 3D printer to buy
Which printer company to choose
Formlabs
Typically, people responsible for producing 3D printers of a company rarely undertake to create other devices. Formlabs is a team of smart and hardworking people who devote themselves to designing 3D printers. Approximately every year this company produces a new unit. Unlike many other similar devices, the product from Formlabs can boast not only high-quality printing of 3D-objects, but also an excellent appearance.
MakerBot
The company MakerBot Industries was founded in January 2009, when many people did not even hear about 3D printers. Year after year, the team improved its skills and products. Now the 3D printers MakerBot are sold in many countries of the world. Buyers note the good quality of the product and the minimum level of deviations in printing. At the same time, the company itself claims that it has not yet reached the limit of available technologies.
Ultimaker
Like many other 3D printer manufacturers, the Ultimaker team was born just recently. Members of this association made a bet on open source code, so that any professional could improve their software. The first prototype of a 3D printer was created by the Ultimaker team in 2010.Since then, the creation of these people has been regularly improved. The current version of the device from Ultimaker has no serious drawbacks. Therefore, do not be afraid of the fact that the company consists of only 200 employees.
3DSLA
The Russian company 3DSLA produces 3D printers under two brands. The technology under the trademark StarLight 3D is considered professional. It has very large dimensions and huge speed of printing. And the price tag of such a device is appropriate. Well, the products under the RussianDLP brand are consumer goods. It also can not be called cheap, but against the background of professional models it is still more accessible. However, 3D printers from 3DSLA in any case do not have serious blemishes. It is not easy now, they are used in dentistry, surgery and jewelry production.
Rating of the best 3D printers
In today's compilation based on customer reviews, the following are taken into account:
- Specialization of the device;
- Technology used;
- Approximate cost;
- Types of supported plastic;
- The speed of creating a 3D object;
- Device design;
- Ease of cleaning the nozzle;
- Number of possible settings;
- Complaints of the owners.
The best confectionery 3D printer
3D Systems Chefjet
Perhaps, no one so much expected the appearance of 3D printers, as confectioners. Now you can easily make a chocolate in the form of the figure that is necessary for the client. For example, how do you like a chocolate transformer? Or a chocolate cat Matroskin? Or an edible aircraft carrier? At all this is capable of 3D Systems Chefjet, the only repelling property of which is the high price.
Advantages:
- Decent work area dimensions;
- In addition to the USB connection, Wi-Fi is used;
- Commercial application possible;
- The existence of a PRO-version that prints color products;
- Cute design.
Disadvantages:
- Price tag is not the lowest;
- Printing speed could be higher.
Reviews on 3D Systems Chefjet show that most often about the high price the buyer is worried for nothing. Gradually this device allows you to earn much more money. For example, it is often used by those who cook food for the wedding. Figures on the top of the corresponding cake are most often performed with the help of 3D Systems Chefjet! The device is able to create 3D-objects from a variety of edible materials - it can be chocolate, powdered sugar or caramel crumb. Printing occurs by the method of layer-by-layer extension of the object. The role of a binder is a mixture of alcohol and water, supplemented with flavor additives.
Best 3D printers with layered printing technology
Ultimaker 2
One of the most advanced amateur 3D printers, albeit unremarkable in appearance. The device is able to interact with any type of plastic, with the minimum layer thickness not exceeding 20 microns! The device is not connected to the computer - instead, data about the 3D model is taken from the memory card.
Pluses:
- The presence of a glass platform with heating;
- Not the most brutal price tag;
- Nozzle is easy to clean;
- Various types of plastic are supported;
- Print parameters can be changed directly during operation;
- Very high quality of the received 3D-object;
- Easy to learn.
Disadvantages:
- If overheated, it may shut down;
- There is no double extruder.
This 3D printer is able to satisfy any novice user. This is what the reviews on Ultimaker 2 say. The creators of this device took care of even what happens after the end of printing. They introduced into their creation a heated platform. Thanks to this you can easily take out the resulting figure even a few days after its printing. In cheaper models this may be a problem - the lower part of the 3D model can freeze and tighten firmly to the platform.
