3D Printing

Selecting a Printer

Selecting a printer for 3D printing a combat robot can be a big decision, and here are some factors to think about when purchasing your printer.

Budget

Desktop 3D Printers can range from as low as $150 to over $10,000 depending on their hardware, capabilities, build volume, and other factors.

Budget-friendly/Hobbiest 3D printers: Range from $150 - $800, normally limited in materials and build volume. These include machines like the Creality Ender 3 Pro, and others, and will normally have a maximum nozzle temperature of 245-250 Celsius. These machines are meant for printing PLA, PETG, and ABS, and usually with varying degrees of modification can print advanced materials like Nylon and TPU.

Advanced Materials printers: Range from $800 - $3,000, and are capable of printing materials like PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, Nylon, Nylon Composites, and PolyCarbonate blends with minimal or no aftermarket modification. Maximum nozzle temperature around 295 Celsius.

Engineering Grade printers: Range from $3,000 - $10,000+, with few materials outside of their capabilities. These printers are often able to print not only advanced materials but also multiple materials using a "Dual Extrusion" allowing for even greater complexity. Dual extrusion can allow for a multi-color part (Black PLA/White PLA), multi-material finished product (PLA/PETG), or soluble-support material like PVA/BCOH.

Printable Filaments and Materials

The materials that a FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) 3D printer can extrude are limited by their maximum temperature and their ability to melt and maintain a consistent flow of material through the nozzle. These materials include thermoplastics, waxes, and in some specialized circumstances, ceramics, glass, concrete, and even chocolate!

To keep this as brief and relevant to combat robotics, a majority of prints are going to be made from plastics and plastic composites on an FDM printer. These are most often done on a Cartesian-style or Delta-style printer in which a part is made by layering plastic onto itself via the controlled of a nozzle and bed (Cartesian) or nozzle (Delta) as they move in three-dimensional space. "Resin" printers are becoming more common in larger sizes at budget-friendly prices, and more options for resins are available to purchase on a regular basis.

Recommended materials:

Best Practices

3D Printed Class (Plastic Ants) Description - Link to dedicated Page

3D Printed Library Description to dedicated page