How To Choose A 3D Printer

The 3D printer is a rapid prototyping process that uses layer-by-layer accumulation to make three-dimensional models. Its operation process is similar to that of traditional printers, but traditional printers print ink on paper to form two-dimensional plane drawings, while three-dimensional printers The liquid photosensitive resin material, molten plastic filament, gypsum powder, and other materials are stacked and superimposed layer by layer by spraying adhesive or extrusion.

How to choose a 3D printer？

1. Stability depends on the same price stability. At present, more mature 3D printing technology forming technologies include FDM, SLA, DLP, SLS, etc. Practical application areas include architectural design, aerospace, education, industrial manufacturing, medical, animation toys, etc. For most users, FDM and SLA are the most common and preferred technologies, among which FDM is widely used due to its low price.

Take FDM, or Fused Deposition Modeling, as an example. When printing, the material line enters the high-temperature nozzle and dissolves into a liquid for spinning. At the same time, under the control of the computer, according to the profile information of the section, the material is selectively applied to the worktable, and a section is formed after rapid cooling. After one layer is formed, the machine table descends one height (i.e. layer thickness), and then the next layer is formed until a complete physical model appears in front of us. After understanding the principle of the 3D printer, we know that the core component of the printer is the nozzle, the price is the same, pay attention to the quality of the printing nozzle, can not block or open circuits during the long-term printing process, there is a protection switch when the circuit is open, to avoid fire incidents.

2. Product quality As an interdisciplinary subject, 3D printer manufacturing (FDM) technology involves machinery, electronics, software, materials and other fields. The quality of the 3D printer product determines the life cycle. At the time of purchase, compare the 3D printer accessories such as the outer frame material, screw, platform, motor, control system, printing consumables, etc. of the printer according to the same price of the whole machine design. The printing accuracy of the 3D printer is also very important. Accuracy can't be too bad. The production and installation process is also related to the service life of the product.

3. The 3D printer is easy to operate. Every 3D printer has its own characteristics. In order to operate the machine easily and quickly, we must understand its basic structure. First, it should be easy to change materials during printing. For example, the model is relatively large. 3D printing takes a relatively long time. We need to change the material during printing. Changing materials happens frequently, so changing materials is convenient. Secondly, the information on the LCD should be clear, including nozzle temperature during printing, nozzle position, printing speed percentage, platform temperature, printing time, etc.

4. The quality of slicing software and slicing software affects the printing quality. Many 3D printer manufacturers have developed their own 3D printer slicing software based on open-source slicing software. When consumers buy 3D printers, they should check whether the slicing software is easy to operate and whether the slicing process can see the model slicing process in real-time on the computer, which is convenient for setting slicing parameters.

5. 3D printer materials, PLA, and ABS materials are all 3D printer printing materials using FDM melting deposition as raw materials, with rich colors for users to choose from.

6. Types of 3D printers. 3D printers are classified into desktop (consumer), industrial, and mass production. The printing size is also from small to large, and the printing size is determined by the price.

7. The accuracy of the 3D printer. Users buy 3D printers to print the appearance from 3D drawings to final physical models and to check for defects in 3D designs because the 3D drawings designed on the computer are just a virtual products and don't know what will go wrong in practice. Therefore, printing the model can check the deficiencies of the design, avoid the deficiencies and rework changes found when the product is opened, thereby reducing the development cost and shortening the product development cycle.