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Cost Comparison of Popular 3D Printing Services: Which One is the Best Fit for You?

Are you looking to get your 3D design printed but wondering which printing service to choose? With so many options out there, it can be challenging to decide which service is the best fit for your project, especially when it comes to cost. In this article, we'll compare and contrast the cost of popular 3D printing services, so you can choose the one that fits your budget and needs.

About the 3D Printing Services

We've chosen four popular 3D printing services for this cost comparison:

Shapeways

Sculpteo

i.materialise

3D Hubs

These services have gained popularity due to their quality of prints, fast turnaround time, and ease of use.

Methodology

To compare the cost of each 3D printing service, we took a sample design – a 3cm x 3cm x 3cm cube – and used the pricing calculator of each service to determine the cost of printing it using the same parameters (printing material, infill density, layer height, etc.).

Comparison of 3D Printing Services Cost

Shapeways

Shapeways offers a wide range of materials for 3D printing, including plastic, metal, and ceramic. To print our sample cube, we selected their cheapest option: White Strong & Flexible Plastic. The cost of printing our cube in this material came out to be $10.67.

Sculpteo

Sculpteo is another popular 3D printing service that offers a wide range of materials for printing, such as plastic, metal, and resin. For our sample cube, we selected their cheapest material: White Plastic. The total cost of printing our cube in this material came out to be $15.60.

i.materialise

i.materialise is known for its high-quality prints and a wide variety of materials, including metal, plastic, and resin. For our sample cube, we chose to print it in their cheapest material: White Polyamide. The cost of printing our cube in this material came out to be $10.47.

3D Hubs

Unlike other 3D printing services, 3D Hubs operates on a distributed model, where they connect you to local 3D printing services around the world. For our sample cube, we selected a local 3D printing service in Los Angeles, CA. The total cost of printing our cube in PLA material came out to be $6.30.

Conclusion

So there you have it – a comparison of the cost of popular 3D printing services. As you can see from our comparison, the total price of 3D printing a sample cube varies according to the service you choose. If cost is a priority for you, then 3D Hubs could be the best fit for you. However, if you're looking for the best-quality print, then i.materialise and Shapeways are great choices. Sculpteo is also a great option but comes with a slightly higher price tag. We hope this article has helped you make a well-informed choice for your 3D printing needs. Happy printing!

Different Style Options

Hypothetical Use Case: Incorporate a fictional story about someone who needs to use 3D printing but is on a tight budget, and how they ultimately choose 3D Hubs after reading the cost comparison of the services.

Infographic Style: Use visuals to compare the different services' costs.

Interview Style: Conduct interviews with customers and representatives of the 3D printing services to discuss their experiences and the unique benefits each service provides.

3d printing services cost comparison

3D printing process

Different 3D printing processes have their own advantages and applicable scenarios, Sigma provides SLA process for Visual prototyping and SLS process for Functional prototyping.

3D printing materials

Plastics

One of the most commonly used 3D printing materials. These materials include ABS, PLA, PETG, TPU, PEEK, etc. Each material has different physical and chemical properties and can be suitable for different application scenarios.

Metal

Metal 3D printing materials include titanium alloy, aluminum alloy, stainless steel, nickel alloy, etc. Metal 3D printing can produce complex components and molds, with advantages such as high strength and high wear resistance.

Ceramic

Ceramic 3D printing materials include alumina, zirconia, silicate, etc. Ceramic 3D printing can produce high-precision ceramic products, such as ceramic parts, ceramic sculptures, etc.

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About Us

What can we do?

Sigma Technik Limited, as a prototype production company and rapid manufacturer focusing on rapid prototyping and low volume production of plastic and metal parts, has advanced manufacturing technology, one-stop service, diversified manufacturing methods, on-demand manufacturing services and efficient manufacturing processes, which can provide customers with high-quality, efficient and customized product manufacturing services and help customers improve product quality and market competitiveness.

Gallery of 3D Printing

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3D Printing FAQs

Poor printing quality may be caused by improper printer adjustment, material issues, or design issues. The solution includes adjusting printer settings, replacing materials, or redesigning the model.

The printing speed may be slow due to issues with the mechanical structure or control system of the printer. The solution includes upgrading printer hardware or adjusting printer settings

Possible poor adhesion of the printing bed due to surface or material issues. The solution includes replacing the surface of the printing bed, using a bottom coating, or replacing materials.

The printer may malfunction due to hardware or software issues. The solution includes checking and repairing printer hardware, updating printer software, or reinstalling drivers.