Posted by
Craig Brideau on
URL: http://confocal-microscopy-list.275.s1.nabble.com/3d-printers-for-microsocpy-tp7585214p7585225.html
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I have access to a LulzBot which can print in PLA or ABS. Out of all the
low-cost extruder-based models it tends to give the least headaches. As
Alexander says, be careful what model of extruder you get with any of these
types of printers. The earlier designs tend to jam up easily and require a
lot of fiddling. We also have an UltiMaker but the extruder design on it is
not great and it requires quite a bit of babying to run.
The Stratasys printers work very well. I have access to a high-end Connex
500 that does amazing work. It is extremely expensive to purchase and run
though so it requires a big budget. You can get limited biocompatible
materials for it as well which can be attractive for situations where you
have direct contact between the parts and your sample.
Craig
On Tue, May 24, 2016 at 12:56 PM, Alexander Cramer <
[hidden email]> wrote:
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>
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> *****
>
> While we have 2 fifth generation MakerBot systems that perform reliably
> for us I
> will say in 2016 you can find equal or superior performing FDM printers
> for less
> money.
>
> You'll hear overpriced a lot when researching 3D printers and MakerBot
> comes up.
> That's even more accurate today then it was ~1.5 years ago when we
> purchased
> our just released fifth gen systems.
>
> They had momentum going for them back with the 2X due to a relatively
> stable
> quality product that allowed experimentation and combined it with a sleek
> build.
> The fifth gen however really fell flat relative to the progression of many
> it's
> competitors and even self built solutions. The price unfortunately remained
> inflated.
>
> If I were in the market for a comparable unit today I'd be looking towards
> the
> Ultimaker 2 or LulzBot.
>
> Here is a link that provides breakdowns of many quality printers available
> at the
> enthusiast to prosumer level:
https://www.3dhubs.com/best-3d-printer-guide>