Which 3D printer to choose? TOP-6 from 3Dtool

    Good afternoon, dear readers of Geektimes! 3D printers are beginning to penetrate modern life. And more and more people want to get them. This is no longer a fabulous machine, but a machine that has found its application in many industries.

    Manufacturers saw demand and began to produce various modifications of 3D printers. The choice of models is now very large and you can get confused in it.

    We decided to help with this choice. Our blog will periodically publish a small hit parade, the most successful models for the acquisition. A pair of pieces for each price group. We restrict ourselves to those models that are officially presented on the Russian market.

    We will conditionally divide them into three price categories:

    - Budget segment
    - Must have
    - For Business

    We immediately warn that Chinese 3D printers purchased on Ali will not be presented on our list ... Firstly, they are not officially delivered to the Russian market, and do not have a Russian guarantee and service. And secondly, often they are of dubious quality, and require bringing them to working condition. Therefore, we will write about those 3D printers that allow you to start 3D printing right after purchase and assembly.

    Go…

    Budget segment


    It usually presents low-cost printers for self-assembly. Or as they call it - DIY KIT. In Russian designers. Unlike the already mentioned Chinese 3D printers, these designers immediately after assembly allow you to print quality. In addition to the designers in this group there are assembled, ready-to-work 3D printers.

    All 3D printers from the budget segment have some or other restrictions when working. Usually one or more of these restrictions are present.

    Here is a short list of restrictions:

    • The lack of a closed chamber
    • Low print speed
    • Small print area
    • Restriction on the types of consumables (plastics) used
    • The need for self-assembly

    Low print quality and low reliability are not included in this list. If there are such shortcomings, then you do not need to buy such equipment at all.

    The first on our list, an unchanging hit since 2014.

    Hephestos2016


    This model immediately after the start of sales has become very widespread and popular. What is the reason for this?

    Detailed instructions, ease of assembly, decent quality 3D printing. Hephaestos has open documentation and therefore it can be easily upgraded at your discretion. The printer has a large “community” in which a lot of add-ons have already been developed and made publicly available.

    At the end of 2016, the printer was updated - the design was simplified, packaging, electronics, and an extruder were updated. Assembling a printer is easier and faster. The build process is quite simple, even a high school student can handle it. Or a child under the supervision of an adult.

    The European origin of the printer is immediately apparent - thoughtful packaging. Great step-by-step assembly instructions. Quality components.

    The printer is built according to the scheme of Prusa i3, as evidenced by its original name Prusa i3 Hephestos. Since the end of 2016, the 3D printer has been called Hephestos 2016.

    Features of Hephestos 2016:

    • Material used for 3D printing: PLA; FLEX; NYLON; Rubber Laywood; Laybrick, PETG;
    • Printing Area: 215x210x180 mm;
    • Layer height: from 60 to 300 microns;
    • Thread diameter: 1.75 mm;
    • Nozzle diameter: 0.4 mm;
    • Printing speed: 40-100 mm / s;
    • The presence of a heated platform: No;
    • Number of printheads: 1;
    • Software: Cura Software, Slic3r, Repetier, Kisslicer;
    • Connecting a 3D printer to a computer: USB, SD;
    • Dimensions and weight: 460х383х430 mm, Weight — 9.7 kg;
    • Warranty: 1 year;





    He also has features. For example, there is no heated desktop. Due to the lack of a heated table, Hephaestos has a very low power consumption. It is only 60 watts. Lack of heating also simplifies the design and makes the printer safe. But it imposes certain restrictions on the materials used. It is almost impossible to print with high shrink plastics. For example, one of the most common materials is ABS. Although now this is no longer a big problem. Many manufacturers produce materials that do not require a heated table.

    PROS:

    • Low price
    • Easy assembly
    • Reliability
    • The ability to understand the design and upgrade a 3D printer
    • Security

    MINUSES:

    • Lack of heated table
    • No enclosure closed

    Hephestos is primarily intended for acquaintance with 3D printing. This is facilitated by ease of assembly, reliability, and high potential for modernization. Despite this positioning, it is a serious machine that allows you to perform complex tasks. But we must understand that the lack of heating of the desktop and the closed case limits the choice of materials for high-quality 3D printing.

    The official cost of the 3D printer Hephestos 2016 today is 39 950 rubles.

    The second representative of the budget segment, 3D printer from a Russian manufacturer.

