Printrbot Simple 2014 3D Printer Review

Stats:

Weight: 5.44 kg (12 pounds)

Build Volume: 10x10x10 cm (4x4x4 in)

Closed system: No

Print Head: Single Nozzle

Print Material: PLA

Printing Mode: 175 microns

Tech: Fused Filament Fabrication

Information:

The Printrbot Simple 2014 3D printer is a 3D printer that is able to print nearly all small designs. Due to the simplicity of the set, the 3D printer is shipped in parts. However, its efficient design (about the size of a shoe box) allows for an easy setup, after which it can be directly attached to your PC or Mac for printing.

Once assembled, printing is relatively flawless: again, due to its small size, it is slower and unable to print large objects, but the actual quality of the object printed is very high. This is due to its extremely precise aluminum stepper motor, which is able to bend the PLA filament very accurately. Its automatic leveling system allows for easy calibration. The only potential issue is that it is not a closed system: temperature differences may increase the warping of your printed object, but this be easily taken care of by preventing drafts or temperature swings.

The actual software that supports the printer is G-code, which is standard for all PrintrBot's printers: always handy in case you nee an upgrade. Since the Printrbot is ordered as a self-assembly, there are always parts that are available for reuse and reordering. 

Overall, this is a great 3D printer for beginners, as the main challenge is putting it together.

Pros

• Very compact unit
• Extremely affordable (one of the cheapest 3D printers ever made)
• Largely standardized software for ease of use
• Extremely accurate printing
• Somewhat simple setup (assembly takes a about a day)
• Reusable parts

Cons

• Slower than industrial printers
• Low volume
• Requires assembly (~6h)

What others are saying:

"Holy moly I love this thing. I'm brand-spanking new to 3D printing, and this is a great machine for my first go around." 

-B. Anderson

"It's not the fanciest machine out there, but it's a great kit to start out with, especially if you don't want to get in over your head with 3D printing. It's a solid bot and I'm looking forward to upgrading it in the future. " 

-Roi Bautista

"Pretty small print area , which isn't too much of a problem if your creative. Other than that great printer. Love it!"
-Cranes

Check it out here!

XYZprinting Da Vinci 1.0 3D Printer Review

Stats:

Weight: 55.1 kg (121.475 pounds)

Build Volume: 20x20x20 cm (7.8x7.8x7.8 in)

Closed system: Yes

Print Head: Single Nozzle

Print Material: ABS (PLA support coming soon)

Printing Modes: 100 - 400 microns

Tech: Fused Filament Fabrication

Information:

The most affordable 3D printer of its class, the Da Vinci features an auto-install, plug and play method that allows you to start printing right after you take it out of the box. The filament spool is somewhat difficult to install owing to a closed system, which otherwise makes the machine relatively quiet and smooth when in operation. 

When setting up the printer, the software is designed for the printer alone, meaning you have to import your own CAD designs from other programs. This means you will be unable to simply doodle a image on your computer and then have it print, which should not be a major problem.

The only major issue with the Da Vinci seems to be its parts shifting around during shipping: numerous users reported loose parts and misaligned printer heads which interfere with a proper operation until they are fixed. However, the printer will often throw out an error code that exactly identifies the problem, and XYZprinting's superb customer service (often replying to questions within an hour) will help you get rid of those small hiccups. 

When printing, however, the Da Vinci is slow and steady: able to print perfect designs, perfect for a one-off model or multiple parts. Its auto-updating software and low maintenance requirement make it perfect for hobbyists who only need a few mockups instead of heavy printing.

Pros

• Fully enclosed unit
• Protection from warping due to temperature differences
• Lowest price in its class
• Stand-alone software/hardware
• Large printing volume
• Extremely popular printer: many forums/networks that use and discuss it
• Able to "hack" cartridges for more customized printing

Cons

• Slower than industrial printers
• Parts shift during shipping
• Simple software has few features

What others are saying:

"I needed to print a number of prototypes I already designed using Sketchup and needed a printer I could get productive on quickly. My Da Vinci arrived and was printing perfect prototypes in 30 minutes from unboxing. Two weeks later I'm on my fifth cartridge of filament and it still works perfectly, zero issues." 

-Marc Daniels

"Took me about 2 hours to properly calibrate it (ended up manually doing the adjustments) and got the first demo out flawlessly." 

-David Witherbee

Looking for an affordable, easy-to-use 3D printer? Check it out here!

What is 3D Printing?

Put simply, 3D Printers are machines that are capable of turning virtual information or data in order to create a 3D object.

3D printers are able to utilize various materials, most being resins and metals, to create the final product. Through the simplicity of using a CAD (Computer Assisted Design) program, a user can easily and effectively create customized products for usage in both personal and industrial applications.

The future of 3D printing seems bright: technological advances has lowered the cost of a 3D printer from tens of thousands of dollars a few years ago to only a few hundred. On top of this, more 3D printers are becoming available for consumer usage, allowing us to print out custom designs from the comfort of our own homes.