How much does an industrial 3D printer cost? This is a question that we hear a lot. We have put together a helpful blog post that will give you an idea of the cost of an industrial 3D printer.
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Types of 3D Printers
Industrial 3D printers come in all shapes and sizes to fit the needs of any business. From small tabletop models to large-scale machines, there is a 3D printer out there to suit every budget. But with such a wide range of prices, how do you know which one is right for you?
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
FDM is the technology used in most desktop 3D printers. It works by heating filament and extruding it layer by layer to build up an object. Filament material options for FDM are ABS, PLA, nylon, polycarbonate, and others.
Advantages:
-Inexpensive
-Reliable
-Easy to use
Disadvantages:
-Slow
-Low resolution
-Limited material options
Stereolithography (SLA)
Stereolithography, or SLA, is an industrial 3D printing technology that has been in use since the late 1980s. SLA uses a focused laser beam to cure photosensitive liquid resins into solid objects. It is considered one of the original 3D printing technologies and is still in widespread use today.
SLA is well-suited for applications that require high accuracy and/or fine detail, such as medical implants or jewelry. SLA 3D printers are also typically faster and less expensive than other additive manufacturing technologies that produce comparable results, such as multijet printing (MJP) or selective laser sintering (SLS).
The main disadvantages of stereolithography are the relatively high cost of the printer (up to $500,000) and the need for specialized resins that can be costly (up to $500 per liter).
Digital Light Processing (DLP)
Digital Light Processing, or DLP, is a type of 3D printing technology that uses a digital projector to cure photo-reactive resins into solid three-dimensional objects. DLP systems are similar in many ways to stereolithography (SLA) systems, but with one key difference: instead of using a laser beam to draw the image of each layer, DLP systems project the entire layer at once. This makes DLP technology much faster than SLA, with print speeds that can be orders of magnitude faster.
DLP systems are also generally less expensive than SLA systems, making them a good option for budget-conscious buyers. However, DLP technology has some drawbacks compared to other 3D printing technologies. One major drawback is that DLP systems typically have lower resolution than SLA or other technologies, making them less well suited for applications that require fine detail. Additionally, DLP resins can be more expensive than other types of 3D printer materials.
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is a type of additive manufacturing technology used to create prototypes and manufactured parts from powder materials. The main difference between SLS and other additive manufacturing technologies is that it uses a laser to fuse the material into a solid object.
SLS 3D printers are generally more expensive than other types of 3D printers, but they offer a number of advantages, including the ability to create parts from a wide variety of materials.
The Cost of an Industrial 3D Printer
An industrial 3D printer can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $500,000. The price range is so large because there are many factors that affect the cost of an industrial 3D printer. The size of the printer, the type of materials it can print with, and the speed at which it can print are all important factors to consider.
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
Fused deposition modeling is the most popular method of 3D printing, accounting for 79% of the market in 2016. FDM works by extruding molten plastic filament through a nozzle, layer by layer, to build up an object. FDM printers are available in both desktop and industrial models, with the latter generally being much more expensive.
Desktop FDM Printers:
-The MakerBot Replicator+ starts at $2,899
-The Ultimaker 3 starts at $3,495
-The Lulzbot TAZ 6 starts at $2,195
Industrial FDM Printers:
-The Stratasys Fortus 380mc starts at $30,000
-The Markforged Mark Two starts at $13,499
-The 3D Systems ProX DMP 320 starts at $120,000
Stereolithography (SLA)
Stereolithography, or SLA, is an industrial 3D printing technology that uses a laser to cure photopolymer resin layer by layer. SLA is the original 3D printing technology and was invented in the 1980s.
SLA printers are more expensive than other types of 3D printers, with a typical cost of $10,000 to $100,000. However, they are also capable of creating much higher-quality prints with finer detail and greater accuracy. For these reasons, SLA is often used for prototyping and creating models for end-use applications.
Digital Light Processing (DLP)
Digital Light Processing (DLP) is a type of 3D printing that uses a light source and photosensitive material to create an object. DLP printers are typically more expensive than other types of 3D printers, but they can produce high-quality prints at a faster rate.
The cost of an industrial DLP 3D printer can range from $10,000 to $100,000. The price will depend on the size and features of the printer.
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
Selective Laser Sintering, or SLS, is an industrial 3D printing technology that uses a laser to fuse powdered materials into a solid object. It is one of the most popular additive manufacturing technologies for producing prototypes and low-volume production parts.
SLS printers are generally more expensive than other types of 3D printers, but the price vary depending on the specific model and features. The cost of an SLS printer can range from a few thousand dollars to over $1 million.