The 10 Best 3D Printers of 2018

Product development in the printing landscape has been metamorphosising swiftly with more efficient, streamlined products being made available at a rapid rate. There are so many beneficial innovations with 3d printing, including the ability to get acrylic cut to size which would be helpful for sustainability with plastics. The manufacturing industry has been evolving at much the same pace, with 3D Printing being dubbed as the silent revolutionary. Recent reports have alluded to extraordinary developments in this niche across several verticals namely medicine, aviation, prototypes and proof of concept models to mention a few. What’s more it’s been reported that scientists are experimenting with printing technologies and living tissue with the hope to one day print functional hearts and livers, a sure sign that 3D technologies are bound to be a game changer.

With the promise that 3D Printing and other emerging technologies holds and the change that it’s creating in even bigger sectors, Aniwaa the emerging tech hardware specialist has created a unique guide to the top 10 3D printers of 2018. Aniwaa’s selection has not been based on their views alone, but they’ve also included the ratings of several other trusted entities namely; Amazon, 3DHubs, Make and Pinshape. Each of the printers mentioned below have received at least one award, they’ve been tested on YouTube at least once and have large communities with active users providing feedback on the product. If you’ve been looking for a new printer with 3D capabilities to recreate your designs with, it’s likely there’s something in this guide for you.

The meta score which has been assigned to each product is an aggregate of the ratings the item received from trusted third parties (Amazon, Make, 3DHubs and Pinshape). Read more about the top 3D printing technologies in 2018 below.

1.Original Prusa i3 MK3

Metascore: 4.7/5

Manufactured by Prusa3D this model is known for its reliability. It was selected as one of the best budget 3D Printers for 2018 and retails at $999.

2. MakerGear M2

Metascore: 4.6/5

This high-quality device, offers a nice blend of features: speed, quality and price, retailing at $999. With rip roaring feedback from its users, it has been praised as one of the best printers on the market and boasts several awards from 3D Hubs.

3. SeeMeCNC Rostock MAX v3

Metascore: 4.6/5

The Rostock SeeMeCNC printer is the newest version of the standard Rostock printer. With several reviews from 3DHubs it has been described as the ideal tool for clean prints. With a retail price of $999, the SeeMeCNC Rostock printer was also shortlisted in 2017 as one of the best budget printers.  

4. Craft Unique CraftBot Plus

Metascore: 4.5/5

The Craft Unique CraftBot is everything that its name alludes to and more. The printer is available in several colours and has multiple functions with its heated bed. Retailing at $1,099; this award-winning model is what you want especially if you need to print with different types of filament i.e. HIPS, ABS along with PLA.

5. Ultimaker 2+

Metascore: 4.4/5

With swappable nozzles, a heated bed and adjustable gear strength, the Ultimaker 2+ was selected as one of the best prosumer 3D printers in 2017. Retailing at $1900, it comes with a lot of versatility and functionality and can print with a wider variety of filament options.

6. Zortrax M200

Metascore: 4.3/5

Featuring a heated print bed and automatic calibration the Zortrax M200 is very similar to the Ultimaker 2+, both winners of the prosumer award. The Zortrax M200 is both easy to use and delivers consistent results. Retailing at $1,990 it’s worth every penny, especially as it’s been dubbed a 3D printing workhorse.

7. LulzBot Mini

Metascore: 4.3/5

Voted one of the best plug-n-play options on the market the LulzBot offers a number of possibilities. As its name indicates i.e. Mini, it provides a small volume build. If you’re an entry-level user, this printer may just be the right fit for you. Retailing at $1,250 it’s suitable for advanced users as well.

8. LulzBot TAZ 6

Metascore: 4.2/5

Another classic in the selection is the LulzBot TAZ 6. Selected 2 years in a row for the Workhorse Award and Outstanding Open Source model by 3D Hubs, the printer has a number of great features. If you need to work with a number of filament materials, look no further. Retailing at $2,500, this automatic bed levelling, self-cleaning printer, consistently delivers accuracy.

9. FlashForge Creator Pro

Metascore: 4.2/5

The FlashForge Creator Pro printer is made to last, if reliability is what you’re after, this sturdy hold metal frame printer is worth a look. Besides being easy to repair and maintain, the Creator Pro also allows for multi-material printing. Retailing at $1,299, it’s been a winner of the 3D Hubs Workhorse Award and the Enthusiast Award.

