What is a 3D Printer?
Today 3D printers come in a wide variety of sizes and capabilities, meaning there is a massive gap between 3D printing gadgets for your desk or hobby and the high precision 3D models required by product designers.
There are also various technologies in use ranging from FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) to DLP (Digital Light Processing), Stereolithography and more. But don't worry if all of this sounds a little terrifying; the expert team here at Ink Station are on hand to help you find the right 3D printer to suit your needs and budget.
How to choose a 3D printer:
When choosing a 3D printer for purchase, you need to start by knowing what you want to print - which, thanks to 3D printing technology, can be an endless array of possibilities. Anything from household objects to decorative outdoor plant pots to tools, artworks, or professional product designs is possible with the right material and machine.
Once you fully understand the 3D printing idea you have in mind and how you will use the 3D printer, the next thing to consider is the type of 3D printer you require.
For example, people who use 3D printing as part of their hobby or if they're beginners tend to select what's known as a Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Printer. To create 3D-printed objects, these printers extrude various hot materials and plastics, known as filament.
Whereas some of the more industrial 3D printer formats, including Digital Light Processing (DLP) and Stereolithography (SLA), use vats of liquid resin when printing. In contrast, Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) uses polymer powder instead of resin.
About 3D printers:
Once you know what you will be printing and the style of 3D printer that is best suited for you, it is worth spending some time considering the type of features you require from a 3D printer. Far too often these get overlooked; but ensuring that the 3D printer you are looking to buy has a variety of high-quality features can totally change your 3D printing experience.
At Ink Station, we are here to help make sure your printer is worth the investment. Therefore, we always recommend looking for a 3D printer that offers a wide range of features, such as touchscreen user interfaces, dual filament support, and heated glass beds.
How much does a 3D printer cost?
Entry-level and hobbyist 3D printer prices start from as little as $250 to $1000 and go up to around $1000 to $5000+ for the professional & high-performance 3D printers.
Described by PC Mag Australia; as one of the best 3D printers for 2021, the MakerBot Replicator+ 3D printer provides a host of features as standard, including Smart Extruder+ LCD, an onboard camera, USB, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi connection. Making it the ideal 3D printer for professionals and educators.
Here at the Ink Station, not only do we have a wide selection of high-quality 3D printer models from many of the leading manufacturers. But we also pride ourselves on providing a vast selection of low-cost printing supplies, 3D printer accessories, and 3D printer filaments so that you don't need to break the bank.
Total peace of mind:
All beginners have the same question: "Where can I buy a 3D printer?". Not only should you be looking for a supplier that can offer you an extensive range of high-quality 3D printers and accessories. You also want total peace of mind in the event something goes wrong with the printer.
Here at Ink Station, you can rest easy knowing that all the 3D printer models and 3D printer accessories we sell come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. A full manufacturer's warranty covers all our 3D printers, and if for any reason your product is not working as expected, please check with us for assistance. See our warranty page for full details.
FAQs:
At Ink Station, we're used to answering all manner of questions from customers right across Australia regarding 3D printers. Here are some of the typical questions our customers ask.
However, if you can't find the answers here or if you need any further information about the range of 3D printer models, accessories or consumables we stock, drop us an email at sales@inkstation.com.au or call 1300 655 943.
What is 3D printing?
3D printing is the technology used to create 3D objects in the real world from digital 3D files. The 3D objects are created as a series of successive individual layers of materials using a 3D printer. Currently, there are two main types of 3D printers available on the commercial market, FDM and resin printers.
How does a 3D printer work?
3D printers work by translating a 3D file and recreating its design one layer at a time using filament or resin. In readiness to create the 3D model, the files need to be prepared by a process referred to as slicing. Once the 3D model is "sliced", it can then be printed on a machine.
How long does a 3D print take?
The time it takes to print 3D models is not an exact science. It depends on several things, including the size of the model, the particular material being used, which could be anything from wood, plastic, metal, types of rubber, and the layer height. For example, the smaller the layers, the more there are to print, so your model's complexity and time will increase.
What are the best buy 3D printer models in Australia?
When it comes to deciding which are the best buy 3D printers in Australia, it is always subjective because it depends on various factors, like budget, user experience, and how the 3D printer will be used. You won't go wrong with the Flashforge Adventurer 3 Desktop 3D printer if you are a beginner. Whereas if you're on a tight budget, then the Creality Ender 3 3D printer with Resume Printing is a cheap 3D printer that represents excellent value for money.
Do I need a particular computer to run a 3D printer?
3D printers do not require an expensive PC or laptop with lots of processing power. A computer with 8GB of ram, a 4 core Intel i5 or Ryzen compatible processor, and a few gigabytes of available storage space will be enough for most users. The only time this might change is if you want to design your own objects since 3D CAD software tends to be resource-intensive. However, we recommend checking the 3D printer's operational requirements to make sure your computer is suitable.
How do you program a 3D printer?
With the correct information, 3D printing is a straightforward process. 3D printer manufacturers realise that ease of set-up is a significant factor for 3D printing beginners. Most have specifically made it easy to set up and function from start to finish. Set up can take minutes and our expert team here at Ink Station are available should you require any assistance.
