Technology nowadays is developing at a dizzying pace, and sometimes it’s difficult to keep up with it even for those involved. So for the stand-byers, the technological laymen, it’s very hard to imagine certain concepts. The latest technologies come to help: amateur 3D printers. Applying them, we can present numerous blueprints visually.
It’s possible to print out particular elements and put them together in order to show them to the colleagues. 3D prints are used for displaying abstract problems (such as a layout of an intelligent house) or models of areas (a map of a town or estate). Each element can be printed separately, so that we can show it in detail and process it, depending on the expected final result. Pictorial electric diagrams will not need to show the look and color of the resistor, but just its location in the circuit and technical description. Models of houses or town, on the other hand, will be more accurate and richer in details such as windows and doors, maybe a tree or a bridge over a river. These elements can be later painted in order to reproduce precisely the presented reality.
Amateur 3D printers offer immense possibility of printing elements in different shapes, and for a variety of usages. Most importantly, though, such solutions are now available for the wide public, and even small businessmen or home fans of models will be able to afford them. Let’s present a handful of amateur 3D printers.
3D Printers Reviews For Beginners
Original Lulzbot Mini
A high-quality 3D printer from a US manufacturer, excellent for home use, for designers, craftsmen, engineers and architects. It’s characterized by ease of use, so it will do as the first 3D printer. It enables to print large elements, and its printing area is 152 x 152 x 158 mm. The materials that can be uses are, among others: ABS, PLA, HIPS, PVA, polyester, PETT, polycarbonate, nylon, PETG. Printing elements from carbon fiber is not an option, for it can degrade the head of Lulzbot Mini printer. The device is compatible with a number of software such as OctoPrint, BotQueue, Slic3r, Printrun or MatterControl. Standard program for Lulzbot Mini is Cura Lulzbot Mini Edition. It has certificates CE, FCC, WEEE. Lulzbot Mini is a high-quality medium-shelf price printer for amateur 3D prints.
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Zortrax M200
Manufacturer of this device is a Polish public limited company Zortrax from Olsztyn, which started work on M200 in 2011. It will be a great choice for those who want to give support to Polish production. The device is reliable, and it allows to print for many hours. Suitable for commercial and amateur uses, it attracts with design and reliability. Owing to the application of side panels, the printed models are kept at a steady temperature. It allows to minimize disfiguration depending on temperature oscillation. It has its own Z-SUITE software, which makes possible to use it right after unpacking and connecting.
Printing is done by application of layers of a pre-melted material. The working area is 200 x 200 x 180 mm. The advantage is the possibility of purchasing materials dedicated for the device, but also of using others. The access to the manufacturer in Poland makes it possible to solve potential problems speedily. Zortrax M200 is a medium-shelf price printer.
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Anycubic i3Mega
One of the cheapest devices for amateur 3D printing, definitely belongs to the lowest shelf price on the market. Available mostly on Asian online purchase platforms, hence the low price. It has a large printing area of 210 x 210 x 205 mm. It doesn’t need additional software, it works on Cura, and allows various kinds of materials. As far as amateur 3D printers are concerned, Anycubic i3 Mega is an ideal choice for those who start their adventure with printing. The price availability allows purchase of the device even only for home use, for instance by fans of cities’ or buildings’ models. Even occasional usage will not cause the sense of money waste. And at the same time it’s a printer that can serve for more advanced work, or as a spare device for designers, engineers or architects. It will also do at schools for printing science projects.
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CEL Robox
This printer’s manufacturer is based in Great Britain. It’s printing area is 210 x 300 x 400. CEL Robox prints with materials such as ABS, PETG, PC, Nylon, and PVOH. For use of glass or carbon fiber materials we need to apply the SingleX head. The software installed in the device is Robox® AutoMaker™. It’s recommended for manufacturing and engineering firms, and for educational programs which require visualization of concepts. The printer isn’t easily available in our country, but it can be brought from Great Britain or from other distributors. CEL Robox belongs rather to the medium-price shelf for such products. It has numerous innovative solutions that can be employed at home use, but are more suited for laboratories and engineering projects. A great choice for automation and robotics specialists.
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Creality CR 10S
Another very simple 3D printer, one of the cheapest and therefore a perfect choice for home use or educational goals at schools. It will definitely not cause a sense of lost money, if we don’t need a printer for professional use. It will also print perfectly elements of models that are supposed to represent a concept, and not to serve as usable parts. The device has an open frame, and hence there’s a risk of external contamination getting inside.
An advantage of the device is certainly its simple built, that’s why Creality CR 10S is very easy to assemble. It can be employed as a spare printer in industry, and it will do very well for long-lasting prints, but it must be remembered than that it needs perfect working conditions. Continuous access to electric power without fluctuation, and closed and clean room will make the process easier. Creality CR 10S is a good solution for small businesses and not too demanding projects. The device is quite easily available in the World, which is also its considerable advantage.
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Do you want more 3D printer suggestions?
Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that there’s an enormous choice of amateur 3D printers that can be used in virtually any manner. In fact, one can select something for them in each price category, so even with low budget we can find an excellent device that will work well in business, industry or for home use. There will follow a list of alternative printer choices, with open and closed frames. We can find the cheap and more expensive ones. Open market allows to select devices suited for our expectations, regardless of price. The manufacturers are racing for innovation, so the software and materials shouldn’t make a problem. Due to wide availability of materials and possibility of their use in printers we can consider the purchase of dedicated materials, or buying them elsewhere.
Here are propositions of amateur 3D printers other than the listed above.
- Beethefirst
- Flashforge Creator Pro
