3D Printer Selection Rationale

The 3D Phononic crystals of size 30 x 30 x 8 mm and 400 microns diameter are required to be
autonomously printed and tested for the unique acoustic bandgap. In order to simplify the printing
process it was decided to choose a printer with a technology that will print these structures without
use of any support material. Hence we selected an FDM printer with a resolution high enough to
print the filaments that are 200 microns small. Another important factor in selecting the 3D printer
was the build volume. This provided enough space to accommodate the testing and material
transporting setup on top of the printer bed. This also ensured that the heating bed of the printer
was able to withstand the weight of the structure that needs to be mounted for testing the crystals.
To be able to operate the printer remotely and through the PC (USB/network) was another
deciding parameter in selecting a 3D Printer. Ultimaker S5 was found to be a good match in
meeting all our requirements needed to the project.
The table below shows the available printer out there that offer different advantages and Ultimaker
S5 has been selected based on the following parameters -
 Technology : FDM
 Build Volume : 330 x 240 x 300
 Layer Resolution : 60-150 microns
 Printing Area : 330 x 240 (to accommodate motor and testing assembly)
 Allowable weight on Bed : 29.7 kg (Density of PLA = 1.25 g/cc)
 Bed Movement : Z axis
 Connectivity : Wi-Fi, LAN, USB Port
 Supported OS : Windows
 File Types
 Ultimaker CURA : STL,OBJ
 Printable Formats : G,GCODE
 FDM 3D Printers
Build Size Resolution Built Plate  Heated 
S.NO 3D Printer Dimensions Material Software Cost Comments
(mm) (mm) Movement Bed
# Bed movement 
MakerBot  285 x 153 x  485 x 410 x 
1 0.1 Z Axis No PLA Simplify3D $2,500 along Z
Replicator 2 155 380

# Bed movement 
MakerBot  246 x 152 x  485 x 410 x 
2 0.1 Z Axis Yes PLA,ABS Simplify3D $2,500 along Z
Replicator 2X 155 525

# Bed movement 
MakerBot  295 x 195 x  520 x 405 x  along Z
3 0.1 Z Axis No PLA Simplify3D $2,500
Replicator + 165 435

# Higher build 
Volume
PLA, ABS, PVA,  # Higher 
330 x 240 x  495 x 457 x 
4 Ultimaker 5S 0.06 Z Axis Yes HIPS,  CURA $6,000 Resolution
300 520
Polycarbonate # Bed movement 
along Z
# Bed movement 
PLA, ABS, PVA, 
152 x 152x  435 x 340 x  CURA/  along XY
5 Lulz Bot Mini 0.05 XY Axes Yes HIPS,  $1,500
158  385 Simplify3D
Polycarbonate

# Higher build 
Volume
PLA, ABS, PVA, 
280 x 280x  660 x 520 x  CURA/  # Bed movement 
6 Lulzbot Taz 6 0.05 XY Axes Yes HIPS,  $2,500
250 520  Simplify3D along XY
Polycarbonate