Excerpt from All3DP by Azzura Lalani
Most 3D printers claim to be able to print ABS. But only a few really do a good job. Check out our guide to the best ABS 3D printers and find the perfect pick for your needs.
Though most FDM printers can print with ABS, from Creality to Prusa, they’re not the best at handling the finicky material.
In fact, just to get your 3D printer ABS ready, you have to upgrade to a heated bed — an essential component of a successful print — invest in good adhesive for the bed and build or buy an enclosure.
If you really want to take advantage of all the benefits this material has to offer, you’re best off investing in a 3D printer that is made specifically for handling ABS filament and can make the experience hassle-free.
Check out our picks for the best ABS 3D printers out there.
If you’re a beginner to 3D printing, Tiertime’s UP mini 2 ES is an excellent place to start your journey.
We haven’t reviewed the latest iteration of the mini 2, however, we did thoroughly review its predecessor, the UP mini 2.
Both machines offer some top-tier safety features that are perfect for printing with ABS filament.
They’re compact, easy to operate, boast a HEPA filter to eat up noxious fumes, a separate filament caddy to protect filament from air exposure, has blackout recovery, touchscreen controls, auto-bed leveling and works quietly.
The ES also boasts an upgraded touchscreen and Ethernet connectivity and has a build volume of 120 x 120 x 120 mm.
Though both versions have a limited build volume, unlike the older printer, the ES has an SD card slot.
Regardless of which iteration you pick, the machines’ advantages truly stand out against the competition at their price point.
This mid-to-top spec desktop professional 3D printer is able to handle ABS beautifully. It produces flawless prints with ease and is also simple to use.
The machine boasts interchangeable print heads and two removable double sided glass print beds. Its tall case surrounding the print volume is solid and protects your ABS prints from outside temperatures while the HEPA air filter does away with the filament’s noxious fumes.
The UP300 is heavy and is able to handle a variety of filaments including PLA and flexibles by swapping the print heads. Its build volume is adequate – offering 205 x 255 x 225 mm.
This Tiertime machine is best suited to a more professional setting.