FFF vs FDM: Difference and Best Printers - Top 3d Shop

When we use an industrial FDM 3D printing machine, the entire print chamber is heated during the printing. In contrast, FFF-based machines were designed without ... Signin Customerservice: +1(888)409-29-60 Mon–Fri:10.00–19.00 Home Blog FFFvsFDM:DifferenceandBestPrinters  FFFvsFDM:DifferenceandBestPrinters  Asofnow,FusedDepositionModeling(FDM)andFusedFilamentFabrication(FFF)arethemostwidelyused3Dprintingtechnologies.Andthereisnothingsurprisinginsuchpopularity,really.Themainreasonisthatthesetechnologiesprovidetheopportunitytomakesurprisinglyaccurateandwell-detailedproductsinahassle-freeandbudget-friendlymanner.  Overthecourseofthisarticle,wearegoingtopresentacompletebreakdownofFDMandFFFtechnologiesanddiveintothedepthofadditivemanufacturingbyprovidingadetailedexplanationofwhatanFDM/FFF3Dprinteris, whatitconsistsof,howdoesitwork,andwhichmaterialsituses.Inaddition,wearegoingtoprovideyouwithalistofthebest3Dprintingdevicescurrentlyavailableonthemarket.  Source:medium.com   Introduction FusedFilamentFabrication(FFF)isaprocessofbuildinganobjectbydepositingmeltedmateriallayerbylayer.Thedepositioniscarriedoutinaspecificmannerdictatedbyadedicatedprogram(slicingsoftware).Thistechnologyemploysaspecialkindof3Dprintingmaterial—afilament—madefromplastic.  ThetermFusedDepositionModeling(FDM)usuallyservesasanequivalenttoFFF.ThelatterhasbeencreatedbythemakersoftheRepRapproject,whichwasoriginatedin2005. Inshort,thereisnotmuchdifferencebetweenFFFandFDMifwetalkaboutaparticular3Dprintingtechnology.Themaindifferenceisthehistoricalbackgroundofthesetwoterms.   FFF/FDMBreakdown:What’stheRealDifference? Source:library.uthscsa.edu FDMisaproprietary3DprintingtechnologydevelopedandcoinedbyStratasysin1989.  Asarule,anFDM3Dprintercomprisesanextruder,anozzle,aprintchamber,andafilamentfeedingsystem.Afteraccessingthefeedingsystem,thematerialgetsguidedtotheextruderwhereitisthenmelted.Then,thenozzleextrudesmeltedfilamentontothebuildplateofaprintchamber,creatinga3Dprintedmodel. Theprocesstakesplaceinsideanisolatedchamberwhichmaintainsatemperatureofabout90°C.Asaresult,thematerialgetstoanalreadyheatedbuildplatewithoutbeingcooled.Thus,theprintedmodelretainsallofthematerial’smechanicalproperties.  Theemploymentofaprintchamberalsoincreasesthedegreeoflayeradhesionandhelpstoreducewarping.Thetemperatureinsideaprintchambercanberegulateddependingonthecurrentlyusedmaterialanddevice’soperationmode. TheStratasys'patentsforFDMtechnologywereabouttoexpireonlyin2009,sotheRepRapcommunitymembershadtocomeupwithanewnameforasimilartechnologysoallthemakerscoulduseandspeakaboutitwithoutinfringingthecopyrightbeforethepatenthasexpired.TheydecidedtocalltheircreationFFForFusedFilamentFabrication.TheideabehindtheFFFprintingtechnologydevelopedbytheRepRapprojectwastherapidproductionofcomplicatedlydesignedobjectswithoutusingexpensive,industrial-gradetools. WhenweuseanindustrialFDM3Dprintingmachine,theentireprintchamberisheatedduringtheprinting.Incontrast,FFF-basedmachinesweredesignedwithoutaprintchamberinordertobeasvalue-engineeredandcost-efficientaspossible.Insuchdevices,thematerialexperiencestemperaturefluctuationswhenit’sexposedtoacoldenvironmentduringitsextrusionontoaheatedbed.Bytheway,alotofbudget-friendlyFFF3Dprintersdon’tevenhaveabuildplatethatcanbeheated.  Thetemperaturefluctuationscausetheappearanceofunwantedresidualstresses,sotheendproductsmadewithFDMcouldbenefitfromreceivingonlydesirablemechanicalproperties.Asaresult,theFDMtechnologyhasbeenusedtoproducehigh-gradedetailsandprototypes.  Therefore,thetermFDMwasinitiallyappliedtomachinesemployedinindustrialapplicationsandprofessionalprintingwithplastics,whereasFFF-baseddevicesweremainlyusedbyhobbyists.     