3D Printers
The Idea Shop offers five different types of 3D printers for users to choose from, with variations in material, price point, durability, printing speed, and overall finish. Use this guide to choose which printer will best suit your project.
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
uPrint Plus
- Main Article : uPrint Plus
The uPrint Plus developed by Stratasys, Ltd. is a (FDM) machine, is ideal for models of parts that need to mimic the strength and detail of plastic injection molding. The uPrint Plus extrudes layers of ABS thermoplastic about 0.010 inches thick that stack up to form a 3D model of the desired part. The Idea Shop carries over 10 different colors and varieties (including premium versions) of ABS filament to choose from.
- General Stats:
- Material : Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)
- Maximum Part Size : 203mm x 203mm x 152mm (8in x 8in x 6in)
- Layer Thickness : 0.254mm (.010in)
- Price: $0.10 - $0.35 per cubic cm for model material, $0.60 per cubic cm for soluble support material
Monoprice Mini Select v2
- Main Article : Monoprice Mini
The Monoprice Mini Select v2, developed by Monoprice, is a (FDM) 3D printer. We have two Monoprice Minis here in the shop. These printers are free for users! However, the use of these printers is not supported by Idea Shop staff - aka, you're on your own!
Students are responsible for all aspects of using the machine, as laid out on this page. Please make an effort to follow the suggested settings, and try to keep your prints as short as possible. The printer is only available for use during normal operating hours, as it presents a fire hazard, therefore all prints must be executed before the end of the day.
This printer is much more simple than others available in the lab, and may not be able to handle complex geometry. If complex geometry is needed, consider using a different printer in the lab.
- General Stats:
- Material : Polylactic Acid (PLA)
- Maximum Part Size : 120mm x 120mm x 120mm (4.7in x 4.7in x 4.7in)
- Layer Thickness : Customizable
- Resolution : 100 microns (0.1 mm)
- Price : Free!
Selective Adhesion
zPrinter 450
- Main Article: zPrinter 450
The zPrinter 450 developed by Z Corporation (acquired in 2012 by 3D Systems) is a fused deposition modeling (FDM) printer. The zPrinter 450 uses inkjet heads from HP to extrude a water based binder solution onto thin layers of a plaster based substrate. Each layer of plaster is 0.0035 inches – thinner than a standard sheet of 20lb printer paper. The addition of a tri-color HP cartridge allows for full range of color printing (including images) rather than the single-color printing of other machines in the shop.
- General Stats:
- Material : Plaster (CaSO4)
- Maximum Part Size : 203mm x 254mm x 203mm (8in x 10in x 8in)
- Layer Thickness : 89 microns (0.089mm)
- Price : $0.65 per cubic cm
Selective Laser Adhesion (SLA)
Form2
- Main Article : Form2
The Form 2 3D printer, developed by Formlabs, is a stereolithography (SLA) machine that creates parts using liquid plastic that is solidified layer by layer using UV light. This results in a resolution of approximately 25 microns per layer.
- General Stats:
- Price : Starts at $0.75/cm^3
- Maximum Part Size : 144mm x 144mm x 175mm (5.7in x 5.7in x 6.9in)
- Layer Thickness : 25, 50, or 100 microns (0.025, 0.05, or 0.1 mm)
- Price : $0.50 per cubic cm for standard resins, $0.65 per cubic cm for premium (flexible, elastic) resins
PolyJet
Objet Eden 260V
- Main Article : Objet Eden 260V
The Eden 260V developed by Stratasys is a rapid prototyping 3D printer. With a choice of 18 materials, the Objet Eden260V prints ultrafine 16 micron layers for exceptional detail, complex geometries and very thin walls.
- General Stats:
- Material : Liquid Photopolymer
- Maximum Part Size : 260mm x 260mm x 200mm (10in x 10in x 8in)
- Layer Thickness : 0.016mm (0.00063in)
