bits from bytes | 3D Printing Power

The Little Printer That Could

There are many printers popping up in the desktop market and now is the time to see what they are all about. I have taken some time to grab the specs on the popular machines out there. I understand that there may be others, but I have included those with features I want to highlight or just what I know exists.

BFB 3000 – by Bits from Bytes, UK (owned by 3D Systems)

Build size (x-y-z):

Single extruder installed 275 mm x 275 mm x 210 mm,

Three extruders installed 185 mm x 275 mm x 210 mm

Overall weight: 79lbs to 84lbs

Resolution: .125mm layers

Software interface: Axon 2 which is unique to BFB. This interface allows you to scale, rotate and review your item before print if connected through USB. Will also print directly through SD card reader.

Tested in zero gravity: check

Price: $3250 for single extruder, $4065 for triple extruder

Here is an older video of the BFB, before the company was aquired by 3D systems. I chose this one because it highlights all the great features, most notably the translucent material. Also the build specs at the end are helpful. An important factor of this machine which can be seen in the video is the quality and robustness of the parts. Many of the housings and rails are machined metal making for a sturdier base.

Thing-O-Matic by Makerbot Industries, Brooklyn, NY USA

Overall Size: 300 x 300 x 410 mm (12″ W x 12″ D x 16″ H)

Build size (x-y-z): 96 x 108 mm x 115 mm

Resolution: .125mm layers, 0.4 mm extruder nozzle

Software interface: Replicator G which allows you to manipulate, scale and create build code from STL format. Via USB or SD card reader. Optional LCD display.

Tested in zero gravity: check

Price: $1299 without assembly, $2500 preassembled

Considered a hot shot of the desktop FDMers, Makerbot is a fairly new open source project based on Reprap. Although you could probably build a Reprap mendel for less than half that of the Thing-O-Matic, I find no major difference between the two other than how they are marketed. Reprap is a research project funded by grants. Makerbot is a company funded by selling machines. But with Makerbot comes a vibrant community of makers, hackers, and builders, freely showcasing their prints via Thingiverse. Because files can be downloaded as STL or in gcode, they are printable to all reprap based printers.

UP! by PP3DP

Build Size: 245 x 260 x 350 mm

Overall weight: 11 lbs

Software Interface: Supporting STL and the native UP3, the Up! has a specially designed interface that allows for the usual rotating, scaling and moving. Some great features include automatic support material for rounded bottoms or overhang and one touch printing.

Resplution: 0.2 mm nozzle

Operating Cost: As little as $.02 per cubed cm

Cost: $2960 for a fully assembled machine

This one of the newest machines in the market and will likely give Makerbot a run. This promo video is well made and highlights the clever design. The build area is completely open and the hardware and motors are mostly hidden. The fact that it weighs 11 pounds really shows the thinking that went into making a printer that will really sit on a desktop. No mention of build speed but surely no chance against the hot new contender.

Ultimaker, The Netherlands

Build Size: 210 mm x 210 mm x 220 mm, no

Overall Size: 350 mm x 350 mm

Weight: 19 lbs

Software Interface: Libre CAD software, supports STL files via USB. Software available for Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems.

Resolution: 0.4 mm nozzle. Website specs say it has stepper positioning to be less than .05mm

Print Speed: The fastest of anything yet, up to 150mm/s

They don’t really have a promotional video it seems, so I snagged this user submission. The speeds seem to be set to moderate but the mechanized movements are much more fluid. This is achieved because the extruder slides along center based bearings as opposed to threading that is active on the outside frame. From the videos I have seen, when tested at top speed, the print resolution is very poor, which is to be expected.

What I find amazing about the machines mentioned so far is that they are all competing, yet utilizing the exact same technology. Being based on RepRap limits the hardware and materials for a printer that can be sold in quantities. They all print in PLA or ABS, they all have the same range of print resolution and build size, and they all can really only appeal to the tech savvy. The UP! says it requires no maintenance and this seems promising but I think this is only because the hardware is not exposed. Even the pre-assembled Makerbot requires calibration and setup.

This is really the beginning of the desktop fabrication era, and I am always excited to see the work coming off these machines. But I have yet to see a machine with a minimal learning curve to be used by all. A major area which needs improvement is interface design and usability, and breakthroughs in this area are very near. In terms of materials and build techniques, it may just be a matter of researching what works (two of the projects mentioned below are steps in the right direction). When we get into learning about the high end machines, we will see that each company really has patents on a particular build method. . This is what I hope to see emerge in the desktop market, but some people will need to be weaned off RepRap, as amazing as it is.

I have yet to decide which printer to add to my wish list, because the various features are useful in different situations. If I were looking to achieve detailed and complex prototypes I would choose the BFB 3000 as the multiple extruder heads create more options. If I were looking for a usable machine that showcases the amazing ability of desktop manufacturing I would choose the UP!. It was clearly designed with beginners in mind and the open build platform lets you see every aspect of the process, which is an important factor in attracting new users.

Other Notable Machines:

RepRap Mondo

Basic machine with a build size of 305mm x 460mm x 280

Homemade High Resolution Printer:

This is a personal project still being developed. The build technique is quite different from every other machine mentioned here. It is not fused deposition modeling but a resin curing system. The object is pulled out of a small reservoir, being cured by focused light as it emerges. The only way to really understand it is to watch.