    BiZon Prusa i3 Steel


    The printer is also built according to the Prusa i3 scheme. It is presented on the market in two versions:

    The first is a similar Hephestos kit for self-assembly for 46,900 rubles. The

    second option is a fully assembled 3D printer for 54,900 rubles.

    Unlike the previous printer, Bizon has a heated table having heating up to 120 ° C and it can print with a full range of materials. Including with high shrinkage, such as ABS.
    In addition, the printer has a large print area - 300x300x350 mm.

    Features BiZon Prusa i3 Steel:

    • Material used for 3D printing: ABS; PLA HIPS; FLEX; NYLON; PVA; Rubber T-Glass; Laywood; Laybrick
    • Printing Area: 300x300x350 mm;
    • Layer height: from 80 to 350 microns;
    • Thread Diameter: 1.75;
    • Nozzle diameter: 0.4 mm (the ability to install a nozzle 0.2-1.2 mm);
    • Printing speed: 50-100 mm / s;
    • The presence of a heated platform: Yes, 120C;
    • Number of printheads: 1;
    • Software: Repetier-Host, Slic3r, Cura;
    • Connecting a 3D printer to a computer: USB, SD-card (offline printing);
    • Dimensions and weight: 500х550х550 mm, Weight - 12.5 kg;
    • Warranty: 6 months;




    Bizon 3D printer is positioned as a solution for printing large parts. It has a low cost.

    PROS:

    • Low price
    • There is a heated table
    • All-metal construction
    • Large print area
    • Ability to choose a designer or assembled printer

    MINUSES:

    • No enclosure closed
    • Assembly requires more time and skills (e.g. compared to Hephestos)

    If you do not want to spend a large sum on the purchase of a 3D printer, but there is a need to print with all plastics - Bizon is the best option. Add to this the impressive print area of ​​300x300x350 mm. The bison has more features than Hephaestos, but requires skill in assembly. It will not be as easy for a beginner to assemble it as the Spanish Hephestos. And you need to understand that the lack of a closed print chamber creates problems when printing large models from ABS or Nylon.

    The Must Have Segment


    This group will feature printers worth more than 100,000 rubles. They are positioned as semi-professional, universal solutions for various hobby and business tasks. Unlike 3D printers from the first group, there is no need to collect anything here. All equipment is immediately ready for use. It has a closed case, the ability to print all types of consumables, high speed and print quality.

    This group includes many 3D printers. But today we will focus on two of them.

    3D printer Zenit


    It is made in Russia. It was introduced in the spring of 2016 and immediately gained popularity. What was the reason for this? This printer cannot be called outstanding. It is simple and reliable. Prints in accordance with the declared characteristics. Fantastic speed is no different. Unless, it has a print area of ​​slightly more than "classmates" - 240x215x230 mm.

    But!

    It prints always and stably, many hours in a row, with all available materials. There is simply nothing to break into it. This is such a “Kalashnikov assault rifle" in the world of 3D printers.

    Zenit 3D Printer Features

    • Material used for 3D printing: PLA, ABS, Flex, Rubber, PC, PETG, Hips, Nylon, Laywood (filament diameter 1.75mm);
    • Printing area: 240x215x230 mm;
    • Layer Thickness: 50-300 microns;
    • The presence of a heated platform: Yes;
    • Nozzle diameter: 0.3 mm;
    • Number of printheads: 1;
    • The speed of movement of the print head: up to 300 mm / s;
    • Printing speed: up to 35 cm3 per hour;
    • Supported formats: STL;
    • Connecting a 3D printer to a computer: USB (printing via an SD card is also possible);
    • Dimensions and weight: 460x360x370 mm, weight - 20 kg;
    • Power Consumption: 220V, 50Hz, 350W;
    • Warranty: 3 years;



    Continuous printing time of the left half of a pair of clogs



    And here is the result:



    A complete set of all the necessary characteristics, a large print area, a closed case. The sturdy metal construction provides reliability and print quality at high speeds. Appearance leaves no questions about the purpose of the equipment - it is a machine for production.

    PROS:

    • Hard metal enclosed case
    • Large print area 240x215x230 mm
    • Heated table
    • Low noise during operation
    • Ability to print with all available materials
    • High reliability.
    • 3 year warranty

    MINUSES:

    • Not the most modern look. Although this is not important for the machine

    The printer is primarily versatile and can be used simultaneously for solving business or home hobby tasks.

    If you need a guaranteed result, and you do not pursue designer refinements, then this is one of the best options.

