How to Find the Right 3D Printer for Your Classroom

Everyone benefits from learning 3D printing, from children entering school to adults in the workforce. The skills gained at each level build on the next, opening minds and bringing ideas to life in the process. In your classroom, once you have your curriculum in place, you’ll then need the tools to teach it. But how to know which 3D printer is the right one for you? A high-level, cutting-edge machine is going to be too much for an elementary school classroom. And, a printer with only basic functions simply won’t do for certain industrial applications. Learn a little more about the different needs at each educational level and the printers that fit the bill, and then take our quiz to find out if your current printer is meeting your needs! 

 

How to Find the Right 3D Printer for K-12 Education

You might think that students at this age are too young for 3D printing, but with proper supervision, children as young as eight can learn how to 3D print, so long as they have the right printer. It’s best to have a fully enclosed printer so that accidental burns from the heated bed or problems with free dangling wires are avoided. Make sure the printer you choose uses PLA filament. It’s a natural product made from plants that are antibacterial and don’t emit harmful fumes. Stay away from ABS and other filaments that release harmful emissions. 

See why 3D printing is important in high schools. 

You probably won’t need a printer that prints at extremely high temperatures or high speeds. But, you will need a printer that is cost-effective and durable. Some manufacturers make packages specifically for educators, with software and everything included. With all that in mind, let’s take a look at some good choices for this level of 3D printing: 

 

How to Find the Right 3D Printer for Colleges & Universities

We hope that students at this level are able to use 3D printers with somewhat more sophistication and so would require more customization and options for their 3D printers. So printers for university classes will need to have more potential for configurations and network control options. Some of the safety concerns of the lower grades are no longer an issue, although budget, likely, still is. 

See how 3D printers are preparing future leaders in STEM at Southeastern Louisiana University!

Look for manufacturers that offer education discounts and packages. Another budget concern, once you have the printer, can be the cost of the materials to run the printer. Make sure your printer doesn’t require proprietary materials to operate, as these can be more costly than other options. As the materials used get more diverse, so do the emissions. If your printer is going to produce harmful fumes or gasses, make sure that in addition to the printer, you get the requisite enclosure and HEPA air filter. Here are a few options for university-level 3D printing:

 

How to Find the Right 3D Printer for Technical School & Makers Labs

If you’re simply looking for quality additive manufacturing, prioritized for iteration and speed, there’s a 3D printer for that. At this level, the 3D printers used are often industry-standard machines capable of precision printing in multiple materials. There are still some factors to consider when purchasing. How many printers are you buying? If it’s anything more than one, make sure your printers can communicate via central monitoring software. This will make the workflow in your lab much smoother and save headaches in the long run. It’s also important to think about your printer software. It usually isn’t included with your printer purchase, so make sure the options that you work best with also work with your 3D printer. Lastly, think about longevity. Chances are you want this 3D printer to last for a long time, so check out options that are upgradable or have parts that can be improved as technology changes. Check out the benefits of these top-level 3D printers:

 

There’s a great deal of information to consider when purchasing a 3D printer. Our team of sales representatives can help you identify the specific needs of your students and match you with a printer that supports your students and fits within your budget. 

 

If your school already has a 3D printer, this two-minute quiz will help you identify whether your current printer is meeting your current needs or if it’s time to consider a change.