3D printing is coming into the business. Not only to large companies with budgets of millions but also to smaller businesses, which appreciate the productivity and profitability of the solutions offered by this technology. 3D printers are used in industrial, automotive, foundry, aviation, medical and research institutes. They are highly valued during the creation of prototypes, tools, and subassemblies, as well as in small series production or the production of unique, personalized elements.
The wide range of filaments for 3D printing makes this technology more and more visually appealing year after year. Its area of application is also entering the architectural, advertising, and fashion industries. Imaginative prints are used, among others, to create mock-ups, company gadgets, and decorations, as well as home objects with original, modern forms.
Interest in 3D printing on the Polish and foreign markets is huge. Companies, when deciding to use this technology, hope to increase the efficiency of production, greater material savings, and reduction of post-production waste and - above all - to reduce production costs.
Buying a 3D printer, both standard and large size is an investment for the company. What aspects should be taken into account when choosing a device? What exactly should be considered when buying a professional 3D printer?
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To answer these questions, we have developed a complex guide that includes such issues as the purpose of the device and its dedicated working environment, the application of individual pillars, the price of printers, and 3D printing outsourcing.
What should you know before buying a 3D printer?
When choosing a 3D printer, every company should be guided primarily by its purpose. On this basis, appropriate parameters of the device are selected, technological solutions applied in it, and additional functions, important for the given industry.
ATMAT engineers advise you to determine first:
Size of printed items
The larger the workspace of a 3D printer, the larger objects can be printed. Machines with a large workspace have greater possibilities for serial production (this allows you to print several models at the same time) and for printing large models without connecting. Such solutions are more frequently used by customers from the industrial, architectural, or automotive sectors.
3D printers with a smaller workspace are designed to print precise models, where high dimensional accuracy and smoothness of the print surface are important. These devices are recommended for creating functional prototypes.
In ATMAT's offer, the smallest standard printer has a working area of 300x300x300 [mm] (https://atmat.pl/signal-pro-en), while a large-size printer - 2000x1000x1000 [mm] (https://atmat.pl/jupiter-en). It is the largest workspace available in Europe.
Expectations for print speed and precise print reproduction
A single element can take several hours to several days to print (for large models). The entrepreneur has to confront the question of whether to print slower and with high quality or to print faster, but with the need for further processing.
When using a 3D printer with a small print nozzle, you will get visually appealing products with high quality and precisely defined details. These elements will be ready for use almost immediately after their production.
For large models, a large print nozzle head is used, leaving visible layers on the print surface. Such elements need additional processing to prepare them for the target role (post-processing is necessary).
The production of advanced and complex space models is possible thanks to the use of supports (props), which are removed from the model after printing is completed.
To smooth the contact surface between the printed item and the support, it is necessary to grind it. In 3D printers equipped with a single nozzle, the resulting model and supports are printed from the same filament and removed mainly by mechanical methods. A good solution is to print the element and supports from different materials - however, this is only possible on 3D printers with two printing nozzles. Filaments used to make the supports dissolve in specific substances. When the supports are removed, the surface of the model is smoother than when the supports are removed mechanically.
The companies specializing in machinery, automotive and similar industries, where the size of the printed models is large, should pay special attention to the Saturn printer (https://atmat.pl/saturn-en) or the Jupiter printer (https://atmat.pl/jupiter-en). Their printing speed is 200 mm/sec, while the height of the printed layer is between 0.25 and 1 mm.
3D print environment
The more specialized the filament from which the models are printed, the greater the demands on the printing environment. The working chamber of a professional 3D printer has a big influence on the quality of the resulting prints. A closed and heated working chamber protects the machine environment from sudden temperature spikes, draughts, and other factors causing rapid changes, causing shrinkage of the material and reducing the quality of prints.
When printing from popular filaments, like PLA, ABS, PETG, or HIPS, it is important to ensure the machine has the right conditions, according to the material specification. In this way, we will get the best quality result. In the case of the above filaments, it is also possible to print on 3D printers with open, unheated working chambers. However, the larger the model, the greater the risk of shrinkage and cracking of the material during printing.
ATMAT 3D printers are all equipped with temperature-controlled sensors and operate in a closed printing environment to ensure the highest print quality and efficient operation.
Investment costs
Before you buy a professional 3D printer, you must take into account all the costs of purchase: the price of the machine, its operating costs and printing costs, which will be regularly paid by the company.
A 3D printer is your biggest expense. The price of a professional 3D printer is determined by the size of the work area (the larger area is a higher price), the quality of components used to build the equipment, and the mechanical solutions installed in the machine. ATMAT 3D printers work on Bondtech extruders, linear guides, and trucks from HIWIN or hotend E3D, which are considered to be unrivaled on the additive technology market.
The filament used is an individual matter for any company. Depending on the desired result, it is possible to print from popular, cheaper materials or more expensive, with specialist properties. The various filaments differ from each other in color, chemical properties, strength, processing ability, and resistance to various substances.
The standard 3D printers apply a filament with a diameter of 1.75 [mm], while large-size printers use a filament with a diameter of 2.85 [mm]. For smaller printers, there are filaments on spools weighing about 1 kg, while large spools (dedicated for industrial 3D printers) can weigh up to 10 kg.
For more information about the filaments and their application, you will find in this article: https://atmat.pl/praca-z-materialem
The final decision is an individual matter
When deciding to buy a 3D printer, you should also pay attention to it: easiness and intuitiveness of use, manufacturer's support, convenient, proprietary solutions (e.g.: the possibility of remote control of the 3D printer) and software installed in the device.
The incremental technology is current in practically every branch of industry. It supports design processes, prototyping, and production. For many entrepreneurs, the purchase of an exclusive industrial 3D printer is still a serious investment. In case of lower demand for printing, it is worth considering the option of outsourcing 3D printing, i.e. ordering the service of printing a specific element to an external company dealing with it professionally. Using the service of 3D printing we have at our disposal experienced experts, performing orders for customers from various industries.
We invite you to get to know our offer: https://atmat.pl/3d-printing
When choosing a professional 3D printer, it is worth asking the manufacturer. Before presenting a sales offer, specialists should offer a sample printout of any model on a device chosen by the customer. In this way, the investor will be able to verify the quality and properties of the received element and assess whether it meets his expectations. The sale of a professional 3D printer should also be preceded by an audit, during which 3D printing specialists will check and analyze the needs of the company. Based on the received data, they will propose the best-suited equipment.
It is possible to choose a 3D printer by yourself, but if there is an option to use the knowledge of experts who deal with this type of equipment daily - why not use it?
Our specialists offer complex advice, help in selecting the right equipment, and answers all questions that arise.
We welcome you to contact us:
Paulina Folek
+48 505 732 508
paulina.folek@atmat.pl
