Printable View
We have a school project and we're planning to use 3D printers.
What would you consider the best setup, at the most affordable price, to get us started. If you can include the software needed (license cost, ouch) that would be awesome. Or if it's possible to use an open source system that would save us some money, we would really appreciate it.
We're planning to document everything and keep a log of our mini school project.
I've had great luck with my Flashforge Creator. It's dual extruder, and it came right out of the box with a couple of programs on the supplied SD card. I can truly say that I was printing my first part literally 15 minutes after opening. Super simple. I purchased a refurbished model directly from Flashforge USA. I use 123D Design for creating my models, and Makerware for translating my designs to the printer. Both are open source programs (for now) I've owned my unit for five months now with NO problems printing PLA, ABS and Ninjaflex. The Flashforge unit is Rock Solid and consistent, I run my unit daily/nightly.
We've had significant successes with our UP Mini 3D printer which starts at only $599 http://eezitec.com/collections/3dpri...oducts/up-mini
I would agree with plasticformer except I would by the PowerSpec 3D Pro. This unit is a relabeled FF creator x pro for microcenter. It was on sale for $799.
http://www.microcenter.com/product/435491/3D_Pro
You will need to add a cooling fan for PLA since these units do not come with one stock. It is very easy to do. I would suggest printing with ABS until you install the fan. This unit prints ABS very well in the stock configuration.
There is a learning curve to all printers, expect to spend time with it and becoming the resident guru.
You should look at printrbot : fantastic support and they have education deals.
You haven't given us any specs other than cost, so if that is the only factor, the Peachy Printer was supposed to be a sub $100 printer, last I read. Everything else should be open source.
But you should be up and running with a sub $500 setup easy these days.
Also most printer/slicer software is opensource and free.
Even the flashforge (makerbot replicator dual clones) come with free software. Though you're limited to a couple of packages.
Even the design software can be free if you use openscad and/or blender, tinkercad and a few others.
Essentially you're only costs are the printer and the filament.
The other thing to look at are kits.
iprusa i3 kits are well below the $500 mark, delta kits can be had for $4-500
You tend to get a larger build volume for your buck/pound with a kit. But you have to build it yourself.
Which fora school project would add an extra dimension and skills :-)
Printrbots are good - but the cheap kit only has a 4x4x4 inch build volume. The iprusa i3 kit is 10x10x10 - and that's a pretty big volume.
Last I saw, the Davinci is down to $399, and at 8^3, not that bad considering....
Haven't heard much good about the davinci. Mixed reviews at best.
Ok, first I guess you should clarify "project". Is the project the printer, or something you want/need to print with one?
Next, I guess you should clarify if you MUST purchase a printer or you just need one to print something.
If you don't actually need a printer and/or this is a one-off thing, consider consulting or working with a local Makerspace/Hackerspace/TechShop/FabLab. They likely already have the printers, laser cutter and the expertise to use them. I am sure most of the shops will work with educational groups. If not free, then at a moderate cost.
In either event, 100% of the software can be leveraged using free and open source software already available.
Now, if you decide you must or need to have a printer, there are many opportunities out there to build your own. Many of the leading market printers are fully open source and open hardware. You can download plans and BOMs for many of the printers. You must then assemble the parts you sourced yourself. This can be labor and time restrictive if you are on a time constraint. Source yourself, kit, fully assembled, they are all going to run you hundreds to get up and running. Thats why I suggested you look into the local Makerspaces. Not only do they have the equipment (usually), they have people who know what they are doing and also know where to find parts and source materials. Most of them are on a budget so they know where to find what you need cheaply. They also may be able to source things in bulk which means cost savings.
If you can provide a few more details as far as what you think you need, the folks around here are a pretty knowledgeable and helpful lot. They just need info to help you with.
Keep meaning to write a review of mine, but since it's the only printer I've ever used, I don't have a good point of view.Quote:
Originally Posted by curious aardvark
No, you have a perfectly good point of view. Its just limited ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Marm
Yep, so is it any good ?
Davinci 1.0:
It's not bad. As I mentioned, I'm at 200+ hours, with only minor mechanical issues; loose connections, extruder jams, bed leveling, etc. Once you learn how to work with the software package that seems to want to work against you, it's ok. But even starting out, most of the things I want to print would be ok. I know what the printer can and can't do, so I design to those limitations.
The proprietary nature of the filament is a real pain, as it limits you to the manufacturers filament. It is medium grade at best, and you cannot (until the refilling upgrade) change type of filaments. The lack of gcode control would be infuriating for some one used to adjusting gcode. As the temps are hard coded (but can be changed using an Arduino, available 3rd party or DIY), you have to run filament that meets those specs (210c extruder, 90c hotbed I believe). Supposedly PLA is out of the question as it constantly jams the extruder, regardless of temp settings. The proprietary firmware and software both report back to the manufacturer, so if it reports you using a flashed chip, they can remotely lock your printer. Firewalling the software and printer avoids this problem.
It is easy to setup, pretty much plug and play. The menu system on the printer is not bad, usually is intuitive, but easily learned if not. The software is the same, a few hiccups but easily learned. A fairly large build volume (8x8x8 / 200x200x200) made this a fairly easy choice over the similarly priced PrintrBot (with 1/8 th the build volume). Since everything but the CAD software is provided, you can start printing from STL's the day you get it. The way to software is written, the file is transmitted to and stored on the printer for printing. I have read about people losing their USB connection for whatever reason (Printer or PC's fault) and still being able to print by storing the file on the SD card and transferring it to the printer, and printing it as one of the demo's. The fully enclosed machine is pretty nice on the eye candy scale, and in my environment, helps keep the temps steady, as where I work has a bit of draft from the heater.
Would I buy one again? No, as I'm planning on doing a custom DIY build of a larger print volume with more control. I will be using the Davinci to help fabricate a good portion of those parts though. Would I recommend one to somebody who is familiar with 3d Printing and wants the flexibility of a more open source machine? Nope. But I would recommend it for the person who wants a printer, for whatever reason, but doesn't want to invest a lot of time or money in getting it to run right. It worked well right out of the box, and still does for the most part. It's great for a hobbyist who wants to make parts for RC models, or trains, or whatever. Just like any other tool in their shop, it's just a tool, not the focus of their shop.
Just the parts alone cost about $375.
No housing, no frame, no extras.
Biggies being the Stepper Motors/Drivers/Motherboard/Rods/Power Supply.