3D Printer Buying Guide: How to Choose Your First 3D Printer
3D printers have become increasingly popular worldwide thanks to their numerous features. What started as a niche hobby has now converted into a popular tool for crafting, prototyping, or creating unique designs. With so many options available nowadays, it becomes a bit difficult to choose the best 3D printer for beginners.
Choosing the right 3D printer depends on your needs and preferences so today we’re going to talk about how to choose the best 3D printer for beginners in this detailed 3D printer buying guide.
In This Article
- Why Do You Wanna Buy a 3D Printer?
- Know Types of 3D Printers Before You Buy
- More Information About 3D Printing Materials
- Where to Buy Your First 3D Printer?
- What Should You Do After Picking a 3D Printer?
- 3D Printers Recommendation
Why Do You Wanna Buy a 3D Printer?
3D printing has revolutionized printing by allowing users to create custom designs using their imagination. Perhaps, if you are a tabletop gaming enthusiast, you may want to print miniatures for Warhammer or you may want to print figurines if you’re into video games or anime. Also, many individuals are interested in starting their own 3D printing business, while others may be fascinated by this technology.
Regardless, there are different types of 3D printers that cater to different needs and preferences so it’s essential to choose the appropriate type of 3D printer.
Know Types of 3D Printers Before You Buy
There are three main categories of 3D printers that have different functionalities. Let’s analyze each type and discuss its pros and cons.
FDM – Fused Deposition Modeling
FDM or Fused Deposition Modeling, also known as fused filament fabrication, is an additive manufacturing (AM) process. It is the most widely used 3D printing technology across many industries.
FDM creates parts by building them up layer by layer, following a set path to place melted material. It uses plastic filaments that are heated and shaped into the final object.
FDM uses materials like ABS, PLA, PETG, TPU, and ASA which come as plastic threads fed through a heated nozzle. To use an FDM printer, you start by loading a spool of this plastic filament. When the nozzle reaches the right temperature, the printer pushes the filament through an extrusion head and nozzle.
The extrusion head moves in three directions (X, Y, and Z axes), and the printer places the melted plastic in thin layers, following a design. As the material cools, it hardens.
FDM has various pros and cons. It is more cost-effective than similar technologies. It also has shorter lead times. On the other hand, FDM has the lowest resolution than other printing technologies. This makes it less viable for parts with small details.
SLA – Stereolithography
SLA, or stereolithography, is a widely used 3D printing process. It has the ability to produce accurate and watertight prototypes and production parts with impressive surface smoothness and detailed features.
SLA 3D printing starts by placing the build platform just above a tank of liquid resin. A UV laser then traces a design, solidifying the liquid resin layer by layer. The laser’s light activates the resin, turning it solid by creating strong bonds between the material. Mirrors, called galvos, guide the laser to form the solid part, making sure each layer is fully cured and solid.
SLA has multiple benefits, including the ability to produce parts with very high dimensional accuracy and a smooth surface finish. It is also the fastest form of 3D printing. On the contrary, SLA parts are a bit brittle and may degrade over time if they are exposed to sunlight.
SLS – Selective Laser Sintering
SLS, or Selective Laser Sintering, is an additive manufacturing process. During this process, a laser selectively sinters the particles of a polymer powder, fusing them and building parts, layer by layer. The materials used in SLS are thermoplastic polymers that come in a granular form.
In this process, the powder and build area are heated just below the polymer’s melting point. A thin layer of powder is spread over the platform, and a CO2 laser traces the design, fusing the powder particles together. Once a layer is done, the platform lowers, and another layer of powder is added. This repeats until the part is fully formed.
SLS parts have strong, uniform mechanical properties, making them great for functional parts and prototypes. Since SLS doesn’t need support, it can easily create complex designs. It’s also a good choice for small to medium batch production.
Currently, only industrial SLS systems are widely used, so it takes longer to produce parts compared to other 3D printing methods like FDM and SLA. SLS parts have a rough surface and may have internal pores, so post-processing is needed if you want a smooth finish or watertight results.
More Information About 3D Printing Materials
To better understand 3D printers, it’s essential to understand their materials. Some common 3D printing filaments are PLA, ABS, and PETG. Resin is also a common material for SLA 3D printing.
ABS – Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
ABS is a common 3D printing material that is quite tough and durable. It is also heat and impact-resistant. Its applications include functional prototypes. ABS requires ventilation and a heated bed to print.
PLA – Polylactic Acid
PLA is one of the easiest FDM materials to print. It is quite rigid and strong but is a bit brittle. It is less resistant to heat and chemicals and is biodegradable. Its applications include concept models and prototypes.
PETG – polyethylene terephthalate glycol
PETG is a food-safe humidity and chemical-resistant material that is compatible with lower printing temperatures. Its applications include waterproof applications.
Resin
Resin is a common material for SLA 3D printing. It produces detailed prints and is ideal for creating complex designs and miniatures.
Where to Buy Your First 3D Printer?
If you wonder how to buy a 3D printer, worry not. There are multiple ways to buy a 3D printer for beginners.
- Amazon: Amazon offers a range of 3D printers that you can buy according to your preferences. Amazon offers faster shipping and no hassle return, but the disadvantage is that the printers could be more expensive due to shipping costs.
- Local stores: You may also purchase a 3D printer from local stores, as they have very good customer service and support for local 3D printing communities, making it easier to make friends. However, the disadvantage is that prices may be higher.
- Buy Here!: For reasonable prices, buy 3D printers here at Snapmaker as you get standard pricing, responsible customers online to help you solve problems, and you can get the latest information about 3D printing at any time.
What Should You Do After Picking a 3D Printer?
Normally the 3D printer comes with all you need to get started, so basically you don’t need to prepare any items. However, there are still a few thing to do:
- Prepare a place to put your 3D printer and 3D printing supplies
- Learn how to use allen wrench
- Look up the product manual as far in advance as possible to learn how to use it
Is There a 3D Printer for Both Beginners and Veterans?
If you are considering the best 3D printer for beginners and veterans, choose the Snapmaker J1s, as it offers basic 3D printing as well as advanced multi-color printing capabilities, making it ideal for users of all levels. With its copy mode and mirror mode, you can print in parallel. Its maximum speed is 350 mm/s and a maximum acceleration of 10,000 mm/s2.
If you’re looking for a 3D printer that does more than the basics but still delivers top-notch results, the Snapmaker Artisan is an excellent choice. It’s packed with extra features like laser engraving and CNC carving, and it really shines when it comes to 3D printing. With a spacious 400mm x 400mm x 400mm work area, you can take on bigger projects without feeling limited.
For those more focused on 3D printing, the Snapmaker Artisan offers the perfect mix of precision, versatility, and ease of use, making it a smart investment whether you’re printing simple designs or more complex prototypes.
Conclusion
3D printers have made it easier to print custom designs and figurines. It is essential to choose the right 3D printer for beginners and since there are many types of 3D printers, it is essential to choose the one that aligns with your needs and preferences.
