How to make the right decision when purchasing a 3D printer: Is my budget in line with my needs?

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Once you have justified the purchase of a 3D printer and chosen the technology that best fits your requirements, it is now time for budget considerations. With most 3D printing technologies the price range is very wide, and can lead to confusion.

To help you make the right decision you should start by identifying the main price drivers and compare them with your real needs. Deciding on the required envelope size, special features, material variety, and warranty / service options will determine the final price for a 3D Printer.

Answering the following questions will help you to narrow your budgetary scope:

• What is the average size of the parts you need to print?
• What features offered by the manufacturer do you really need? Are some of them just a nice to have?
• Are your prototypes intended for concept modeling and form / fit testing, or do you really need high end specialty prototyping materials?
• Do you want peace of mind with your printer operation? A service agreement is an option to consider.
• Upgrading your equipment in the future: Is it a likely scenario? Investing some money today may make a future upgrade easier.

Align your budget with your real needs, and don’t underestimate potential needs in the future.

Coming soon: How to present the project to the management.