Whether it be toys, decorative ornaments or spare parts: 3D printers for private use create objects of all types from plastic. As with all new technologies, the first devices were outrageously expensive, but there are now affordable models from 300 euro. What are such affordable 3D printers good for? Are they recommended for home use? The trade press is largely agreed in its judgement, as our report shows.
Cheap printers provide unclean results
The experts of PC World carried out a large comparison test at the end of 2015.
The editorial staff could not pick a clear winner due to the large price differences of the test equipment. It nevertheless gave recommendations: The 3D Printer Da Vinci 1.0 of XYZ Printing proved itself particularly easy to set up. At approximately 600 euro it is also reasonably priced.
The testers praised the LED interior lighting and the clear software. There was criticism for the manufacturer’s own filament system, due to the high operating costs.
Hardly surprising in view of the favourable price: The quality of the printed objects is not great compared to the more expensive devices. The testers recognised impurities such as set threads, holes and spots with burned plastic.
Their conclusion: The Da Vinci 1.0 does not meet professional requirements. However, even If it does not quite deliver extreme precision, the printer does give a reasonable product.
The Freesculpt EX1 was also one of the reasonable models in the test field, as it can already be purchased for under 500 euro. However the testers attested to the device’s lack of user-friendliness, making it unsuitable for the mass market.
For example, it is lacking an alarm function, which prevents misprints.
Moreover, the software needs considerable improvement since it is slow to respond and does not leave the user with a satisfactory print result.
PC World’s test winner too expensive for private use
Overall the best result in the PC World test was for the Ultimaker 2, now superseded by the improved Ultimaker 2+.
According to the testers, the printed items are also satisfactory to professional users. The software also offers countless possibilities and processes many materials.
The high price of around 2900 euro disqualifies the Ultimaker 2, according to the testers, for private use, however, the device is available from 2199 euro.
Entry into the world of 3D printing for 400 euro
The “Chip” editorial team also regularly tests 3D printers. In the top places of the list, however, are only models with a sales price of 1700 euro and higher.
The testers attested the best price-performance ratio to the Da Vinci 1.0 Pro from XYZ Printing for approx. 750 euro. The equipment is fair given the price, the printing quality can compete with more expensive devices. According to “Chip” its weakness is the built-in 3D scanner.
A true value for money is the Da Vinci Junior 3D Printer , also from XYZ Printing: The device is only just under 400 euro. However, according to “Chip” testers, you should not expect top print quality performance.
Also the equipment is limited to the necessary minimum. All in all, the experts deem the Da Vinci Junior to be suitable as an “affordable and user-friendly entry model into the world of 3D printing”. C
heap and 3D printing, they can go together.
Image source: Fotolia, 120085924, pressmaster