10. BCN3D Sigma

Metascore: 4/5

The Spanish made Sigma R17 offers a user experience second to none, with its huge touch screen creating fluidity. Retailing at $2,795 the Sigma has the ability to print with a large variety of materials and has earned itself a mention in the 2017 3D Hubs Report, with its achievement of the Workhorse Award.

Even if it seems like a lot, this article was just meant to provide you with some top-level information. If you want a comprehensive in-depth look into the latest in 3D printing technologies, be sure to check out Aniwaa’s guide. They also have a search engine comparison tool, with over 1500 products to compare and review. Whether you fancy making yourself a functional wristwatch for personal use or need a new toy to get your models complete in time, we hope this guide may assist you in finding the technology you need.

The post Top 10 3D Printers 2018 appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

Coupon Code Link: Get $25 off the Crane 3D Printer Series – Crane Dual

Coupon Code Link: Get $25 off the Crane 3D Printer Series – Crane Bowden

You can check out M3D’s campaign here for full details on the printers, but long story short, each model on offer is incredibly impressive sounding, particularly the Crane Quad, which will allow full color blending and printing using four different spools of filament. This is far superior to the full-color printers that use a type of white filament that they then spray with inkjet-like coloring. (You can just imagine which of the three models I pre-ordered.)

Here’s their ad copy:

The Crane 3D Printer is more than a new product launch for M3D, it’s a whole new framework of printers. What may look like a normal 3D printer, the Crane is so much more when you read between the lines. At first glance, Cranes represent another cost-saving, M3D innovation of bringing features and quality together in a compact manner and at a great value: the base Bowden having a Duet board with built-in webhost and untethered printing for a starting price under $200 is a steal, there’s no other way to phrase it. Adding a dual or even quad extruder to that for under $600 and now we’ve gone above and beyond creating a value-packed 3D printer. What makes this new Crane product truly special is the ecosystem it establishes: users can start with the familiar Bowden-style printer, then shift to direct drive, advance to dual-extrusion printing and then graduate to four filament 3D printing. This four-filament extruder puts the Crane Quad in serious contention for creating prototypes as well as finished pieces with its ability to print various colors and filament types in the same print.

The build volume across the line is impressive.

The possibilities for color mixing, as well as straight color printing, are virtually limitless.

I’m interested in not only printing in color, but also with dissolvable supports.

The post Pre-order discounts available for impressive new M3D Crane 3D Printer series – full-color 3D printing! appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

The typical idyllic 3D printing promotional image from AIO Robotics. The thing is, these machines really are incredible creative and functional tools in the right hands. I’m a fan and participant in this (slow) revolution.

The post Is the 3D Printing Revolution Already Over? appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

The box.

What’s inside.

As you would expect, the filament comes shrinkwrapped with a desiccant pack inside a cardboard box. The spool itself has filament slots to help with storage, as well as a small viewhole about three quarters of the way down to see when you’re running low.

Mounted on my Flux Delta+.

Since this is standard PLA, there are no special print temperature or heated bed requirements. The former can range from 195 – 210 degrees Celsius, while the latter can range from 0 – 60 degrees Celsius. I’m testing it on a Flux Delta+, which has no heated bed, using its standard highest resolution output settings.

A post shared by Bill Loguidice (@bill_loguidice) on Dec 17, 2017 at 12:02pm PST

For a change of pace, I decided to test print a silly Poop Emoji from Thingiverse for my youngest daughter. As you can tell from the photos, the end result was excellent, with smooth output of uniform color. It’s clear that Asani has a winner of their hands with this filament.

Finished!

Front.

Side.

Rear.

Pluses:
– Accurate dimensions
– Consistent color
– Smooth, silky output
– Reasonable price

Minuses:
– Nothing of note

Summary:
You’ll be happy with the output of this high quality PLA filament.

Thanks to Asani for the discounted review unit.

The post Review: Asani PLA 3D Printing Filament appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

3D printers have revolutionized manufacturing. Companies use them to more efficiently make airplane parts, prosthetic limbs, and orthotics. In several years, it may be common for consumers to print customizable parts and objects at home—a practice that could potentially reduce waste, packaging, and pollution.

