Hi there
So my architecture office wants to get into 3D printing.
Since I’m into 3D printing (i currently work with a cheap anet a8), they commissioned me to look for a good 3D Printer. Price doesn’t really matter at this time right now. It should be a closed printer with a heated bed (get ready for full bed printing). The bigger the better. It should be reliable and not too complicated to use. Autoleveling would be great.
Any help and suggestions are really appreciated.
The H800+ from Afina is a pretty good option for you guys. Also named the Up Box+ in the US. https://www.up3d.com/?r=upboxplus
http://afinia.com/3d-printers/h800/
Or the Raise3D printers would also work, they’re more expensive but you mentioned cost wasn’t an issue. https://www.raise3d.com/pages/products
I still advocate for the Lulzbot Taz6 if money is no object.
@Griffin_Paquette No enclosure. You can buy one as an add on though.
https://www.lulzbot.com/store/parts/lulzbot-taz-6-enclosure-printed-solid
You should consult with a couple rapid prototyping companies as well as commercial printer manufacturers. Buying 3d printed parts vs 3d printers is a very different business model and both have very different impacts on efficiency/operations, so make sure your bosses understand the exact application and purposes for the printers. It sounds like you are after FDM, so check out Fortus 900mc. For high quality prints, take a hard look at objet500 or similar.
@Adam_Steinmark we have 5 afinias at my school and I have to say they are a nightmare. They never break… Which i guess is good, but thier proprietary software makes it impossible to calibrate, we cant even change the temp settings for different filaments, just 210 for pla and 245 for abs
It sounds like you might benefit from contacting some of the companies that represent 3D printing manufacturers. I don’t know where you are, but one is Cimquest in Northern New Jersey (US). I used to be a customer of theirs when they represented Solidworks, which they no longer do. They, or others like them, would be in a position to give you both advice and support.
@Kleinfeld_Technical We’re from switzerland, so uhm the US is a bit far away^
@Matthew_Del_Rosso wait they’re proprietary? I thought they just ran Repetier
@Adam_Steinmark yes sir! Its to make you buy thier abs and pla which their machines are calibrated for… And to be honest, i get better print quality out of my simple metal
@Matthew_Del_Rosso Huh I take back my suggestion then. I have a friend with an Up Plus 2 and his is running Repetier, I guess he must’ve installed it himself.
If you want maximum reliability and maximum build size, and cost is really not an issue, go Stratasys or 3D Systems. They’re not good VALUE… but they’re still the top hardware for environments where futzing around with repairs and maintenance is not tolerable.
If it were menin the US, I would order a Fusion3 F400. https://www.fusion3design.com/f400-enclosed-3d-printer/
Another good option is Type-A Machines.
For Europe, I would have to think more… maybe Ultimaker 3. User-friendly dualstrusion is really valuable for people like architects who print complex geometry with lots of bridges/overhangs.
Since this is for an archecture business, skip over filament printers, and outsource anything you want printed by filmament. Go directly to SLA printers because the finess capability eliminates the construction lines found in filament printers. SLA produces much more detail so is better suited for complex works.
I would vote for an SLS/SLA printer. Maybe the form labs printer would be your best bet…
@MidnightVisions @Panayiotis_Savva good point on quality, but if you want to print an entire building model in one go, consumer-grade SLA isn’t much use. That’s why I’m thinking an Objet or something like that could be good.
My mind gears towards ease of use, maintenance, and generally the issues with fdm such has ringing, adhesion and 1000 other things they can go wrong. I think for a company that wants it must to work, it’s much better to go for a printr with the reputation of the Form2… But yes, you are also right with regards to the size of prints… Maybe muli part prints is the answer here…
I would kick myself if I didn’t throw my hat in the ring… Printrbot Simple Pro is $699… touch screen, cloud or usb, heated bed, autoleveling… 8”x6”x8”
Made in USA 
Brook
@Panayiotis_Savva Form2 is a great printer, but resin in general isn’t exactly user-friendly. Personally I would never use resin-curing printers in a professional office environment or home desktop. More of a garage / shop / commercial work space printer. Post-curing is messy, resin fumes can be a serious irritant for some people, you can’t get the stuff on your hands or clothes, and used rinse alcohol is arguably hazardous waste…
I don’t know fully what your employers have in mind or what kind of work flows you have. If you’re looking for models that customers will see, I really think you need to seriously consider something like a ProJet CJP or MJP series, at least know what it is and maybe have models printed with it.