It may seem like consumer 3D printers are still early adopters, but the truth is very different. Just a few years ago, your 3D printer would have arrived disassembled, partially reassembled by the unkempt guys in the barn. Now the typical mainstream 3D printer is as polished and shiny as any other consumer electronic device that you can throw a credit card into.
Prices are also dropping sharply, which means that those on a budget can get decent, affordable 3D printers . However, this is not what we are focusing on here. The printers listed here are the printers that have propelled the industry forward when it comes to consumer printers.
Their characteristics, capabilities and quality represent a quantum leap over the almost homemade machines of the early days. So admire four of the best 3D printers you can buy in 2019.
Da Vinci color
XYZprinting has really made a name for itself over the past few years. Their printers are consistently groundbreaking and there are many good options in the range. For example, their da Vinci AIO products also include a 3D laser scanner that turns a printer into a kind of 3D copier.
Although FDM printers have become quite mature, most are still limited to printing in one color. Models with two or more extruders can be used for simple printing in multiple colors. One for each die. However, if you want a full-fledged full-color 3D object, there are no consumer products for this task yet.
Enter da Vinci color . This printer seems like a real step forward in technology. It combines FDM 3D printing with CMY ink printing technology. The end result is a system that can color the outer layer of your print however you like. So you no longer need to color your prints by hand! Da Vinci’s color looks like the beginning of the sci-fi replicators that we imagined could be 3D printers.
This is also not a one-trick pony. There are many high-tech features hiding under the hood. Wi-Fi is provided in high-end models these days, but it also has a neat magnetic print bed and a sophisticated auto-calibration system.
The print volume of 7.9 x 7.9 x 5.9 inches may seem a little tight to some, but the vast majority of users will be quite happy with the space. The only real issue is that the maximum resolution of 100 microns is slightly grainier than the 20 micron resolution on the da Vinci Pro. If the price of Color is too high for your blood, the Mini printer version is now available for pre-order.
Flashforge Creator Pro
Flashforge already had good stuff with the original Creator model. This new Creator Pro model takes what was great in the original and adds quality. Better (and more expensive) materials were chosen for the Pro, making it more durable and attractive.
You get aircraft grade aluminum that’s guaranteed not to warp when exposed to heat, and a metal frame instead of wood. The new metal construction and rod guide assembly is aimed at precision and reliability. To top it off, the built-in camera is insulated so that the ABS (it also supports PLA) is constantly cooled.
It is also a dual extruder printer that opens up all sorts of possibilities. Yes, you can use different colors of filament for two-color printing, but much more interesting is the possibility of having different grades of material for the support and the final product.
This is a no-frills printer that delivers high print quality, a clear step up from most other machines in this price range. By the way, Creator Pro was originally launched with a price far above the grandiose one, and it has been constantly dropping prices, which are now almost half the original price.
It was already a strong full price competitor, but at the time of writing, you were having a hard time finding something that good for such a small amount.
LulzBot Taz 6
Despite the silly name, LulzBot Taz 6 is not a joke at all. It is an advanced open source open-air 3D printer. It has a hefty build volume of 11.02 x 11.02 x 9.8 inches and an equally hefty price tag.
However, the price is not overpriced. This is a SERIOUS printer, reliable enough to keep running at factory settings all the time. Indeed, Lulzbot actually does it with 150 machines that print the parts that go into printers that customers end up buying.
As long as there is no Wi-Fi connection, you do not need to connect the Taz 6 to your computer. It supports printing from an SD card, which means you only have to go through the model files to get started.
Maintenance is also kept to a minimum thanks to the self-leveling and self-cleaning features, making this machine very comfortable to own.
Of all the impressive Taz 6s, the printhead sits at the top of the list. The printer was designed to be modular, which means you can upgrade or modify your existing printer to support dual-material printing and a long list of print materials, including wood and metal composites, nylon filaments, and print materials that have not yet been invented. This is a serious test for the future, and in this context, the fat price will be much more reasonable.
Dremel Digilab 3D20
Dremel is one of the world’s leading power tool manufacturers, so it makes sense for them to try their hand at building a desktop 3D printer. The Dremel Digilab certainly looks the part, with a nice metallic finish and closed build space.
With absolutely no pre-assembly, this 3D printer is one of the most consumer-friendly on the market. Since this printer does not have a heated build platform, you are limited to PLA material. This might not be a bad thing since Dremel positions the Digilab as a high quality desktop printer.
PLA is typically used for models that need improved detail and overall finish, rather than those that will actually be used for practical details. This emphasis on PLA means Digilab is tuned to this material, which greatly increases the likelihood that your prints will turn out as they should.
Dremel claims the 3D20 is the most reliable 3D printer on the market, backed by its testing mode. Of course we have no way of verifying the reliability claims, but Dremel has a reputation for making reliable tools. This is why this brand is so popular with builders and craftsmen of all stripes.
Other quality-of-life features include a full-color touchscreen and SD card printing. This means that Digilab can operate independently of a computer with a very user-friendly interface.
The only potential downside is the build size of 9 “x5.9” x5.5 “. If you want to print larger models, you will have to look elsewhere. If not, this is probably the best desktop sweet spot printer you can buy today.
the time now
Standard 3D printers for material deposition are now ready to go. When it comes to desktop 3D printers, there is no longer any reason to hesitate and pull the trigger. While there are still many innovations ahead, the next generation of 3D printing technology won’t be on your desk anytime soon.
This means that waiting is pointless. If you buy a modern 3D printer now, it should remain relevant for years to come, until they find a way to bring true multi-material printing to the home market. If you’ve always wanted a 3D printer, 2019 is the best time to finally buy one. Enjoy!
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