FFF=FDM? Source:kickstarter.co Currently,FFF/FDM3Dprintingisaswidespreadandavailableasneverbefore.ThankstotheRepRapprojectandtheirFFFdevices,theoverallpricesfor3Dprintershavedecreaseddrastically.Sincethemachinesbecameabout10timescheaper,thetechnologycouldbeadoptedbyanumberofhobbyistsandtinkerers.Wearedelightedtosaythatthecontemporaryonlinecommunityofmakersislarge,welcoming,andever-evolving. AftertheStratasyspatentsforFDMtechnologyexpired,themarketgotfloodedwithquality3Dprintersequippedwithheatedprintchambersmadebyothermanufacturers.Sincethen,theterms“FDM”and“FFF”basicallystartedtomeanthesamething.  Nowadays,almosteverymakerandcompanyusestheterm“FFF”torefertoa3Dprinterthatextrudesandworkswithplastic-basedmaterialsevenifitisn’tequippedwithaheatedchamber.  Youmaybewondering:“IsmyFFF3DprintercompatiblewithmaterialsmadeforFDMmachines?”Asarule,itis.Butnotethatprintingwithsomematerials(e.g.refractoryandengineeringplastics)requiresaheatedchamberandprofessionalequipment. Asarule,entry-levelmakersmaketheirfirst3Dprintingstepsalongsideareliable,budget-friendlyFFF/FDMmachine.However,additivemanufacturingismuchmorethanthat.Thereisalsoselectivelasersintering(SLS),stereolithography(SLA),plasterandmetal3Dprinting,andanumberofotheramazingtechnologiestoexplore.Themostpopularchoiceforprintingathome,however,istopickadesktopFFF/FDM3Dprinter.    A3DPrinteranditsDesign Source:bcn3dtechnologies.com Thereareavarietyofdifferentlydesigned3Dprinters.Theycomeindifferentsizesandshapes,butalwaysinclude: kinematics(asystemthatcontrolsthemovementofmechanicalparts);  extruder;  buildplate(printbed);  variouselectricalandelectroniccomponents(e.g.amainboard,powersupply);  auxiliaryelements(e.g.frame,buildplateadjusters).   Kinematics Source:3dprint.com Dependingonadevice,a3Dprintingprocesscanbecarriedoutdifferently.Themostfundamentalandimportantfeaturethatliesbeneathevery3Dprinterisitskinematics.Inshort,itisasystemthatcontrolsthemovementsofanextruder.Dependingonitskinematics,a3Dprintercanbeassignedintooneofthefollowingcategories: Cartesian3Dprinter; Delta3Dprinter; Polar3Dprinter; SCARA3Dprinter. Somecompaniesalsouseindustrial-scaleroboticmanipulatorsasidefromordinary3Dprinters.Suchdevicesaredifferentfromtheonesdescribedbefore,andwon’tbeexplainedinthisarticle.Butthereisawidechoiceofdifferentroboticarmsforsmalllaboratories,educationalinstitutions,workshopsandotherrelatedapplications.   Cartesian3DPrinters Source:allabout3dprinting.com   3DprintersthatadoptCartesian-stylekinematicsarethemostpopularones.TheywerenamedafterReneDescartesandarebasedonthedimensionalcoordinatesystemheinvented.Asarule,theprintheadofsuchmachinesmovesalongsideXandYaxes,whereastheprintbedmovesintheZ-axis.  TheimplementationofCartesiankinematicscanvaryfromcompanytocompany. Forexample,therearedifferentlydesignedCartesian-style3DprintersmadebyPrusa,Felix,Ultimaker,H-Bot,CoreXY,andothermanufacturers.    Delta3DPrinters Source:frameimage.org ThecasewithDelta-styledevicesistheirextruder.ItissuspendedabovethebuildplateforminganuppercaseletterDelta(Δ)fromtheGreekalphabet.Bytheway,Delta3DprintersoperatewithintheCartesianplanetoo.ButunliketheirCartesiansiblings,Deltasalsousethepolarcoordinatesystem,whichisemployedduringtheprintingprocess.  ADelta'sprintheadissupportedwiththreearmsthatcangoupanddowntheprinter’srodsandrailsinaswiftfashion.SuchamovementsystemgreatlyincreasedtheprintingspeedoftheDeltas,givingthemanedgeoverCartesians.Moreover,theDeltasareequippedwithroundbuildplatesthatcan’tbemoved.Suchadesignhelpstoeliminateanyunwantedvibrationsthatcouldpossiblyaffectorevendestroyaprintjob.  Asarule,Delta-styleprinterscanbuildmodelsofoutstandingheight.Themodels,however,aredestinedtobemadewithdecreaseddimensionsalongtheX-andY-axesascomparedtoCartesianprinters.AnotherdownsideofDeltaprintersislowprintingaccuracy,whichcanbedescribedasaflawoftheoveralldesignofthistypeof3Dprinters.  