Top 10 Large Format 3D Printers

When it comes to lrage format 3D printing, size does matter. Kit built 3D printers and cheap kickstarter  printers are fine for 3D printing small trinkets; But after you learn the basics of 3D printing on these dainty machines, you come to realize that you want a printer that can actually print something bigger than a trinket. You discover as you get 3DHub orders that you want to print large cosplay props and small batches of items. With that in mind here is my list of the top 10 3D printers that have a build plate greater than 200 x 200 mm

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Lulzbot Taz 6: Lulzbot is known for high quality and dependable printers. The Taz 6 is their newest large print volume (280 mm x 280 mm x 250 mm) printer.Taz 6’s also feature bed auto leveling and nozzle cleaning. These two features are an upgrade from the Taz 5’s.

Cost: $2,500

Pros: Contained power unit, Auto leveling and nozzle cleaning. Runs 1.75 and 3 mm filament.

Cons: The nozzle cleaning strip cut some build plate space from the Taz 5.

Raise 3D N2 Plus: Raise N2 features a large 7 inch (17.78 cm) full color touch screen and print resuming controls. Having an enclosed build space is great, and the lockable caster wheels makes moving the large print volume (305×305×610 mm) easy.

Cost: $3,299.00

Pros: Enclosed build area, wheels to move large base.

Cons: 1.75 mm filament.

 

gCreate gMax 1.5 XT+: The gMax series has made the new as a reliable large format 3D printer. The new series 1.5+ features a dual zone heated build plate, which saves you power as if you print a smaller item. You can turn off the outer heating zone, leaving you a small 8 8 in print area for small parts.At 16 x 16 x 21 inches (406.4 x 406.4 x 533.4 mm) the open framed printer can produce large rockets and cosplay props.

Cost: $2,995.00

Pros: Dual Zone heated build plate and auto leveling.

Cons: Build area not enclosed.

 

Formbot T Rex2 : This all metal 3D printer features independent dual extruders, which give you the flexibility to print single, dual, or separate prints. It features an optional laser engraving upgrades, and 400 x 400 x 470 mm build space.

Cost: $1799.00

Pros: Independent dual extruders come standard, you can print 2 independent prints at once or dual color print.

Cons: No enclosed build space.

 

Wombot Cubus V2: Australian made Cubus V2 features a whopping 500x500x500 build volume. Cubus also features an enclosed build space and dual extrusion.

Cost: AU 6,999.95

Pros: Enclosed build space and dual extrusion.

Cons: Intergrated spool holder at rear of printer, which can be hard to reach if you want to do a quick filament change.

 

3DP Workbench: This industrial 3D printer is perfect for industrial designers and architects that need full size prototypes that don’t need to be assembled from other printers. The workbench can be clamped to a standard workbench surface. It also breaks the mold at a 1 meter x 1 meter x 0.5 m build volume. While the $27,000 price tag puts it in the industrial price range, it is one that can crank out full size cosplay props in a single sitting.

Cost: $27,000

Pros: Large industrial scale build volume for industrial prints.

Cons: Prints that take days at a time. Industrial prices put it out of the price range of home printers.

 

CraftBot XL:  A Hungarian printing company, the XL features a 300 x 200 x 440 mm build volume. At $1899.00 this may be an economical model for those looking for more build volume.

Cost: $1899.00

Pros: Affordable large scale printer with a nozzle kit of different sizes.

Cons: Essentially a souped up ultimaker clone.

SeeMeCNC Rockstock Max V3: Delta type printers are not known for their volume, but the Max V3 is the exception. With a 265mm D x 400mm H Print Area, the Max V3 has the largest build volume of a delta, and is a solid kit built printer.

Cost: $999.00

Pros: Large scale Delta, good for tall prints.

Cons: A delta kit with 10+ hr build time.

 

HE 3D EI3 Tricolor:  This features a fast (150 mm / sec) print speed and triple extruders in their kit build. To help setup there is automatic bed leveling and a rectangular build volume of 200 x 280 x 200 mm.

Cost: $455.00

Pros: Fast print speed and triple extruders.

Cons: Calibrating triple extruders is time consuming. This is a kit build as well.

 

Folger Tech FT-5 Large Scale Kit: This hawse of a kit features a 300 x 300 x 400 mm build volume. At 45 lbs (21 kg) it is also a heavy printer, which may require a sturdy shelf to support stable printing. For a no thrills large scale printer, this may fit your bill.

Cost: $499.00

Pros: Large volume kit at low cost. No thrills to complicate the build.

Cons: Heavy construction at 21 kg (45 lbs). Max extruder temp of 245 C which limits you to PLA and ABS filaments.

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DISCLAIMER: None of the companies listed have provided any compensation to the author for this review.