Best 3D Printer for Architects

Which is the best 3D printer for architects? Read our guide to find out.

3D technologies are being used in various fields. For example, in architecture and design, 3D printers are mainly used to create architectural models.

Architectural layouts can be generally categorized into:

• Urban layout – this can be a layout of a microdistrict or an entire city.
• Landscape layout – a reduced copy of the landscape, i.e. terrain.
• Interior layout – a layout depicting the interior arrangement of an apartment, house or office.

Layouts can be used for various purposes, including:

• Visualization for buyers or to coordinate a project with a client

Many customers find it difficult to perceive a digital model of a building or interior. 3D printing allows you to quickly and inexpensively make, for example, a miniature apartment model with a furniture model. The client will be able to visually see a variety of interior options and choose the one he likes the most.

• Checking the composition

At first glance, it is not always possible to see some insignificant details on drawings or 3D visualizations that can spoil the whole composition. An architectural model will help you see these details.

• Project presentation

A presentation with a beautiful layout, e.g., a building or a whole neighborhood, looks much more colorful and spectacular. But making an architectural model in the traditional way is a long and painstaking process. Imagine the work required if you need several layouts.

A 3D printer can significantly speed up and reduce the cost of production of the layout.

• Production of layouts with nonlinear geometry

Making layouts with non-linear geometry using the traditional method was a rather difficult task. The advent of 3D printers has made this task easier.

The cost of a 3D architectural model depends on several factors – the complexity of production and artistic value.

Using a 3D printer allows you to speed up and significantly simplify the production of complex and simple layouts. For example, making a layout of modern buildings with nonlinear geometry is a real headache for layout designers. 3D printing allows you to quickly and accurately reproduce an exact copy of any building, regardless of its geometry.

FDM Printers for Architecture and Design

FDM is a plastic deposition technique used to create a physical model. A plastic thread known as a filament is used as the material.

FDM printers are very popular for their large work area, print speed and inexpensive materials.

The best 3D printer for architectural models will depend on what you need to make. Some printers do not work well with some engineering plastics.

Advantages of FDM 3D Printers

• Large Print Area

The size of the working area starts from 200 x 200 mm, and can reach a meter and even more.

There are also 3D printers with an “infinite” printable area along one of the axes. These printers use a conveyor belt instead of a print bed. These printers are convenient for batch production.

• Inexpensive Materials

The cost of a kilogram of high-quality plastic thread starts from $20. Since the finished products inside may be hollow or with a small percentage of filling, one spool can produce more than one product.

• Fast Printing Speed

Compared to other technologies, FDM printers has a fast print speed. This is especially if high detail is not required of the finished product.

• Wide Range of Printers

There are many different 3D printers are on sale. With such a rich selection, you can easily find a device for a specific task.

For making simple layouts, choose single-extruder 3D printers. If you’ll want to use a 3D printer for various tasks, get a dual-extruder or one with a closed chamber. Such printers are versatile and can print with almost any material.

• Large Selection of Materials

Thanks to the huge selection of different decorative and engineering materials, it is possible to create unusual designs with different colors and textures.

Disadvantages of FDM 3D Printers

• “Striped” Surface of the Model

Of course, the finished model can be processed after printing. For example, it can be brushed to perfect smoothness. However, this takes time.

• Not Possible to Make Very Small Models

Despite the high printing accuracy, FDM technology is poorly suited for the production of some models. When printing very small products, the plastic may not have time to cool down and the model will turn out to be swollen.

• Poor Detail On Very Small Elements

Very small elements can be “eaten away” by stripes on the surface of the model or further post-processing. For such models, it is better to use photopolymer printers. See the best resin 3D printers.

Application and Printing Examples

Best FDM 3D Printers for Architects

Below are the best 3D printers for architects looking to make architectural models.

1. CreatBot D600 Pro

AVAILABLE ON TOP3DSHOP

Specifications:

• Print technology: FDM / FFF
• Working area size: 600 x 600 x 600
• Number of extruders: 2
• Max. extruder temperature: 420 degrees
• Closed camera: Yes
• Heated table: Yes
• Plastic type: ABS, ABS +, PLA, PLA +, PETG, Flex, Nylon, ASA, Carbon, PEEK, Decorative plastics, others

CreatBot D600 Pro

is a professional 3D printer with many options that are useful for both beginners and experienced users.

