The secret truth about 3D printer size

When it comes to the size of what you can print on a 3D printer, don't believe what the manufacturer (any manufacturer) tells you. In this edition of DIY-IT’s 3D Printing Discovery Series on ZDNet, we’ll take a hard look at the different build areas available for different 3D printers and then I’ll take you into the dark underbelly of the 3D printing world to show you what manufacturers don't want you to know: the truth about 3D printer build areas.

For more information (and links to the Thingiverse models), see the accompanying article:

COMING SOON

It's part of ZDNet's DIY-IT Discovery Series on 3D printing at:

[Antireiljan]

Hi! for Delta printers the dimension of the bottom footprint is always the diagonal dimension, not the side length of a square!

[TheRainHarvester]

Were some of the reduction due to the heater bed's area? I'm trying to build a diy 12x12", but finding a 12v heated bed seems impossible. I only have 110v wall outlets. I'm not sure if I could use an adapter. Also the bigger heat beds are 750w!! That would heat my room!!

[marcfavell]

What do you guys recommend if you we're going to make something that's the size of 15 inches by 15 inches or other options for even larger say 20 inches ?

[hammadhahmeda]

i made my own 3d printer and it prints only 3inch model is there any way to increase its print size as there is more space to print??

[CapuletPoeChannel]

this is very important. how can we know the actual build area sizes?

[danielfourthdegreeburnhuls]

I recommend the creality ender 3 or 5, these babies are work horses and are absolutely fantastic at a bed size of about 9 inches

[esseeoh]

What is your recommendation for the best bang for your buck - I need to print objects as mold patterns but we can piece them together - so 200mm x 200mm x 200mm or larger… if we had to print 5-6 PCs that’s fine but we want decent quality or a combo of bigger / decent quality. Look into for a quick answer from a diy pro :) ty

[ashutoshbhattacharya]

Thats a useful observation for sure... but my question to you would be....if we make a system of our own ....then how come We can ensure that this much are is a for sure thing for that am new to 3d printing and looking for various options including building a one as well....so what is your suggestion on that

[voradorhylden]

Yeah but, cant you just add bigger rails (which are pretty cheap considering the price difference for bigger ones) now dont get me wrong im sure there some adjustments that would have to be made maybe code, possibly switching the "os" i dont know what term, the thing that calculates the area so it prints at the specified x, y, z. Doesnt seem like a $1000 or 3000 dollar difference in price. I mean the rails are like 50 bucks for 4 3 footers. I mean you might need better servos but i wouldn't think so. Same speed and weight just further to go.

[huckleberryphil]

Awsome bit of knowledge there thank you

[coolbloke]

Shame a Prusa wasn't included... it's the go-to in Europe for quality from the manufacturer.