3D printer for beginners
07.09.2022
Getting started with 3D printing should be a pleasant experience, so it’s important to find the right 3D printer that will meet your needs and won’t be too demanding to use. 3D printers cover a wide range of users. For the advanced ones, such as innovative companies and those who make their living by creating 3D models, they are key devices. On the other hand, for all “hobby users” and students who have just encountered 3D printing, they represent a potential tool for realizing new ideas. So which is the best 3D printer for beginners?
WHAT 3D PRINTING ACTUALLY IS?
By saying “3D printing”, what are your first thoughts? Most people initially associate the phrase with ordinary (2D) printing on paper, but it is not. 3D printing is a three-dimensional application of material (filament) from which a 3D model is created. There are many different 3D printing technologies that you can read about here, but the most commonly used is FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication). 3D printing involves melting the filament, which is then applied to the build plate of the 3D printer by a guided nozzle moving along the X, Y, and Z axes. This is repeated layer by layer until the entire 3D model is created.
SOME IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE BUYING A 3D PRINTER FOR BEGINNERS?
Of course, many factors influence the choice, but the most important are the following…
1. YOUR EXPERIENCE
What is your prior knowledge? Do you have any experience? If you are an absolute beginner in 3D printing, you will be the most satisfied with a 3D printer that offers a good experience without too much effort. However, some of you have already had a passing encounter with 3D printing, so you may be more interested in printers with more advanced features.
2. BUILD VOLUMEN
How much volume do you need to meet your 3D printing needs? You will need a high-build-volume printer if you want to print large parts in one step. All printers are limited by the size of the 3D model they can produce. The volume is limited on the X and Y axes by the length and width of the build plate, and on the Z axis by the height of the chamber.
Before buying a 3D printer, it is necessary to know how large models you will be printing. Nevertheless, you can also cut a larger model in the software, print it in many parts, and finally assemble it into the final shape.
3. 3D PRINTING SPEED & QUALITY
3D printing is not such a fast process. Expect to 3D print a 10cm high model to typically take 6 to 8 hours, depending on the nozzle diameter. The thicker the nozzle, the wider the filament deposits. Using a thicker nozzle, the model will be printed faster, but less accurately. The layer height that a 3D printer can handle is usually given in microns. So there is a compromise between 3D printing speed and quality. You need to decide what are your requirements regarding the precision of the models.
In addition, the quality of the print also depends on whether the 3D printer has a closed chamber and a heated build plate. The closed chamber enables the environment to be more stable during 3D printing, as the model does not cool down too quickly, and the same applies to the heated build plate.
4. THE PRICE OF A 3D PRINTER FOR BEGINNERS
Good 3D printers don’t have to cost a lot. To get started, you don’t need to shell out a fortune to buy a 3D printer. It is quite clear that more expensive 3D printers generally offer more, but do you really need all these features? Some advanced features are important especially for professional users, while for beginners the most basic and inexpensive model can be quite adequate. You can also find very powerful 3D printers for significantly less than 1,000 euros.
WE TOOK THREE FLASHFORGE 3D PRINTERS INTO CONSIDERATION THAT ARE SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS
| ADVENTURER 3 | CREATOR PRO 2 | ADVENTURER 4 | |
 |  |  | |
| Number of extruders | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Build volume | 150 x 150 x 150 mm | 200 x 148 x 150 mm | 220 x 200 x 250 mm |
| Layer height | 0,15 – 0,4 mm | 0,1 – 0,4 mm | 0,1 – 0,4 mm |
| 3D printing speed | 10 – 100 mm/s | 10 – 100 mm/s | 10 – 150 mm/s |
| Accuracy | ± 0,2 mm | ± 0,2 mm | ± 0,1 mm |
| Max. build plate temperature | 100 °C | 120 °C | 110 °C |
| Max. extruder temperature | 240 °C | 240 °C | 265°C |
IS THE DECISION TO BUY A FLASHFORGE 3D PRINTER FOR BEGINNERS ANY EASIER?
With a wide range of 3D printers for beginners, there’s never been a better time to join the world of 3D printing. We believe by providing some general information and a comparison of the three FlashForge 3D printers, we have helped you to decide which 3D printer is the most suitable for you as a beginner.
By: Timotej Bečan
Source: www.3way.si