Giventhefactthat3Dprintingisstillrelativelyyounganditstechnologiesareconstantlyimproving,theoddsarethattheabove-mentioneddownsidesaregoingtobeeliminatedverysoon.   Polar3DPrinters Source:web.bluecomtech.com Asyoumighthaveguessed,thepolarkinematicssystemisbasedonthepolarcoordinatesystem.TheprintheadofsuchprinterscanonlymovealongsidetheZ-axis(i.e.ascendordescend),whilethebuildplateisabletorotateandmovealongsidealloftheaxes,soitcangoleft,right,up,anddown. Polar-styledevicesboasttheirnoise-freeoperationandcompactdesign.Beingminiaturebutpowerful,theiroverallfootprintislargerascomparedtoDeltadevices.  Theseuniquedevicesaren’tverypopular,sotherearefeweronlinecommunitiesandsoftwaresolutionsavailabletomakers. Polar3Disagreatexampleofprintersofthiskind.Itisanentry-levelmachinedesignedtobeusedbyhobbyistsandeducationalinstitutions.    SCARA3DPrinters Source:www.thingiverse.com SCARA(SelectiveComplianceArticulatedRobotArm)comprisesasystemofleverswhichmovetheworkingareabyrotatingtheleversrelativetoeachother.SCARA-baseddevicesresembleassemblyrobotsthatareusedinindustrialapplications.SCARA3Dprintersareequippedwithpreciseactuatorsandarmconnectorsthatcostaprettypenny,makingsuchdevicesunavailabletoanumberofentry-levelusersandhobbyists.  However,3Dprintingtechnologieskeepgrowingmoreandmorepopularwitheachpassingday,makingthepolar3Dprintingmarketmorecompetitive,anddecreasingthecostsofsuchmachines.These3Dprinterswillrarelybeequippedwithanenclosedprintchamberorevenabuildplate,andweremostlydesignedtoprintwithPLA.  Someofthemodels—suchastheSkyOnementionedjustbelow— begtodiffer.Itisaversatileandcompactmodularmachinethatcanevenbeequippedwithalaserengravinghead.   SkyOne   Specifications: Dimensions:400х260х200mm Buildvolume:140х190х200mm Filamentdiameter:1,75mm Nozzlediameter:0.4mm(optional:0.3/1mm) Printspeed:80mm/s Price:onrequest   Pros Detachablebuildplate Compactdesign Universalandmodulardevice A3Dprinter,alasergraver,andaCNCmillingmachine Ultra-fineprecisionandfastoperation Canbeequippedwithdifferentlysizedprintheads Cons Smallonlinecommunity Difficulttotroubleshoot   Summary:TheKinematics Entry-levelmakerswillbenefitthemostfrompickingaCartesian-style3Dprinter.Thesemultipurposedevicesarethemostwidespreadandtherearethousandsofnovice-friendlyonlinecommunitieswithabunchofwonderfulinsights,whichwillcertainlybeofuseto3Dprintingenthusiasts.Ifyourequirerapidproductionofextra-tallmodels,takealookatDeltaprinters.ThedeviceswithPolarandSCARAkinematicsareuniquebutexpensive.Theirentry-levelmodelsprovidelessaccuracycomparedwiththeirCartesiansanalogs,andarenotverypopularamongnovicemakers,reducingthenumberofguidesandmanualsthatcouldbefoundontheInternet.   Extruders Source:autodesk.com Theextruderisaninterconnectedsystemofdetailsthatworkinunisonandprovidetherequiredmovement.Italsoextrudesthematerialontotheprintbedinordertocreatea3Dprintedmodel.  Theviewsregardingwhichpartoftheprintheadshouldberegardedasanextruderdiffer.Somearguethatitisonlythemotoranditsdetails.Theotherssaythateverypartthatmakesuptheprinthead,includingtheheatedelements,oughttobeconsideredanextruder.Weagreewiththelatterpointofviewandconsidertheprintheadtobeanextruder. 3Dprinterscanalsobeequippedwithadualextrusionsystem,allowingthemtoprintwithdifferentmaterials.Byusingsuchprinters,you’llbeabletosimultaneouslyprintwithtwocolorsandcombinethepropertiesofdifferentmaterials.Inaddition,thisallowsforthesimultaneousproductionofseveralsmall-sizedparts.Thisarticlewillonlyelaborateonclassicsystemsthatoperatewithasingleextruder. Source:slashgear.com Simplyspeaking,a3Dprinter’sextrudercanbedividedintotwoelements—afilamentfeederthatguidesthematerials(thecoldend),andanozzle(thehotend).   ColdEnd Source:tridimake.com Thecoldendensuresthatthematerialreachesthehotend.Itconsistsofasteppermotor,toothedgearing,ahobbedboltorgear,spring-loadedidler,andaPTFEtube,whichmaybeabsentinsomedesigns.  