Hi guys. I’m new to 3d printing and I have a few questions.
What is the best low cost 3d printer? ($1000 and under) I want a medium build space and good quality.
Do all softwares work with all printers? I want to make sure I have a program that allows me to design my own parts and print them on my printer.
Do I need a heated bed? Does adhesive work just as good?
All advice is extremely helpful! Thanks!
Printrbot Simple makers kit is $350 (4x4x4"). Our metal simple is $599 assembled (6x6x6). Uses open source software. The metal has a heated bed upgrade available too.
You want a kit or a pre-assembled machine? As this makes a huge difference in your budget.
Design software is separate. There are free applications that allow you to design. And also really expensive ones.
Examples are Sketch-Up, Blender, DesignSparkMechanical.
Almost all software can export to STL, which is what the printer needs to actually print your design. The STL needs to be converted to machine code, usually GCode. Most printers use Slic3r or Cura for this. Some printers come with their own software for this step. I recommend a printer that uses Slic3r or Cura, as that means you always get free updates and are not bound to the manufacturer.
Heated beds are useful if you want to print in ABS, or want to print things with a large flat bottom. As the bed prevents prints from curling up in the first layers. I’m printing things up to 10x10 cm in PLA, and I haven’t had to use a heated-bed yet.
You will find that whoever you buy a printer from they will supply it preconfigured to run on all operating systems. That said what you want to print is rather different. You need to be creative and make your own .stl files or download them from the many shared objects on the net. Enjoy
Printrbots are good or self-source your own:
http://reprap.org/wiki/RepRap_Options
Helpful beginner’s site. Might answer some Q’s you might have. Plus some tutorials on software:
http://www.3dgeni.us/
Thanks @Brook_Drumm @Daid_Braam @Chris_Dunleavy @djC653 How does PLA compare to ABS?
Check the last FaQ on this page from A link I posted above:
http://www.3dgeni.us/faqs-about-3d-printing/
@Kyle_Espenschied_KES
PLA is a better starter material, easier to get good prints. ABS is a bit more durable/stronger so if you are building, say 3D printer parts on your 3D printer, you will want to use ABS or Nylon or a material that is more durable. I suggest PLA while you are getting to know the tools for printing, and then other materials once you have those tools mastered and can focus on the output side.
Good quality? Then don’t ask for low cost in the same sentence.
@Marcus_Wolschon How about the Solidoodle 4?
Oh, and I forgot about Thomas’s videos:
@Kyle_Espenschied_KES no personal experience with it. Can’t say.
@Chris_Dunleavy Please never say it like that. As, a) it’s not true. b) it makes people think design software is included. There are quite a few cheaper printers that do not deliver pre-configured slicing packages. (I’ve manned the Ultimaker stand on trade-shows a few times, this really helps in getting the views and miss-communication of the general public clear)
I bought a self-assembly “Printrbot Metal-Simple” a couple of weeks ago and it works quite well. Priced well under $1000.
After paying for the Printrbot, the software needed to is downloaded for free. It’s a bit complicated, but if you spend the time, you can get the hand of it.
It took me 4 hours to assemble the Printrbot to the point where I could power-up and test it.
The most important part was leveling the build plate - I had to add some spring washers under the plate to remove a minor warp in the plate. Until I added the spring-washers I could only print small things. Bigger things would simply not stick to the plate and the print would be ruined.
Note: I am an engineer, so unless you are pretty sure of yourself, or happy to be on a steep learning curve, I wouldn’t get the self-assembly version - just pay a few more dollars and buy the pre-assembled version, which is apparently factory-tested before they send it to you.
3D printers are not consumer technology like an inkjet printers - it’s pretty fiddly to get things printing properly. But there are lots of forums and YouTube videos out there to help. Invest the time and it should work pretty well like mine does.