How to Choose your Next Professional 3D Printer
Posted By Sculpteo on Mar 14, 2017 | 2 comments
Whether you are using 3D printing for rapid prototyping, production or any other purpose, choosing the right 3D printer for your business is the key to success. When it comes to choose the right machine, you have to consider several drivers of materials or costs. We draw up a list of the 2017 professional 3D Printers and how to choose one.
5 Things to Consider before buying a 3D Printer
3D Printing Technology
The first thing to consider before buying a professional 3D printer is the 3D printing technology that fit your needs. SLS, FDM, DMLS or SLA serves different purposes and uses like prototyping or to go into production. The 3D printing technology is also related to the printing resolution that needs to be checked.
Material offer
According to the chosen 3D printing technology, you have to look at the material offer of the machine. It is indeed very important to know what material feedstock can be used in a professional printer: plastic powder, metal powder, metal wires, resins etc.
Building Size
3D printing is a technology that can be limited by the building size of the machine. Creating very large object or large scale batches requires larger building size and larger machines. However, if you need a professional printer for rapid prototyping of small parts, consider smaller and faster 3D printer.
Required Accessories
When one think about 3D printing, it is often mistaken as a nearly automatic technology but it is more complicated than just pushing a single button. Without talking about the CAD design and the preparation of the machine, running a 3D printer also requires to consider support removal, post processes, finishes and maintenance. When it comes the choice of a professional 3D printer, remember to take a look at the associated accessories needed to properly run your 3D printer.
Support
Finally, as a professional 3D printer is a complex industrial machine, you have to take a look at the technical support and all the resources to keep your 3D printer in working order. Manufacturers can offer training, tutorials and individual support to the machine owners.
3D Printer or 3D Printing Service?
This guide will help you determine the best 3D printer for your business needs but there are other solutions where you don’t have to buy your own 3D printer. You can use our online 3D printing service and take the virtual control of our professional quality 3D printers. More, you have access to a larger material offer, great optimization tools and our qualified expertise to manufacture your parts.
If you hesitate between buying a 3D printer and using a 3D printing service, you can use this tool to facilitate your choice.
The guide is organized by printer technology. For details explaining each process, check out The Different Technologies Behind 3D Printing.
Note on pricing: Because commercial 3D printers are sold through third-party, licensed resellers, there is not a standard retail price for each printer. Prices are only available via a quote from one of these resellers. We have recorded the pricing below based either on a quote from a reseller that asked to stay anonymous or from another online source (with a link).
SLS – Selective Laser Sintering
Applications: designs with moving parts, prototypes, consumer products, architectural models, hardware, electronics housing, sculpture, promotional items
3D Systems sPro 230
Description: One of 5 printers in the Production line of SLS printers.
Feature highlight: Exceptionally fast printing speed.
Price: $850,000
Material: 7 DuraForm® materials
Build capacity: 22 x 22 x 30 in / 550 x 550 x 750 mm
Build rate: 185 cubic inches per hr / 3.0 L/hr
Resolution/Layer thickness: 0.004 in / 0.1 mm
EOS Formiga P110
Description: One of 4 plastic SLS machines from EOS.
Feature highlight: Minimized energy consumption.
Price: $250,000
Material: 4 Polyamide materials & 1 Polystyrene material
Build capacity: 7.9 x 9.8 13in / 200 x 250 x 330mm
Build rate: 0.79 inches per hour / 20 mm per hour
Resolution/Layer thickness: .0024-.0047″ / .06-.12mm depending on material
Machine dimensions: 126 x 137.8 x 118.1 inches / 1320 x 1067 x 2204mm
Note: Sculpteo uses the Formiga P110 as well as the earlier Formiga P100 version for 3D printing in nylon plastic materials.
EOS P396
Description: One of 4 plastic SLS machines from EOS
Feature highlight: EOS P 396 consumes for a typical building job (filling ratio 5.8%) about 38% less energy and is up to 32% faster.
