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. | ||
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