Article #1 of 3: The 3D Printer
We've received many questions in regards to our 3D Thursday posts, everything from what kind of printer we use to where we come up with the ideas, concepts and designs. We've also had several questions about what types and brands of filament we use, and for what applications do we use each one. These are questions that we typically don't go into in our 3D Thursday posts since those are geared more towards the design and print itself, something we started on our Instagram and Facebook page when we started full-time RVing as something a little unique in the RV community.
So let's just jump right in and start with the 3D printers we have, since without them the other stuff doesn't really matter. We have two 3D printers, one that stays at our house and one that is permanently mounted to the desk in our RV garage. The 3D printer at the house was our first 3D printer and it is a Creality CR-10 Mini. It's a great little printer and has a print size capability of 300mmx220mmx300mm (~12"x9"x12") which is ideal for most 3d prints that any beginner would start out printing.
For our motorhome we needed a 3D printer that was all one single unit, unlike the CR10 Mini that has a separate controller box. This configuration wasn't ideal for a motorhome that was going to roll down the road on a regular basis. It would have been very challenging to mount the two separate components, it would have required more space (and space is a premium in any RV!). Also, after designing and printing many 3D models we started to run into limitations with print size. So we set out looking for the ideal printer for full-time RVing. We had been very impressed with the Creality printer, so we wanted to stay with that brand if they had a printer that could check our requirements boxes. After much research we moved forward with the Creality CR-10S Pro. This printer ultimately met all of our requirements. It is a single unit with the controller and display embedded in the printer chassis and also had some additional functionality that we wanted in a new printer that wasn't included with a more entry level 3D printer like the CR10 Mini. The CR-10S Pro had a few key features that are very beneficial, and even required in some cases, as your 3D printing skills progress. Below is a list of the key features and I'll go into more detail on those features in another post.
Build volume of 300x300x400mm (~12"x12"x15.75")
BL Touch Automatic Bed Leveling
Dual Gear Extruder
Meanwell 24v Power Supply
Aluminum Build Plate
Filament Runout Sensor
Capricorn PTFE Tube
There are many options and upgrades available for 3D printers, but one of the most useful
ones is an all-metal hot end. Using an all-metal hot end, most popular being the Micro Swiss All-Metal Hot End Kit, allows printing of more exotic, high temperature materials such as nylon, carbon fiber, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyethylene terephthalate (PetG), and polycarbonate, to name a few. All of these materials require a nozzle temperature in excess of 235 degrees Celsius, the limit for a stock hot end and PTFE tube.
There are countless other 3D printers on the market, with numerous brands to choose from. We did a great deal of research and determined that Creality was the brand that best fit our needs, quality, support, user community, and budget. That said, they already have a new model that has definitely got my attention, the Creality CR-10S 500. It has all of the same great features as the CR-10S Pro, but has a print volume of 500x500x500mm (~19.5"x19.5"x19.5"), which is HUGE for hobbyist 3D printers! But unfortunately it isn't all one unit like the CR-10S Pro, so we won't be replacing our current printer any time soon.
In the next post we'll go into filaments. The different types, brands, sizes, and what the best applications are for each type.
To get your Creality CR-10 Mini, click here: https://amzn.to/2wImdwC
To get your Creality CR-10S Pro, click here: https://amzn.to/2vM0owc
To get your Creality CR-10S 500, click here: https://amzn.to/2IxY0vI
To get your MicroSwiss All-Metal Hot End Kit, click here: https://amzn.to/3393G8T
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