Things to Consider Before Buying a Professional 3D Printer

The first step in turning your ideas into reality is finding the right professional 3d printer for all your projects. When it comes to choosing the right machine, you have to consider several factors. 

Technology

The main thing to consider before buying a professional 3D printer is the 3D printing technology that best fit your needs. FDM, SLS, DMLS or SLA are the different technologies available and they suit different purposes and uses like prototyping or production. 3D technology is also related to printing resolutions, so it also needs to be checked. 

Filament

It is also important to know what material feedstock can be used in the printer: plastic powder, metal powder, metal wires, resins, etc. One of the best materials to use is called PLA (polylactic acid). This filament provides consistent results and works well for most printing applications. For chemical or plastic production, you may need other materials with different properties. The ABS material is widely used in the injection moulding industry, although it is a little more difficult to work with. 

Some professional 3d printers can be used with a range of materials. This may sound tempting but you should know that every material will require you to change the machine settings, and this is not as easy as it may sound. There is not always good information on which settings need to changed for each material. Printing with less common filament in the wrong settings can cause the machine to have problems. 

Building Size

The building size of the machine can impact what you can print. Creating very large objects or large scale batches requires larger machines. Smaller and faster 3D printers are great for fast prototyping of small parts.

Required Accessories

When it comes to 3D printing, people often think of it as a nearly automatic technology. However, it is more complicated than just pushing a single button. Aside from the CAD design and the preparation of the machine, running a 3D printer also requires to consider support removal, post processes, finishes and maintenance. So, when choosing a professional 3d printer, remember to take a look at the associated accessories required to properly run your 3D printer. 

Easy of Use

Not all machines are created equal. Some manufacturers take the extra step to make life simple and clear for their users, others do not. A good machine will have:

• Advanced software to allow you to print easily and quickly while giving you control over print quality;
• A good screen on the machine that guides you through every step, such as adjusting the extruders or changing filament. 

Keep in mind that low-end machines can be quite difficult to use. They often use a third party open source software that may require you to speak to the machine through lines of code, and ready bulky training manuals. This is the reason they are cheap.