3D printers at IGO3D

At IGO3D we are proud of our extensive and comprehensive 3D printer portfolio. We are always looking for new trends and innovations in additive manufacturing. Our experience as the first 3D printing online shop in Germany has taught us that our customers should have a lot of questions answered before buying their first 3D printer. For this reason, the Customer Support at IGO3D has a special relevance. Our customer consultants are in close contact with the technical support and regularly complete full working days directly at our 3D printers to understand the respective technologies. This is the only way we can guarantee a competent purchase advice by our Customer Support Team. Our motto is: We don´t just want to sell 3D printers but provide our customers the right solution for their individual requirements without exception. This applies to ambitious makers and beginners but especially to companies planning to implement 3D printing.

Desktop FDM 3D printers for a wide range of applications

In addition to printers from Bambu Lab, we also offer a selection of 3D printers from the Spanish manufacturer BCN3D featuring an Independent Dual Extruder (IDEX) system. These deliver increased productivity thanks to “Mirror and Duplication Mode.” The BCN3D Omega and BCN3D Epsilon 3D printers are becoming increasingly popular among professional users.
Manufacturers such as Creality3D and Anycubic from Shenzhen, China offer attractive solutions for home users and hobbyists in the entry-level and maker segments. With the Anycubic Kobra 2 and the Creality Ender 3, we offer a wide selection of popular, widely used, and affordable devices.

Another key part of our desktop FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication) portfolio is, of course, Prusa. The Original Prusa Core One has become an established choice for makers and open-source fans. The Czech manufacturer continues to impress with many innovative features and ideas.
Today, most 3D printers are available mainly as fully assembled versions. Especially in the entry-level segment, however, a kit or 3D printer kit can also be worthwhile. Printer kits vary in complexity and in the time required for assembly. We recommend reviewing the device manual in advance.

In addition, it is important to find out whether you prefer an open or closed filament/material system. 3D printers with an open filament system offer a broader selection and greater variety of usable plastics and materials. Closed systems can provide greater control and improved process reliability.

Resin 3D printers using SLA, MSLA, and DLP technology

High-temperature 3D printers for metal-replacement applications

Our product portfolio primarily focuses on desktop 3D printers. Alongside Ultimaker printers, which are currently considered the benchmark in FDM printing, we particularly recommend the Form 4 from the American manufacturer Formlabs for highly detailed prints. Our goal is to always present the right solutions for each of our customer groups.

In addition to our high quality standards, the ecosystem around the 3D printer also plays a crucial role. A reliable printer is only one component in the value chain. In our view, powerful software and compatible filaments with a broad material selection are indispensable parts of a complete solution.

Most desktop 3D printers use FDM technology. With an FDM 3D printer, a plastic filament is melted in the print head and the previously created model is printed layer by layer. The plastic hardens as it cools.
Our FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) 3D printer portfolio includes a wide range of brands. The Dutch premium manufacturer Ultimaker offers solutions for the most demanding day-to-day 3D printing requirements with the popular Ultimaker S3, the new Factor 4, and the Ultimaker S7.

Alongside the fused filament process (FDM), the SLA process (stereolithography) has become established as a suitable printing method for professional applications. With an SLA 3D printer, liquid resin is cured by a UV laser while the object is pulled out of the resin vat layer by layer. MSLA (masked stereolithography) is a more affordable variation of the process, using an LCD screen instead of a laser.

In the SLA segment, the popular printers from Formlabs (Form 4 / Form 4B) have become widely established.

In DLP (Digital Light Processing), a high-quality projector is used as the light source, making it the most precise method and delivering the best results. DLP printers, however, are also more expensive than comparable technologies.

Within fused filament fabrication (FDM), there is a special sub-segment for high-temperature filaments such as PEEK (polyether ether ketone), PEKK (polyether ketone ketone), as well as PEI (polyetherimide) and PPSU (polyphenylsulfone). These plastics require a heated build chamber (“heated chamber”) and, due to their high melting temperatures of up to 400°C, are not compatible with standard 3D printers.

These performance polymers can often replace metal applications and offer various advantages such as weight savings and flame-retardant certification to UL94 V-0. The materials used here are among the most advanced and represent the current state of research. PEEK and PEKK are comparable to metals in terms of mechanical performance, but weigh significantly less. In addition, additive manufacturing enables more complex geometries and small batch sizes.

