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Are you considering purchasing a 3D printer? 3D printers have a wide range of applications. From prototyping in manufacturing to making figurines for sale out of your garage, 3D printers offer the opportunity to bring any design you can conjure to life. 3D printing technology was once reserved for scientific laboratories and industries. However, technology has become more readily available in the past few years. You can now get a home 3D printer that offers great performance and allows you to create prints using a wide variety of materials.
However, while 3D printing technology has become more readily available, it is not cheap. 3D printers can cost anything from $200 to more than $500,000. This depends on factors such as the printing technology, the features in the printer, and the materials the printer is compatible with. In this guide, we discuss the cost of home 3D printers and various factors you should consider.
Why Are You Buying Your 3D Printer?
Before we even get into the actual cost of a 3D printer, it is important to answer the question, why are you buying a 3D printer. Are you buying a 3D printer for business? Are you a hobbyist looking to explore the boundaries of your creativity? What will you be printing? What type of material will you use for printing?
Answering these questions will ensure that you are able to identify a printer that meets your needs and is within your price range. Here's an overview of printer prices based on application.
- DIY and budget 3D printers
If you're on a tight budget and are investing in a 3D printer for individual use, you should consider investing in a DIY or budget printer. The cost of these printers ranges from $100 to $300. However, like with many other things, you get what you pay for. DIY and budget 3D printers often break and require fixing. While you may save money in the initial purchase of the printer, you can expect to have to carry out repairs on a regular basis. This will mean spending a lot of time and money on your machine.
- Hobbyist 3D printers
These 3D printers are more expensive and more reliable than the DIY and budget 3D printers. They are a popular choice if you have more wiggle room in your budget. The printers range from $300 to $1000. They are great for those just getting into 3D printing. While they do promise less tinkering than you would have to with a DIY or budget 3D printer, you can still expect the occasional problem.
- Enthusiast and professional 3D printers
These printers offer great performance at a reasonable price. They range from $1000 to just under $5000. While these targets more experienced individuals as well as professionals, some, such as the Snapmaker 2.0, are easy to use. If you're a beginner with more wiggle room in your budget, this would be the best level to start with. These printers are great for small and medium-sized businesses too. They yield high-end prints and offer many professional features. These are the best 3D printers for home use.
If you're considering 3D printing as a hobby, you probably won't be looking at industrial 3D printers. You can achieve great results with any of the 3D printers in the categories outlined above.
- Costs Based on Type of 3D Printer.
There are different types of 3D printing technology available in the market. The printer cost is influenced greatly by printing technology.
- FDM (Fused deposition modeling) printers
These are the most widely available type of 3D printers. They are also among the most affordable type of 3D printers. They rely on melting filaments made of thermoplastics and extruding the molten filament. The filament is deposited layer by layer to build the model.
- SLA (stereolithography)
These printers use liquid resin to create prints. The resin is hardened through a process known as photopolymerization. These printers are great for high precision and high-resolution work. Their resin provides products with a smooth finish. These printers are expensive and are often reserved for industrial applications. You can get an SLA printer for a little less than $4000 and anything above $200,000.
The True Cost of a 3D Printer
Many people only consider the upfront cost of the 3D printer when searching for the right printer to purchase. However, the true cost of the 3D printer goes beyond the upfront cost. There are various other factors to consider, including:
- Materials and consumables
You should factor the cost of the materials and other consumables you will use for 3D printing into the cost of the 3D printer. For example, an FDM printer that is compatible with a wide range of printing materials is a great option. FDM filaments are readily available and affordable. If you choose a printer that is compatible with a wide range of materials, you can control the cost of your consumables in the long run.
- Repair and parts
How easy is it to get parts for your 3D printer? How expensive are these parts? Even the best printers experience wear and tear with time and use. It helps to choose a machine for which you can easily access parts at an affordable price. It is also a good idea to invest in a machine that is durable. This will ensure that you save money in the long term with the reduced need for repair.
Conclusion
If you're in the market for a 3D printer, there are several factors that you ought to consider in determining how much you should spend on your printer. While it can be tempting to go for a budget 3D printer and save money upfront, you may end up spending a lot of money in the long term when you consider repairs and consumables. Consider the factors outlined above and ensure you choose a printer that meets your needs and offers great value in the long term.