3D printers are no longer the stuff of science fiction. If you're curious about 3D printing but somewhat financially restricted, a budget 3D printer is the first step to satisfy that curiosity. Numerous budget 3D printers have similar capabilities and can print quality items the way higher-end 3D printers do.
Several budget 3D printers available are easy to set up, lightweight and great for starters. 3D printers, which cost less than $1,000, such as Printrbot Simple Metal, Cubify Cube 3, FlashForge Creator and UP Mini, are some of the best options.
Printrbot Simple Metal
Printrbot is a pioneer in desktop 3D printing. The new Simple Metal comes with an aluminum extruder and a powder-coated steel frame. It boasts an auto-leveling probe, which simplifies the Z-axis calibration. The maximum build volume is a decent 5.9 x 5.9 x 5.9 inches.
Reviewers have highlighted the new metal design and great print quality. The Printrbot Simple Metal is open source and one of the most upgradable and tweakable 3D printers on the market.
For students and newcomers, it is a great platform to learn the different characteristics of 3D printing. For a mere $599, the Simple Metal offers a great pack of features, and reviewers select it as the top 3D printer in terms of pricing.
Cubify Cube 3
The Cube 3 is the first budget 3D printer from Cubify. Being a larger printer, it can print 6 x 6 x 6 inch models. The Cube 3 supports both ABS and PLA filament. With the printer's dual extruders, users can even print in two different colors and with two different materials.
This 3D printer hosts a touchscreen navigation system and features user-friendly controls. It is also only 17 pounds, making it one of the lighter printers, and is easy to set up and maintain.
Cubify Cube 3's best feature is its ability to connect to your computer or a compatible smartphone. The Cube 3 supports wireless printing via Wi-Fi and mobile printing. Downloadable proprietary software is compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems. The unit sells for $999.
FlashForge Creator
With a build volume of 8.8 x 5.7 x 5.9 inches, the FlashForge Creator comes with a dual extruder, onboard controls and a heated build plate.
The calibrated FlashForge Creator is capable of high-quality prints on the same level as more expensive 3D printers. Print failures reported are very rare, just at 11 percent. Existing owners admire its compatibility with open source software and, if one is comfortable with some lite fiddling, the FlashForge Creator is a cool printer to begin with. The $977 price tag, along with the proven design, makes it a great option for novices and students to experiment and practice the art of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing.
UP Mini
Made by PP3DP in China, UP Mini features a comparatively lesser build volume of 4.7 x 4.7 x 4.7 inches and provides compatibility with ABS and PLA. One notable feature is the heated platform inside a closed enclosure, which improves an extra layer of safety of this model.
Several users have reported using the printer for more than a year without any issues and minimum maintenance is required. Print failures are rare, with present owners testifying an 89 percent print success.
Its ease of use and functionality make it one of a kind. The price range starts at $599.
Photo: Creative Tools | Flickr
