Large Scale Central

3-D Printer Options

Modeling Technical Modeling
#1

I am getting ready to purchase my first 3D printer, and wanted a little insight from the large scale community on what they thought. Right now, I have two printers that are my favorite choices, one is the Makerbot Replicator 2 (http://store.makerbot.com/replicator2 ), and the other is the Lulzbot TAZ ( https://www.lulzbot.com/products/lulzbot-taz-3-3d-printer ).

Obviously, the Makerbot has a more finished look, but Makerbot only admits to supporting two materials. I’d imagine the support for the Makerbot is good. It is quite enclosed, meaning fume extraction should be relatively straightforward.

The Lulzbot states more materials are available to print with. This really has my attention. They even offer a wood-based filament! The Lulzbot does not have a fancy enclosure, so that means that I would want to build a hood for it to extract any smelly fumes.

I know that these units are not the highest resolution printing, but for my use, it should be more than adequate.

Thanks for the thoughts!

#2

Brian - I have two 3D printers - the Afinia H series (here is a link to the latest version with auto-table-leveling:

http://www.amazon.com/Afinia-H480-3D-Printer/dp/B00ISIV1QI/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1397403528&sr=8-6&keywords=afinia )

and a clone of the Replicator2 from FlashForge.

http://www.amazon.com/Flashforge-Printer-Dual-Extruder-Spool/dp/B00FPL5AY0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1397403706&sr=8-4&keywords=flashforge

I am very pleased with both. If I were to have only one I think the Afinia is a better unit - it is easier to use, the software is easier to understand and the prints are frequently better than those from the FlashForge. The FlashForge will do two colors on the same print but I find that I use that option rarely.

Both printers have good tech support - the Afinia has a 1 year warranty and they have cross-shipped parts to me when I have had issues.

Hope that helps.

dave

#3

Not sure what fumes you intend on smelling, I have not noticed any with the Rep2- although is does sometimes smell like corn (pla is corn starch based plastic)

You won’t need a hood for these machines