The 3D printer has become increasingly popular in recent years. Not for nothing, because it is currently changing our understanding of production and technical development. So whether you’re a technology lover or an innovator , you can give shape to your ideas with a 3D printer. However, there are a few things to consider when making your selection, including whether you choose an FDM or SLA or resin 3D printer.
In our checklist, we cover everything you need to know about 3D printers. We also advise you to take a look at our product recommendations, because here you can discover the best 3D printers on the market.
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Recommended 3D Printers for Home
We have compiled the best and most interesting 3D printers for home use.
- Two main 3D printer models are suitable for home use : FDM printers and SLA or resin 3D printers.
- FDM printers make the printed object from a plastic fil ament called filament. FDM printers are very clean to use and quickly produce stable printed objects. However, because they apply the filament in layers , individual layers often remain visible. An FDM printer is recommended if you value a large and inexpensive material selection and want to rework print objects little.
- SLA or resin 3D printers work with liquid resin. When printing, they expose the resin to a UV laser or projector, which causes it to cure. The printed objects have no discernible layers and appear as if they were cast. However, they must be rinsed with a solvent after printing. Sometimes post-processing is necessary. After printing, you must remove resin residue from the plate and tank . SLA printers are suitable for printing objects with a high level of detail, which do not necessarily have to be stable.
- There are many different filaments available for FDM printers. You get them as spools in various colors and diameters.
- They are made of a certain thermoplastic, i.e. a heat-sensitive plastic like ABS, PLA. PET-G and similar.
- Before buying, find out which materials and which diameters the 3D printer can process.
- 3D printers are available with different connection options such as USB, SD, micro SD or WLAN connection.
- Make sure that the available connections match the connection options of your computer.
- Print quality depends on the minimum layer height, print speed , and positioning accuracy.
- For home 3D printers, the minimum layer height is usually between 0.1 mm and 0.2 mm. The finer a layer can be applied, the higher the quality of the printed object.
- Devices with a printing speed of 180 to 200 mm per second are recommended for speedy printing.
- The positioning accuracy tells you how precisely the printer can control a point on the XY plane. This value should be less than 0.1 mm.
The Best Sellers Of 3D Printers For Home Use
In a list of bestsellers, we have compiled the most popular 3D printers for home for you.
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Current Offers On 3D Printers For Home
Find the best current offers on 3D printers for home in this list.
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3D Printers FAQ
A tip in advance: In our clear guide you will find a detailed checklist on the subject. There are two different types of 3D printers, each of which works differently. FDM printers produce print objects from plastic threads, while SLA or resin printers work with liquid resin and produce the print objects from it. The respective material is applied layer by layer with a nozzle, so that a 3D object is created.
3D printers are used to form digital 3D models into objects. Learn more in our informative guide.
In our guide you will find a selection of the best 3D printers. The more complex the 3D printer, the higher the price. The price for a 3D printer varies from about 100 to about 500 euros.
For the design of digital objects for 3D printing, the standard CAD software is suitable. For more information, please visit our page.
Which nozzles or “nozzles” you use depends on the specific 3D printer you have available. The “nozzles” themselves are usually made of stainless steel and have different diameters (e.g.: 0.2 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.6 mm etc.). Visit our guide to learn more about this topic.
In the case of the FDA 3D printer, various plastics such as PEEK or PLA are most commonly used, while the SLA 3D printer uses resin. Everything you need to know about 3D printers can be found on our page.
On average, a 3D printer consumes 96 kWh. More important data about 3D printers can be found in our guide on the subject.
On average, a 3D printer takes 6 to 7 minutes to print a 51mm object. Want to learn more? We’ve created an informative 3D printer checklist on our site.
3D printing was invented back in 1986. The patent for the method is held by Chuck Hull. Want to know more? You’ll find everything you need to know about 3D printers on our guide page.