Price: $450.000
Material: 11 materials : PA 2200, PA 3200 GF,
PA 2201, Alumide, PrimePart PLUS (PA 2221), PA 2202 black, CarbonMide,
PrimeCast 101, PrimePart ST (PEBA 2301), PrimePart FR (PA 2241 FR), PA 1101
Build capacity: 13.4 x 13.4 x 23,6 in / 340 x 340 x 600mm
Build rate: up to 48 mm/h (1.9 in/h)
Resolution/Layer thickness: 0.06 mm (0.00236 in), 0.10 mm (0.00394 in), 0.12 mm (0.00472 in), 0.15 mm (0.00591 in), 0.18 mm (0.00709 in)
Machine dimensions: 72.4 x 46.3 x 82.7 in / 1,840 mm x 1,175 mm x 2,100 mm
EOSINT P760
Description: One of 4 plastic SLS machines from EOS.
Feature highlight: Large build volume.
Price: $800.000
Material: Nearly all 18 EOS materials including Alumide and Carbonmide
Build capacity: 27.6 x 15 x 22.9 in / 700 x 380 x 580mm
Build rate: 1.3 in per hour / 32mm per hour
Resolution/Layer thickness: .0024-.00709″ / .06-.18mm depending on material
Machine dimensions: 88.6 x 61 x 82.7 in / 2250 x 1155 x 2100mm
Note: Sculpteo uses the EOS INT P760 as well as the earlier EOS P395 version for 3D printing larger objects and bulk orders in plastic and alumide.
EOSINT P800
Description: One of 4 plastic SLS machines from EOS.
Feature highlight: processing high performance polymers at temperatures of up to 385°C.
Price: N/A
Material: PEEK HP3
Build capacity: 27.6 x 15 x 22.9 in / 700 x 380 x 580mm
Build rate: 0.3 in per hour / 7mm per hour
Resolution/Layer thickness: .005″ / .12mm
Recommanded installation space: 189 x 189 x 118 in / 4.8 x 4.8 x 3m
Note: Sculpteo offers PEEK 3D printing service only on demand – you can request a quote at [email protected]
Norge ICE 9
Description: One of 2 plastic SLS machines from Norge
Feature highlight: Low cost SLS 3D Printer
Price: $30.000
Material: Arzauno PA2200 Polyamide (+3D Systems SLS materials)
Build capacity: 300X300x450mm
Build rate: 10 to 30mm/hour
Resolution/Layer thickness: 0.1 – 0.15mm
Machine dimensions: 1500 x 1025 x 410mm
3D Systems Pro X 500
Description: One of 5 printers in the Production line of SLS printers
Feature highlight: fast SLS 3D printer, up to 7 times faster than average
Price: $500.000
Material: DuraForm® ProX™
Build capacity: 15 x 13 x 18 in (381 x 330 x 457 mm)
Resolution/Layer thickness: 0.003 – 0.006 in (0.08 – 0.15 mm)
Machine dimensions: 68.7 x 48.3 x 90.3 in (1744 x 1226 x 2295 mm)
Full Color 3D Printing
Applications: figurines, character concepts, decorative objects
3D Systems ProJet 660Pro
Description: One of 4 printers in the Professional line of full/multi-color printers.
Feature highlight: Uses CMYK 4 color process for full color 3D printing.
Price: $59,650
Material: VisiJet® PXL (also known as sandstone)
Build capacity: 10 x 15 x 8 inches / 254 x 381 x 203 mm
Resolution/Layer thickness: 0.004 inches / 0.1 mm
Machine dimensions: 74 x 29 x 57 inches / 188 x 74 x 145 cm
Note: Sculpteo uses ProJet 660Pro and its predecessor (the Zcorp 650), for multicolor 3D printing.
MCor IRIS
Description : One of the 4 printers in the Professional line of full/multi-color printers.
Features highlight: Uses a SDL (Selective Deposition Lamination) process that prints directly on paper sheets. Sheets are then glued together and cut.
Price: $15,866 per year for the three-year plan that includes maintenance and supplies.
Material: Paper
Build capacity: 9.39 x 6.89 x 5.9 in / 256 x 169 x 150mm
Build rate: 1.3 in per hour / 32mm per hour
Resolution/Layer thickness: x, y & z axis: 12μ, 12μ, 100μ (0.0004in, 0.0004in, 0.004in) / 0.1 mm (0.004 in) and 0.19mm (0.007in ply colour only)
Machine dimensions: 88.6 x 61 x 82.7 in / 950 x 700 x 800mm
3D Systems ProJet 4500
Description: One of 4 printers in the Professional line of full/multi-color printers.
