3D printer Suggestions

My dad and I are looking for a 3D printer under $5,000 the only thing that is a major factor is that we need the build size to be rather large. I have researched a good amount and have found a couple kits ( Sumpod Mega) to be rather large and inexpensive. After looking for awhile I have found a lot of different models but are all ranging in the 8-14 in build size and we are looking for something bigger so any suggestions would help out aton!! Thanks

It is better to design whatever you need as several parts, print individually, and glue or fasten together.

Large prints have huge issues with warping due to differential cooling and contraction. Large prints also take an extremely long time to complete. This means there is a higher chance of an interruption happening, and the print is lost. Lost print = lost plastic and lost time. If you print the object in pieces a lost print costs less of both.

I do not think there is a credible low-cost 3D printer that has a build volume of more than 300x300x300mm.

Have you or anyone had any experience with the glacier steel model? 16x16x16??? and yes i totally agree with you...i would rather piece the final product together to avoid screw ups. Roughly how much would I spend in materials for an object of around 12x12x12

also which 3D printers would you suggest for a lower build volume with good detail?

Comes fully assembled and ready to run (no affiliation)
[www.lulzbot.com]

For kits/self sourced, MendelMax, or Rostock MAX are excellent choices.
[www.mendelmax.com]
[shop.seemecnc.com]

The printer with the best prints I have ever seen is Tantillus, but the build volume is only 100x100x120mm. Kits may be hard to find now, too.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/04/2013 10:49PM by crispy1.

Makergear.com M2 is also known as a reliable and stable 3D printer.

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Cheers,
Franklin Dattein

EagleBaby Wrote:
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> also which 3D printers would you suggest for a
> lower build volume with good detail?

B9Creator can do 50 micron XY and 25 micron Z but at that resolution build size is reduced to 51.2 x 38.4 x 200 mm. At 100 micron XY and 25-100 micron Z build size is 102.4 x 76.8 x 200 mm.

If you can wait a week or so re:3D will have it's kickstarter up. We are offering a new printer with 600mm x 600mm x 600mm build volume that is in your price range. The machine is really sturdy and provides a great platform for expansion and hacking. It is true that big prints take time and that is why we are continuing our development of large diameter print nozzles and high print speeds. Check out our website at re3D.org Also coming soon is a forum for large format printing and 3D printing in developing countries.

Best,
Matthew

Regarding printing smaller and assembling/gluing together the pieces, does anyone have any ideas on how to seal together PLA? With ABS you can use acetone and whatnot, but it seems PLA is a bit tougher in that regard, but I've got to figure out something, as PLA is requisite for the printed part.

chief_hacker Wrote:
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> If you can wait a week or so re:3D will have it's
> kickstarter up. We are offering a new printer with
> 600mm x 600mm x 600mm build volume that is in your
> price range. The machine is really sturdy and

Your website is 99% design and marketing speak and about 1% technical substance. I hope your Kickstarter campaign improves that ratio, otherwise it is going to a massive flop.

@EagleBaby :
Stay away from kick starter projects for now, you want something stable that works well. you have enough money set aside, so go for the better reviewed items, so do an informed decision. look into Mendel max and into ultimaker, both have rigid support, and although ultimaker can print faster it requires more setup time.

On the entry for professional is the up 3d printer. It works out of the box, but is not easily modified.


read web forums about mendel max and ultimaker. also read about reprap printers in general. Think of it like buying a car, you want the best car you can get with the money you have

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Your website is 99% design and marketing speak and about 1% technical substance. I hope your Kickstarter campaign improves that ratio, otherwise it is going to a massive flop.

I think you are being extraordinarily charitable giving them even 1%.

Their website sucks!
Some pictures of their Team is the only information available.

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Bob Morrison
Wörth am Rhein, Germany
"Luke, use the source!"
BLOG - PHOTOS - Thingiverse

@bobc Thank you for looking at our website and giving me honest feedback. We are a new start-up, hence the kickstarter. What type of technical substance would you like to see on the website?

@chief_hacker:
You want to see the same thing on a website as on an invitation or a newspaper artilce.

"Just the facts, ma'am"

In any writing it is the Five W's:
Who
What
When
Where
Why
How

If you have a wonderful new widget then we want the relavant information and pictures.
With a 3d printer one wants to know the specifications and see pictures of objects produced with exactly that 3d printer.

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Bob Morrison
Wörth am Rhein, Germany
"Luke, use the source!"
BLOG - PHOTOS - Thingiverse

Selecting a 3d printer is quite hard with all the ones available or soon to be available. I researched this myself when selecting one. I didn't feel comfortable building my own, at least the 1st and only. I will definitely try to when I do a second one, if needed.

One major thing to consider, which is the most important, is support. I selected one that had a good community and was easily modded, but support from the company was slow and sometimes very frustrating before I even took ownership of it. I already cancelled my order with that company due to that experience.

Another thing to consider is time, some of the smaller ones and even some of the bigger ones have lead times. When I ordered mine I was one with that, till I saw multiple orders after mine ship. Most have anywhere from 2-10 weeks and the money has to be paid up front.

If you feel comfortable building you own, do that.

Size of the print will also need to be taken into consideration, unless you want to attach multiple pieces together.

Read reviews, forums and such for the models your looking at. Check out YouTube and Vimeo also for reviews, etc. Contact the company or person your buying from and ask some questions, checking for how long response takes (if they have support this could be nice)

After my issues I have bought a Lulzbot, now the biggest but had some good stuff included with it. 3 different nozzle sizes, 5lbs of 3mm filament (can use 3mm or 1.75mm), tools, warrantee, in stock with only 1 day for. Order to ship, and most important t 1 year free support. It's not to cheap, but not too expensive either for a fully built, calibrated, and tested machine. I haven't received it yet, but will have it next week, takes 5 days or less. Some specs on it. 190mm x 200mm x 100mm. 0.4-0.075mm layer height. It's basically a modified mendalmax. They also give you the complete BOM and printed manual.

the mendel-parts site has a huge 3D printer for 1600€
but i would only order it if you are ready to wait for 1/2 a year since thats how long it takes to get something shipped.
[www.mendel-parts.com]

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the mendel-parts site has a huge 3D printer for 1600€

It's interesting how printers become more and more expensive these days. Not exactly expected by me.

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Generation 7 Electronics	Teacup Firmware	RepRap DIY

And it is still a KIT!

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Bob Morrison
Wörth am Rhein, Germany
"Luke, use the source!"
BLOG - PHOTOS - Thingiverse

I have been looking at a Makerbot replicator 2....does anyone have any experience with this or any feedback?

i'll explain what is going to happen now here since you dropped the "M" name.
that's like going to Israel and telling that joke from that nazi that ...

People here don't like makerbot, but you don't need to care to much if you want a printer.

i would also suggest the ultimaker. i've good seen nothing but good stuff from them.

I'm sorry but for $2,500+ we could build a much better large format 3D printer. All gigabot is, re-using old kickstarter and reprap tech blown up. Nothing revolutionary to my knowledge. More power to you all, I hope you do well. But its not a RepRap, its a repstrap. Advertising on here just doesn't seem like you would get great feedback. I'm kinda disappointed that you guys haven't employed any new technology. It would be nice to see something other than what has already been done just in a bigger package.

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still looking??

take a look the new ideator12 by inDimension3

I don't think that after a year they are still looking John..