3D printer

[Demon]

Hi folks,

Still shopping and comparing products. There's a mini-revolution going on right now; pricing are changing weekly.

My requirements are:

- triple nozzles, to print a backlit cap for a switch. My design is simple, clear interior, black shell and thin white layer for the text. I'll need to experiment just how thin white must be and stuff like that.

- a large print surface because I want to be able to print custom keypads for flight sims.

- a solid frame that will last years.

- quality print, no fuzzy surface.


HE3D.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/he3d...f-d0b4a9d6bdc0

Triple nozzles, large print surface, low quality prints. I would expect that quality from a $100 printer, not $475 USD.


CreatBot.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/DX-0...f-d0b4a9d6bdc0

Triple nozzles, large print surface, waaay too expensive at $2,633 USD.


I've contacted a few manufacturers in China and waiting for them to all respond.


movement designs:
I've noticed 3 main designs so far:

bearing wheels:
https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1UnoJL...Xq6xXFXXX8.jpg

I would expect the wheels to wear with use, thus affecting print quality.


Triple axis:
https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1wGBwO...a7e22c98d99b6f

I have read several negative comments on quality and clogging. I would not trust a pivoting head on a budget printer to remain perfectly flat across the outer edges of a print.


Screws and bearings:
https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1P.wrN...eedc714820fca5

I would trust these to be more reliable of the three. Some have two for the Z axis, some only have one. I would expect the vertical beam to flex somewhat on the single design.

Be careful with bearings, some use ball bearings, some use bushings (these do not last long).


Frame designs:

Boxed:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/DX-0...f-d0b4a9d6bdc0

Most likely the most sturdy design. Read the descriptions carefully, some are made of melamine = super cheap.


Aluminium rail:
https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB18TuBN...a8d1bd9bd8f006

Most common. There are several designs of corners brackets though, and I believe that is where the importance lies. Some brackets are more sturdy than other, thus affecting the true of the frame, and your print quality.


Combination aluminium and synthetic plates:
https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB15dYbK...Xq6xXFXXXR.jpg

Might be very sturdy, could only tell by actually stress testing the frames.


Conclusion so far:

I would love to see a design that uses flat sides for rigidity, dual screws for Z axis, as well as screws for X and Y axis instead of belts. Belts stretch and wear, They do not last long.

I know screws and motors add weight, but that's why you would use a quality motor on the Z axis and not the cheapest NEMA 17 available.

Single unit extruder head, meaning it incorporates the motor that feeds in the material. Most designs rely on the motor being installed on the side frame and a tube feeding the material into the head. More parts = more breaks, wear, looseness, harder to clear jams.

Last issue, I would not use an all-in-one triple nozzle. I would not trust the separation between colours to be precise.
https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1oy6.N...aee54ad15dd631
Also, there is a tie-wrap holding the unit in place (near the bottom). They are careful not to show the tie-wrap on the other pictures, another reason why I would not trust the manufacturer of the triple-axis design.

[Demon]

Take the time to read comments when you find an interesting printer. You would not believe the stuff you find.

I remember one comment about a printer designed using these orange brackets:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Full...1-a6d3fe165ff0

The users complained that parts were missing, holes were oval and that the seller did not want to reimburse or replace the missing parts.

The excuse used by the seller: no video of the unboxing, not our problem.

I couldn't believe it. You actually have to film yourself when you unbox 3D printers, show each part as you remove them from the box, inspect them super-carefully in view of the camera. I just about fell on my butt when I read that. When you're missing some parts and at least one hole is NOT ROUND, I have never seen a seller pick at such stupid details.

Just thought I would give you folk a heads up on the need to film yourself when you unpack the box.

I have bought and built multiple computers from online stores and have NEVER had such a problem. This is my latest build, liquid-cooled i7-6700K.



It wasn't complete, I just couldn't believe how quiet it runs. It's like having a babbling brook nearby, just love it.

[Demon]

I have switched to 123D Design for several days now, waaaay easier once you get used to it.

