A Buyer’s Guide for 3-D Printers
The 3D printing is one of the very hot technology around the world, as it connects the students from the classroom that few of the curriculum topics can connect. The technology is purely relevant to the math, physics and art classes and can also open students’ minds to the twenty-first-century career paths.
However, the 3D printing is also known as the additive manufacturing process. The term will accurately explain that how this technology has worked to create the objects. Additive refers to the successive addition of the thin layers which is between 16 to 180 microns or sometimes more to create an object. However, all the 3D printing technologies are almost similar, as they create an object layer by layer to create the composite shapes.
We will discuss below four key features which you should surely look for when you are buying the 3D printers.
Cost of Material and Equipment
Speed
Safety Hazard
Open Printing Space vs. Closed
Cost of Material and Equipment
Today, the cost of 3D printers is approximately $200, but the prices might changes up and down quickly with the features. Additionally, the plastic filament that any of the printers use to create designs will always be a continuous cost. Now, the filament will run almost $14 for the two pounds of material. To ensure you about not only have a printer, but also the material which you will need to run it, then you need the sufficient secure funding only to cover both the costs.
Speed
Though, the 3D printing is not a very fast process. It is a 2 inch by 2 inches by ½ inch heart which might take almost 20 minutes to print. With a classroom which is full of students and also waiting for their projects, so it is very easy to see that the time is a consideration for everyone. First, confirm that you now understand the printing speeds of the equipment that you are already considering.
Safety Hazards
There are two types of the safety hazards which are associated with the 3D printers:
The heat of the printer nozzle
The toxic fumes which are released when the plastic filament is heated.
Printer nozzles must be rather hot to melt plastic into the desired shape. ABS, it is very cheaper of the two types of plastic materials which are used in the lower cost printers and releases some more toxic fumes. A printer which used these types of the material might not be a very good choice for the user with some poor ventilation process. PLA is a plastic filament, and are very eco-friendly, biodegradable, and also comes in a wide variety of colors.
Open Printing Space vs. Closed
Since due to some safety concerns, some printers are made with an enclosure which is around the printing area. This will make it more unlikely that the students will unintentionally injure themselves through inhalation or burns of fumes. However, it does force up the cost of the 3D printer.
According to the International Society for Technology in Education (ITSE), one of the last thought of purchasing a 3D printer is only that the buyers must be prepared for learning the curve with some devices. Thus, it is not similar to fixing software with some errors on a computer system. But it is more like to fix a LaserJet printer without any expertise of the local tech support. It is expected to spend some Googling problems that will arise during the time of purchasing the 3D printers.
We hope that this guide of purchasing 3D Printer will surely help you and also make it easy to buy the best 3D Printer for yourself.
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