Features to Look For in 3D Printers

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3D printing and printers have exploded in terms of their popularity. Although not everyone can easily access them in the past, today, with the increase in affordable three-dimensional printers and resources- from 3D printing software to downloadable 3D printable files, people can enjoy the benefits offered by 3D printing in their own houses. But just like with other purchases, especially in the technology field, you may want to focus on the right and best features. It is essential to know what to look for when you plan to buy a 3D printer.

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Things to Look for When Buying 3D Printers

If you have plans of buying such a type of printer, keep in mind that there are many things you need to consider. Some of them are as follows.

Noise

The printer’s noise is a big factor. No printer is silent; however, some are quieter as compared to others. At the same time, the physical set up could contribute to its noise level. In case you are printing in your bedroom, the noise level has a pivotal role to play. Even if you have a specific printing area, the sound might still be heard by the neighbors or the home. Hacks like placing the printer on a solid surface or top of a carpet or yoga mat or dampening the surfaces to lessen the noise may help.

Speed

The printers have varying speeds. Typically, a resin printer, for instance, has a slower speed as compared to FDM printers. If your printing is just for fun, speed may not matter that much. On the other hand, if you are using it for business, then the speed is an important consideration.

For smaller printing jobs, faster speed to not affect quality. But for larger ones, faster ones may come at the expense of fine details and might create problems like ringing or vertical banding. Also, slow printing can lead to stringing. But whatever it is, you should opt for a printer that can meet your printing speed requirements.

Self-leveling Bed

One of the major considerations that buyers of a 3D printer have in mind is a self-leveling bed. A manual bed could be a lengthy and frustrating process. Keep in mind that an unlevel bed messes up the print. A lot of prints come with an auto bed leveling feature wherein it has a sensor that tests different points on the print bed. With this, they can better calculate the distance between the print bed and nozzle. The software adjustment helps ensure that the nozzle is at the correct distance from the bed during printing.

Although some users prefer a manual bed leveling, others opt for an auto-leveling printed bed. It is a plug and print that can significantly streamline the process.

Connectivity Options

Before you start printing, you will have to send a 3D-printable file to your printer. This could be done through various methods. Most 3D printers today have great connectivity features. They can be connected via a USB cable. Moreover, the printers come with a USB port or SD card slot for easy plugging and connectivity.

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