Over the past few months, you may have noticed the term “All-Metal 3D Printer” popping up in your peripherals. Not be confused with metal 3D printing technology, this phrase is actually being used to describe a desktop FDM machine that has a full metal frame.
In the following article, we’ll explore the question “What is an All-Metal 3D Printer?”, looking at where the phrase comes from and what it means. After that, we’ll provide you with a brief overview of the most popular 3D printers that can be considered as “all-metal” machines.
The story begins with the 3D printer manufacturer Snapmaker, who unofficially coined the term “all-metal 3D printer” for its wildly successful crowdfunding campaign…
What is it?
From our initial research, we found that the expression “all-metal 3D printer” was willed into existence by Snapmaker. The California-based 3D printer manufacturer amassed over $2.5 million on Kickstarter for its all-in-one desktop 3D printer, which functions as a 3D printer, CNC carver, and laser engraver.
Read the review: Snapmaker Review: Best Budget 3-In-1 3D Printer
This unique and multi-functional 3D printer was advertised on the crowdfunding campaign as “Snapmaker: The All-Metal 3D Printer.” No, that doesn’t mean it can 3D print all metal materials. Instead, the term “all-metal 3D printer” is used to describe the frame of the hardware.
The Snapmaker is made entirely from metal, boasting a frame that is constructed from CNC machined aluminum alloys. Not only does this design offer a more stable and reliable 3D printing experience, but it also gives the 3D printer a more industrial aesthetic.
In addition to the aluminum frame, the Snapmaker is also equipped with an all-metal hot end and precision acme lead screws, further adding to the printer’s precision and consistency. It’s also extremely easy to swap between different tool heads, making the switch between 3D printing, CNC carving, and laser engraving as seamless as possible.
While the 125 x 125 x 125mm build volume is certainly on the smaller side, the Snapmaker remains an excellent and capable all-in-one 3D printer.
Of course, what really makes the Snapmaker’s all-metal 3D printer frame design particularly unique is the relatively low price point of $799. Aside from the multi-functional aspect of this all-in-one fabrication tool, the sturdy design is a major selling point that the manufacturer has latched onto.
Another popular phrase that exists within the confines of 3D printing terminology is “all-metal hotend”. These hotends serve as a popular upgrade for desktop 3D printers. Made with metals like aluminum and stainless steel, all-metal hotends are able to withstand much higher temperatures than PEEK or PTFE.
Not only does this significantly extend the maximum printing temperature, but it also leads to cleaner prints and easier maintenance. It’s possible that people looking up the phrase “all-metal 3D printer” are actually looking for all-metal hotends, so we figured this outlier would be worth a quick mention.
However, the Snapmaker isn’t the only 3D printer that can technically be described as an “all-metal” machine. There are a plethora of desktop 3D printers, in both the low-end and high-end segment of the market, that feature an all-metal frame.
Most Popular All-Metal 3D Printers
In the next section, we’ll explore some of the more popular all-metal 3D printers that are steeling (pun and typo intended) the spotlight. While the following selections aren’t necessarily marketed as an “All-Metal 3D Printer” like the Snapmaker, we are categorizing these 3D printers by whether or not they have a frame that is made of 100-percent metal.
You’ll notice that some of the most respected manufacturers, such as Prusa Research and Lulzbot, will be absent from this list despite having a partially metal frame. This is due to the fact that both also have 3D printed components mixed in with the metal, a technicality we felt disqualified them from being considered as an “all-metal 3D printer”.
Here five of the most recognizable all-metal 3D printers on the desktop 3D printing market.
Creality Ender 3
As one of the most popular 3D printers on the desktop market, the Creality Ender 3 arguably fits the bill as an all-metal 3D printer. The simple and effective frame is comprised of aluminum extrusion. Aside from the extruder, the Ender 3 is mostly made up of metal, including the aluminum print bed and base.
Read the review: Creality Ender 3 Review: Best 3D Printer Under $200
Outside of having a sturdy frame, one of the most appealing features of the Creality Ender 3 is its sub-$200 price point. It has a modest print area of 220 x 220 x 250mm, a heated bed, and is fully upgradable. Despite being in an oversaturated budget market, the Ender 3 has distinguished itself by balancing affordability and reliability.
Anycubic i3 Mega
Another one of our favorite budget 3D printers of late is the Anycubic i3 Mega, a plug-and-play machine with a sturdy full metal frame. At under $300, this Chinese-made 3D printer offers so special features, including a filament sensor, a heated bed, and a full-color touchscreen interface.
Read the review: Anycubic i3 Mega Review: Great 3D Printer Under $300
In the middle of this robust metal frame is a decent 210 x 210 x205mm build volume. The Anycubic i3 Mega 3D printer comes semi-assembled, requiring just a few steps before you can get it up and running. The Ultrabase print bed is also a coveted feature of this compact 3D printer. This distinct bed, which has influenced other budget 3D printers after it, enables better adhesion and cleaner removal of 3D printed objects.
Creality CR-10
The Creality CR-10 is a simple, yet highly popular 3D printer that was one of the first to bring large-format 3D printing to the budget segment. It has an open-face frame the made from aluminum extrusions, similar to that of Ender 3, which serves to provide stability during the 3D printing process.
Read the review: Creality CR-10 Review: Great & Affordable
Priced at under $500, the CR-10 is equipped with a massive build space of 300 x 300 x 400mm, as well as a heated bed, SD card reader, and LCD controls with an external power brick. Although it might seem outdated considered the pritner was released in 2016, the Creality CR-10 remains a staple on the desktop 3D printing market and therefore deserves mention for its industry-changing aluminum frame.
Tiertime UP300
The Tiertime UP300 has a closed-box design and a sturdy frame made of sheet metal, earning our recognition as an all-metal 3D printer. This enclosed design is optimal for printing with ABS and other temperature-sensitive materials.
It’s got a modest 205 × 255 × 225mm build volume, an air filtration system, and an easy to use interface, making it the reliable tool that is well-suited for an office, classroom, or workshop.
Read the review: Tiertime UP300 Review: Best Workhorse 3D Printer 2020
You even get three different designated print heads for ABS, PLA, and TPU, each of which is optimized to print with the specified material. If you need a workhorse 3D printer that is capable of taking on advanced materials like ABS, look no further than the Tiertime UP300.
Monoprice Select Mini V2
As one of the first manufacturers to emerge on the budget 3D printer map, the US-based Monoprice has developed a range of affordable machines over the years. The Monoprice Select Mini V2 might be a small 3D printer, but it’s also a substantial part of Monoprice’s longtime success.
In addition to the sturdy all-metal frame, the Select Mini V2 is also hackable, easy to use, and at around $180, incredibly cheap. If you can manage to overlook the teensy 120 x 120 x 120 mm build volume, the Monoprice Select Mini V2 is a robust option for beginners.
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