Software

3D printers: 10 machines for home manufacturing

By // August 22, 2012, 9:40 PM PST // nickjheath

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  • The age of being able to print off anything - from washing machine parts to shoes - in your home is approaching.

    For years 3D printers, which build solid objects layer by layer using computer models, came with a price tag that made them unaffordable to anyone outside big business.

    However in recent years homebrew 3D printer projects such as RepRap in the UK and Fab@Home have demonstrated it's possible to build a 3D printer for about $1,000.

    Today, there are a slew of 3D printers aimed at the home market, many of which are based on the open-source RepRap printers. TechRepublic has rounded up 10 machines for fabricating items at home.

    3D printing noobs should be aware that not only do many of these machines ship as kits that have to be built by the user, most are more complicated to operate than your standard 2D printer.

    Running costs are also not cheap. Most of the printers build objects using filament, typically made of ABS or PLA plastics. A one-kilogram coil of these plastics costs in the region of $70.

    If you do pick up a 3D printer and are lacking inspiration, check out the Thingiverse, a collection of free designs for printable objects.

    Cube 3D

    The Cube 3D, shown above, is a printer designed to make building plastic objects as easy as running off a copy of a document.

    The $1,299 device can print items as large as 5.5 inches cubed. It prints in one colour at a time, squeezing molten plastic from its nozzle, and can produce 10 different shades.

    The Cube is designed to be easy to use, with cartridges that clip into place and software that turns 3D computer models into a form the printer can understand. The software handles models in the STL format, which is output by most CAD packages.

    Designs for objects that can be printed using the Cube are available through its dedicated online store.

    Users can tweak ready-made designs for printable objects, such as toys and jewellery, using a selection of apps.

    Print time is proportional to the size and complexity of the object being built, but the manufacturer says an iPhone case will take about two to three hours to print.

    Each cartridge will print 13 to 15 phone case-sized objects before it needs replacing.

    Photo: 3D Systems Corporation

  • MakerBot Replicator

    The ace up the MakerBot Replicator's sleeve is its ability to print in two different colours at once.

    The $1,749 printer is able to build objects in more than one colour or from more than one material, using its dual extruder head.

    The MakerBot Replicator can be controlled without a computer, using its LCD panel and videogame-style control pad. The screen provides build statistics and monitoring information.

    3D models, stored in the STL or G-code format, can be loaded into the printer via an SD card, using the printer's built-in slot.

    The machine, which ships fully assembled, can print objects as large as a loaf of bread measuring 12.6 x 18.4 x 15 inches, in either ABS or PLA plastic.

    Photo: MakerBot

  • Solidoodle 2

    The Solidoodle 2 ships as a finished product, so there's no need to spend days putting a kit together.

    The Solidoodle is one of the lowest-cost 3D printers available, with a starting price of $499. Prices range up to $599, with higher-end models including a spool to hold the plastic filament - which makes it easier for it to print unassisted - and an outer cover.

    The machine builds objects up to six inches cubed in size and typically prints layers 0.3mm thick, but can print high-resolution parts with a layer height of 0.1mm. Details of about 0.1mm across can be printed on each layer.

    Photo: Sam Cevantes

  • RapMan 3.2

    One of the more attractive 3D printers on the market, the steel-framed RapMan 3.2 3D Extreme sells for €1,030 ($1,280).

    The printer is a desktop-sized device capable of printing objects as large as 270mm x 205mm x 210mm. It builds items out of one material at a time.

    The machine ships as a kit, with the user having to build and calibrate it. The manufacturer estimates it takes about two to three days to set up the machine to print.

    The device ships with a touchscreen interface and doesn't need to be connected to a PC to work, as it can read model files from a USB drive.

    Photo: BitsfromBytes/YouTube.com

  • UP! Plus

    The UP! Plus Personal Portable 3D Printer is a machine small enough to fit on a desktop.

    Its manufacturer says the device needs minimal assembly and takes 15 minutes from opening the box to full operation.

    The UP! printer builds objects of a maximum size of 5.5 inches cubed and can print details as fine as 0.2mm.

    The printer - whose total cost ranges from $1,600 to $2,000 - comes with software for building objects from 3D computer models.

    Each printer comes with a starter kit toolbox that helps with the assembly and use of the printer.

    The UP! prints in white, although models can be coated and painted afterwards. The printer can build objects out of ABS and PLA plastics.