3D printing technology could also transform your classroom. Teachers successfully use 3D printing to complement Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education and to integrate technology into non-tech related disciplines, such as history and language arts. Keep reading to learn why you may want to add a 3D printer to your teaching toolbox, and discover a handful of fun 3D–printer projects for elementary students.

From STEM to STEAM

Our educational system has a big task: prepare students to succeed in life. Increasingly, policy makers believe STEM is the best way to do that. STEM integrates engineering and technology into math and science curricula and attempts to replace teacher-led learning with an approach emphasizing discovery, exploratory learning, and problem-solving.

Why STEM? Technology dominates our daily lives and today’s students need to be more scientifically and technologically literate. Many educators hope a greater focus on STEM curricula will help American high school students compete on the Program for International Assessment (PISA), a test that ranks 72 countries in the world in science, reading, and math. In 2015, the U.S. ranked 31st in math and 18th in science out of the 35 industrialized countries who participated.

STEM may also help American students better prepare for the increasingly technological 21st-century workforce. For instance, the biomedical engineering field is projected to grow 62 percent between 2010 and 2020, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Furthermore, educators hope the program will help the next generations become innovators who tackle complex environmental and societal challenges.

Recently, many schools have integrated arts into the STEM curricula to encourage more creative thinking and have rebranded their programs as Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM).

How to Use 3D Printers in the Classroom

3D printers allow users to design and create 3D objects. They’re an amazing tool for STEM and STEAM classrooms because they provide hands-on lessons that integrate technology, engineering, math, art, and other subjects. Moreover, 3D-printing projects encourage creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving.

To print a 3D object, students use one of three ways to create a digital file.

• If a 3D scanner is available, they scan and replicate something that exists.
• They download a template of a pre-designed object.
• They use a computer-aided design (CAD) modeling program to design an original object.

Once students produce a digital file, they send it to the printer, just as they would a document. Most 3D printers have a window, which allows students to watch as the printer creates the object, layer by layer, using a plastic filament.

Teaching STEM Subjects with 3D Printers

It’s an incredibly powerful experience for kids to design an object, watch it print, and then hold it in their hands. T.J. Hendrickson, a technology and engineering teacher at a junior high school in Minnesota, writes that the process is deeply meaningful for his students, and it “changes how they see and understand the world.” 3D printing makes students see themselves less as passive consumers of goods and more as creators who can improve the design of objects in the real world.

STEM and STEAM naturally fit with Project Based Learning (PBL), a teaching approach in which students integrate many disciplines (for instance science, art, and math) to tackle a complex classroom project. PBL emphasizes the four Cs: creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and communication. A well-designed 3D-printing project requires all four skills. Students must communicate and collaborate to create an original object together. In the process, they become more comfortable with trial and error and revision.

“Content without purpose is only trivia,” writes teacher Steve Revington, in critique of teacher-led classroom learning. He promotes a learning model called Authentic Learning, which goes beyond project-based learning to engage students in solving real-world problems in their communities.

3D-printer projects can offer students the sort of authentic learning experiences Revington favors. Elementary students at STEM3 Academy in Los Angeles use a 3D printer to design and print useful items. They have created a case for tools, a charging holder for a smartphone, doorstops, and business card holders displaying the school’s logo. In Scott County, Indiana, fifth graders used a 3D printer to create prosthetic hands for children in need.

Teachers note a side effect of providing students with authentic, student-led learning opportunities: Students are more engaged in learning. “I have zero behavior issues. My students are motivated. They want to print,” Hendrickson writes.

“I have never seen technology that intrigues my students the way 3D printers do,” writes Trevor Takayama, a technology teacher at a Massachusetts elementary school.

Getting Started with STEM Education Using 3D Printers

Are you excited to try 3D printing with your students? 3D printers have become more affordable and easier to use, making them viable for schools to attain. One printer can usually be used by multiple classes and departments.

3D printers currently range in price from about $300 to several thousand dollars. If you want a 3D scanner, you’ll need to spend more to purchase a printer that includes a scanner. Alternatively, you can buy a stand-alone scanner. You’ll also need a handful of supplies, which together cost approximately $150, including:

• PLA filament in multiple colors
• Gallon zipper bags to store filament
• 3-inch blue painter’s tape to print on
• A scraper to remove prints off the printer bed
• Isopropyl alcohol spray to clean the tape
• Tweezers to remove melted plastic strands
• Spring-loaded wire cutters to cut off excess plastic
• A wiping cloth

If your school’s technology budget is insufficient, investigate grants and fundraising opportunities, or consider a crowd funding campaign using DonorsChoose.org.

