3D Printing is one of the technologies that is shaping the future of manufacturing, and one of the great reasons it is preferred is its high accuracy. But how accurate is 3D Printing? The answer is dependent on factors such as the type of 3D printing technology, the quality of the model of the high accuracy 3D printer, the 3D printing material, the nature and practicality of the design, and the parameters that are user-defined.
Because 3D printers depend on multiple moving parts and materials, the process will never produce objects that are 100% accurate. (Nor will any manufacturing process.) However, 3D printer users can take steps to increase the accuracy of the printing process resulting in better 3D printed objects.
This article will describe the dimensional accuracy of 3D printed parts, how accuracy differs between technologies, and where you can get a high-accuracy 3D printer.
What exactly is dimensional accuracy?
Many people are unaware of the dimensional accuracy of 3D Printing, and the term “accuracy” often gets confused with other important concepts like resolution, precision, and tolerance.
In short, a dimensionally accurate part matches the original design’s size and form. Accuracy is, therefore, the measure of a printed object’s closeness to the digital model, and this measure is usually expressed in percentage or in millimeters, e.g., ± 1% or ± 0.5 mm.
Accuracy is different from precision, which concerns the reliability and repeatability of a 3D printer and the ability to fabricate the same object consistently.
The accuracy of different 3D printing technologies
Not all 3D printing technologies are equal in terms of how accurately they can print parts with their intended dimensions. Although other factors produce further variation, the type of additive manufacturing technology greatly impacts a part’s accuracy.
FDM: Fused deposition modeling is a polymer extrusion 3D printing technology that is moderately accurate and most commonly used for prototyping. However, even the high accuracy 3D printer will struggle to accurately 3D Print a poorly designed part. Parts with long and thin features — especially features without adequate support — are difficult to print, while large parts can also bring about issues. In general, designs should not contain features smaller than the printer can handle.
If you need a high-accuracy 3D printer, you should use Snapmaker 3D printers. All Snapmaker 3D printers are made of high-strength aluminum alloy to ensure durability. Here are some of the amazing 3D printers they offer;
Snapmaker artisan 3D printer: This is among the fastest 3D printer that uses Industrial-grade Transmission Technology. Steel guide rails made by CNC grinding at micron level are embedded in the printer’s linear modules, significantly increasing precision, rigidity, and durability, bringing you a fast, accurate, and steady-making experience. In addition, Thanks to the optimized transmission system and motion control algorithm, Snapmaker Artisan features ± 0.1 mm high dimensional accuracy when printing at high speed of 180 mm. It also has a 400 mm × 400 mm × 400 mm large work area to ensure you Never put your creative ability on Hold Because of Limited Space. Moreover, it enables laser engraving, cutting, and CNC carving; Quick-swap platforms and toolheads let you shift among the three functions in 1 minute.
Snapmaker modular 3-in-1 3D printer: This is also similar to Snapmaker Artisan in that it enables 3-in-1 functions; 3D Printing, laser engraving, cutting, and CNC carving. However, it is much much more affordable and doesn’t come with an enclosure, but you can purchase the enclosure separately and enjoy the great features it offers.
Snapmaker modular 3D printer: This is a recommended option if you are only interested in 3D Printing. It is the most affordable 3D printer and has great features, one of them being modularity. Modularity means you can use several modules to increase the applicability of the printer.
You can read more and purchase Snapmaker’s fastest 3D printer on the website: https://shop.snapmaker.com/collections/featured-collection-commercial-3d-printer.