Therearejust2differentcoldendtypesthatvarybythemethodinwhichthematerialissuppliedinsideahotend.Namely,DirectDriveandBowden-typeextruders. Source:autodesk.com Itisquiteeasytoremember—adirectdriveextrusionsystemfeaturesadirect“motortohotend”connection.Suchadesigngreatlyreducesthetraveldistanceofthematerialtothehotend,allowingforareliableprintingexperienceusingsoftandflexiblematerials.Anotherbenefitofsuchasystemisabetterretractioncontrol.  Note,however,thathavingadirectdriveextruderdoesn’tguaranteetheprinter’scompatibilitywithflexiblematerials.Afilamentcanstillfinditswayoutandgettangledupalongthepath—acommoncasewithdirectdriversthataren’tequippedwithaPTFEtube.  Asarule,theprintheadofdirectdrivedevicesisheavierandtallerthanthatofBowden-typeextruders.Thismaycausesomeplayanddrasticallydecreasetheprintqualityifyourdeviceisanimproperlyself-assembledone. Source:thingiverse.com  ThecasewithBowdenextrudersisthattheirmotorsarefixedontoa3Dprinter’sframequitefirmly.Sincethereisalotofdistancetocover,thefilamenthastobeguidedtothehotendbymeansofaPTFEtubing.Thisarrangementmakestheprintheadlightweightandgreatlyincreasestheprintingspeed.  AdownsideoftheBowdensystemisanoveralldecreaseinretractioncausedbythetubingwidth.Whileusingsuchextruders,amaterialcanslightlybendanddeformwhilebeingfedtothehotend.  Backinthedays,onewouldpickadirectdriveextruderoveraBowdenone.Thereasonisthattheywerecompatiblewithflexiblematerials,suchasthermoplasticpolyurethane(TPU).Asofnow,bothextrusionsystemscanprintwithflexibles,butusingaBowden-typeextruderisstillconsideredabetterpractice.Inaddition,almosteveryDelta3DprinterfeaturesaBowdentypeextruder,thuslimitingthenumberofavailableoptions.   HotEnd Source:3dprintmanual.com Ahotendistheplacewherea3Dprintingmaterialisheatedandmelted.Asarule,thetemperaturerequiredtomeltthematerialcomesfromheatercartridgesor,morerarely,powerresistors.Inordertogetcontroloverthetemperature,theheaterblock(large,shinysilvercasingdisplayedontheimageabove)usesathermistorplacedalongsidetheheatercartridges.Thethermistortransmitsthetemperaturedetailstothemainboard,whichdecideswhatadjustmentstomake.  Impropertemperaturecontrolmayforcethefilamenttosoftenormeltevenbeforeitgetstoitslaststop—thenozzle—whichwillcausecloggingandresultinacompleteblockageofthepassage.Thus,thereisacoolingfan(oraliquidcoolingsystem)installedbetweenthecoldendandhotendinordertohelpregulatethetemperature. Source:all3dp.com ThePTFEtubingisusuallyhousedinsideaPEEK-based(PolyetherEtherKetone)coveringthatservesasathermalinsulator.Though,suchinsulatorswillonlyworkproperlywhileprintingwithPLAandABS.Printingwithtougherandmoredemandingmaterialsrequireshighertemperatures,whichwillmeltbothPTFEtubinganditsPEEKhousingandreleasetoxicfumesintotheair,aswellasruintheprintjob.Forsuchfilaments,thePEEKhousingisnotenough.Theyrequireall-metalhotendsequippedwithasteel/titaniumorceramicheatbreakthatencasesthePTFEtubing.  Finally,themeltedfilamentisextrudedontoabuildplatethroughanozzle.Thestandardnozzlediameteris0.4mm.Buttherearemanynozzlesofdifferentdiameters,eachconsideredabestpracticeforaparticularapplication.Themostpopularnozzletype,abrass-madenozzle,isoptimalforprintingwithPLAandABS.Printingwithmoredemandingmaterialssuchascarbonfiber/metal/ceramicreinforcedpolymerswillwearoutsuchnozzlesinnotime.Equippinga3Dprinterwitharubyorstainlesssteelnozzleisconsideredbestpracticewhenprintingwithsuchspecialfilaments.   