3D Printer Comparison
| Materials | Type: Proprietary acrylate based polymer. “VeroBlack,” “VeroWhite” See: http://www.objet.com/3D-Printing-Materials/Overview/Rigid_Opaque/ Properties: Very rigid, but moderately low yield stress. Behaves much like standard acrylic. Alternative materials can be rubber-like in mechanical properties, or clear/translucent. |
Type: ABS Plastic, PLA , other thermoplastics Properties: ABS - Very High Yield Stress, standard engineering plastic. PLA – Plant derived plastic. Biodegradable, rigid. |
Type: PLA , other thermoplastics Properties: PLA – Plant derived plastic. Biodegradable, rigid. |
| Accuracy | Extremely high: 0.05mm to 0.1mm depending on geometry | Moderate accuracy: 0.2-0.4mm depending on geometry | Good accuracy: 0.1-0.3mm depending on geometry |
| Maximum Build Dimensions | 10.2×10.2×7.9 inches (260x260x200mm) |
4.3×4.3×4.7 inches (110x110x120mm) |
8.2×8.2×7.0 inches (210x210x180mm) |
| Build Time | Total: 30 minutes – 5 Hours (dependent on geometry & size) *Turnaround time is workload dependent |
Total: 15 minutes to 24 Hours (dependent on geometry & size) *Turnaround time is workload dependent |
Total: 15 minutes to 24 Hours (dependent on geometry & size) *Turnaround time is workload dependent |
| Cost | UC, Standard Material: $5/10 grams of build material + $3/10 grams of support material + $3/hr of build time + possible setup and cleaning fee.UC, Clear Material: $7/10 grams of build material + $4/10 grams of support material + $3/hr of build time + possible setup and cleaning fee.Outside UC, Standard Material: $6/10 grams of build material + $4/10 grams of support material, $3/hr of build time + mandatory setup and cleaning fee.Outside UC, Clear Material: $9/10 grams of build material + $4/10 grams of support material, $3/hr of build time + mandatory setup and cleaning fee. | UC, Black or White ABS: $4/10 Grams + $3/hr of build timeUC, Other Material: $4/10 grams + $3/hr of build time + machine setup/calibrationOutside UC: $5/hr + setup and cleaning.
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UC, Translucent, Black, or White PLA: $4/10 Grams + $3/hr of build timeUC, Other Material: $4/10 grams + $3/hr of build time + machine setup/calibrationOutside UC: $5/hr + setup and cleaning. |
| Pros | Extreme accuracy, Parts can be printed as functional assemblies, functional prototypes | High impact resistance, good accuracy. | Very rigid plastic with good impact resistance, great accuracy, large build chamber |
| Cons | Material not as strong as Makerbot/Ultimaker, Cost is comparatively higher than Makerbot or Ultimaker | Less accurate than Objet, and Ultimaker Printers. Overhang geometry limited due to lack of support structure. Also, this lack of dedicated support structure often limits what can, and cannot be printed. | Less accurate than Objet Printer. Overhang geometry limited due to lack of dedicated support structure (Ultimaker can generate support geometry using build material). Support features must be manually removed |