XYZ Printing da Vinci 1.0 AiO
This 3D printer is well equipped. In fact, you can start printing the blanks immediately after buying it and refilling it. The cost of a kilogram of consumables is about € 45, which is not so much. The device is heated for 8-9 minutes, after which the printing process begins. The quality of manufacturing a 3D object can be called very high, albeit not ideal.
Pluses:
- There is a heating plate;
- High quality workpieces;
- All right with the reliability of the unit;
- For printing, you can use materials ABS and PLA;
- Relatively fast preparation for work;
- The deviation does not exceed 0.4 mm.
Disadvantages:
- There is no slot for SD-card;
- Only one extruder;
- The minimum thickness of the layer is 0.1 mm.
Reviews on XYZ Printing da Vinci 1.0 AiO indicate that the device is doing its job, printing virtually without failures. But this 3D printer is not worth buying if you are going to create very small but highly detailed details. The fact is that the minimum thickness of the layer here is quite large. But the deviation is very small, as a result of which you get into your hands exactly what you expect to see.
The best stereolithographic 3D printers
RussianDLP
The creators of this device are not afraid to show in the name that it is produced in Russia. This 3D-printer will help to bring your hobby to a new level, although for this it is somewhat expensive. Also, he should like jewelers and people engaged in other professional activities.
Pluses:
- relatively inexpensive photopolymers are supported;
- The thickness of the layer can be as low as 20 microns;
- The device includes a DPL-projector with a resolution of Full HD;
- High quality of created 3D-shapes;
- Good assembly of the device itself.
Disadvantages:
- No offline mode;Too high price;
- Not the most exquisite appearance;
- Resource bath could be more;
- Long initial setup;
- There is no mechanism for tearing the model;
- The print area is very modest.
If you read the reviews on RussianDLP, it becomes clear that this device was created for printing very small 3D-figures. Unfortunately, the Russian 3D printer has a number of drawbacks. Starting with the fact that it can not work autonomously, since the data on the 3D model here are transmitted via D-SUB or HDMI, and to the lack of a well-thought-out mechanism for tearing the model off the ground. But do not be a device so expensive - it could well be recommended to novice users who want to take advantage of the latest technology miracle.
Formlabs Form One Plus
Independent experts believe that this device is 100% justified its value. It is not only well equipped, but also provides relatively cheap printing( used in other models, plastic is usually much more expensive).At the same time, it is hard to find fault with the quality of the resulting products - the printer is given without any labor either as cubic models or as round ones.
Advantages:
- The deviation is not more than 0.5 mm;
- Minimum layer thickness - only 0.025 mm;
- Good enough printing speed;
- High quality of created objects;
- Very simple design, easy to learn;
- High reliability;
- Liquid polymer can be added directly during the creation of a 3D shape.
Disadvantages:
- Not everyone can afford;
- Not able to work completely autonomously;
- The lifetime of the photopolymer bath is very limited;
- If a failure occurs, all of the remaining resin becomes unusable.
Reviews on Formlabs Form One Plus show that higher-quality 3D-objects are printed only by professional devices, the cost of which is at least twice as high. If you do not need rough products, you should consider buying this particular 3D printer. Printing here takes place with the help of a special laser radiation. That is why the glass cover has an orange color - this makes the visual inspection safe. The download of the object model here takes place using a PC - only after that the work becomes autonomous.
Which 3D printer to buy
All the models considered today can do a good job of solving basic problems. And at the same time, almost all 3D printers cost roughly the same amount of money. Choose between XYZ Printing da Vinci 1.0 AiO, RussianDLP, Ultimaker 2 and Formlabs Form One Plus, based on their characteristics, as well as on the products that you want to create on your desk. Well, 3D Systems Chefjet is a very special device. Instead of plastic, he uses sweet materials, like caramel or chocolate chips. Such a device is useful in the event that you earn by creating culinary masterpieces with a unique appearance.