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Often referred to as the technology of the future, 3D printing is already changing the way we think about manufacturing and innovation today. A few decades ago, the idea that anyone could create objects at home using a printer seemed like science fiction. However, thanks to the rapid development of this industry, we are entering a new era where the production of three-dimensional objects from digital models becomes affordable and something simple.

The basis of 3D printing is the layer-by-layer creation of an object. This means that the printer gradually “stacks” layers of material on top of each other until it creates a finished 3D product. Thanks to this process, it is possible to manufacture complex parts that would previously require a lot of time and effort on traditional production lines.
Moreover, 3D printing allows for individualization of production, because each object can be unique and customized according to the needs of the user.

Today, 3D printers have become more accessible to the general public. Technologies have developed so much that there are printers on the market for various needs – from simple home models to complex industrial devices.
With their help, you can print everything – from small figurines and toys to large engineering structures and house models. Thanks to this, both individuals and companies can use 3D printing to realize the most daring creative and technical ideas.

One of the most common technologies in this field is FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) printing, which works on the principle of layer-by-layer deposition of material. This method has become extremely popular due to its availability and ease of use. It allows you to make objects from plastic, which is heated and applied layer by layer on a printed platform, forming a three-dimensional product.
Among other methods, such as SLA (stereolithography) or SLS (selective laser sintering), FDM is particularly attractive for its cost-effectiveness and efficiency for home and small-scale production.

3D printing technology opens up huge opportunities for various fields. In medicine, for example, 3D printers are already being used to create prostheses, implants, and even organs.
In construction and architecture, 3D printing allows you to quickly create models of buildings or individual components for construction. In art and design, technology has become indispensable for creating unique interior items, fashion accessories and sculptures. Also, the space industry is considering the possibility of using 3D printers to manufacture parts right on site, which can significantly reduce transportation costs.

Thus, 3D printing is gradually turning from an innovative idea into an everyday reality. Thanks to its rapid development and accessibility, we can observe how the technologies of the future are already changing our lives today, providing new opportunities for creativity, production and innovation.

Dima Plevako (Senior FED SFC) shares his own impressions and experience of using 3D printers in practice:

“The desire to try what it is, that 3D printer, has been there for a long time, since the appearance of such devices on sale. But it was a pity to spend money on this “toy”, because buying something just to play with it is such a pleasure, and none of my acquaintances had such a device. And even at the time of its appearance, the 3D printer cost a significant amount of money.

Only 2-3 years ago, manufacturers of 3D printers began to expand their lines and add “budget models” in order to expand the field of potential users. Lowering the cost of the printer itself was the first step to getting into the hobby.”
“By the way, about printers. There is a huge amount of material on 3D printing on the Internet and on YouTube. Printer reviews, tests, calibration and adjustment, repair and maintenance from both Ukrainian experts and foreign bloggers.

In mid-2023, when I became interested in 3D printing, the new 3D printer market was the Creality Ende 3 V3 SE. This was a new budget model from a Chinese manufacturer, costing about $250 (during the autumn sales “Black Friday” etc., they were sold for $199, which made these printers the most budget model + the easiest for beginners).
As of the beginning of 2024, this is one of the most common printers in Ukraine, which significantly outperforms more expensive competitors in terms of price-quality. I have 2 such printers working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for almost more than 9 months.”

“But I want to point out that by choosing a cheaper printer, we save money, but we usually sacrifice printing speed. And in order to achieve from it the printing of a part of sufficient quality in an adequate period of time, it is necessary to spend a lot of your time on experiments, to understand the settings when preparing parts for printing, which parameters are responsible for what, where you can increase the speed, where you can neglect the quality, and at the same time, the part must meet the standards.”

“More expensive printers (from Bambu Lab, for example) have greater capabilities thanks to their more expensive components (powerful heater, more powerful extruder, i.e. filament feed drive, User-Friendly interface, etc.)
All this allows you to “overclock” the printer without a drop in print quality, but overclocking still requires experience in preparing models for printing. But out of the box it is much easier for a beginner to understand than a budget model.”

“By the middle of 2024, the Bambu Lab company will release the Bambu Lab A1 mini model. This is a budget model in the company’s line (it’s mid-summer and the sale is going on, the printer can be bought for 200 euros in the European store + shipping = 235 euros). It will be an excellent choice for both the novice and the experienced printer.
This is a fast, relatively quiet, high-quality and reliable printer, the only downside is that the printing area is not large (180×180 mm), but this area is sufficient for up to 90% of all tasks. The minimum size of the printer is a plus.”

“Whatever model you choose, the main thing is to remember that the quality of the printed products will depend only on you, you don’t need to chase the speed, twist the acceleration to the maximum, neglecting the quality of the part. The main mistake of a beginner is to make as many details as possible in a short time. Until you have experience, you cannot evaluate the quality of printed products and it is better to print parts in small batches, consulting with experienced printers in chats.
They will recommend the optimal printing parameters for obtaining a high-quality part, and after printing the first high-quality batch, you can already try to improve the printing parameters in your specific case (your printer, your plastic), achieving the same quality and improving the printing speed. In the future, you will already understand where and what can be “tweaked” in order to win in the printing speed of each new model.”

“If you are interested in this hobby, you can try to learn a program for 3D modeling (there are a huge number of educational materials for beginners on the YouTube platform, where you can understand the basics of modeling). You can model anything for yourself for your household needs, starting from a broken handle or a sofa leg, ending with housings for various electronics, decor, and organizing your own mini business with original toys or figurines. Anything can be realized with the help of 3D modeling and implementation on a printer.”

Valentyn Ponomarenko (TA, SFCS) also has some advice on 3D printer models:

“The Creality Ender 3V3 SE printer was a massive entry-level printer under $200 – a good printer to learn and understand the basics of 3D printing. Its main drawback, in my opinion, was constant difficulty with setup and calibration, but this is quite acceptable if you have the desire and a lot of free time. Then I became interested in other printers and discovered Bambu Lab printers, and it turned out to be like the Mercedes of the 3D printing world.”

“Yes, they cost money, but after Ender you understand what you are paying for – everything is as automated as possible from table calibration to flow speed, plus higher print speed, higher accelerations and as a result shorter printing time and, accordingly, a larger number of products at the output.”

“I currently have 2 printers: Bambu Lab P1S, this printer will give you professional-level quality, it can print with most types of plastic, it has a closed chamber that allows you to work with conditionally toxic plastics, everything is as automated as possible, the main drawback is the price. When I bought it, the price was 1100 euros in Ukraine, while in Europe the price was 700 euros.”

“But now the prices have fallen and in Europe it is 600 euros, in Ukraine I saw the price from 750.”

“The second printer I would recommend for beginners is the Bambu Lab A1 Mini – for €199 this little guy can do it all.
For its money, it has the functionality of more expensive printers and produces very good print quality – if you want to print and not bother – this printer is for you.
The disadvantage is that the size of the print area is small compared to other printers, if the P1S has a working area of ​​256x256x256 millimeters, the A1 Mini is only 180x180x180.
In summary, a 3D printer is a pretty good helper if you like to make something – come up with a model, draw, print and go!”

3D printing has come a long way from initial experiments to a revolutionary technology that has changed many areas of manufacturing, medicine, architecture, and even the environment. Thanks to the continuous improvement of printers, the reduction of their cost and the expansion of the range of materials for printing, 3D printing has become available to the masses.
Technology not only makes production more efficient and personalized, but also promotes environmentally friendly solutions such as plastic recycling. 3D printing opens up new opportunities to create innovative products, changing our future today.

#Speroteck Dream Team