Hi,
I am looking for 3D Printer suggestions for about 2000$.
Requirements:
No need for special filament (like ekocycle that you can only buy it from 1 company)
High quality parts…
Fast printing
Printing size of about 666 in
We have Ekocycle Cube 3D printer right now, it’s was a nice toy for the start but we want something better (the ekocycle had a lot of problems we had to fix every time).
I have been using a FlashForge Creator Pro at work with good results. Some experimentation was needed at first to find the right settings, but it works very well after that bit of experimentation. I absolutely recommend it - high quality, easy maintenance, and it will work with any 1.75mm filament.
We purchased it and the Simplify3d software for just over $1300. I’m not sure how much international shipping will add for you, but it will come in under budget.
Good luck!
I’ve heard nothing but good things about the Ultimaker. Both V1 and V2 are great printers but their V2 is a little pricey for your budget.
Ultimaker is definitely a good choice. If you only need 6in^3, the Lulzbot Mini is also a good machine and fits better into your budget. If you go with the Lulzbot, I’d recommend adding an LCD or some other interface like OctoPrint so you don’t have to keep a dedicated computer next to it.
If you’re wanting a Lulzbot, I’d simply wait until at least tomorrow. They’re releasing their new version on the 17th (which incorporates many of the Lulzbot mini features into the full-size printer). You can pre-order it now and they’ll ship tomorrow (if you’re in much of a hurry).
[LEFT]DISCLAIMER
The following statements and opinions are solely my own, and do not reflect the views of my employer (Bosch) or their affiliates (such as Dremel).
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I have not had the opportunity to work with an Ultimaker, Lulzbot, or Flashforge machine, but I hear that Ultimaker is a solid choice.
I have had the opportunity to work with several others in this price/volume range, however, and so I can offer opinions on those:[ul]
[li]Makerbot[LIST][/li][li]Previous generations were iffy, but the latest generation is solid.[/li][li]Pushes out of your price range ($2500 at last check).[/li].[/ul]
[li]FABtotum[ul][/li][li]Amazing concept: 3D printer, 4-axis CNC mill, and 3D laser scanner all in one.[/li][li]Unrefined product, poor customer support.[/li].[/ul]
[li]Dremel[ul][/li][li]Best success rate, least calibration required, and best customer support out of any 3D printer I’ve worked with-- and that’s just the 1st-gen model (3D20).[/li][li]The 2nd-gen model (3D40) is about to launch in a few weeks-- although it is being positioned as the 3D20’s big brother rather than its replacement.[/li][li]Neither of the Dremel printers can use ABS filament, but I don’t miss that capability at all. Especially in an education setting, ABS is more trouble than it’s worth![/li][li]Note: Both of the Dremel 3D printers are only labelled for use with official Dremel filament.[/li][/ul] [/LIST]
The Lulzbot Mini is a great printer, meets all your requirements, and is just over $1,000 with the educational discount - you’d be able to buy two and run them side by side. I prefer multiple small printers to one large printer printing multiple pieces, because if one part fails, the others can continue.
Edit to add a link: Lulzbot Mini
Have you heard about Cubetto playset already? Another nice toy made from 3D printing.
We (personally) purchased an AirWolf AXIOM 3D Printer in January and have used is a ton since then, even for parts for the robot this year. Very easy setup, no issues and a ton of filament support. We even printed PolyCarb for our motor protectors on our shooter as well as our Camera holder/protector.
Our larges print was our battery holder this year out of PolyCarb and it held up all year even with the tough defenses and batteries fit perfect with a nice velcro strap (even though it did not need it) on top.
I just sent it back to AirWolf to have the dual extruder installed so we can do multiple media as well as multi-color.
So far best printer we have used by far and cannot wait to get it back with the dual extruder.
It is a bit pricey, but worth every penny so far.
The TAZ 6 has started shipping today. From the review it sounds like just the ticket for our team. http://3dforged.com/lulzbot-taz-6-review/
If this is a simple project why not start with a 3d printing pen first? :):)]
The above suggestions are all spot on: companies with good reputations and solid software/support.
Here is an alternative thought: Get two or three or six Monoprice Maker Selects. The 2 Plus is about $400; the V2 is $300. Either one has: heated bed; input via USB or microSD card; 7.9 X 7.9 X 6 or 7 inch print size; 0.4mm nozzle; can print PLA or ABS. I would get the Wanhao MosFet upgrade (about $10 on eBay) for either to prevent the connector on the motherboard from melting when using high bed heat temperatures. Otherwise quite reliable. They print gcode files, and come with Cura software, which admittedly is pretty basic but it works for me.
We have a Matterhacker Pulse (Prusa style printer) and are printing Nylon, HIPS, ABS PETG, PLA and some flex stuff
How does it compare to the markforged?
We own 3 Prusa i3 Mk3s printers. for about 1000 bucks a piece you can get a few in your budget. They have worked extremely well for us in printing nylon, ABS, NylonX, and most other materials we have tried. We use them for structural components more than out markforged mark two.
We made our wheel hubs for this season on these machines out of PLA and the held up very well to driving off of hab 2 every single match. We have also made knockoff Vex clamping gearboxes out of nylon on them and they are holding up very well to this day.
Prusa i3 mk3 is about 600 but have to assemble yourself or about 1000 for full assembled and tested.
Really hard to beat a Prusa.
I’ve got three Monoprice Mini V2, and a Maker Select V2, as well as an Ultimaker 3. The Monoprice printers are exceptionally good value. I have done comparison prints between the Monoprices and the Ultimaker, and occasionally the $99 (refurbished, on sale) mini’s will actually exceed the print quality of the Ultimaker.
But when I need a guaranteed high quality print, or dual materials (dissolvable support material is sometimes useful… although less often than you might think) I head to the Ultimaker. It’s not a better value, but it is a better printer.
Haven’t done a direct comparison with some of the others listed here, but have been exceptionally impressed by the value proposition of the Monoprice Mini V2.
Jason
I’ll certainly vouch for the Prusa i3 Mk3. It’s a very reliable workhorse. We have used it this year to print parts for our Deep Space robot in a number of filaments, including carbon-fiber reinforced nylon filament for parts placed under severe usage conditions.
I have run (my printer is a pre-assembled Mk3) prints taking as long as 47 hours without loosing a single one. At one time, as we were experimenting with the fabrication of a Swerve Drive Caster sub-assembly, I ran the printer almost 24/7 for close to two months with only one filament jam in the extruder which I was able to clear in 45 minutes.