3D printing has been one of the key technological advancements in modern times. It’s paving its way into many industries, changing how models and objects are produced. If you have a company or school looking to get into 3D printers, you need the best professional 3D printer.
The distinction of a professional 3D printer is that it’s designed, keeping in mind the needs of businesses. Therefore, it’s much more efficient and capable than, say, a 3D printer for a hobbyist. Back in the day, these machines used to be huge, but now you can find desktop size professional 3D printers.
Comparison Of Best Professional 3d Printer For Businesses: In 2020.
| Image | Product Name | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
  | FlashForge Creator Pro 3D Printer |
| |
  | WEEDO Industrial Grade 3D Printer |
| |
  | Creality 3D CP-01 3-in-1 3D Printer |
| |
  | MakerBot Replicator+ 3D Printer |
| |
  | LulzBot Mini 2 Desktop 3D Printer |
|
Best Professional 3D Printer Reviews
The following best professional 3D printer reviews will cover the best products in different subcategories: whether you want one for printing architecture models or teaching students about this technology.
1.FlashForge Creator Pro 3D Printer – Best All-Rounder 3D Professional Printer.
FlashForge Creator Pro 3D Printer is a professional 3D printer that’s also super sturdy. Made from a metal frame, this model is a considerable improvement over the wooden frame found on the earlier model of Creator Pro. The plate is made of aviation-level aluminum, which prevents it from molding during the heating process.
This printer is compatible with a wide range of filaments, including PLA, PLA Color Change, Pearl, ABS, ABS Pro, PETG, TPU, etc. In addition, it works best with 1.75 mm PLA or ABS. The acrylic cover will provide insulation for the ABS materials you print.
The Z-axis movement is very precise, thanks to a new and improved heavy-duty guide rod, which is 10 mm. As a result, the objects you print turn out exactly as you want them. As is typical with 3d printers, there’s an LED light in the printing chamber, so you can see everything as it happens.
The controls on the printer feature easy to use buttons and an LCD. The Creator Pro comes with two spool holders, two spools of filament, two filament guide tubes, two platform stickers, and some other hardware. You can print either by connecting the printer to a computer via USB or using an SD card.
The build volume is about 5 liters, which is ample for a professional 3D printer. The nozzle diameter is 0.4 mm. Also, you get full technical support from FlashForge via email.
- 60% faster than its predecessor
- Consistent outcome
- Sturdy construction
- High-quality materials
- Full manufacturer warranty
- A bit expensive
- Works best with manufacturer software only
2.WEEDO Industrial Grade 3D Printer F152S.
The WEEDO F152S is a top professional 3D printer that prints accurate models at amazing speed. WEEDO has managed to cement its position in the 3D printer world with its cutting-edge technology. The Chinese company claims its printers go through a 48-hour print testing before leaving the factory.
This particular model has the latest WiiBuilder software version. However, you can also use this printer with Cura. The printer and the software can support multiple types of materials, including PLA, ABS, PC, PTU, PETG, and Nylon.
This is an enclosed printer and features four doors. In addition, it uses three-layer filtration, including a 0.08 mm air filter, to filter out very fine particles produced during the printing process. As a result, it’s not a health hazard for those around it. The 4.5-inch large color touchscreen makes it easy to understand and use, even for a beginner. This, combined with wire break detection, automatic leveling, and power resumption functions, makes it ideal for a professional setting. Also, this is one of the quietest 3d printers, thanks to the driver chip.
The printing precision is pretty impressive at 0.06 mm. The nozzle diameter of this WEEDO 3d printer is 0.4 mm. Similarly, the nozzle speed is 20 to 150 mm/s.
- Fast slicing
- Auto shutdown after printing
- User-friendly for beginners
- Model deformation detection
- One-year warranty and lifetime tech support
- Very heavy
3.Creality 3D CP-01 3-in-1 3D Printer – Best All-In-One 3D Printer.
The Creality 3D CP-01 brings you three functions in one device: 3D printing, CNC cutting, and engraving. It’s compatible with different filaments and provides a large molding size. Like most Creality 3D printers, this one also does not feature any cover or frame.
Made from quality aluminum extrusions, this 3D printer is as sturdy as it gets. Given its high-quality construction and the price, it would qualify as a cheap professional 3D printer. However, it’s FDM capability is comparable with other more affordable options on the market. The CP-01 printer offers the three functions with the same frame using three separate tool heads. You should be able to swap out a universal connector easily to switch from one function to another. The engraving module uses a laser rated 0.5W, which is pretty basic but still good enough for an all-in-one 3D printer.
While you can use even those filaments that require very high temperatures, the company recommends PLS, ABS, and TPU filaments for best results. Similarly, like a CNC machine, it can work with paper, plastic, wood, etc.
Like most 3D printers, this Creality printer also offers power failure protection. You can start where you left off an object when the power broke. You can control this machine easily through the LCD touchscreen. This is the best professional FDM 3D printer that would not break the bank.
- Very sturdy built
- Large-volume
- All-in-one 3d printer
- Easy assembly
- Good value for money
- No wireless connectivity
- Limited test filament
4.MakerBot Replicator+ 3D Printer – Best Professional 3D Printer for Teaching.
MakerBot is one of the pioneering brands of 3D printers in the world. The Replicator+ is already in its sixth generation and has won PC Mags Editor’s Choice Award. The printer also won TechCrunch Best 3D Classroom Printer and iF Design Award. Therefore, it’s safe to say that this is the best professional 3D printer for teaching.
The highlight of the Replicator+ is it’s fast and high-volume printing, combined with great software support. You also have access to millions of downloadable files for printing, so you do not necessarily have to design in 3D. The Smart Extruder+ can easily be swapped without any tools. Similarly, you can set up the printer in just 30 minutes. It features a three-inch LCD screen for controls and offers cloud-enabled connectivity. As a result, you can use it using the MakerBot app on your phone.
