Most desktop 3D printers in the market are based on melt deposition (FDM) technology.
They are similar to the forming principle of high-end industrial 3D printers because they are based on material extrusion and layer by layer deposition of molten thermoplastic through nozzles, but their functions are different.
This article will discuss the main differences between desktop and industrial fdm3d printers.
01. Printing accuracy
In general, geometric tolerance and part accuracy depend on 3D printer calibration and model complexity. The precision of parts produced by industrial 3D printers is higher than that of desktop 3D printers, because the processing parameters are more strictly controlled in the printing process.
Industrial equipment runs calibration algorithms before each printing, including a heating chamber to minimize the impact of rapid cooling (e.g., warping) of molten plastic, and can operate at higher printing temperatures.
Calibrated desktop level 3D printers can be produced with relatively high dimensional accuracy (usually tolerance ± 0.5 mm).
02. Different application fields
Industrial 3D printers are widely used in many fields, such as aerospace, automotive, medical, electronic products and so on.
Desktop level 3D printers are generally used to print small items. In the past, they were mostly used in industrial design, education, animation, archaeology, lighting and other fields.
Now, many desktop level 3D printers have also been extended to the oral medical industry and applied to the dental digital production process. As a part of the digital medical mode, it can assist in printing the required products.
03. Different batch production
Desktop level 3D printers tend to be personalized and highly customized. For example, desktop level 3D printers are mainly used for small batch production near the chair.
Industrial 3D printers are mostly used in industrial mass production.
04. Production capacity and cost
The main difference between desktop and industrial 3D printers is cost.
The increasing popularity of desktop 3D printers has greatly reduced the cost of owning and running FDM machines and the cost and availability of consumables.
The production capacity of industrial 3D printers is generally greater than that of desktop 3D printers. Industrial 3D printers have a large printing platform, which means that they can print larger parts at one time and print more models at the same time.