The printer has two high temperature extruders and a closed chamber, which allows you to print with all available plastics. The unit’s automatic table calibration using the BL-Touch sensor eliminates the need to level the table plane.

CreatBot D600 Pro Review: Features, Specs, & Test Prints

2. Raise3D E2

SEE PRICE ON AMAZON

Specifications:

• Print technology: FDM / FFF
• Working area size: 330 * 240 * 240 mm – when printing with 1 extruder, 295 x 240 x 240 mm – when printing with 2 extruders
• Number of extruders: 2
• Max. extruder temperature: 300 degrees
• Closed camera: Yes
• Heated table: Yes
• Plastic type: ABS, ABS +, PLA, PLA +, PETG, Flex, Nylon, ASA, Carbon, Decorative plastics, others

Raise3D E2

is a small device with unusual kinematics. The unit has two independent extruders that allow the printer to work in several modes:

• Duplication. This allows identical parts to be printed at the same time. The function speeds up the production of simple objects in half.
• Mirror print. The printer will print two parts at the same time – the original and its mirror image.
• Standard mode. Printing with 1 or 2 extruders of the same model. For example, two-color or one of the extruders is used to print soluble support.

Other features of Raise3D E2 include a convenient touch screen, automatic table calibration, an assistant for calibrating the heights of extruders relative to each other, among others.

Raise3D E2 Review: Features, Specs & Test Prints

3. Raise3D Pro2 and Pro2 Plus

AVAILABLE ON TOP3DSHOP

Specifications:

Print technology: FDM / FFF

Work area size:

• Raise3D Pro2 (305 x 305 x 300 mm – when printing with 1 extruder; 280 x 305 x 300 mm – when printing with 2 extruders)
• Raise3D Pro2 Plus 305 x 305 x 605 mm – when printing with 1 extruder; 280 x 305 x 605 mm – when printing with 2 extruders

Number of extruders: 2

Max. extruder temperature: 300 degrees

Closed camera: Yes

Heated table: Yes

Plastic type: ABS, ABS +, PLA, PLA +, PETG, Flex, Nylon, ASA, Carbon, Decorative plastics, others

As you can see from the specifications, the only difference between the Raise3D Pro2 and Pro2 Plus is the height of the work area. Pro2 Plus has twice the work area size of the Pro 2.

The Raise3D Pro2 series have proven themselves in a variety of applications. These are reliable workhorses with a set of all the necessary options for high-quality printing. Moreover, the two extruders allow you to make models of any complexity.

Raise3D Pro2 Review: Features, Specs & Test Prints

4. PICASO 3D Designer XL Pro

AVAILABLE ON TOP3DSHOP

Specifications:

• Print technology: FDM / FFF
• Working area size: 360 x 360 x 610 mm
• Number of extruders: 2
• Max. extruder temperature: 410 degrees
• Closed camera: Yes
• Heated table: Yes
• Plastic type: ABS, ABS +, PLA, PLA +, PETG, Flex, Nylon, ASA, Carbon, PEEK, PC, Decorative plastics, others

The PICASO 3D Designer XL Pro is a professional 3D printer with a large working area. The printer has automatic table calibration, plastic flow control sensor, and other nice features.

Raise3D E2 Review: Features, Specs & Test Prints

Photopolymer Printing in Architecture and Design

The principle of operation of a photopolymer printer is based on the curing of a special resin using directed UV radiation. Photopolymer printers work according to one of three technologies:

• SLA – resin hardening with a directed laser beam
• DLP – a DLP projector is used as a UV source
• LCD – UV matrix and LCD screen are used to illuminate the resin

Photopolymer printers produce models with an ideal surface. This is why LCD, DLP and SLA devices are used in the jewelry and dental industry, where accuracy and a perfect surface of the finished model are important.

LCD technology has gained particular popularity due to its availability and inexpensive printers.

Advantages of Resin 3D Printing

• Smooth finished product surface
• Miniature models can be produced with stunning detail
• Diverse selection of materials. There are many decorative and engineering resins available today with varying properties.
• Wide variety of resin 3D printer models. With the advent of LCD technology, many different printer models are available for various

Disadvantages of Resin 3D Printing

• Small volume of the working area

Compared to FDM, the work area is much smaller. However, today, there are 3D printers with a large print area.

