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3D printing technology has matured and evolved over the years and has been adopted by most companies and individuals. Today, it is easy to acquire a printer because the price of budget printers has reduced significantly. Although there are trade-offs with buying budget 3D printers, the truth is that you can get excellent quality printing devices, and they are worth considering. Keep reading this detailed guide to determine whether budget printers are worth it before purchasing.
Print Quality
Most people believe that acquiring low-cost 3D printing devices means that you will sacrifice quality; however, this is never the case. You can be surprised that the best budget 3D printer can produce superior quality 3D prints as the more expensive printing machines. Although more work may be needed for budget devices, your 3D printer will deliver excellent results once everything is set.
Most premium 3D printers provide additional stability enhancements, making printing easier since the device is rigid and does not experience undesired movements. However, you will still get excellent results when you ensure all moveable parts of your best large 3D printer are correctly tightened. In addition, premium printers also have an enhanced part cooling fan that improves the appearance of overhangs on the 3D prints produced. However, most budget printers have cooling fans that handle standard print overhangs seamlessly.
Some Assembly is Necessary
You should expect your best budget 3D printer will require more assembly work. The printer will be shipped in several pieces to decrease the size of the shipping box and make shipping more manageable and less stressful. You can expect the assembly process of budget printers to take approximately one hour. Most premium 3D printers come in fewer pieces and will take just a few minutes to assemble correctly.
The assembly process of your best large 3D printer is pretty straightforward. Your main task will be to connect the pieces using bolts, attach them with the tools included, and plug in the wires. That means you do not need prior engineering or soldering knowledge to complete the assembly successfully. The assembly process will help you understand how the hardware works and will make any repair issues in the future much easier to handle.
Software Setup
When it comes to software setup, budget 3D printing devices are not any different from more expensive and the best large 3d printer machines. Budget printers are popular in the marketplace, so you can quickly get 3D print slicers to prepare models for your printing needs. Ensure you take your time to gain knowledge and research the different slicer settings and how it affects your final print. However, this is something that must be done for all printers, whether budget or high-end.
Manual Bed Leveling
Most expensive 3D printing machines today have automatic bed leveling. This ensures your 3D prints have a consistent base adhering to the build plate. However, this is never the case with the best budget 3D printers because they need you to level the bed manually. This can be achieved using the four leveling knobs found on the corners, and you need to adjust the bed height before printing. Luckily, leveling the bed is something that you will spend most of your time on while setting up the printer. After that, you will just need minor adjustments while using the printer.
Appearance and Usability
If you are looking for the best large 3d printer that looks modern and sleek, then the budget 3D printers are not for you. Most budget-friendly 3D printers lack the polish and sleekness, improved cable management, and unibody design associated with more premium 3D printing devices. You may get 3D printing devices with standard cable management, but you should expect more loose wires and visible components such as power supply and printer motors.
Additional usability trade-offs you should expect with budget 3D printers include a knob-controlled user interface, whose navigation takes longer than the touch screens found on most premium 3D printing machines. Budget printer controllers also utilize older motor controllers that let your printer make songlike sounds whenever the motors move. This is unlike premium 3D printers that have silent motor drivers.
The Bottom Line
The best budget 3D printers will need a lot more time to set up and calibrate; however, they can typically match more premium printers in quality if you can put in the time. You can always use budget printing devices if you are working on a budget but still need a 3D printer to cater to your needs. They come in a range of prices and will produce excellent quality prints just like premium machines. Take the time to research the market for available budget 3D printers to find whatever suits your needs.