BuildPlate Source:3dprintingforbeginners.com Abuildplateoraprint/heatbedisanintegralpartofalmostany3Dprinter.Thismagicplatformistheplacewhereathoroughlydesigned3Dmodelcomestolife.A3Dprinter’sbuildplatemaybefullyenclosed,or,onthecontrary,offeranopen-framedesign.Asarule,theplateiscoatedwithglass,metal,orceramicmaterial.Dependingonthetotalcostofaparticular3Dprintermodelanditsdesign,theplatemaynotevenbeaheatedone. Almosteverymaterial(asidefromPLA)requiresaheatedbedinorderforthemodelnottocooldowntoofast.Inaddition,ithelpsmaketheproductmoredurableandreduceswarping. Ontheonehand,a3Dprinterwithanopen-framedesignallowsforhassle-freemonitoringandprovidesaccesstotheprintjobduringtheprintingsession.Ontheotherhand,suchactivitiesmaycauseunwantedvibrationswhichwilldestroytheprint.Andincaseoftouchingthebed—leavesomeseverescorchesonone’sskin.Therefore,enclosinga3Dprinterisahighlyrecommendedactivity.  Anenclosedframehelpstoavoidtemperaturefluctuationsandkeepstheprintchamberconstantlyheated,providingevenheatdistribution.Thisisreallyimportantwhenprintingwithspecialmaterialslikenylon,orwhenprintinglargeandwell-detailedproducts.Insomeprinters,anenclosedframecanberepresentedbyinterconnectedwalls(insomecases,evenwithouta‘ceiling’).Suchdesignscanonlypreventauserfromaccessingtheprintingarea,butwon’tbeenoughtoavoidtemperaturefluctuations.    PrintableMaterialsandInfillPatterns Source:3dnatives.com Themostpopularmaterialsfor3DprintingarePLA(Polylactide)andABS-based(AcrylonitrileButadieneStyrene)polymers,butmakersallaroundtheworldalsouse: Nylon High-densitypolyethylene(HDPE/PEHD) ABSblendedwithHDPE Polycaprolactone(PCL)  Polycarbonate(PC) Metal-filledfilaments, Carbon-filledmaterialsandmanyothers.   PLA Source:introinto.com.au OneofthemainadvantagesofthePLAisitslowmeltingpointandhighheatcapacity,makingitslowtocooldown.SuchfeaturesallowusingPLA-basedfilamentsevenwithouttheheatedbed.Itisaneco-friendly,non-toxicpolymer.Itsmaindisadvantageislowdurability.    ABS Source:allthat3d.com ABSisawidespreadoil-basedmaterial.Forinstance,itisusedtobuildlegoblocks,automotiveparts,andmusicalinstruments.TheABS-madeproductsarestronganddurable.InordertoprintwithABS,youhavetoowna3Dprinterwithaheatedbed,sinceABScoolsdownfasterthanPLA,andundergoeswarpingifitslayersgetunevenlycooledduringprinting.Ithasahighmeltingpointandcanpollutetheairwithtoxicfumes,soanenclosureisveryrecommended.    Nylon Source:3DSpectraTechnologies  JustlikeABS,nylontoohasahighmeltingpointandrequiresaheatedbedinordertomakeoutstandingprintjobs.Butunlikepreviouslymentionedmaterials,ithasastonishingmechanicalpropertiesandisoutstandinglydurable.Therefore,itisusedtoprintmechanicalpartsandmachineelements,likehinges,bearings,gears,etc.Nylonisextremelygoodatabsorbingmoisturefromtheair.Ifthepremisesaretoohumid,thewatermayboilinsidetheextruder,causingthefilamenttoexpandandweakenthesurfaceofyourmodel.    InfillPatterns Asyoualreadyknow,FFF-andFDM-madeproductsconsistoflayers.Theyalsohaveawood-likestructure,soevenifthedetailwasprintedat100%infilldensity(withouthollows),itwon’tbeasdurableastheonemadewithcasting.  Real-lifeexperienceshowsthatdependingonaninfillpattern,amodelcanbealmost2timesstrongerthanitscounterpartprintedwiththesamematerial.  Source:all3dp.com Therearetonsofdifferentinfillpatterns,andthemostpopularofthemare: Grid/rectangular;  Gyroid;  Triangular Hexagonal(honeycomb); Thetriangularinfillallowsmakingthestrongestdetails,butgreatlyincreasesfilamentconsumptionanddecreasestheprintspeed.Thehoneycombpatternrepresentsthesensiblemedium,sinceitprovidesoptimalratesofmaterialconsumption,printspeed,andstrength.Initsturn,thegyroidpatternmakesthemodellessdurablebutallowsittobebentandtwistedwithoutlosingitsshape.   BestFFF/FDM3DPrinters AftergettinganunderstandingofFFF/FDMtechnologyandthemannerinwhichsuchprintersoperate,allthat’slefttodoistochoosethebest3Dprintertosuityourrequirements.Itmaybeawallet-friendlyDIYkit,oramoreexpensivedevicewithafullyenclosedprintchamber.Belowisthelistofthebestentry-levelFFF/FDM3Dprinters,aswellaspicksformoreexperiencedmakersandadvancedapplications.   