3D printer for beginners
Getting started with 3D printing should be an enjoyable experience, which is why you need to find the right 3D printer that meets your needs and is not too difficult to use. 3D printers cover a wide range of users. For the advanced, such as innovative companies and those who make their living creating 3D models, they are cutting-edge devices, and for hobbyists and students who are new to 3D printing, they are a potential tool for realising new ideas. So which is the best 3D printer for beginners?
WHAT IS 3D PRINTING ANYWAY?
What do you think of when you hear the word “3D printing”? Most people associate it with conventional printing on paper (2D), but in this case it is a three-dimensional application of a material that produces a 3D model. There are many different 3D printing technologies, but the most commonly used is FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication). It involves melting the filament, which is then applied to the 3D printer’s work surface by a guided nozzle moving along the X, Y and Z axes. This is repeated layer by layer until the full 3D model is created.
SOME THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR TO HELP YOU CHOOSE A 3D PRINTER FOR BEGINNERS?
Of course, many factors influence the choice, but the most important are…
1. YOUR EXPERIENCE
What is your background? Do you have any experience? If you are an absolute beginner in 3D printing, you will want a 3D printer that offers a good experience without too much effort. But some of you may have had a cursory encounter with 3D printing, so you may be more interested in printers with more advanced features.
2. 3D PRINTING VOLUME
How much volume do you need for 3D printing? If you want to print large parts in one step, you’ll need a high-capacity printer. All printers have limits on the size of 3D model they can produce. The volume is limited on the X and Y axes by the size of the working mat, and on the Z axis by the height of the chamber.
Before buying a 3D printer, it is therefore important to know how large your models will be. However, you can also use the software to cut the larger model, print it in parts and finally assemble it into its final form.
3. SPEED AND QUALITY OF 3D PRINTING
3D printing is not such a fast process. Expect 3D printing a 10 cm high model to typically take between 6 and 8 hours, depending on the nozzle you choose. The thicker the nozzle, the wider the filament layers will be. This way, the model will be printed faster, but less accurately. The layer heights that a 3D printer can handle are usually specified in microns. So there is a trade-off between speed and print quality. You need to decide what your requirements are for the precision of your designs.
In addition, the print quality also depends on whether the 3D printer has a closed chamber and a heated working substrate. The closed chamber makes the environment more stable during 3D printing, as the model does not cool down too quickly, and the heated working mat.
4. 3D PRINTER PRICE FOR BEGINNERS
Good 3D printers don’t have to cost a lot. You don’t need to spend a fortune to buy a 3D printer to get started. It’s quite clear that the more expensive 3D printers generally offer more, but do you really need all these features. The latter are particularly relevant for professional users, but for beginners, the most basic and inexpensive model can be perfectly adequate. You can find very powerful 3D printers for significantly less than €1000.
WE HAVE SELECTED SOME 3D PRINTERS THAT ARE SUITABLE FOR THE BEGINNER....
In our shop you can find some 3D printers from FlashForge and Sovol:
WILL IT BE ANY EASIER FOR BEGINNERS TO DECIDE ON A 3D PRINTER?
With a wide range of 3D printers for beginners, there’s never been a better time to join the world of 3D printing. We hope that we have provided you with some general information to help you choose where to start with 3D printing.
