You're ready to invest in a 3D printer for your business. How do you make sure it's the right one?

First of all define your objectives for integrating a 3D printer into your business clearly. what are you focusing on rapid prototyping, production-scale manufacturing, or intricate design requirements? Knowing your goals will guide you for all decision.

First of all, DEFINE YOUR OBJECTIVE. 3D printing is one of the most fascinating domains to explore and experiment; unlike business that requires adequate planning and approach. Since business is a risky investment already, one must be aware of the fact that a proper background research and market definition would help your business grow. Personally, I feel that if you want to make money, you should see the gaps a market can have. Then proceed with defining the types of end products you want to see your 3D Printing farm to output. After this, check out the types of 3D printing available for that type of applications/products, define the materials range you want to work in, make a proper scope for working, etc.

It mainly depends on what you expect from a 3D printer. You can choose your desired 3D printer based on the following criteria: 1- The material from which the parts are going to be fabricated 2- The expected resolution 3- The minimum feature size 4- The budget you have 5- The level of application where your printer is going to be used. 6- Are you going to print your part on a flat surface and/or a conformal one? After answering the above-mentioned questions, you will be able to decide which technology is suitable for you.

Was soll erreicht werden? - Schnellere Entwicklung durch schnelle Prototypen? - Erstellung von Modellen? - Ersatzteile? - Teile zum Serienstart? - Serienfertigung?

Like any relationship it starts with you. Invest in some counseling or calming activities like meditation, if you aren't already a patient person, you will be soon

Understanding the strengths and applications of each 3D printing technology allows businesses to choose the most suitable option based on their specific requirements. FDM: Simple, cost-effective, versatile. Ideal for durable prototypes. SLA: UV-cured resin for intricate, detailed models. Great for jewelry. SLS: Laser-sintered powder for robust, functional parts. No supports. DLP: Projector-cured layers balance speed and detail. Rapid prototyping. PolyJet: Jets liquid photopolymer for multi-material, precise prints. Binder Jetting: Liquid binding agent on powder bed for cost-effective large-scale production. Each suits different needs; choose based on project specifics.

When comparing printers, you should consider what type o material do you intent to use in your business and what is your client's demand for 3D printing so you don't buy a printer only thinking about the size and cost.

Before making a decision on a 3D printer or a 3D printing technology for business, it's essential to educate yourself about the pros and cons of each option. Additionally, it's crucial to consider the entire 3D printing process, not just the printer itself. For example, when evaluating SLS technology, I would recommend considering a complete ecosystem, which includes a material handling station, an automatic blasting and polishing station and of course the printer itself. Reaching out to a local reseller can provide swift assistance and valuable insights.

Um dos primeiros passos é entender: 1 - O tipo de tecnologia que irá te atender de acordo com sua necessidade. (FDM, SLS, SLA…) 2 - A área a útil da impressora. (tamanho de impress?o) 3 - A capacidade de material a ser impresso. (Temperatura, compatibilidade…) 4 - Demais acessórios e peculiaridades do equipamento, em rela??o a custo x benefício. (Velocidade de impress?o, automa??es de micro processos…) 6 - Custo de compra, e de opera??o (se financeiramente compensa a compra do equipamento)

Number one - Find an existing user and speak with them, extensively! Learn what it’s like to ‘live’ with the technology and what’s involved. Understand from multiple sources all aspects, including reliability and support. Use a service bureau with the technology you’re interested in and have parts made over a good length of time, so you can see what technology your interested in can, and more importantly, cannot provided. My experience is that people often make the investment only to realise six months later that they were ‘sold’ a printer and ultimately didn’t really require one in-house.

Look for a printer with a vibrant online community or user forum where you can access troubleshooting tips, ask questions, and learn from other users. Additionally, readily available customer support from the manufacturer is crucial.

This is solid advice; while there are tools like Markforged Simulation to simulate the strength of printed parts, this is just the first step in the process. Many organisations won't approve parts for use until they have been physically tested under real conditions and stresses. Fortunately, many suppliers and resellers offer sample parts, and some will even walk through the design process with you to ensure that the test piece you receive is not only up to the task, but being printed as cost effectively as possible. If you can provide the file for print and get your hands on a sample, you'll be much better informed for decision making.

Nichts geht darüber selbst mal einen Druckjob angestellt zu haben und sich die Qualit?t und insbesondere die Prozessstabilit?t anzuschauen. Insbesondere bei Invests >10k€

It's not always the case that bigger is better. Sure, depending on the application, it might be wise to have a single large-volume printer, but most of the time, having multiple medium to small printers is more cost-effective and increases production or prototyping speeds. Here is a scenario: I was once tasked with a job that had a very tight deadline. Having multiple printers allowed me to create multiple versions of the design, print them simultaneously, and then test them all to find the perfect fit, all within half a workday. Having one single large printer would have taken more than a day to complete.

Before you invest it's good to run your projects by other 3d printer users and if it is acceptable you can know thinking about investing in one

Bevor Sie sich für einen 3D-Drucker entscheiden, stellen Sie sich diese Fragen: - Was sind unsere gr??ten Herausforderungen in der Fertigung (Prototyping, Werkzeugbau, Endverbrauchsteile) - Wie hoch sind meine aktuellen Kosten Outsourcing vs. inhouse. - Wie wichtig ist es, stabile Teile zu haben? - Müssen meine Teile hitze- oder chemikalienbest?ndig sein? - Sind Sie von nicht umsatzf?higen Teilen abh?ngig? Stellen Sie diese Fragen zu dem 3D-Drucker: - Was macht die Technologie dieses 3D-Druckers einzigartig? - Gibt es ein Musterbauteil? - Wie l?uft der Prozess vom Design zum Bauteil ab? - Kommen Software, Hardware und Materialien aus einem Haus? - Druckt der 3D-Drucker zuverl?ssig und reproduzierbare Bauteile?

... Do not buy a printer upon reading this article. ;) You might know enough by now when you're considering which hobby printer to buy. But for serious industrial investments, you'll want to go beyond these basics - despite the many valuable contributions by serious experts. Talk to them (the experts), go look for additional information, invite multiple suppliers,... Implementing Additive Manufacturing in your company is not an easy feat, nor is it a decision to make without proper assessment & analysis. If not carefully evaluated, “buying a printer” can easily become a liability rather than an asset. As with each serious investment, your entrepreneurial mindset tells you to evaluate the options first.

Bei DLP/SLA/mSLA berücksichtigen, dass es sich hier um Gefahrstoffe handelt. Wenn man es richtig macht, hat das einen riesigen Rattenschwanz. Das f?ngt an bei ADR Schulungen des Wareneingangs und h?rt auf bei der ordentlichen Gefahrstoffabholung von Abf?llen durch das lokale Entsorgungsunternehmen. Bei SLS Staubentwicklung und Explosiiosngefahr (ExSchutz) berücksichtigen ...

To ensure the right 3D printer for your business, consider: compatible printing technology, sufficient build volume, materials support, resolution, reliability, software compatibility, cost versus ROI, additional features, community support, and future expansion options. Research thoroughly, prioritize needs, and select based on long-term business goals.

You need to engage an experienced manufacturer who will ask the questions of the machine suppliers that they hope you won’t ask. Then read through the answer given to get to the truth. Just like buying any piece of Cap Ex. Your technical 3D expert can help with capabilities and materials etc.