Introduction to 3D Printers
- Hyde
- Oct 6, 2024
- 5 min read
So you’d like to get into the world of 3D Printing but aren’t sure where to start? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Let’s go over some of the basics.
First up: Choosing a type of 3D printer
What it is you’re going to be printing, is one of the larger deciding factors when choosing which printer works best for you.
A filament printer (FDM), Fused Deposition Modeling, uses a spool of filament, usually thermoplastic, and a hot end to essentially work as a glue gun and push out melted filament through an extruder. It melts the filament until it is malleable and using a fan attached to the hot end, cools it in layers to the desired shape.
A resin printer, uses UV resin, a light-sensitive liquid that cures or solidifies when coming in contact with ultraviolet rays. It utilizes a build plate that is submerged into a vat containing the UV resin, and using a light cures the resin into the desired shape. The build plate will move up after each layer to allow for the next layer until the printing process is complete. The curing time can be altered by the resin used and the type of resin printer.
Different Resin Printing Types:
Stereolithography
A laser is used utilizes a laser to cure the resin through a vat. This method requires a minimal amount of liquid resin to be present, making these printers smaller than others.
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD/(MSLA)
Digital Light Processing (DLP)
FDM Printers (Filament) Pros & Cons
Better for large prints
Less post-print work is needed
More budget friendly
Stronger prints - (Depends on multiple print factors) Beginner-friendly
Lower print resolution
Requires less maintenance
Resin Printers Pros & Cons
Second: Choosing the printer itself
Highly Rated Printers on Amazon (4.1- 5 Stars)
GKtwo - 5 Stars - $999 - RESIN PRINTER
Anycubic Kobra 2 - 4.8 Stars- $159.99 - FDM PRINTER
ELEGOO Mars 3 MSLA - 4.5 Stars - $177.99 - RESIN PRINTER
CREALITY HALOT 6 - 4.4 Stars - $139 - RESIN PRINTER
ELEGOO Neptune 3 PRO - 4.4 Stars - $198.98 - FDM PRINTER
CREALITY Ender 3 V3 SE - 4.4 Stars - $259 -FDM PRINTER
Longer LK5 Pro- 4.4 Stars- $283.57 - FDM PRINTER
ANYCUBIC Photon Mono 2- 4.3 Stars - $149.99 - RESIN PRINTER
ELEGOO Mars 4 - 4.3 Stars - $189.99 - RESIN PRINTER
CREALITY K1C - 4.3 Stars - $559.00 - FDM PRINTER
CREALITY K 1 SE - 4.3 Stars - $359.00 - FDM PRINTER
Tina2S- 4.3 Stars - $199.98 - FDM PRINTER
Phrozen Sonic Mini - 4.2 Stars - $129.99 - RESIN PRINTER
ANYCUBIC Photon Mono X - 4.2 Stars - $259.99 - RESIN PRINTER
CREALITY Ender 3 - 4.2 Stars - $169.00 - FDM PRINTER
AnkerMake MSC - 4.2 Stars - $199.99 - FDM PRINTER
ELEGOO Mars 5 Ultra - 4.1 Stars - $284.99 - RESIN PRINTER
FLASHFORGE Adventurer 5M - 4.1 Stars - $298.99 - FDM PRINTER
Budget Friendly Printers (Under $200)
Third: Choosing the materials for your prints
Resin
The resin will have a wavelength listed, this tells you whether or not it is compatible with your printer. The lower the wavelength rating is, the more light output it will need to fully cure.
Standard Resin - Affordable - fragile
Clear Resin
Castable Resin
Water washable Resin - Does not need to be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol, water can be used instead - smoother finish - less odor
Flexible Resin
Heat Resistant Resin - Can be exposed to heat of about 230 °C
Filament
Recommended Accessories / Supplies
Ensure that the accessories are available, not included with the purchase of, and can be used with your selected printer!
Resin Printers
Respirator/face mask - (Resin releases fumes that are toxic to inhale)
Wash and Cure Station
Gloves - (Uncured resin is not safe to touch)
Isopropyl Alcohol
USB purifier - (Reduce fumes)
Funnel - (preferably silicone for easy clean up)
Silicone mat
Dark container - (used for leftover resin)
Mini heater - (For printing in cold environments)
Silicone bed scraper - for easy model removal
FDM Printers (FILAMENT)
General
Sources:
Resin printing images property of Formlabs
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