Feature highlight: Combines CMYK 4 color process with durable plastic materials.
Material: VisiJet® PXL (also known as sandstone)
Build capacity: 10 x 15 x 8 inches / 254 x 381 x 203 mm
Resolution/Layer thickness: 0.004 inches / 0.1 mm
Machine dimensions: 74 x 29 x 57 inches / 188 x 74 x 145 cm
Note: Sculpteo uses ProJet 660Pro and Zcorp 650, for multicolor 3D printing.
SLA – Stereolithography, PolyJet & other Photopolymer Processes
Applications: concept models, prototypes, high-detailed parts & casting moulds
3D Systems Projet 3510SD
Description: One of 10 PolyJet printers in the Professional line.
Feature highlight: Sub $100k price tag.
Price: $69,500
Material: 6 VisiJet UV-cured plastic materials + melt-away wax support
Build capacity: 11.75 x 7.3 x 8 inches / 298 x 185 x 203 mm
Resolution/Layer thickness: 32μ (microns)
Machine dimensions: 29.5 x 47 x 59.5 inches / 749 x 1194 x 1511 mm
3D Systems Projet 5500X
Description: One of 10 PolyJet printers in the Professional line.Feature highlight: Multi-material parts in a single build
Price: $250,000
Material: VisiJet® 5500X Composites Family (1 ABS-like, 1 rubber-like, 1 polycarbonate-like)
Build capacity: 21 x 15 x 11.8 in / 533 x 381 x 300 mm
Resolution/Layer thickness: 0.0012 in / 32μ (microns)
Machine dimensions: 67 x 35.4 x 65 in / 1700 x 900 x 1650 mm)
3D Systems iPro 8000
Description: One of 3 SLA printers in the Production range.
Feature highlight: Interchangeable Resin Delivery Modules for multiple build envelope capacities.
Price: $540,000
Material: 18 Accura® materials
Build capacity: 11.75 x 7.3 x 8 inches / 298 x 185 x 203 mm
Resolution/Layer thickness: 15μ (microns) depending on material
Machine dimensions: up to 59 x 29.5 x 21.65 in / 1500 x 750 x 550 mm
EnvisionTEC Perfactory 4 DSP
Description: One of 5 printers in the Perfactory Standard Family.
Feature highlight: Uses a proprietary liquid curing technology.
Material: 6 “E-Shell” plastic materials in a variety of colors
Build capacity: 6.3 x 3.9 x 6.3 inches / 160 x 99 x 160 mm
Resolution/Layer thickness: 15μ (microns) depending on material
Machine dimensions: 29 x 19 x 53 inches / 73 x 48 x 135 cm
EnvisionTEC ULTRA 3SP
Description: One of 3 printers in the Ultra Family.
Feature highlight: Uses “ground-breaking 3SP™ (Scan, Spin and
Selectively Photocure)” process
Material: 3 3SP™ materials including ABS-like and glass-like
Build capacity: 10.5 x 7 x 7.6 in / 266 x 177.8 x 193 mm
Resolution/Layer thickness: 0.004″ / 100 µm (microns)
Machine dimensions: 29 x 30 x 46 in / 74 x 76 x 117 cm
EnvisionTEC Xtreme 3SP
Description: One of 2 printers in the Industrial Printer Family.
Feature highlight: Large format, high speed.
Material: 3 3SP™ materials including ABS-like and glass-like
Build capacity: 10 x 15 x 13 in / 254 x 381 x 330 mm
Resolution/Layer thickness: 0.004″ / 100 µm (microns)
Machine dimensions: 64 x 55 x 72 in / 162.5 x 140 x 183 cm
Stratasys Objet30 Pro
Description: One of 10 PolyJet printers in the Design Series.
Feature highlight: Sub $50k price tag.
Price: $43,000
Material: 5 Vero resin materials, 2 advanced fuction materials + support material
Build capacity: 11.57 x 7.55 x 5.85 in / 294 x 192 x 148.6 mm
Resolution/Layer thickness: 0.0011 inches / 28µm (microns)
Machine dimensions: 32.28 × 24.4 × 23.22 in / 82.5 × 62 × 59 cm
Note: Sculpteo uses an Objet30 Pro for 3D printing resin.