    Photo: Denford

  • Fabbster

    Unlike many hobbyist 3D printers, Fabbster can print in different colours and materials.

    The machine is fed by sticks of injection-moulded plastic, developed by the manufacturer, melting and squeezing them from its nozzle. To print using different colours or materials users mix together sticks of various colours or compositions.

    Fabbster's maker says the machine is able to print more precisely than many other hobbyist machines because these sticks are less likely to slip than the plastic filament typically used as a raw material.

    Like other personal 3D printers, it ships with software that can import 3D models into a compatible format. These models can then be transferred to printer via USB or SD card.

    Fabbster ships as a partially-assembled 3D printer that its maker says can be constructed within a few hours.

    Photo: Sintermask GmbH

  • Ultimaker

    True to its name, the Ultimaker can print bigger objects than many other home 3D printers.

    The €1,194 ($1,483) printer can build eight-inch cubed objects, and produce items of more than one colour or material.

    The machine ships as a kit but its maker says it can be rapidly assembled. It includes the software it needs to operate and an LCD control panel.

    Free software updates can be downloaded, and hardware upgrades can also be printed out.

    Photo: Ultimaking Ltd

  • M2 3D Printer

    Capable of printing off large objects, the M2 3D Printer can be bought as a kit or as a finished machine.

    The M2 also looks more like a finished product than some of its contemporaries, without dangling wires and a sleek design that includes a glass build platform and a stainless steel frame.

    The printer is available for $1,299 as a kit and $1,499 assembled.

    Photo: MakerGear

  • iRapid compact

    iRapid compact is a €999 ($1,240) 3D printer that is designed to be easy to operate and maintain.

    The desktop-sized machine, a prototype of which is seen above, prints at a rate of up to 80mm per second and can print layers as thin as 0.25mm. It prints using one material at a time.

    Its manufacturer says maintenance is easy because of its rack-and-pinion mechanism.

    Photo: 3D Rapid/YouTube.com

  • Orca 0.43

    The Orca 0.43 printer is another affordable home 3D printer.

    Shipping as a kit, the €799 ($1004) machine can build objects at a rate of more than 250mm per second.

    It can build objects of 10 x 8.5 x 7.5 inches, and prints in layers of between 0.15mm and 0.5mm. Both ABS and PLA plastics work with the machine.

    Photo: Mendel-parts.com

The age of being able to print off anything - from washing machine parts to shoes - in your home is approaching.

For years 3D printers, which build solid objects layer by layer using computer models, came with a price tag that made them unaffordable to anyone outside big business.

However in recent years homebrew 3D printer projects such as RepRap in the UK and Fab@Home have demonstrated it's possible to build a 3D printer for about $1,000.

Today, there are a slew of 3D printers aimed at the home market, many of which are based on the open-source RepRap printers. TechRepublic has rounded up 10 machines for fabricating items at home.

3D printing noobs should be aware that not only do many of these machines ship as kits that have to be built by the user, most are more complicated to operate than your standard 2D printer.

Running costs are also not cheap. Most of the printers build objects using filament, typically made of ABS or PLA plastics. A one-kilogram coil of these plastics costs in the region of $70.

If you do pick up a 3D printer and are lacking inspiration, check out the Thingiverse, a collection of free designs for printable objects.

Cube 3D

The Cube 3D, shown above, is a printer designed to make building plastic objects as easy as running off a copy of a document.

The $1,299 device can print items as large as 5.5 inches cubed. It prints in one colour at a time, squeezing molten plastic from its nozzle, and can produce 10 different shades.

The Cube is designed to be easy to use, with cartridges that clip into place and software that turns 3D computer models into a form the printer can understand. The software handles models in the STL format, which is output by most CAD packages.

Designs for objects that can be printed using the Cube are available through its dedicated online store.

Users can tweak ready-made designs for printable objects, such as toys and jewellery, using a selection of apps.

Print time is proportional to the size and complexity of the object being built, but the manufacturer says an iPhone case will take about two to three hours to print.

Each cartridge will print 13 to 15 phone case-sized objects before it needs replacing.

Photo: 3D Systems Corporation

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By Nick Heath

Nick Heath is chief reporter for TechRepublic. He writes about the technology that IT decision makers need to know about, and the latest happenings in the European tech scene.