WHAT IS A PERSONAL USE 3D PRINTER?

In a nutshell it’s a desktop factory, capable of performing additive manufacturing for personal and and some professional use.  A 3D printer creates objects in plastic by heating up and laying down very thin layers of a material called “filament.”  In the past, if you needed a prototype, the only alternative was to use the professional services of a very high end machine (costing $100,000’s).  The costs of 3D printers has gone down in recent years, making this technology available to the masses for domestic use.  Printers range in prices from $100 to millions of $

WHAT TYPE OF USER (MAKER) ARE YOU?

Are you a tinkerer, serious engineer, mechanic, artist, student, hobbyist, inventor or just looking? Identifying your basic needs and wants from your 3d printer is the first step in purchasing a machine.

 WHEN SHOPPING FOR YOUR 3DPRINTER CONSIDER DOING THE FOLLOWING:

• Order a sample  to examine the quality of the output.
• Peruse around forums and investigate a vender’s reputation,  within the 3D printer community.
• Look at the vender’s support-  such as availability of a “questions and answers wiki”, email support system, phone support and new 3d Printer set up.
• Carefully review the vender’s return policy.
• Make sure you use 3D Printer Page to get the best pricing.