Battle of the Cheap 3D Printers
| Advantage | |||
| Name | V-Flash Desktop Modeler | 125ci 3D Printer | V-Flash – Superhero name trumps recycled BMW model name |
| Manufacturer | 3D Systems | Desktop Factory | 125ci – DF was founded by prolific Bill Gross and his Idealab. 3DS has more experience, but it lost $5M in 2007. |
| Availability | April 2008 | 3rd Quarter 2008? | V-Flash – A product beats a prototype any day |
| Cost | US$9,900 | US$4,995 | 125ci – Duh |
| Material | Photopolymer | Nylon-aluminum-glass composite | 125ci – More robust material |
| Max Build | 7” x 9” x 8” | 5” x 5” x 5” | V-Flash – Bigger is better |
| Outside | 30” x 27” x 24” – 100 lbs | 25” x 20” x 20” – 90 lbs | 125ci – Smaller is better |
| Technology | Film Transfer Imaging | Halogen bulb melts plastic powder in .010 thick layers | V-Flash – SLA-like process should deliver better accuracy, resolution, and finish |
| Website | modelin3d.com | desktopfactory.com | 125ci – Less corporate, better graphics |
| Overall | 125ci – V-Flash builds a better part, but the 125ci’s cost is revolutionizing the industry. And DF is promising a US$1,000 3D printer in 3 years. Given the delays of the 125ci, don’t bet on it. | ||
Originally Published: February 2008