![]() To print a solid object, the printer must be able to move the extruder in the three dimensions shown in Figure 2. The dimensions of the printer's build volume are by convention identified as: These special printers can cost many thousands of dollars.Ī typical 3D printer has a rectangular surface called a "bed" on which the plastic is deposited, an "extruder" which moves, heats and deposits molten plastic onto the bed, and some mechanical linkages and motors responsible for positioning the extruder over the bed in three dimensions. Other printers are completely enclosed, either because they require higher than normal temperatures for special materials, or because their environments are too damp and cold for normal 3D printing. Some modern, open-frame printers are only a few hundred dollars and are perfectly satisfactory in a warm, dry environment. Much of 3D printing can be had for free - free design and slicer programs, free downloads of interesting and useful design files created by others and posted online - but the printer itself, and the plastic filaments that create the objects, can be costly. ![]() but real-life 3D printers often require hours to render large objects in detail. (This animation was created using the Prusa Slicer.) your browser doesn't support the video tag. I say this in case I later forget to add "In my opinion." before each unvarnished view I put forth later on. One more thing - apart from many 3D printing facts, this article includes descriptions of personal experience and opinions. I include lots of details and instructions, including project files and graphics, suitable for readers interested in 3D printing from a do-it-yourself perspective. This article explains what 3D printing is, describes my purchase and disenchantment, and details a rebuild project that converted my printer into one that has few serious remaining drawbacks. I did some superficial research and bought a rather expensive, fully enclosed Chinese printer called "Qidi Tech X-Max." It turned out not to be a very good choice (in my opinion), but I managed to rescue it by rebuilding and replacing nearly everything. When I started I knew very little about 3D printing - this was to be an expedition in unknown territory. So I needed an enclosed printer, one with its own temperature-controlled environment. I had special environmental requirements - a 3D printer needs to be in a warm, dry environment, but the room I had in mind was the opposite - cold and damp for most of the year. Relying on what I read online, I knew I wanted a machine with a large print volume, one that could print multiple materials. Update: See the video version of this article.Ĭurious about a new technology, a few months ago I decided to buy a 3D printer.
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