This product has been tested by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and is safe for use in classrooms and offices. The overall built of the printer is also quite sturdy. Moreover, you have helpful features like automatic jam detection and advanced auto-calibration. This printer uses the PLA filament from MakerBot, which is tougher than ordinary PLA filaments. As a result, it produces durable PLA prototypes. However, you should avoid using third-part filaments as the company recommends using their own filaments only.
- Print quality is good
- Easy to use
- Great software and mobile app
- Fast printing
- Tool-free maintenance
- No heated bed
- No third-party filaments
5.LulzBot Mini 2 Desktop 3D Printer – Best Small Professional 3D.
The LulzBot Mini 2 Desktop 3D Printer enjoys a great reputation in the world of 3D printing. If you need something smaller but still professional, this would be a good choice. The Mini 2 is similar to the first model in many ways, but it offers even better speed and flexible filament material compatibility.
You can use flexible filaments to produce exceptionally great objects, thanks in part to the tool head E3D Titan Aero. Also, the heated bed is made of high-quality borosilicate glass/PEI, capable of heating up to 248 degrees. This print bed is also reversible and slightly larger than what was on the previous models. The frame of this 3D printer is all anodized aluminum and is quite lightweight, as compared with other professional 3D printers. You can control the printer via the LCS screen or a LulzBot version of Cura software. Either way, it’s remarkably convenient to use without much of a learning curve.
The self-cleaning and self-leveling technology makes things even better. Moreover, the printing operation is quieter than many other comparable models. This is because of the improvements in the motors. You can use it in a shared workspace, too, without disturbing other people. The filament diameter for the Mini 2 is 3 mm, whereas the nozzle diameter is 0.5 mm. In addition to all these features, you also get reliable technical support based in the state of Colorado.
- Fast and high-quality prints
- Reversible heated bed
- Easy to operate
- Extremely lightweight
- Quiet printer
- Very expensive for a small 3D printer
Buyer’s Guide.
3D printers are not quite cheap, especially the professional ones. So when looking for the best professional 3D printer, you have to do your research and do it well. These machines can set you back anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars.
Here are some of the key things to consider:
Print/Business Needs.
First and foremost, you need to analyze your purpose for 3D printers. Different businesses and different industries have different applications of 3D printing. Some businesses use it to print tools. Similarly, others use it to print models or prototypes of their products.
Before you start browsing or going into a professional 3D printer price comparison, take a minute to analyze your needs. That should guide you in finding the right 3D printer for your specific purpose.
Type of 3D Printers.
3D printer technology can be divided into the following types:
FDM.
FDM or Fused Deposition Modeling printer is one of the most common types. It heats a filament through a tube, creating shapes and objects on the x, y, and z-axis. In terms of output, there’s still some work required
SLA.
SLA or Stereolithography printers employ a photo solidification technique. In other words, it uses a chemical reaction, where photons attach to SLA resin and solidify it. This type is the most precise and produces high-quality prints.
SLS.
SLS or Selective Laser Sintering uses lasers and powders to create 3D shapes and objects. Basically, the laser solidifies the powder based on the design. This type of 3D printer can handle complex designs pretty well. Therefore, it’s best applications are in industrial parts.
DLP.
DLP or Digital Light Processing is similar to SLA and the results are quite smooth, at least when compared with FDM.
Filament Compatibility.
Unless you’re buying a resin 3D printer, you need to take heed of the filament compatibility of the printer in question. Today, you can find many different filament materials, each offering its unique benefits.
Most filaments are plastic-based, but there are some that are wood-based. As a result, the behavior and output of these filaments can differ. You should look into what type of filaments the printer can work with.
PLA and ABS are the most common, and virtually all 3D printers are good with them. That said, you should consider what you’re printing and what filament would be best for it. For instance, PLA is best for indoor applications as it’s vulnerable to moisture and sun.
Software.
The software for 3D printing is often referred to as slicer, while the file type is most commonly a code. You want to make sure that your 3D printer is compatible with one of the most commonly used software like Cura or Slicer.
Some brands have their own proprietary software that you get with the printer. This could be challenging if you’re not familiar with the software. You should pay attention to the software support when buying a 3D printer.
FAQs.
How Much Is A 3d Professional Printer?
The price of 3D printers has come a long way. Just a few years back, these printers would cost thousands of dollars. However, now you can find cheaper models too. Nevertheless, if you want a professional 3D printer, you should be willing to increase your budget.
The price depends on a number of factors, including the size, the type, and the brand of the 3D printer. As a rough estimate, you should be ready to spend upwards of $500 if you want the best professional 3D printer.
How Long Does A Spool Of Filament Last?
The usage of filament entirely depends on your printer and what you’re printing. Some designs may eat up an entire spool in a day. If you’re printing very basic shapes, your spool might last a few dozen prints.
Filament spools are sold by kilograms, so the exact length of the filament is hard to determine. However, as a rough guide, one spool of quality filament could give you nearly 100 iPhone cases.
Do I Need The Training To Operate A Professional 3d Printer?
In most cases, you will need some instruction about 3D printing, in general, and how your particular model works. However, companies are moving towards more user-friendly designs. Moreover, you have very detailed user manuals that can help beginners set up and use a 3D printer.
If you’re buying an expensive 3D printer, you should perhaps have a professional or experienced person operate it. You can always contact the tech support of the brand to help answer your questions.
Conclusion.
3D printers are transforming many businesses and providing faster modeling and prototyping. The best professional 3D printer should ideally meet your business needs and provide reliable performance.
Since these machines are expensive and complex, you should lookout for a warranty. This will ensure that you get a replacement if anything goes wrong during the warranty period.