3DPrintersunder$500 Anycubici3MegaX3DPrinter Bedleveling Manual Extrudertype Single Maxextrudertemperature 250ºC Maxheatedbedtemperature 90ºC Mechanicalarrangement Cartesian-XZ-Head Nozzlesize,mm 0.4 Printspeed 20~100mm/s(suggested60mm/s) Printablematerial(s) PLA,ABS,TPU,HIPS,Wood Buildvolume 300x300x305mm Layerheight 50-300Microns Technology FFFFDM Price $439.00 Gotoproduct TheMegaXisawallet-friendlyCartesian-style3Dprinterkitthatoffersanextendedbuildvolumeandrobust,all-metalframewithareliablechassis.It’sbeenequippedwithaglass-coatedheatedbedforultimateprintadhesion,andafilamentrunoutsensortoalwaysstayontopoftheprintingprocess.    Pros Extra-largebuildvolume Affordableandcost-efficient Easytouse Full-colortouchscreen Cons Requiresassembly Manualcalibration   UseCases Oneuserself-printedsomeusefulupgradesforhisMegaX.Thisdimensionally-accuratehotendhousingisoneofsuchdetails.  Credit:instagram.com   CrealityEnder5Pro CrealityEnder-5Pro3DPrinter Extrudertype Single Frame Aluminum Maxextrudertemperature 260℃ Maxheatedbedtemperature 135℃ Nozzlesize,mm 0.4 Buildvolume 220x220x300mm Minlayerheight 100microns Technology FFFFDM Price $379.00 Gotoproduct TheEnder5Proisavalue-engineeredCartesian-style3Dprinterkit.Thisbudget-friendlymachineisrepresentedbyasturdyaluminumframethatensuresreliableoperation,heatedprintbed,andextendedbuildvolume.Italsofeaturesaninnovativemainboardthatmakesthisprinteraquietone.Thedeviceoffersaresumeprintingfunction—agame-changerincaseofsuddenpoweroutages.   Pros Easytouseandassemble Affordable Reliableprinterwithabigonlinecommunity Endlessupgradepotential Cons Manualbedleveling Notouchscreen Nofilamentrunoutsensor   UseCases Credit:instagram.com This3Dprintedandhand-paintedElderWandisagreatexampleofthequalityachievablewiththeEnder5Pro. Credit:instagram.com Howabouta3Dprintedvampirecastle?Herewehaveawell-designedandprettydetailedpieceofworkthatcameoutgreat.   3Dprintersunder$1000 WanhaoDuplicatori3Plus WanhaoDuplicatori3Plus3DPrinter Filamentdiameter 1.75mm Manufacturercountry China Nozzlesize,mm 0.4mm Buildvolume 200x200x180mm Minlayerheight 100micros Technology FFFFDM Price $599.00 Gotoproduct BeingarevisedmodeloftheDuplicatori3,thei3Plusboastsitssturdyall-metalframe,separatecontrolbox,abuilt-intouchscreendisplay,andaheatedbed.Thedeviceisdesignedtoundergoinfiniteself-madeupgrades,makingitaperfectopportunitytostepupyourgame.   Pros Competitiveprice; Stableconstructionthatensuresaccurateprinting; Resumptionofworkafterasuddenpoweroutage. Cons Slowprintingspeed; Notsohighprecisioncomparedtoprofessionalmodels; Noenclosure.   UseCases Source:gramho.com Thei3PlushasbeenusedtoprintaGoku-shapedphoneholderwithPLA.Thelayerheightis0.25mm,theoverallprintingtimetookaboutthreehours. Source:gramho.com TheplayingcardcasewasprintedwithPLAwithalayerheightof0.25mm.Theprintjobtook6hourstobefinished.   CrealityCR-XDualColor CrealityCR-XDualColor3Dprinter Connectivity SDcard,USB Filamentdiameter 1.75mm Maxextrudertemperature 255℃ Maxheatedbedtemperature 100℃ Nozzlesize,mm 0,4mm Numberofextruders 2 Printspeed Normal:80mm/s,Max.:100mm/s Buildvolume 300*300*400/270*270*400mm Minlayerheight 100microns Price $719.00 Gotoproduct Anotherreliableandcost-efficient3Dprinterwithanoutstandinglylargebuildvolumethatallowsyoutoprintwithdifferentcolors.Itisequippedwithacoatedglassheatedbedandoffersdual-fancoolingsystemthatgreatlyreducesstringingandwarping.   Pros Dualcolorprinting Sturdydesign Outstandingbuildvolumeandfunctionalityforitsprice Cons DIYkit Open-framedesign   UseCases Credit:instagram.com This3Dprintedoctopusisquiteadelightfulmodel.Ithasasmoothsurfacefinishandhasaneatly-lookingappearance. Credit:instagram.com Checkoutthisuniquelydesignedvase.Withsuchanicecolor,itwasaperfectadditiontothemaker’skitchenroom.   