Research printers to decide which one best suits your school’s budget and needs. Look for one that uses polylactic acid (PLA) filament, which is biodegradable, relatively safe, and non-toxic. Check user forums to learn about other teachers’ experiences with different printers. Make sure the company that makes your printer offers good tech support.

Once you’ve received your new printer, you’ll need to set it up and learn to use it. If a picture’s worth a thousand words, a video can be worth a million. Fortunately, many companies provide online video tutorials, and you can find hundreds of how-to videos on YouTube.

Experiment with different CAD modeling programs to discover which one you like best. Check online for free, open-source programs; Tinkercad and BlocksCAD are both user-friendly for elementary-age kids.

Once you familiarize yourself with your printer and software, it’s time to introduce it to your students. You can find a collection of projects and lesson plans for students of all ages at thingiverse.com and in Printrbot’s open-source learning center.

Your town or city may have a community makerspace, where locals can learn to use a 3D printer, scanner, and modeling software. These are great places to meet enthusiasts and experts. Consider inviting local makers into the classroom to teach you and your students about your new printer and lead students through a project. T.J. Hendrickson has invited engineers, who’ve challenged his students to produce 3D products to submit to companies, into his junior high classroom.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with your printer and get creative with projects. Remember, 3D printers are all about hands-on learning.

Conclusion

3D printers are new, and it can be daunting to integrate an emerging technology into your classroom. However, a major benefit of authentic learning is the opportunity to learn alongside your students. Together, you’ll get to explore an exciting technology that may soon disrupt how everything from cars to clothes to houses is produced. Your classroom is the laboratory that will shape tomorrow’s curious and skilled innovators.

Click to Enlarge Image

The post Editorial and Infographic – STEM Teaching: Using 3D Printers for Your STEM Program appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

The box.

The filament.

As you expect from 3D MARS, the 12% Wood-infused PLA comes professionally packaged in a shrinkwrapped casing complete with dry pack (desiccant) inside a cardboard box. My test printer this time is a Flux Delta+. Since the roll didn’t fit in the printer’s chamber – which really can only accommodate rolls half the size – I used a Creker 3D Printer Filament Spool Holder.

Loaded into my printer.

Another angle.

Using my digital calipers, I noted that the filament’s dimensional accuracy was to spec. My printer was able to handle the unusual PLA material without much issue, and my test object’s print quality proved excellent, despite a few rough spots. Even though it’s still mostly plastic, the filament does indeed feel like wood – and even smells a bit like it when printing – and the final output reflects those properties.

A post shared by Bill Loguidice (@bill_loguidice) on Aug 14, 2017 at 6:53pm PDT

A post shared by Bill Loguidice (@bill_loguidice) on Aug 15, 2017 at 3:40am PDT

As usual, if you’re looking for good quality PLA, 3D MARS has a great, unique solution with their Wood-infused product.

Finished!

A closer look.

Pluses:
– Unique filament, but still works like standard PLA
– Dimensionally accurate
– Excellent output

Minuses:
– Large roll may not work with all 3D printers
– Unlike standard PLA, has a scent when printing
– May need a bit more sanding than usual for PLA for the best finish

Summary:
A unique, quality wood-like PLA filament.

Thanks to 3D MARS for the review unit.

The post Review: 3D MARS Wood-infused PLA 3D Printing Filament appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

The box.

Inside the box.

As you expect from 3D MARS, the Black PLA comes professionally packaged in a shrinkwrapped casing complete with dry pack (desiccant) inside a cardboard box.

Locked and loaded.

Usage was straightforward. I placed it on my Creker 3D Printer Filament Spool Holder and used high quality default settings on my New Matter MOD-t. As you can see from the output, overall quality was excellent, even on my modest test printer.

A post shared by Bill Loguidice (@bill_loguidice) on Aug 14, 2017 at 6:53pm PDT

A post shared by Bill Loguidice (@bill_loguidice) on Aug 15, 2017 at 3:40am PDT

Using my digital calipers, I noted that the filament’s dimensional accuracy was to spec. My printer was able to handle the material without issue, and the final object print quality proved superior, with a nice strong structure.

