Interesting thoughts here, I'd like to add my 2 cents.
After months of research comparing everything from low cost hobby 3D Printers to high end Production 3D Printers, I decided to purchase a Stratasys Production grade 3D Printer for several reasons.
- Stratasys has been making FDM 3D Printers far longer than anyone else and they are much better at it. The quality of the machines and the parts they make speak for themselves.
- Hobby 3D Printers are just that, "hobby" 3D Printers. If you want to 3D Print figurines of Yoda, the Eiffel Tower or Starwars vehicles that's one thing. If you want to 3D Print professional quality parts for end use production, sales presentations or trade show displays that's a completely different thing. It's a matter of what you need to do with a 3D Printer. Don't fool yourself that a hobby 3D Printer is going to give you Production 3D Printer quality, it won't. I spoke to a salesman who sells CubeX machines and he was honest enough to tell me that even though the CubeX is a good 3D Printer it can't match the quality of a Production 3D Printer and he would never recommend someone purchase it with the intention of selling the 3D Printed parts to outside customers.
- Open hobby 3D Printers are a health hazard. There have been several articles written about open sided hobby 3D Printers emitting nano size particles of plastic into the environment during use which get into your lungs even if you wear a dust mask. I for one am not interested in breathing pla, abs or any other plastic. You have to ask yourself "do I really want my wife and kids breathing this stuff if I bring a hobby 3D Printer into my house?".
- Open hobby 3D Printers also find it more difficult to print ABS because a change in temperature from a draft can affect the build quality of the part. Stratasys machines are enclosed with temperature controlled chambers, hence better build quality. I've read several hobby 3D Printing blogs and many users constantly complain about the difficulties in making good parts. I have never had a problem 3D Printing a part in my Stratasys machine.
- Stratasys software is more sophisticated and builds can be customized as needed.
- If you want to 3D Print complex models then you'll need a 3D Printer that has support material. As an example, try to 3D Print something like an Xbox enclosure on a hobby machine without support material. You'll understand what I'm talking about.
- I am not aware of any professional 3D Printing Service Bureau who uses a hobby 3D Printer in their facility.
I see that Hobby 3D Printers have become very popular due to the price point of obtaining one, but I have a feeling that we're going to see a lot of these hobby 3D Printers being sold as used 3D Printers when owners realize their limitations. If you need good quality parts for more professional purposes but can't afford to purchase a professional Production 3D Printer I think you're far better off using a service bureau to 3D Print models for you than purchasing a hobby 3D Printer. Just my opinion.
Have a terrific day!
Robert
3D Accuracy
3D ACCURACY