3D Printers

Types of 3D printers

Fused deposition modeling (FDM)

• A tiny glue gun of plastic makes tiny blobs which solidify into a larger solid
• Additive process
• Suitable for home if you don't mind it making a lot of terrifying noises
• eg: most consumer ones. ultimaker. lulzbot. printrbot (too simple). makerbot (is evil - avoid)

Stereolithography (SLA)

• Laser shoots through a resin/polymer bath and solidifies it into a solid, then the print emerges from the liquid bath
• Additive Process
• Not suitable for home - resin baths and cleaning baths produce toxic fumes - needs ventilation
• eg: Titan 1, Form 1

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)

• laser sinters the top layer of a powder tray, heating and compacting and solidifying the powder, then the object can be dusted off at the end
• Additive process
• Not suitable for home - too much powder - inhalation can cause respiratory problems

Zcorp

• Inkjet technology (can do with colour) - a resin inkjet printed in thin layers which solidify into a larger solid
• Plaster powder
• Additive process
• Not suitable for home - too much powder - inhalation can cause respiratory problems

Buying a printer

I am looking for something that: (1) has a big print area and as high a resolution as possible (2) can use generic filament (ideally not proprietary filament/resins) (3) light enough to move by myself on my own (ie: cannot be not exceedingly heavy or ridiculously huge!) (4) has tetherless printing and can be reliable enough to be left in the studio overnight to print on its own... (5) and if it comes assembled thats even better (saves time) but ultimately I'm not averse to assembling it myself

Shortlist

LulzBot TAZ 4 Ultimaker 2

Finally bought

Ultimaker 2