I often hear from educators about a common set of problems they keep running into when 3D printing in their classrooms or labs. These problems are usually related to consistency, reliability and throughput.
What’s the fix? The addition of a professional grade 3D printer to their arsenal.
Keep in mind that doesn’t necessarily mean a desktop 3D printer doesn’t have a place in your program. Desktop printers are more affordable and allow you to easily add capacity. A pro grade printer will give you more repeatability, stronger parts, and ultimately, more confidence in your printers.
If you have ten minutes to spare, feel free to watch my short presentation on what these common problems look like and how to fix them. I’ve also listed a few of the main points I make during the presentation below.
1. You spend too much time tweaking your models.
Desktop printers require trial-and-error printing. You print the part and realize it doesn’t fit another part you printed. You have to reiterate your design and print over and over until it does fit, which can be time consuming. This takes even more time when you begin experimenting with different materials. In the video above, you’ll see in action why a heated chamber, which is a key component of a pro grade printer, ensures accuracy and repeatability every time.
2. You spend too much time tinkering with your printer
Desktop 3D printers generally require constant tweaking and calibration to keep it working the way you want it to (including out of the box). Pro grade 3D printers just work – allowing you to spend your time and energy on your design and not your printer.
3. You don’t trust your printer to print overnight
I often hear shock from educators when they learn the professional grade 3D printer they invested in can actually be left to print overnight! The simple fact that they reliably work so well day in an day out means you can print 24/7 with confidence. Desktop 3D printers, on the other hand, have a higher failure rate than pro grade 3D printers.
4. You are constantly working around the size limits of your 3D printer.
Desktop 3D printers typically suffer from one of the following issues related to size:
- Small build envelope
- Reasonably sized build envelope, but inconsistent results with full size prints
- Inconsistent results with different materials across build envelope
- Printer speed is too slow to allow for large prints
If these limitations look familiar, then it might be time to update to a pro grade printer with a larger build size.
5. Your prints don’t hold up to your usage
Desktop 3D printers typically print with low temperature materials to get around printer limitations. Low temperature materials — like PLA — are very brittle and will shatter easily under any stress. Pro grade printers can print with higher temperature materials because of heated chambers, allowing you to create parts that are more sturdy and can be used time and time again before needing to be replaced.
Have you toyed with the idea of updating your classroom, lab or makerspace to include professional grade 3D printers? Contact us if you’re not sure where to start.