ORIGINALPRUSAI3MK3S OriginalPrusai3MK3S+3DPrinter Filamentdiameter 1.75mm Maxprintspeed 200mm/s Nozzlesize,mm 0.4mm Numberofextruders 1 Outerdimensionsmillimeters(xyz) 500×550×400mm Buildvolume 250x210x200mm Minlayerheight 50microns Technology FDM Price $1,249.00 Gotoproduct Apowerfulstate-of-the-artCartesian3DprinterfromJosefPrusahimself.Itisareliabledevicethatoffersagreatlearningexperience,largebuildvolume,andautomaticbedleveling.Byusingthei3MK3S,you’llbeabletomakeastonishinglydetailedmodelswithsmoothsurfacefinishinnotime.CanbesuppliedasaDIYkitorfactory-assembled.   Pros Exceptionalprintquality Neatly-lookingandsturdydesign Automaticbedleveling Fastprintspeed Cons NotouchscreenorWiFi Openframedesign    UseCases Credit:instagram.com Havealookatthiswell-detailedmodelofThanos.Thesurfacefinishisincrediblysmooth,whichmakesitaneatly-lookingone.  Credit:instagram.com Ortakeaglanceatthesecreativelydesignedsuperman-styleshelves.Notyourordinaryconventionalsolution,isit?   WanhaoDuplicator6Plus WanhaoDuplicator6PlusMarkII3Dprinter Filamentdiameter 1.75mm Nozzlesize,mm 0.4mm Numberofextruders 1 Printspeed 150mm/sec Buildvolume 200x200x180mm Minlayerheight 20microns Technology FDM Price $899.00 Gotoproduct TheDuplicator6PlusisapowerfulCartesian3Dprinterkitthatoffersavarietyoftrulyusefulfunctions.Forexample,itisequippedwithanall-metalhotend,enclosedprintchamber,andfeaturesautobedlevelingandresumeprintingfunctions.Ithasasturdydesignforreliableprintingandpreciseoutputs.   Pros Automaticbedleveling Enclosedprintchamber Reliableandconsistentprinting Astonishinglyprecisequality Cons Rathersmallbuildvolume   UseCases TheD6Plushasbeenusedtoprintthisamazingbirdhouse.Despitesomevisiblelayers,itlooksgreat,doesn’tit?   Professional3Dprinters AnisoprintComposerA3 AnisoprintComposerA33DPrinter Filamentdiameter 1.75mm Maxextrudertemperature 270°С Maxheatedbedtemperature 60°С(upto120°Сwithopenprintchamber) Nozzlesize,mm 0.4mm Numberofextruders 2(extruderFFF;extruderCFCwithreinforcingfibercuttingdevice) Printspeed forFFF:upto80mm/sec; forCFC:upto10mm/sec Buildvolume 460х297х210mm Minlayerheight 60Microns Technology FFF;CompositeFilamentCo-extrusion(CFC) Gotoproduct TheComposerA3isalarge-format3Dprinterthatoffersadual-nozzlesystemthatcanprintusingbothFFF/FDMandinnovativeCFC(CompositeFiberCoextrusion)technology.Itisaprofessionaldeviceequippedwithanenclosedprintchamberthatissuppliedinafullyassembledstate.TheCFCtechnologyiswidelyusedtoproducelightweightanddurableproductswithhighphysicalandmechanicalproperties.    Pros Preciseprintquality Strongandlightweightoutputs Dual-nozzlesystem Enclosedprintchamber Cons Averageprintspeed NoWiFiconnectivity   UseCases Checkouttheseneatly-lookingandhighlydetailedparts.Theyhavebeenanisoprintedwithplasticfilledwithshortfibers.Suchhousingallowsforasmoothsurfacefinish,aswellasprovidespartswithoutstandingthermalandhardnessproperties.  Credit: instagram.com   TiertimeUP300 TiertimeUP3003DPrinter Extrudertype Single Filamentdiameter 1.75mm Maxextrudertemperature 299℃ Nozzlesize,mm 0.2mm,0.4mm,0.5mm(TPU),0.6mm Buildvolume 205×255×225mm Layerheight 50-400microns Technology MEM(MeltedExtrusionModelling) Price $2,199.00 Gotoproduct TheUP300isaconvenient-to-usepre-assembledFDM3Dprinterabletoproducepreciselydetailedmodels.Thisprofessionaldevicefeaturesanenclosedprintchamberandasturdydesignforreliableandfastprinting.Itisequippedwithmaterial-specificextrudersthatprovideforultimateflexibilityduringtheprocess,makingthedevicecompatiblewithalmostanytypeoffilament.   Pros Reliableandmultipurposeprinting Threeinterchangeableprintheads Built-intouchscreen SDcard,USB,andWiFiconnectivity Cons NotsofriendlyUI Smallbuildvolume   UseCases Credit:twitter.com Thisscrewandboltsethasbeenmadeasatestprintwithwoodfilament.Checkouthowaccurateandsmoothitis.   