<p>It really depends on what you mean by &quot;make a 3d printing machine&quot;</p>
<ol>
<li><p>You could buy and assemble an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fused_deposition_modeling" rel="nofollow noreferrer">FDM</a> printer kit.  This is &quot;making&quot; in the same way you can &quot;make&quot; a cake.  This is low cost and little experience is required.</p>
<p>My 15yo son built the TronXY X3 kit I bought for $200.
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/nxDJVs.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/nxDJVs.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a>.  There are <a href="https://all3dp.com/1/best-cheap-diy-3d-printer-kit/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">lots of kits</a>.</p>
</li>
<li><p>You could design your own FDM printer from stock parts.  This is also pretty easy to do with minimal mechanical experience.  Its pretty much just 4-5 stepper motors (X,Y,Z(1/2),extruder), and extruder, some mechanical parts, a power supply. and off the shelf electronics.  Parts are readily available on eBay and <a href="http://reprap.org/wiki/List_of_Firmware" rel="nofollow noreferrer">firmware</a> is available on GitHub.  There are designs available on the internet that you could start from.  Here is a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoL161UvciA" rel="nofollow noreferrer">video</a> one maker made of his build.  This is how the whole industry got started and were often called <a href="https://reprap.org/wiki/Build_A_RepRap" rel="nofollow noreferrer">RepRap</a> printers.</p>
</li>
<li><p>You could try building or designing a much complicated style printer (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArHUyN5iV68" rel="nofollow noreferrer">SLA</a>, DLP, <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-SLS-3D-Printer/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">SLS</a>, etc.).  This would require a bigger commitment with more experience.</p>
</li>
<li><p>...</p>
</li>
</ol>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-12T01:54:52.127Z
2017-07-12T02:29:33.687Z
2020-06-18T08:29:41.667Z
markshancock
<p>This is a pretty vague question.  First of all you have to ask what kind of 3D printer you want to make, what do you want to be able to print (size/resolution?) what tools/resources you have access to, how much you want to spend vs how much time you want to build.  The more time and money you put into the thing the better your final results will be.  </p>

<p><a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Custom-Delta-3D-Printer-named-PACA/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">These guys</a> built a pretty decent looking delta model for ~$170.  Seems pretty reasonable.  Deltas are pretty simple to put together and allow for a good build size.  Building yours from scratch gives you total control over materials used, which means durability and price is in your hands. You will need to think about the following steps. </p>

<ul>
<li><strong>Research</strong></li>
<li>Design</li>
<li>Materials/Hardware (acquiring, fabricating)</li>
<li>Coding/Software (choose a flavor)</li>
<li>Troubleshooting/Failing</li>
<li>First Print</li>
</ul>

<p>If you care less about the experience of building and more about getting a working printer, there are plenty of build kits.  These will give you all the essential pieces and instructions to follow. Prices range from \$100 to \$1000, from what I have seen.  </p>

<p>Do some research in your region, if you are in a city, there may a collective or club where they specialize in this stuff.  I know where I am in Portland there is a workspace where they actually give classes where everyone builds their own Delta model printers.  Finding enthusiasts in your area can be a great way to get parts pointers, as well as inspiration.  </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-12T02:36:27.397Z
Do you attend CTRL-H or 3D Printer Workshop?
markshancock
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-12T02:52:03.120Z
I actually haven't  Although I was thinking about checking out CTRL-H a couple months ago.  I'm actually working right now at [hedron](http://hedron.technology/).

Edit:  It looks like maybe Hedron are the guys who host/run 3D Printer Workshop.  Would make sense.
DMrFrost
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-12T05:44:59.273Z
Interesting, I saw they met in the Hedron Makerspace but I didn't know what that was.  I usually discover these places at Makerfaire. All this sounds interesting; but, I stay so busy it is hard to imagine ever finding the time to go.  Between work and Mentoring and family, my time is pretty full.
markshancock
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-12T05:53:44.953Z
I hear you, only so many hours in the day.  Hedron is pretty rad.  They got About 20 3D printers, 2 laser cutters, an auto router, a mill, some lathes, all basic shop tools and welding equipment.  The guys that run that place are super nerds, possibly genius.
DMrFrost
CC BY-SA 4.0
2017-07-12T01:08:41.453Z
2019-04-09T17:03:12.777Z
2019-04-09T17:03:12.777Z
DMrFrost
<p>What are the basic necessities needed to build a 3d printing machine.</p>