    The price of a Zenit 3D 3D printer in April 2017 is 119,000 rubles + 5 kg plastic as a gift.

    Hercules Strong 3D Printer


    The name of this printer, created in Russia, speaks for itself. Hercules is big and strong. This is how this 3D printer can be characterized. When designing this 3D printer, developers from Krasnoyarsk wanted to solve the problems of 3D printing large layouts and prototypes.

    The printer has a large print camera and a massive body that eliminates vibration, which positively affects the quality of the print.

    Features of the Hercules Strong 3D Printer:

    • The material used for 3D printing: ABS, PLA, HIPS, Flexible materials (Watson, Rubber, FLEX), Bronze;
    • Printing area: 300x290x370 mm;
    • Layer thickness: 20 to 800 microns;
    • Presence of a heated platform: Yes (glass-ceramic);
    • Number of printheads: 1 (nozzle diameter 0.4 mm), Additional nozzles (optional) 0.3 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.8 mm, 1 mm;
    • Printing speed: up to 80 mm / s;
    • Supported formats: STL, OBJ;
    • Software: Repetier-Host, Simplify3D, Cura .;
    • Connecting a 3D printer to a computer: USB (printing via an SD card is also possible);
    • Dimensions and weight: 573x520x670 mm, weight - 22 kg;
    • Power Consumption: 550W.
    • Warranty: 1 year;





    PROS:

    • Hard metal enclosed case
    • Large print area 300x290x370 mm
    • High print quality
    • Possibility of fast high-quality printing with flexible materials
    • Possibility of high-quality printing with nozzles of different diameters

    MINUSES:

    • Dimensions

    What other features does Hercules Strong have, besides its size? What sets it apart from other printers? Firstly, it is the time taken to print large objects. Hercules has the ability to print nozzles of different diameters from 0.3 mm to 1.0 mm. That is, large models can be printed with a nozzle of a larger diameter, which will significantly save time spent on 3D printing. And accordingly, if we need high quality for printing a small part, then we can use a nozzle with a diameter of 0.3 mm. There are no problems with changing the nozzle; everything for this is thought out in the printer, including the plastic feed mechanism and the extruder as a whole. The second nuance - printing large models takes a lot of time and you need the reliability of the printer in the "long distance race". The manufacturer conducted a continuous printing test for more than 135 hours (more than 5 days!). Excellent result!



    The third “trump card in the sleeve” of Hercules Strong is the UniHot extruder , thanks to which the printer can quickly and efficiently print with rubber-like materials (Rubber, Flex).

    With all of these qualities, Hercules Strong's primary application is printing large models and prototypes. But with all this, Hercules remains a universal tool and can easily print small details with jewelry precision.

    The price of Hercules Strong in April 2017 is 147,000 rubles + 10 kg of plastic as a gift.

    Segment “For Business”


    What can be attributed to this category? What requirements should these 3D printers meet?

    We list these requirements:

    • Printing any prototypes or parts of any complexity.
    • Increased Resource and Reliability
    • Additional functions for work as a part of "printing farms"
    • The simplest printing process
    • Maximum automation
    • Printing with any available supplies
    • Easy maintenance

    To ensure high-quality 3D printing of complex models, the printer must have at least two extruders. This is required for printing complex models with soluble supports. It also means a fully enclosed case for high-quality printing with materials with high shrinkage - ABS, Nylon and others.

    In the professional sector, the end result is important. The designer or designer needs a layout or prototype. And the sooner he gets it, the better. For this, the printer must be easy to manage and maintain. All processes should be as automated as possible, and not require human participation.

    But, as everyone knows, the best is never cheap. Therefore, the main disadvantage of this category is a rather high price.

    3D printer Raise3D N2 Dual


    We already talked about this printer in our last review . The review clearly shows why this technique was on this list.

    Great solution for professional use.

    Specifications:

    • Material used for 3D printing: PLA, ABS, Filaflex, PVA, PC, Hips, Nylon, Laywood;
    • Printing area: 305x305x305 mm;
    • Layer thickness: 10 to 200 microns;
    • Nozzle diameter: 0.4 mm;
    • The presence of a closed camera 3D printing: Yes;
    • Heated table: Yes, up to 110С;
    • Extruder temperature: up to 300С;
    • Number of printheads: 2;
    • Software: Proprietary software IdeaMaker;
    • Connecting a 3D printer to a computer: USB, SD;
    • Touch screen: 7 ″;
    • Warranty: 1 year;



    image

    PROS:

    • Rigid enclosed enclosure
    • Large print area 305x305x305mm
    • Heated table
    • Low noise during operation
    • Ability to print with all available materials
    • Two extruders allow you to print complex models using water-soluble supports
    • A large number of management interfaces
    • Remote management capability
    • Autonomous power supply of the central control module.

