Many people are getting excited about 3D printing and creating useful things as well as toys and gifts with this new and fun technology.
Unlike what most people are saying 3D printing technology is already where it needs to be for everyone to be able to use it.
As more customers start buying 3D printers the technology is becoming more affordable and easier to use.
The biggest problem with 3D printing is the user. 3D printing requires a special skill set.
People who want to dive into 3D printing must have a good knowledge of how to handle hardware, have basic electrical and 3D modeling skills.
3D printing is not for people who think they can just buy a machine, press a button and expect it to print perfectly right out of the box.
So far the only affordable printer that I have seen which is capable of printing really well right out of the box with almost no fiddling is the
SEEmeCNC Eris Delta printer.
Having said that, it isn't jam proof or unbreakable. It is a very sturdy printer and has amazing capabilities considering it's size but like every other printer it can break.
So for those who want to get into 3D printing make sure you know how to do basic maintenance, like ; Know how to insert filament into a printer, how to un jam a printer. Know how to replace a melted boudin tube.
Know how to replace a heat sink, how to change a broken extruder, hotend, nozzle, how to grease the machine etc...
3D printing is not like ink printing. There is a lot more to it and no matter what machine you buy you will have to maintain and fix things on a regular basis non just once a month when the paper gets jammed or you run out of ink.
It is a good idea to buy a second build plate. This speeds up your work flow if you plan to batch build stuff. This way the second a print is done, you don't have to wait to remove and clean the junk of your build plate and start on the next print while you take care of it.
It is a good idea to buy only 3D printers like the Eris or others that are produced by companies who can provide you with optimal customer service and have access to replacement parts that you don't need to wait months to get in mail.
As much as I loved my 101 hero but once it broke I ordered parts and it has been over a month and I still haven't received them. Within that time I ended up having to buy a new machine because I was so tired of waiting on new parts and had a bunch of projects I needed to do.
That is why it is essential to only buy products from solid companies with great customer service and fast turn around time.
When I got my 101 hero I wasn't getting it because it was cheap, I went for it because I was fascinated with the Delta style printer and it was a great way to learn about 3D printing. If it had proper customer support and faster turn around times to get spare parts I would highly recommend it as a starter printer.
3D printing is a great thing to do and an excellent tool to teach young kids about geometry, mechanical parts and bringing ideas to life but it isn't easy and it has a very steep learning curve.
If you are a beginner and interested in this technology I highly recommend you buy a compact printer with most of it's parts out there in the open for easy maintenance. I also recommend you get a printer with auto leveling because it will save you a lot of time.
I hope many people will be inspired to get their own 3D printers and try the technology but just be warned that it is a good idea to follow my advice as I have already made all the mistakes for you and now if you take my advice your experience in 3D printing will be far smoother!
Happy printing!