<ul>
<li>Workforce</li>
<li>Technology</li>
<li>Money</li>
<li>etc.</li>
</ul>

<p>I'm an undergrad and my friends and I would like to make a printer for a project. We wanted to get an idea of the prerequisites for this work. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-12T08:25:08.117Z
What kind of printer are you trying to make? FDM? SLA? Something else? Please be specific when asking a question. What is "workforce"?
Tom van der Zanden
<3d-models><software><electronics><print-material><mechanics>
What are the basic requirements to make a 3d printing machine?
Ananyo Bhattacharya 
# What are the basic requirements to make a 3d printing machine?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-07-11)

What are the basic necessities needed to build a 3d printing machine.

* Workforce
* Technology
* Money
* etc.

I'm an undergrad and my friends and I would like to make a printer for a project. We wanted to get an idea of the prerequisites for this work.

**Tags:** 3d-models, software, electronics, print-material, mechanics
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: What kind of printer are you trying to make? FDM? SLA? Something else? Please be specific when asking a question. What is "workforce"?  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2017-07-12. Score: 3

It really depends on what you mean by "make a 3d printing machine"

1. You could buy and assemble an [FDM](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fused_deposition_modeling) printer kit. This is "making" in the same way you can "make" a cake. This is low cost and little experience is required.

   My 15yo son built the TronXY X3 kit I bought for $200.
   [![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/nxDJVs.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/nxDJVs.jpg). There are [lots of kits](https://all3dp.com/1/best-cheap-diy-3d-printer-kit/).
2. You could design your own FDM printer from stock parts. This is also pretty easy to do with minimal mechanical experience. Its pretty much just 4-5 stepper motors (X,Y,Z(1/2),extruder), and extruder, some mechanical parts, a power supply. and off the shelf electronics. Parts are readily available on eBay and [firmware](http://reprap.org/wiki/List_of_Firmware) is available on GitHub. There are designs available on the internet that you could start from. Here is a [video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoL161UvciA) one maker made of his build. This is how the whole industry got started and were often called [RepRap](https://reprap.org/wiki/Build_A_RepRap) printers.
3. You could try building or designing a much complicated style printer ([SLA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArHUyN5iV68), DLP, [SLS](http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-SLS-3D-Printer/), etc.). This would require a bigger commitment with more experience.
4. ...


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2017-07-12. Score: 3

This is a pretty vague question. First of all you have to ask what kind of 3D printer you want to make, what do you want to be able to print (size/resolution?) what tools/resources you have access to, how much you want to spend vs how much time you want to build. The more time and money you put into the thing the better your final results will be.

[These guys](http://www.instructables.com/id/Custom-Delta-3D-Printer-named-PACA/) built a pretty decent looking delta model for ~$170. Seems pretty reasonable. Deltas are pretty simple to put together and allow for a good build size. Building yours from scratch gives you total control over materials used, which means durability and price is in your hands. You will need to think about the following steps.

* **Research**
* Design
* Materials/Hardware (acquiring, fabricating)
* Coding/Software (choose a flavor)
* Troubleshooting/Failing
* First Print

If you care less about the experience of building and more about getting a working printer, there are plenty of build kits. These will give you all the essential pieces and instructions to follow. Prices range from \$100 to \$1000, from what I have seen.

Do some research in your region, if you are in a city, there may a collective or club where they specialize in this stuff. I know where I am in Portland there is a workspace where they actually give classes where everyone builds their own Delta model printers. Finding enthusiasts in your area can be a great way to get parts pointers, as well as inspiration.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Do you attend CTRL-H or 3D Printer Workshop?  
> **username_3**: I actually haven't  Although I was thinking about checking out CTRL-H a couple months ago.  I'm actually working right now at [hedron](http://hedron.technology/).  Edit:  It looks like maybe Hedron are the guys who host/run 3D Printer Workshop.  Would make sense.  
> **username_2**: Interesting, I saw they met in the Hedron Makerspace but I didn't know what that was.  I usually discover these places at Makerfaire. All this sounds interesting; but, I stay so busy it is hard to imagine ever finding the time to go.  Between work and Mentoring and family, my time is pretty full.  
> **username_3**: I hear you, only so many hours in the day.  Hedron is pretty rad.  They got About 20 3D printers, 2 laser cutters, an auto router, a mill, some lathes, all basic shop tools and welding equipment.  The guys that run that place are super nerds, possibly genius.  

---

