3D Printers Reviews
Formlabs Form 2 3D Printer Review
by Malcolm Black - January 11, 2016
Review
Continuing to move toward more simplistic and straightforward designs, Formlabs has improved upon the already innovative Form 1 and 1+ 3D printers. The Form 2 is even easier to use, provides more options for connectivity, houses more powerful features, and offers an increased build volume of over 40 percent. With upgraded functionality, the printer boasts additional options for resin colors and materials. By improving the ultraviolet laser by 50 percent and incorporating a new peel and wiping mechanism, the Form 2 provides cleaner prints and minimizes the chances of blemishes causing print failure.
Using stereolithography (SLA) and resin materials, Form 2 offers higher quality and more intricate prints than other types of 3D printers. While Formlabs Form 1+ only offered USB connectivity, Form 2 provides Wi-Fi and Ethernet as options for added connectivity. Form 2 makes it easy to stay connected with automatic updates sent to your computer or phone regarding print status and required printing actions. Adding to the already simplistic design, Form 2 provides an interactive touch-screen, replacing the standard push-button control. Additionally, Formlabs’ PreForm software makes it simple to process, prepare and print 3D designs.
Form 2 includes convenient yet costly resin cartridges that you insert into the back of the printer, automatically feeding into the print tank. Formlabs offers seven different kinds of resin material. The introduction of castable and flexible resins gives users more creative freedom; you now have a larger assortment of different materials and colors to make unique and intricate models and prints. With a 40 percent increase in build volume, you have more options for even larger prints.
Though the cost of both the printer and resin cartridge replacements is high, whether you intend to use the Form 2 for making jewelry, art, or for engineering and architectural models, your prints will be of the highest quality and your intricate designs will be fully appreciated in print form. With excellent software, quality prints, and multiple options for connectivity, the Formlabs Form 2 3D Printer offers simple design and ease-of-use—without the actual complexity of 3D printing.
Highlights
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High-quality prints
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USB, Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity
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Resin cartridges
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Formlabs PreForm software
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Interactive touchscreen display
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Finishing kit—an array of tools and containers for cleaning prints
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Heated resin tank
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Level sensing
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Cartridge ID Chip
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Peel mechanism
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Wiping mechanism
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Stereolithographic technology (SLA)
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Laser power—250 mW
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One-year warranty
Pros
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Excellent print quality
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Excellent resin material options
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Third-party resin support
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Easy-to-use software
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Connectivity—USB, Wi-Fi and Ethernet
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Peel and wiping mechanism
Cons
Score
9.6
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Resin cartridges cost between $150 and $300 each dependent upon the type and color
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Speed has not improved significantly from the previous model
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Prints must be washed in isopropyl alcohol—there may be liquid resin residue
Mattel ThingMaker 3D Printer Review
by Mikael Romo - March 24, 2016
Review
Back in 1964, Mattel introduced the Triple ThingMaker, a do-it-your-self kit that let children make their own toys and jewelry out of molds; they've come a long, long way since they since then with the ThingMaker 3D printer.
This is a printer that both the young and the grown up can use to print creations and have fun. Mattel makes setup easy, as you only need to plug in the printer, insert the colored filament strands, and download the ThingMaker Design app. The itself app is available for iOS and Android and has been shown to be its most useful on tablet devices with large enough screens to work with.
According to the ThingMaker's website, the app lets you "easily create, customize, and 3D-print awesome figures, creatures, or jewelry and accessories." You can do so through first designing your desired toy or accessory on the app using a built-in library of parts which you can put together however you like. Alternately, you chose from default models such as samurai and insect figures and edit them to your desired specifications. Next, you will get to customize the individual parts with texture as well as color, for which there are many filament colors to choose from; the app will even let you pose figures so you'll know what they'll look like before they're printed. Once you complete your design, the app will sort the parts according to color. From your tablet or a web browser, you can then send files to the printer, which will deliver the parts in color batches.
The ThingMaker itself is safe to use, even for kids. Once printing begins, the see-through printer door will automatically lock so no curious hands will reach inside while the printer is busy. After a batch is done, the heated print head will retract into a recess so no one can touch it as it cools. Now that your parts are ready, begin assembly with your own hands and be amazed.
You could preorder your own ThingMaker 3D printer for when it gets released in the fall of this year.