Testing transparent surfaces:




Testing script quality (the opening for the text is only 12mm x 12mm):




And it's free.

[Demon]

Hmm, forum wouldn't let me post a third pic, said I was already at four?



Testing the emitting angle of an LED within a casing, just to see how low I could make the casing:

[Demon]

As I was saying, 3D printers are evolving really quickly especially since these releases:

The $149 MP Delta Mini 3D printer, Monoprice’s low-cost, entry-level printer, features Wi-Fi for easy, out-of-the-box printing. Also in the home user category, Monoprice updated its Select Mini printer to version 2.0, adding community-inspired upgrades to the unit.

On the commercial side, Monoprice debuted the MP 3 Series Commercial 3D printer for $799. Ideal for industrial and rapid commercial prototyping, the printer has a full enclosure for printing, a 400 x 400mm build volume, and the latest in FDM technology. The company also entered the SLA resin market with the new MP Maker Prism Professional SLA Resin printer. This $3,500 printer offers professional quality printing at an impressive 0.03-micron layer resolution, making it perfect for prototyping, jewelry, and other projects that require a high level of printing accuracy.

http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-te...ting-ces-2017/

I figure a lot of the bargain brands are scrambling to get even lower, or offer more features.


Wow, retail on the HE3D top model was $665 just recently:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/HE3D...9-0cb24c35ea54


it's now $499:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2016...d-9d209edc2684

Same special price though, $472 to $474, depending which ad you pick. :lol:

HE3D is still the only budget triple nozzle 3D printer I see. With the release of that $150 budget machine, I expect the others to redesign the head supports on the single and dual machines real fast.

[Demon]

I like the design of this model, I'm hoping they up their game and increase the platform size and offer triple nozzles.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2016...00023.8.5Ftk6W

It has dual motors for the Z axis and seems more robust overall. The demo pieces look precise and above-quality compared to other printers.

Anet%20Precision%20Reprap%20Prusa%20i3%2

[Demon]

HEADS UP on HE3D PRINTERS!

Specs can claim anything.

Positioning accuracy: Z axis 0.004 mm, X/Y axis 0.012 mm

The demos are not encouraging at all.







All I can say is BEURK!


This printer is still available today ($499 retail / $474.05 special, Store: Hoyi sunway Co.,Ltd):
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/he3d...308.0.0.zYPpnR


They now have 2016 and 2017 versions showing better quality demos ($539 retail / $485.10 special, Store:reprap):
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2016...8.3.106.ExYjae


BUT!!!

If you dig deep enough ($665 retail / $465.50 special, Store:reprap):
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/HE3D...8.3.176.D4iCb8

The link address says HE3D-2016-Newest-prusa-EI3-triple-nozzle-large-print-size-3D-printer-kit

The ad title says HE3D 2017 Newest prusa EI3 triple nozzle large print size 3D printer kit

But the ad still has the same old crappy demos! So what text are we supposed to trust here? Old? 2016? 2017? Or the quality of the demos for that matter?

So, buyer beware.

[Demon]

More rambling about technologies:

SLA has been around for a while but is slowly becoming affordable. We're still talking a few grand for a machine.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereolithography


Meanwhile, 3D printers using fused material have taken a huge leap forward with machines in the hundreds of dollars.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_printing


And now here comes metal:
https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/...esktop-102393/

This is going to be a game changer. Not today for us normal folk, but I remember a few decades ago 3D printing was an art reserved for a select few.


Cheap 3D scanners are also available for $130:
https://www.3dprintersonlinestore.co...diy-3d-scanner

[Demon]

This is an interesting design. Too bad only a single nozzle and only 220mm x 220mm.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2016...00014.6.rrkWuL




Adding acrylic panels to 3 sides and bottom would turn this into a tank.

The only weakness I can think of is the platform. It's built like a diving board, bound to flex and ruin prints if you force it accidentally.

Layer thickness: 0.05mm
XY-axis positiong accuracy: 0.012mm
Z-axis positioning accuracy: 0.004mm


The surface of the whistle looks pretty good (assuming it is small and not a HUGE whistle):