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Which is the best 3D printer?
There's no such thing. The best 3D printer or rapid prototyping system is the one that meets more of your criteria than the others. All additive fabrication machines come with limitations and unknowns - some more than others. This is especially true of the low-cost market segment where many entries are new and the producers inexperienced. The most important thing is to first ask yourself what you will be doing with the machine.
The important point is that no additive manufacturing machine or 3D printer does it all. You'll need to trade-off what you need and want with what you can afford. Look over the related information presented on this site. That will save you a lot of time. But once you have made two or three preliminary choices, get your hands on some real parts or models made by those machines. That will tell you more than anything you'll ever read. |
| Listings Color Key... | ||
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(Self-replicating RP Machine) |
(second generation) |
[Most machines based on RepRap have very similar specs.] |
[Minimum price for a complete kit, with average about $500.] |
(a little lubrication, once in a while ) |
WxDxH approx. 16 lbs |
PLA, HDPE, ABS & more. Uses 0.125" dia filament | 0.080 in min. feature size; 0.004 in positioning accuracy; layer thk 0.012 in |
 Lowest-cost
Highly-adaptable: allows customization for specific applications
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Slow process
Do-It-Yourself from top to bottom. - Not appropriate for the mechanically, electronically, software-ally disinclined
Only fair quality parts and models so far
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[fully-assembled] |
WxDxH weight unknown |
PLA |
Lowest cost for an assembled unit
Low-cost materials
Stylish appearance, brushed aluminum housing
Material spool is inside the machine
Cloud-based WiFi printing
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Slow process
Not easily modifiable by user for special requirements
PLA material only; no second material for supports or additional colors
No heated build platform, but not required for PLA only
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[fully-assembled] Version 3 with 8x8x8 in build volume ships Jan., 2013 at $799 |
WxDxH 17 lbs. |
[Larger volume available] |
ABS; PLA; other plastics possible | $22 per lb for ABS |
Very low-cost for an assembled unit
Low-cost materials
Heated build platform available for +$50
Available strong enclosure, lighting, other amenities at small additional cost
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Slow process
Only one extruder so no support material or multi-material operation possible
Not easily modifiable by user for special requirements
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Details here... |
[fully-assembled] |
WxDxH 9 lbs. |
PLA and ABS in many colors; Material cartridge cost $49, which amounts to an estimated $71/lb | (no spec available) |
(accuracy specs not available) |
Low-cost
Several colors of material available, but only prints one at a time
Easy-loading material cartridges
Integrated with creation community Cubify™
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Slow process
Somewhat Lower resolution
One extrusion head, cannot be expanded for a second or soluble support material
Not modifiable by user for special requirements
A single, expensive, material supplier
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[assembled] |
WxDxH 11 lbs. |
WxDxH |
ABS | 0.010 to 0.014 in layer thickness |
Low-cost
Low-cost materials
Quiet, clean operation
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Slow process
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[fully-assembled] |
DxWxH 70 lbs |
ABS, PLA, PVA | Extrusion speed: 200 mm/min |
Positioning accuracy: 0.002 in; Extruder nozzle: 0.014 in |
Low-cost, assembled machine from an experienced manufacturer
Low cost materials
Wi-fi computer connection
Second extruder available for +$200
Large print volume
Heated build platform
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Slow process
Somewhat lower resolution
Not modifiable by user for special requirements
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[kit] $2,226 [assembled] |
WxDxH 18 lbs. |
Primarily PLA (polylactic acid) & ABS. Also tried with HDPE, PP, PMMA | > 5 times as fast as similar competitors.) |
0.0004 in (10 microns) layer thickness |
Large build volume for outside dimensions
Fast operation relative to similar machines
Improved finishes relative to similar machines
Material can be changed while printing
Low-cost
Highly-adaptable: allows customization for specific applications
Good material selection
Low-cost materials
Quiet, clean operation
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Slow process
Do-It-Yourself - Not appropriate for the mechanically disinclined
Lacks heated build platform
Hand finishing and post-processing of parts required
No second head for a support or additional material
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AO-101 |
[fully-assembled] |
weight 18 lbs |
ABS, PLA |
Low-cost, assembled machine from an established manufacturer
Low cost materials
Heated build platform
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Slow process
Somewhat smaller print volume than typical
Single extruder, but can be customized by DIY user for dual extruders
Modifiable by user for special requirements
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(US$1,827) [kit] [Assembled: US$2,970] Model LD kit with build volume of 7.9 x 15.8 x 7.9 in available at US$2,330 |
LxWxH 26 lbs. |
(X,Y,Z) [Larger volume available] |
PLA, HDPE, ABS & more | Z: 47 in/sec |
Capable of mounting choice of several tool heads
Fast operation relative to similar machines
Claims very quiet operation
Heated platform
Low-cost
Highly-adaptable: allows customization for specific applications
Good material selection
Low-cost materials
Quiet, clean operation
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Slow process
Do-It-Yourself - Not appropriate for the mechanically disinclined
Hand finishing and post-processing of parts required
No second head for a support or additional material
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[assembled] Replicator 2X |
weight: 25.4 lbs |
LxWxH |
PLA only; $22 to $25 per lb | not specified |
2.5 microns on Z-axis; 11 micron on X&Y-axes; actual part res. not spec'd; typ. z-layer ht. is 0.004 in |
Low-cost
Low-cost materials
Improved steel frame
Improved and faster software
Web-site for users to exchange designs, but that's open-source so anyone can use it
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Slow process
Kit version not available for lower cost
PLA material only; no second material for supports or additional colors
No heated build platform, but not required for PLA only
Not open-source hardware or software, users can't easily modify machine