Highlights
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Easy setup
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Exercise your creativity with the ThingMaker Design app, for iOS and Android
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Customize your toys and accessories to your heart's content
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Model your creations in the app before printing
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Chose from a multitude of parts, colors, and textures
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Filaments for printing come in many colors
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Safe to handle
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See-through door lets you see the process
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Assemble the parts together once all colored batches are done
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Available for preorder on Amazon
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No warranty information yet
Pros
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Easy to set up and use
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Children can make their own toys and accessories
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Saves parents trips to toy stores
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A way to exercise creativity and design skills
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App allows for wide variety of color and textures choices
Cons
Score
9.2
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Printer can take a long time building a toy
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Printed parts may be droopy in some places, have holes, or have missing layers
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Joints of parts may come out loose or too tight
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Some sockets may break with assembly
Highlights
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Plug and Print: Start printing in minutes
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Efficiency: Low material and energy costs
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Many Printing Materials: Choose a variety of materials to print your model
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Automated Support: Create sophisticated designs without worrying about stability problems or the structure collapsing
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Connectivity: compatible with any operating system and any 3D modeling software
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No complicated calibration for the printer or software. Just turn the printer on, upload the model, and start printing
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Print quality
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Precision
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Ease of use
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Compatible with any operating system and any 3D modeling software
Pros
Cons
9.0
Score
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Connectivity issues
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Material availability
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Unreliable software
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Problematic print removal
Zortrax® M200 3D Printer
Review
by Mark Peterson - July 23, 2015
The Zortrax’s M200 is a great looking, well-built and reliable 3D printer. The M200 delivers ease of use with professional quality. And despite being one of the newest manufacturers on the marketplace, Zortrax already has a devoted large user base.
The M200 is sturdy and made out of aluminum, giving it a solid structure. The 200 x 200 x 185 printing platform uses auto leveling to deliver accurate calibration and printing. This design makes it a good printer for individuals who want high quality prints without considerable setup.
The Zortrax M200 is an easy to use 3D printer that creates reliable and accurate prints without the need to use multiple control settings. It is also an excellent value, as it comes assembled with a full range of accessories.
The Z-Suite software is designed to prepare the virtual 3D model for printing. It is easy to use and works well. Models obtained online can be imported and converted into the Zortrax M200 format.The user interface is simple and is easy to use for beginners as well.
The ABS prints are high quality, detailed and clean. The plug and play design of the M200 is attractive and fits on most desks. Particularly nice is that you can download spare parts from the manufacturer’s website and print them out on the M200.
Zortrax Official Video
Highlights
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More than 20 colors and dual-color jetted mashables. Mix and match dual-color and dual-materials. Cube printing with recyclable ABS and compostable PLA plastic.
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Enjoy the freedom of mobile printing direct from the Cubify app for iOS and Android. Find new things to print in the curated brand collections or browse the Design Feed for inspiration to add to your shelf. Prep and print from your smartphone direct to Cube.
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Make time by saving time with quick set up, an intuitive color touchscreen UI for wireless and on the go printing that is 2X faster than other printers.
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Getting there is easy with insta-load cartridges, preloaded filament jets and an auto-leveling print pad for 70 micron high-resolution.
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Fun for everyone, certified-safe home printing invites children to explore their creativity at home, the library or the classroom. Cube is recommended for children 8+ and meets IEC Home Printer Certification (TUV).
Pros
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Priced at under $1,000
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Simple to use
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Software outlines step-by-step printing
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Connects to computers over Wi-Fi
Cons
8.9
Score
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Cartridges cost more than generic spools
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90-day warranty is short
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Software completely lacks more in-depth printing options
Cubify Cube 3D Printer
Review
by Robert Cue - May 5, 2015
Print what you use. Print what you wear. Print for your home. Print for those you love. Print for your life. Love what you make.
Liven things up with more than 20 colors and dual-color jetted mashables. Mix and match dual-color and dual-materials. Cube printing with recyclable ABS and compostable PLA plastic has never been so limitless.
Enjoy the freedom of mobile printing direct from the Cubify app for iOS and Android. Find new things to print in the curated brand collections or browse the Design Feed for inspiration to add to your shelf. Prep and print from your smartphone direct to Cube.
Make time by saving time with quick set up, an intuitive color touchscreen UI for wireless and on the go printing that is 2X faster than other printers.
Getting there is easy with instant-load cartridges. Instant material loading is now easier than changing an ink cartridge. The new non-clog technology and moisture-lock cartridges ensure extended shelf life and total material usage, improving print quality and sustainability. The printer detects material type automatically based on the cartridge, eliminating the need to change print settings. The cartridges are easy to load and store while preserving the life and quality of the materials. Preloaded filament jets and an auto-leveling print pad for 70 micron high-resolution ensure beautiful, effortless prints every time.
Fun for everyone, certified-safe home printing invites children to explore their creativity at home, the library or the classroom. Cube is recommended for children 8+ and meets IEC Home Printer Certification 60953 (TUV).
Color your prints with paintbrush simplicity. Now you can paint custom designs on your prints using the crease angle two color selection feature. This amazing software feature allows you to paint on custom details to enhance your design. Add a face, give it stripes, all with incredible ease. Then print it on your Cube in two colors.
Color your prints with paintbrush simplicity. Now you can paint custom designs on your prints using the crease angle two color selection feature. This amazing software feature allows you to paint on custom details to enhance your design. Add a face, give it stripes, all with incredible ease. Then print it on your Cube in two colors.
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