Applications in this area are very specific. PPSU, for example, is ideal for medical laboratory environments due to its resistance to gamma radiation. Our IGO3D Business Solutions team is happy to help you implement these solutions at any time and supports you with specially trained application engineers.

In this professional segment, we offer two different models: the Intamsys Funmat HT Enhanced and the Intamsys Pro 410. For industrial series production—such as in the automotive industry as well as aerospace—we can provide the Minifactory Ultra, an extremely attractive printer for high-performance polymers.

Purchase price and ongoing costs of a 3D printer

If you are considering buying a 3D printer, keep in mind that your budget plays a decisive role. Think carefully about how much you are willing to invest in such a printer. Prices in this industry vary considerably, but there are many affordable models that can still deliver convincing results. Ongoing costs—for example for filaments or resins—should also be taken into account.

Costs for FDM printing

In the FDM segment, you can build a solid basic setup even on a modest budget. Ongoing costs for FDM printing are also manageable: in our shop, for example, you can purchase high-quality filaments from around €20 per kilogram.

For filaments with special properties (e.g., flexible, heat-resistant, or food-safe), you will need to invest a bit more. Nevertheless, a cost-efficient and high-quality basic setup—consisting of printer and material—is available from around €300–€500.

Costs for SLA, SLS, or DLP printing

Resin printers are now available at affordable prices as well. Entry-level models in our range start at around €2,200. As with FDM printing, however, there is essentially no upper price limit for DLP, SLA, or SLS printing.

When choosing a resin-based 3D printer, please note that you may also need additional equipment for post-processing in addition to the printer itself.

Compared to filament printing, resin printing involves higher ongoing costs. One liter of printing material starts at around €30. With SLA printing, resins often cannot be replaced with materials from other manufacturers, which can mean being tied to a specific supplier. With DLP printing, this is generally not an issue.

General information to consider before buying a 3D printer

Is it important to you that your printer prints particularly fast, operates very quietly, or do you want to be able to print large models?

Aside from the intended use of the printed models, 3D printers also differ in other key characteristics:

Connectivity

To print a model, you not only need the 3D printer itself, but also a computer or laptop with a USB port and/or Wi-Fi, or an SD card to transfer the desired model to the printer.

3D printer kit or fully assembled

3D printer kit

A 3D printer kit is usually cheaper than a pre-assembled device, which is why many customers choose this option. Assembly can be challenging, but it also gives you the opportunity to become more familiar with the printer and its spare parts.

Fully assembled 3D printer

With a fully assembled device, you don’t have to worry about correct assembly. Simply set up the printer and start printing right away. For beginners who want to play it safe, we recommend buying a fully assembled device. It is more expensive, but you can’t go wrong and you can gradually get familiar with the printer and its parts.

3D printer printing speed

Printing speed is often seen as an important comparison value when buying a 3D printer. However, it often does not make sense to treat printing speed as the main criterion. The printing speed of an FDM printer depends not only on the device itself, but also on nozzle temperature, the material used, filament diameter, layer height, and the number of required support structures. Other general factors, such as object orientation and the amount of material, also affect speed. In resin printing, speed depends on the printer’s light output and the material properties.

Print size / build volume

Print size is a key comparison factor for 3D printers, as it determines the maximum size of the printed model. Build volume is calculated in XYZ: X = width, Y = depth, Z = height.

Extruder

The extruder of a 3D printer is the print head that contains the nozzle through which filament is extruded. A direct-drive extruder, where the filament is pushed directly into the nozzle, is suitable not only for standard filament but also for special filament types. A Bowden extruder, which is mounted on the printer frame, offers advantages such as less weight on the print head, but is generally better suited to standard filament types like PLA.

Dual extruder

3D printers with two extruders allow the use of different colors or materials within a single print. This offers the advantage of combining different materials—including a separately dissolvable material for support structures—in one print job.

Layer height

Layer height depends on the 3D printer used and the software. A smaller layer height results in a finer, smoother surface on the 3D print.

Heated bed

A heated bed is a heated build plate that helps prevent warping and unwanted curling. While certain materials such as ABS or PETG require a heated bed, it is not strictly necessary for printing PLA. A heated bed is therefore a useful feature.