If you’ve been shopping for a 3D printer, you may have been frustrated trying to find one that prints objects with high resolution. That won’t be a problem with either one of these printer from Zortrax. Part of the secret lies in their sturdy, welded frames. Let’s take a closer look at them both to see which one will be the best for you.
Zortrax M200 3D Printer
What if I told you that the Zortrax M200 has an X,Y precision of 1.5 microns with a minimum layer height of 90 microns? Its welded frame doesn’t wobble and the heated bed has perforated texture that won’t let prints slip. Plus, it has a movable direct feed print head. The result of these features is that you can create high tolerance prints with great resolution.
Looking at the professional, slick build of the Zortrax M200, you’ll notice that it’s built with machined metal and injection-molded plastic unlike RepRap printers. The frame is strong so you don’t need to waste time re-calibrating. You can place optional covers on the sides and front so that your prints are protected from drafts—a nice feature when a large print may take a couple of hours or more to finish.
Beginners who have tried out the M200 love the fact that it’s really plug and play. Once you’ve assembled it by installing the print bed, filament holder and cable ties, simply plug the USB cable into a Mac or Windows computer. The LCD screen lets you use the printer’s software to control the machine and set up your print. While this may not be the absolute fastest 3D printer on the market, it gets the job done in a reasonable amount of time.
The direct feed print-head has a 0.4mm nozzle that extrudes 1.75mm filament. Zortrax recommends using their own brand of specially-formulated filament for best results. The M200 can print with PLA, ABS, HIPS, PETG, ULTRAT, and GLASS. The printer even ships with a spool of Z-ABS for you to try.
The total build volume of the Zortrax M200 is 200 by 200 by 185mm, or 7.87 by 7.87 by 7.28 inches. If you would like an even larger print volume, check out the Zortrax M300 below.
The heated print bed auto-levels (another time-saving feature) and it’s perforated. You won’t need painter tape or other tricks. The object being printed will adhere well to the surface but won’t be too hard to remove when it’s cooled. The printer automatically builds removable raft and support material for the object as it prints.
More features of the Zortrax M200 3D printer:
- Covered by a 1-year limited warranty
Zortrax M300 Desktop 3D Printer – 11.81″ x 11.81″ x 11.81″ Build Platform, 140-300 Micron Resolution
If you like the specifications of the Zortrax M200 but want a larger print volume, take a look at the M300 instead. It can handle prints measuring up to 300m3, or 11.81 by 11.81 by 11.81 inches. The larger print volume means there are a few differences between the M200 and the M300 in key areas.
One difference lies in the type of filament the M300 can use. It comes with a larger print spool than the M200 and needs Zortrax’s own brand filaments. The three kinds it accepts are Z-GLASS, Z-HIPS, and Z-PETG. Z-GLASS is translucent, designed for printing prototypes of items built from glass or Plexiglas. Z-HIPS has a matte finish and is a perfect material for printing large objects. Z-PETG is a strong plastic that resists acids, alkalis, and salts.
Although the M300 has some restrictions on the type of filament it uses, it comes with side covers to protect prints from drafts. While you can purchase these separately for the M200, they are provided in the box with the M300.
If you loved the fine resolution of the M200, you may be a little disappointed that the M300 doesn’t offer the same. Its resolution is 130 to 200 microns. This is still good when compared to other 3D printers on the market. It may also be acceptable considering the fact that you can print much larger objects
More features of the Zortrax M300 3D printer:
- Covered by a 1-year limited warranty
- Comes with one spool of filament
- The Z-SUITE software runs on both Mac and Windows
Recommendation
If you want to print larger objects, the Zortrax M300 has nearly 12 cubic inches of volume. It comes with side covers to maintain a constant temperature while it prints.
If you prefer a high resolution for your prints, the Zortrax M200 offers 1.5microns on the X,Y axis with a layer height of 90microns.
Click here to purchase Zortrax M200 on Amazon.com!
Click here to purchase Zortrax M300 on Amazon.com!