Finished!

The final Fortune Cat looks great.

As usual, if you’re looking for good quality PLA, 3D MARS has a great solution with their Black.

Pluses:
– Dimensionally accurate
– Excellent material strength
– Excellent output

Minuses:
– Large roll may not work with all 3D printers

Summary:
Accurate dimensions and excellent output in a large roll of Black PLA filament add up to an excellent value.

Thanks to 3D MARS for the review unit.

The post Review: 3D MARS Black PLA 3D Printing Filament appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

The box.

The contents.

Loaded and printing.

A post shared by Bill Loguidice (@bill_loguidice) on Aug 12, 2017 at 11:24am PDT

As expected from Tactink, the Clear PLA comes professionally packaged in a shrinkwrapped casing complete with dry pack (desiccant) inside a cardboard box. You also get a second resealable storage bag for when you need to store any unused filament. My test printer is a Flux Delta+. Since the roll didn’t fit in the printer’s chamber, which really can only accommodate rolls half the size, I used a Creker 3D Printer Filament Spool Holder.

Finished!

Using my digital calipers, I noted that the filament’s dimensional accuracy was to spec. My printer was able to handle the material without issue, and the final object print quality proved excellent, with a nice strong structure. The Clear proved to be translucent when printed thin and more crystalline when printed thick.

A post shared by Bill Loguidice (@bill_loguidice) on Aug 13, 2017 at 5:34am PDT

As usual, if you’re looking for good quality PLA, Tactink has a great solution with their Clear.

This vase printed wonderfully.

Under different lighting.

Shining a light source through the filament really shows off its clear properties.

Another look.

Pluses:
– Dimensionally accurate
– Translucent when printed thin and crystalline when printed thick
– Excellent material strength

Minuses:
– Large roll may not work with all 3D printers

Summary:
Accurate dimensions, good optical properties, and reasonable pricing for a large roll of Clear PLA filament add up to an excellent purchase.

Thanks to Tactink for the review unit.

The post Review: Tactink Clear PLA 1.75mm 3D Printer Filament appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

Get 10% off on Tactink RED PLA 3D printing filament with coupon code MJVOZW94 . Amazon Purchase link. The Armchair Arcade review.

Tactink RED PLA 3D printing filament

Get 10% off on Tactink WHITE PLA 3D printing filament with coupon code 8DZWPNII . Amazon Purchase link.

Get 10% off on Tactink BLACK PLA 3D printing filament with coupon code EYLZ7O59 . Amazon Purchase link.

Tactink BLACK PLA 3D printing filament

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The box.

Inside the box.

The Stronghero3D comes packaged inside a solid cardboard box. As expected, the spool is shrinkwrapped with a silica gel pack. The PLA raw materials are from Natureworks 4032D with a roll size of 0.75 kg (1.65 lbs) in a standard 1.75mm diameter with the expected +/-0.05mm dimensional accuracy.

The spool loaded on my printer.

The fish printed well, but my printer didn’t fuse part of the tale properly, which fell off midway through.

Usage was straightforward. I placed it on my Creker 3D Printer Filament Spool Holder and used default settings on my New Matter MOD-t. As you can see from the output, overall quality was excellent, even on my modest test printer.

The emoji printed well.

Because of the way the roll is colored, you really don’t know quite what the coloring of the final model will ultimately look like. For instance, my first prints were somewhere between a peach and a pink. While this is obviously a no-go for models that you need output as a specific, uniform color, it does create a great, distinctive look when the exact coloring doesn’t matter.

Printing with the unusual Stronghero3D multicolor PLA. Review on Armchair Arcade in a few days. #3dprinting #3dprinter #making

A post shared by Bill Loguidice (@bill_loguidice) on Jul 23, 2017 at 7:58pm PDT

Thanks to Stronghero3D for the review unit.

The final output.

A closer look.

Pluses:
– Clever concept
– Quality design
– Relatively inexpensive for an unusual filament

Minuses:
– No way to predict the coloring of the output

Summary:
If you don’t mind unpredictable color output, the quality and distinct look of this unusual 3D printer filament is rather nice.

The post Review: Stronghero3D FDM 3d printer filament PLA Multicolors Gradient appeared first on Armchair Arcade.