Raise3DPro2Plus Raise3DPro2PlusDualExtruder3dprinter Accuracy 0.78x0.78x0.078micron Assembly Fully-assembled Compatiblewith3rdpartyfilaments? Yesanopenmaterialsystem Display LCDtouchscreen Extrudertype Dual Manufacturercountry USA Maxextrudertemperature 572°F/300°C Maxheatedbedtemperature 230°F/110˚C Maxprintspeed 100mm/s Mechanicalarrangement Cartesian-XY-head Nozzlesize,mm 0.2-0.8mm Buildvolume 305x305x605mm Minlayerheight 10Microns Technology FDM Price $5,999.00 Gotoproduct Thisdeviceisyetanotherrepresentativeofprofessionallarge-formatCartesian3Dprinterswithafullyenclosedprintchamber.Itboastsitsextra-tallbuildvolumeof305x305x605mm,reliableandconsistentmodeofoperation,andisabletoprovideaccurate,industrial-gradeoutputs.    Pros Astonishingbuildquality  Multifunctionalandmodulardevice Fullenclosure Dualextrusionsystem Cons Trickycalibration Quiteasteepprice   UseCases Theprinterhasbeenwidelyusedindifferentindustries.Forexample,Dr.NaderSalibusesitsprecisiontocreateaccuratedentalimpressions.  Credit:instagram.com Ithasalsobeenusedtocreateavarietyofotherpartswithultra-finesurfacefinish.   BottomLine Ifyou’dliketostartyourown3Dprintingjourney,buyinganewaffordabledesktopFFF/FDM3Dprinterwouldbetheoptimalsolution.Asarule,suchdevicesarecompactandwillbeaperfectfitevenforsmallpremises.Inaddition,alloftheFDM-basedmachinesarebuiltaccordingtothesamedesignthatcanbeimplementedinanumberofvariousways,makingthetechnologyflexibleandmultipurpose.FDM3Dprintingiswidelyusedbybothentry-levelusersandprofessionals. Thereareavarietyofdifferentmachinesavailableatthecurrent3Dprintingmarket.Evenifyouhaven’tfoundtheprinteryoulikebylookingthroughthisarticle,theoddsarethatyou’lldefinitelyfindoneifyoutakeapeekinsidea3Dprintersshop. WewillbegladtoassistyouwithpickingthebestFFF/FDM3Dprinterforyourapplication.GetintouchwithTop3DShopandletyourcreativityrunwild.   Writeacomment SENDCOMMENT FFFvsFDM:DifferenceandBestPrinters  Introduction FFF/FDMBreakdown:What’stheRealDifference? FFF=FDM? A3DPrinteranditsDesign Kinematics Cartesian3DPrinters Delta3DPrinters Polar3DPrinters SCARA3DPrinters SkyOne Summary:TheKinematics Extruders ColdEnd HotEnd BuildPlate PrintableMaterialsandInfillPatterns PLA ABS Nylon InfillPatterns BestFFF/FDM3DPrinters 3DPrintersunder$500 [technicalCharacteristicsid=1248text=Anycubici3MegaX3DPrinter] 3Dprintersunder$1000 WanhaoDuplicatori3Plus CrealityCR-XDualColor ORIGINALPRUSAI3MK3S WanhaoDuplicator6Plus Professional3Dprinters AnisoprintComposerA3 TiertimeUP300 Raise3DPro2Plus BottomLine Productsinthearticle Raise3DPro2PlusDualExtruder3dprinter InStock $5,999.00 TiertimeUP3003DPrinter InStock $2,199.00 AnisoprintComposerA33DPrinter Availableonbackorder Priceonrequest WanhaoDuplicator6PlusMarkII3Dprinter InStock $899.00 OriginalPrusai3MK3S+3DPrinter Availableonbackorder $1,249.00 CrealityCR-XDualColor3Dprinter Availableonbackorder $719.00 WanhaoDuplicatori3Plus3DPrinter InStock $599.00 CrealityEnder-5Pro3DPrinter InStock $379.00 Anycubici3MegaX3DPrinter InStock $439.00 RelatedProducts OriginalPrusai3MK3S+3DPrinter $1,249.00 Availableonbackorder Viewadd-ons&extras Requestaquote Talktoanexpert Raise3DPro2PlusDualExtruder3dprinter $5,999.00 InStock Viewadd-ons&extras AddtoCart Talktoanexpert AnisoprintComposerA33DPrinter Availableonbackorder Viewadd-ons&extras Requestaquote Talktoanexpert CrealityEnder-5Pro3DPrinter $349.00 $379.00 InStock Viewadd-ons&extras AddtoCart Talktoanexpert Anycubici3MegaX3DPrinter $309.00 $439.00 InStock Viewadd-ons&extras AddtoCart Talktoanexpert WanhaoDuplicator6PlusMarkII3Dprinter $695.00 $899.00 InStock Viewadd-ons&extras AddtoCart Talktoanexpert CrealityCR-XDualColor3Dprinter $719.00 Availableonbackorder Viewadd-ons&extras Requestaquote Talktoanexpert Join41,000subscribers&getgreatresearchandcasestudiesdeliveredtoyourinboxeachmonth. 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