    MINUSES:

    • Price

    Raise3D N2 Dual combines two rare features - a large print area and two extruders. In addition, it has interchangeable nozzles of different diameters, which makes it possible to optimize printing speed depending on the size and complexity of the product. Additional features make it easy to use as a professional tool for business.

    The price of the Raise3D N2 Dual 3D printer in April 2017 is 225,000 rubles + 10 kg of plastic as a gift.

    3D printer PICASO 3D Designer X PRO


    Probably the most sensational new product in December 2016. Shipments are scheduled to begin in May 2017. But it can already be bought on pre-order, with a significant discount. What we saw at the presentations and photos of the manufacturer is amazing.

    This is really a professional-grade 3D printer for solving complex problems in many areas. Although at home, few will refuse such a handsome man.

    Specifications:

    • Material used for 3D printing: PLA, ABS, PLA Flexible, PVA, PC, Hips, Nylon, Laywood, FilaFlex, Filamentarno;
    • Printing area: 200x200x210 mm;
    • Case Material: Aluminum (composite);
    • Guides: XY: rail (steel), Z: cylindrical (steel);
    • Layer Thickness: 5 to 20 microns;
    • Positioning Accuracy: XY: 11 microns; Z: 1.25 microns;
    • The presence of a heated platform: Yes;
    • Платформа печати: Алюминий — стекло;
    • Количество печатающих головок: 2;
    • Автоматическая калибровка стола: Да;
    • Диаметр сопла: 0.3 мм;
    • Максимальная рабочая температура экструдера: 380C;
    • Максимальная рабочая температура рабочей платформы: 140C;
    • Уровень шума: 55 дБа;
    • Плата управления: на базе ядра ARM CORTEX M4 32-битного процессора STM;
    • Интерфейсы: USB, Ethernet, USB Flash [в комплекте];
    • Скорость печати: до 30 см3/час;
    • Поддерживаемые форматы: STL, PLG;
    • Программное обеспечение: Программное обеспечение Picaso 3D Polygon X
    • Габариты и вес: 492х390х430мм; Вес — 16кг;
    • Габариты и вес в упаковке: 690x500x470; Вес — 22кг;
    • Энергопотребление: 220В, 50Гц (доступна опция 110 В 60Гц) 400W;
    • Гарантия: 2 года;



    ПЛЮСЫ:

    • Закрытый корпус на жестком каркасе
    • Нагреваемый стол
    • Возможность печати всеми доступными материалами
    • Экструдер JetSwitch позволяет печатать сложные модели с использованием водорастворимой поддержкой c высокой скоростью.
    • Удаленное управление
    • Автоматизация процесса печати
    • Возможность создавать целую «ферму» 3D принтеров X PRO

    МИНУСЫ:

    • Цена (по предзаказу не так страшно)

    Just look at the photo below and you will understand.







    We have seen many 3D printers. And frankly, no one has shown such quality before the announcement of PICASO 3D Designer X PRO . Indeed, this can be called the choice of professionals.

    The cost of the printer for pre-order 199 000 rubles. After the start of shipments, the price will increase to 279,000 rubles.

    Today it is one of the most automated 3D printers. The system of additional services facilitates work and reduces time costs. The 3D printer itself "solves" many problems during printing.

    If solving 3D printing problems is beyond the scope of a 3D printer, Picaso 3D Designer X PRO will notify the operator.

    The software makes it possible to create "3D printer farms" for large projects or small-scale production. From one computer, the operator has the ability to control and manage several PICASO 3D Designer X PRO.

    The main niche for this printer is the manufacture of precision prototypes for business needs. If you have long wanted to use 3D printing for such tasks, but you were frightened off by the price of other professional printers, then now is the time to pay attention to Picaso 3D Designer X PRO. In terms of print quality, he can argue with many models of more expensive professional 3D printers with a price of 1 million rubles or more.

    On this positive note, we conclude our brief review of the most profitable purchases of 3D printers in April 2017. For more information about the printers presented in the article, see our website www.3dtool.ru

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