Which 3D printer should I get for making e-NABLE devices?

Which 3D printer should I get for making e-NABLE devices?

Choosing the right 3D printer can be a difficult process. There are many options available, and a lot of it depends on your budget and preferences. Most 3D printers are capable of printing e-NABLE devices. I would recommend steering clear of “mini” style 3D printers with very small print beds. You’ll probably want something with a build volume of at least 8 x 6 x 6 inches (X / Y / Z). The exact size needed will depend on which designs you wish to produce and what size you need to make the devices (a device made for an adult will have significantly larger parts than one made for a small child). Also, arm devices have larger parts than hand devices, but some of those arm designs have options for printing the larger parts in several pieces and then assembling them after they’re printed.


A heated bed is recommended, as this lets you print lots of different materials, with different physical properties. Without a heated bed, you’re pretty much limited to printing PLA, which is fine in some cases, but it’s not ideal for certain environments that would benefit from having increased strength or temperature resistance.


e-NABLE's partner, 3D Universe, offers a selection of 3D printers, with the Bambu Lab models being the most popular currently. But there are many options on the market to choose from. If you do end up deciding to purchase one of the printers offered by 3D Universe, a portion of your purchase goes towards supporting the e-NABLE community. Email info@3duniverse.org for more information.


For other options, you may want to review the latest recommendations from All3DP, found here: https://all3dp.com/1/best-3d-printer-reviews-top-3d-printers-home-3-d-printer-3d/

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You may also want to post a message in e-NABLE’s community forum to get opinions from other volunteers.



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