Stratasys Objet500 Connex3
Description: One of 10 PolyJet printers in the Design Series.
Features highlight: 8 print heads for color 3D printing & multi-materials.
Price: $330,000
Material: Mulitple material & material combinations including ABS, Vero resins, Tango flexible materials, and advanced function materials + support material
Build capacity: 19.3 × 15.4 × 7.9 in / 490 × 390 × 200 mm
Resolution/Layer thickness: down to 0.0006 in. / 16μ (microns)
Machine dimensions: 55 x 50 x 43.3 in / 1400 x 1260 x 1100 mm
Stratasys Objet1000
Description: One of 10 PolyJet printers in the Professional line.Feature highlight: Extra-large build volume & multi-materials.
Price: $600,000 (quote from licensed reseller)
Material: Mulitple material & material combinations including ABS, Vero resins, Tango flexible materials, and advanced function materials + support material
Build capacity: 39.3 × 31.4 × 19.6 in. / 1000 × 800 × 500 mm
Resolution/Layer thickness: down to 0.0006 in. / 16μ (microns)
Machine dimensions: 110.3 × 70.9 × 70.9 in / 2800 × 1800 × 1800 mm
CLIP Technology
Applications: Prototypes, Functional objects and technical parts. Thanks to the engineering resins, you can create both functional prototypes and end-use products.
Carbon M1
Description: the unique printer from Carbon
Material: CLIP engineering resins (RPU, EPU, CE …)
Build Capacity: 142 x 79 x 330 mm / 3.94 x 3.10 x 5.5 in
Resolution/Layer thickness: 100 µm
Machine dimensions: W 540 mm x D 654 mm x H 1734 mm
FDM – Fused Deposition Modeling
Applications: Concept, Functional Model and Prototype, Manufacturing Tooling and Molding, End Use Parts.
Dimension1200es
Description: One of 2 printers in the Design Series.
Price: $33,000
Material: ABS in 9 colors + 2 kinds of support material
Build capacity: 10 x 10 x 12 in / 254 x 254 x 305 mm
Resolution/Layer thickness: 0.33 mm (0.013 in.) or .254 mm (.010 in.)
Machine dimensions: 33 x 29 x 45 in / 838 x 737 x 1143 mm
Fortus 900mc
Description: One of 4 printers in the Production Series. This is the largest and prints the most materials.
Price: $400,000
Material: 9 advanced functionality thermoplastics + 2 kinds of support material
Build capacity: 36 x 24 x 36 in / 914 x 610 x 914 mm
Resolution/Layer thickness: 0.330 mm (0.013 in.) / 0.254 mm (0.010 in.) / 0.178 mm (0.007 in.) depending on material
Machine dimensions: 109.1 x 66.3 x 79.8 in / 2772 x 1683 x 2027 mm
Wax Printing
Applications: high-detail prints for moulds & lost wax casting, ideal for jewelry, replicas, figurines, and medical devices
3D Systems ProJet® 3510 CPX
Description: One of 4 printers in the Professional line intended for moulds and casting.
Feature highlight: High resolution & detail, large build volume.
Material: VisiJet® Hi-Cast (100% wax)
Build capacity: 11.75 x 7.3 x 8 in / 298 x 185 x 203 mm
Resolution/Layer thickness: 16µm – 33µm (microns)
Machine dimensions: 29.5 x 47 x 59.5 in / 749 x 1194 x 1511 mm
Rapid Shape S30 L
Description: One of 4 Rapid Shape printers made especially for jewelry casting.
Feature highlight: Exceptionally high resolution & detail.
Price: $60,300
Material: wax resins
Build capacity: / 3.1 x 1.7 x 3.1 in / 83 x 46 x 83 mm
Build rate: 10 mm per hour
Resolution/Layer thickness: 25µm – 100µm (microns)
Machine dimensions: 9.6 x 24.4 x 12.6 in / 245 x 620 x 320 mm
Note: Sculpteo uses the Rapid Shape S30L to first print in wax before casting in sterling silver.
Find the full list of professional metal 3D printers on this blogpost
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