• High cost of printed models

The cost of making a model with a resin 3D printer is higher than with an FDM printer. The cost per kilogram or resin is more expensive than filament. Prices start from about $30 per kilo for high quality resin.

• Post-processing

After printing, it is necessary to rinse and dry the product in a UV camera. After printing, you have to wash off excess polymer from the surface of the finished prints. You can wash off the model using isopropyl alcohol. There are also some resins that can be washed with plain water.

For the photopolymer to be strong, it must then be illuminated under an ultraviolet lamp or in a special box.

Application and Printing Examples

Best Resin 3D Printers for Architects

Here are the best resin 3D printers for architectural models.

1. Prismlab RP400

Specifications:

• Print technology: DLP / LCD / SLA
• Material: Photopolymer resin
• Construction area size: 384 x 216 x 384 mm
• XY-axis positioning accuracy: 100/67/50 microns
• Z-axis positioning accuracy: 100/50 microns

The Prismlab RP400 is a one of the best large format 3D printers. The printer has moisture and temperature sensors in the working chamber for adjusting the print settings for the best print quality. The unit’s slicer is open source and you can also use it with third-party resins.

2. Peopoly Phenom XXL

Specifications:

• Print technology: DLP / LCD / SLA
• LCD display resolution: 3840 x 2160 (23.8 “, 16: 9, UHD 4K)
• Material: Photopolymer resin
• Build area size: 527 x 296 x 550 mm
• XY-axis positioning accuracy: 137 μm

Peopoly Phenom XXL is a large resin 3D printer with a huge print area. The printer has an improved monochrome LCD matrix that enables fast and accurate production of large models or small batches of small items.

3. Phrozen Sonic MEGA 8K

AVAILABLE ON PHROZEN

Specifications:

• Print technology: DLP / LCD / SLA
• LCD Resolution: 15 “8K Mono LCD
• Material: Photopolymer resin
• Build area size: 330 x 185 x 400 mm
• XY-axis positioning accuracy: 43 μm

Sonic Mega 8K

is the first LCD printer with 8K matrix resolution. This is important because print accuracy depends on matrix resolution. The printer allows you to produce large models with amazing clarity, without blurring or smoothing out small elements.

Phrozen Sonic Megal 8K Review: Features, Specs & Test Prints

Construction 3D Printers

Construction 3D printers are just finding their niche for use, and the technology itself is still far from ideal. However, the already implemented projects allow us to imagine what is possible future. For example, it won’t be long before we’ll be able to print entire houses.

Application and Printing examples

Bridge in Shanghai.

In Shanghai, using a construction 3D printer, a whole bridge was printed and installed over a pond in the Baoshan area. The new bridge is 26.3 m long and 3.6 m wide.

Before the concrete, full-size bridge was printed, a scaled-down 1:4 bridge was printed for structural strength and safety tests. The printing took 450 hours.

A load and deformation monitoring system was installed in the finished bridge. This allows real-time inspection of the properties of printed concrete elements.

Bridge in Amsterdam

A steel-printed bridge was installed in Amsterdam. The bridge connects the embankments of the Audezijds Achterburgwal canal. The finished bridge is 12.2 m long, 6.3 m wide, and weighs 6,000 kg.

Sensors were installed in the bridge to track the deformation of the structure and count the number of people passing through it. The bridge was built  from a stainless wire layer by layer by 4 robots in 6 months.

3D Printed House in Germany

In Germany, builders built an entire house using a construction 3D printer. The house is designed for 5 families and has a total area is 380 sq.m.

Before starting to print, cavities are laid in the model of the house for all communications, which will be installed by the builders in the future. As a result, while the printer is building the walls, the workers are solving other tasks.

After all the work, the apartments in the house will be rented out, and one. This project demonstrates the possibilities of construction 3D printing.

Conclusion

Architecture and design have already become firmly established in digital form, allowing for more visual display of models of future buildings and interiors. Today, it is becoming difficult to find an architect who draws his masterpieces only on paper.

3D technologies make the visualization process simpler and more intuitive. Today, the technologies make it possible to partially abandon the painstaking manual labor in the manufacture of models.

In the future, with the help of construction 3D printers, it will be possible to build beautiful architectural structures much faster and easier.