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One Head
$3,249
$3,999 [all fully-assembled] |
WxLxH 84 lbs. |
(single extruder; max. print sizes decreases with more heads)
7.3 x 10.75 x 9.5 in |
PLA and ABS in many colors; Material cartridge cost $99, which amounts to an estimated $70 to $100/lb | (no spec available, claims to be up to 2X faster than similar machines) |
x & y axes: greater of +/- 1% of object dimension or +/- 0.008 in; |
Low-cost for a very large print volume
Numerous colors of material available, able to print up to three colors in a build
Easy-loading material cartridges
Integrated with creation community Cubify™
Selectable resolution for "draft" prints
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Slow process
Not modifiable by user for special requirements
A single, expensive, material supplier
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(Your home!) |
[parts only, if purchased by user] |
WxDxH |
Anything you can squirt. Tried so far: silicone, epoxy, cheese, chocolate, frosting, clay, PlayDoh, plaster |
Low-cost
Highly-adaptable: allows customization for specific applications
Low-cost materials
Can use materials and be adapted to many applications which are not appropriate for any other technology
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Slow process
Slow hardening times for materials tried so far
Do-It-Yourself - or at least some assembly required - Not appropriate for the mechanically disinclined
Poor quality parts and models so far
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[assembled] |
weight: 27.8 lbs |
LxWxH |
ABS & PLA; $22 to $25 per lb | not specified |
2.5 microns on Z-axis; 11 micron on X&Y-axes; actual part res. not spec'd; z-layer ht. is adjustable from 0.004 to 0.0133 in |
Two extruder heads
Heated build platform
Low-cost materials
Improved steel frame
Improved and faster software
Web-site for users to exchange designs, but that's open-source so anyone can use it
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Slow process
Kit version not available for lower cost
Not open-source hardware or software, users can't easily modify machine
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[assembled] |
WxDxH Weight: 18 lbs |
proprietary photopolymer | typical rate is approx. 15mm of height per hour |
True part accuracy not specified |
Low-cost for high resolution
Moderate materials cost
Excellent detail and surface finish
Quiet, clean operation
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Slow process
Kit version not available for lower cost
Very limited materials and properties may vary over time
Care must be exercised in handling materials
Not modifiable by user for special requirements
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[kit, including $900 for projector] |
LxWxH 110 lbs. shipping weight with projector; (77 lbs shipping weight w/o projector) |
(X x Y x Z) |
Several photopolymers available | Using full area, up to 163 dpi X-Y res.; At 5 x 5 in build area res. up to 385 dpi True part accuracy not specified |
Low-cost for high resolution
Fast operation
Quiet, clean operation
Open-source, can be modified by user
Large build volume
Moderate materials cost
Excellent detail and surface finish
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Kit version only - not appropriate for the mechanically disinclined
Huge machine - as big as a small armchair
Care must be exercised in handling materials
Materials properties may vary over time
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[assembled] |
WxDxH 22 lbs. |
WxDxH |
Choice limited to 2 photopolymers | 38 micron (0.0015 in) pixel size; Z-axis increments as small as 1 micron (0.00004 in) |
Low-cost for extremely high resolution
Fast operation
Quiet, clean operation
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Very small build envelope
Expensive materials but small parts so still moderate cost per part
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[includes support removal system and starter-kit of consumables. Printer alone is $9,500.] |
60 lbs |
X-Y positional accuracy is not specified |
Low cost for professional-level machine with low-price leasing option
Turn-key operation compared to hobbyist machines
Strong, durable parts
Technology has reputation for reliability
Quiet, clean operation
Soluble support materials and support removal system included
Deposition heads are replaced with material cartridge
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Slow process
Limited material selection; just one type and color of ABS
Material cost very high and only a single supplier
Smaller build volume than competitors
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140 lbs |
accuracy: 0.008 in over 4 inches, 0.040 min feature size |
Strong, durable parts
Technology has reputation for reliability
Quiet, clean operation
Dual nozzle head for dispensing support materials
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Slow process
Limited material selection
Material cost somewhat high
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ProJet™ 1500:$14,500 |
in WxDxH; 122 lbs |
ProJet™ 1500: 6.75x9x8 in |
0.8 in/hr high speed mode (Z-Axis) for ProJet™ 1500 |
resolution: 1024x768 DPI (xy) ; min. vert. wall thickness 0.025 in (0.64mm); min. feat. size 0.010 in (0.254mm) |
Low cost for stereolithography-like quality
Accuracy, resolution & finish
Speed
Choice of color materials
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Limited material selection
Materials mechanical properties & durability
High-cost materials
Requires accessory washing and curing equipment which costs thousands of additional dollars for useable parts
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Details here... |
WxDxH; 132 lbs |
Strong, durable parts
FDM reputation for reliability
Quiet, clean operation
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Slow process
Material cost is relatively high
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Z Corp.] |
[64 color-capable version $24,900.] |
365 lbs |
elastomeric, direct casting, investment casting |
[0.8 inches/hour] |
layer thickness 0.004 in |
Fastest of all available technologies
Moderately wide material selection
Low-cost materials
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Removing parts from machine and cleaning them can be messy
Poor material mechanical properties
Finishes not as attractive as other technologies
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[Objet merged with Stratasys Dec., 2012] |
(Objet24) |
205 lbs |
11.58 x 7.58 x 5.85 in (Objet30) |
(Objet24) |
layer thickness 0.0011 in; positional accuracy: +/- 0.0039 in typical |
Low cost for stereolithography-like quality
Accuracy, resolution & finish
Speed
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Limited material selection
Materials mechanical properties & durability
Secondary Finishing Operations, (although less onerous than some competing technologies)
High-cost Materials
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