Maybe you’ve recently learned about 3D printing and are interested in getting one of these incredible printers of your own. That’s awesome! However, before you get your own 3D printer, there are some things you need to know. It might seem really simple, as if you just need to get the printer, and that’s it, but it’s more complicated than that, so we’re going to look at three things you should know about choosing a 3D printer.
Types of 3D Printers
There are actually a few different types of 3D printers to consider. This is why we said it’s not just like going into the store and grabbing any 3D printer off the shelf. You need to know what you’re buying first. General hobbyists get 3D printers that use FDM, which stands for Fused Deposition Modeling. It’s an additive process that creates the print through heat and extruding plastic created layer by layer.
The second kind of 3D printer is a Stereolithography. This type of 3D printer uses an additive process too. However, the difference is that instead of extruding plastics, it utilizes an ultraviolet light beam, which hardens models from a pool of photosensitive liquid.
Finally, another typical 3D printer uses SLS, which is Selective Laser Sintering. It’s a process of lasers and powders. The lasers melt the powders and create a layer of printed material. Through this process, you can use alternative printing materials like metals.
Materials Used To Print
Generally, the required materials for 3D printing are Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), which are both thermoplastics. These are ideal materials as they’re soft and malleable when heated but solid when cooled down. Which one you decide to use depends on the printer, and the model you’re printing.
Obtaining 3D Models
3D printing requires a 3D model. There are two methods of getting the 3D models; the first option is creating your own 3D model. Your second choice is to acquire pre-made 3D models. There are a lot of 3D models available online that can either be downloaded for free or, in some cases, purchased.
If you want to go down the route of creating your own models, then you’d need various software to do so. Some of these software options are free, while others require monthly or once-off fees to use. If you don’t know how to make your own models, then you’re able to take an online course to get you started.
Most 3D models come in STL files which stands for STereoLithogrpaghy files. These file types can be generated using almost all CAD programs. In addition, these file types allow for details to be picked up layer-by-layer.
Conclusion
Looking for a high-quality 3D Printer? You need a Flashforge 3D printer! With Flashforge, you can enjoy highly efficient professional 3D printing with numerous options available. So get your hands on a Flashforge 3D printer today to start being a part of the printing revolution today.
