Choosing a 3D Printer: A Closer Look at 5 Models on the Market

The additive manufacturing industry has experienced rapid and continuous growth in recent years. In fact, according to a report published by Precedence Research, the global 3D printing market is expected to reach a value of $117.78 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19%. In this context, 3D printers have become indispensable in multiple domains. The range of solutions and technologies currently available is truly wide and diverse, everything from desktop models for personal use to industrial machines capable of producing high-precision parts. To provide a better overview of the current landscape, in this article we will present five 3D printers that we have highlighted this month. Each 3D printer uses a different technology and offer solutions for different applications. Check out the selection below to discover the current popular choices!

The Ender 3-V3 from Creality

The Ender-3 V3 from Creality is a reliable FDM printer with a 220 x 220 x 250 mm build volume. Its most remarkable quality is its speed. With a maximum speed of 600mm/s, the printer works 12 times faster than a regular i3-style 3D printer. It features an integrated tri-metal nozzle that is easy to swap, two fans for instant cooling, and auto calibration for ease of use. The CoreXZ model has X and Z axes rigged together, allowing two high-torque motors to work in tandem. Notably, the printer’s robust direct drive extruder is enhanced by a bolster spring and a ball plunger that holds onto filament firmly without slackening off. The printer is compatible with ABS, PETG and other high-temperature filaments.

The DED Lens 500 3D Printer from Optomec

Optomec is an American manufacturer renowned for its hybrid industrial solutions. One of its machines is the LENS 500, based on the directed energy deposition (DED) process. It also incorporates a tool head for CNC machining, which multiplies manufacturing possibilities. The LENS 500 is therefore a hybrid solution, offering a printing volume of 350 x 325 x 500 mm. It is compatible with a wide variety of metal powders, including steels, tungsten and Inconel. The machine’s upper enclosure can be replaced by an airtight chamber and gas purification system, allowing oxygen and humidity levels to be controlled, thus extending the range of compatible metals like aluminum or titanium.

The Fuse 1+ 30W from Formlabs

Formlabs is well-known, of course, for its resin solutions including those that have been optimized for biomedical purposes like the Form 3B. But it has also been making a name for itself in the selective laser sintering market. The Fuse 1+ 30W is an upgrade from the company’s first SLS solution, the Fuse 1, which itself was designed to be a more compact and affordable SLS 3D printer on the market. The printer is compatible with eight industrial-grade materials and even has an open mode which enables users to use any 1064nm powder. It is also fast with Formlabs boasting that most print jobs will take only seven hours and 95% of fully packed print jobs will be completed within 14. Starting at $28,989, it can hardly be considered low cost, but it is much more affordable than most SLS machines on the market, making it a good way to enter into the sector.

The B9 Core 5 Series XL from B9Creations

The B9 Core 5 Series XL from B9Creations is a resin printer with a resolution finer than 25μm. The machine is excellent for precise design applications such as jewelry, rapid prototyping, manufacturing, industrial design and engineering, research and more. The build envelope for this XL machine is 124.8 x 70.2 x 127 mm. The software it uses is FAST Technology powered by B9Create, and it can connect through WiFi, Ethernet, or USB. Another attractive feature is that the printer is plug-and-play: it requires no calibrations, and once out of the box can print in 15 minutes. Additionally, it is compatible with a wide selection of resins and is open to third-party materials. It’s the fastest DLP 3D printer on the market and also has reduced post-processing time due to the efficiency of FAST Technology and the B9Clean XL and B9Model Cure XL.

The XJet Carmel 5000x from XJet

When most people think of material jetting, the material that comes in mind is polymers. But it is also possible to use metals and ceramics, at least with XJet’s patented NPJ technology. And though previously the company only offered solutions that could print either metal or ceramic parts, with the new Carmel 5000X, users can now print both metals and ceramics in one 3D printer! The printer is expected to be up to four times more productive thanks to a tray size that is twice the size of the other Carmel models as well as one pass printing mode for her output per job and reduced cost per part. Not to mention it is fully automated for minimal job preparation and post-processing. It is also sustainable with no waste thanks to no purging between jobs, a fully powderless environment and energy efficiency.

What printer do you prefer? Let us know in a comment below or on our LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly newsletter here for the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox! You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel.