3D printers see upswing in popularity

by Carlo Padilla (Content Writer)

Personal 3D printers serve as a platform for a growing number of enthusiasts to bring their creative ideas from the abstract into real, three-dimensional form. This technology is considered one of the most advanced forms of digital art and has been welcomed by many artists, as it provides a digital way to create complex but precise 3D models, which can be done freeform using CAD.

Recent data from Business Wire shows that the global 3D printing market, having reached a value of $13.2 billion in 2020, is expected to maintain a robust growth for the next five years. Arts aside, however, what exactly are consumers making with 3D printers that makes them increasingly popular?

Toys & action figures

Pop culture has introduced countless beloved characters for worldwide consumers to admire. Characters in comic books, graphic novels, movies and video games make for the most sought-after plastic models and action figures. And because CAD allows freeform designing, creating customized 3D models of these characters is at the fingertips of someone with a working knowledge of modeling software such as Blender, Cura, Simply 3D and AutoCAD. Of course, consumers can also simply create figures of their favorite animals or things to put on display if following pop culture characters isn't a hobby.

Automotive parts

There are several videos online demonstrating the printing of small plastic car parts. Popular YouTube channel B is for Build recently showed how they were able to make a customized vent for a Lamborghini Huracan using a Creality 3D printer. However, this process takes time, creativity and knowledge of both 3D modeling and car components, making this use a niche market.

Furthermore, the filament types - or the materials used to print - available for home use, such as ABS, PLA and PETG, are only suitable for printing minor parts that are not exposed to the extreme heat of a car engine and environment. Nevertheless, it's a cool and innovative use for a 3D printer at home.

Just about anything

Any everyday object found anywhere - as long as it's made of plastic - can be created using a 3D printer. All3DP, a 3D printing magazine, recently shared a list of useful objects created by 3D printing enthusiasts on the internet. The list includes a smartphone tripod, cable organizer and door lock hook. Since CAD software allows users to design objects with complex geometry, a 3D printer is the perfect tool to create custom plastic parts for just about anything.

How does it work?

Akin to how a construction 3D printer builds structures using soft concrete, a home 3D printer uses thermoplastic filaments as the raw material that it extrudes layer by layer to form an object. Sold in spools with different weights and thicknesses, the filaments are melted by the 3D printer and forced through a nozzle that is moved around by computer software to achieve the desired shape. Choosing the right filament depends on a variety of factors, with the principal one being the final application of the object printed.

Sourcing 3D printers today

In Global Sources, a wide selection of 3D printers compatible with Windows, iOS and other operating systems is offered by certified suppliers. We've outlined some of our top picks here.

Touch-controlled

Shenzhen Yidashun Technology Co. Ltd's T32-0227 is a 100 to 240VAC 3D printer with a manually leveled print bed. It can print objects up to 300x200x200mm in size using PLA, ABS, PETG and TPU filaments. It has a touch control panel.

This 3D printer is compatible with Windows, MacOS and Linux and STL, OBJ, JPG and PNG files.

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±0.1mm precision

The Ender-5 is a 3D printer manufactured by Shenzhen Creality 3D Technology Co. Ltd. It has ±0.1mm precision and can use PLA, TPU, copper and wood filaments with a diameter of 1.75mm. Cura, Repetier-Host and Simplify3D software are all supported.

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Prints letters

The LQAD1 from Shanghai UPG International Trading Co. Ltd is a 3D letter printer with a 0.6mm nozzle that has 260 C maximum temperature setting and a heat bed that can reach up to 100 C. Its printing speed is 10 to 80mm/s. Maximum printing size is 600x600x70mm, with a layer thickness of 0.2 to 0.4mm. Printing accuracy is ±0.5mm.

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Low noise

With an auto-leveling heat bed, Shenzhen TronHoo Intelligent Technology Co. Ltd's Desktop 3D Printer-0177 prints at maximum 150mm/s and can build objects of up to 220x220x250mm in size with 0.1mm accuracy. Its 0.4mm nozzle has 200mm/s maximum traveling speed, 0.5, 0.5 and 0.1mm precision in the X, Y and Z axes and 260 C maximum temperature. Supported filaments are PLA, ABS, TPU and flexible materials.

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Works online & offline

The CR-3040 from Guangdong Shenjiang Intelligent Technology Co. Ltd is a 3D printer with a nozzle that moves at 100mm/s, and has a standard diameter of 0.4mm and optional diameters of 0.2 and 0.3mm. It can print up to 300x300x400mm objects using 1.75mm PLA, TPU, wood, carbon fiber and copper filaments in gradient colors. Layer thickness is 0.05 to 0.4mm and accuracy is ±0.1mm.

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Auto-leveling print bed

Shenzhen Yidashun Technology Co. Ltd's T22 Max Pro 3D Printers can print objects up to 300x300x250mm in size in an auto-leveling print bed using PLA, ABS, PETG and TPU filaments. It runs on Windows, Mac and Linux and has a touch control panel.

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