Solidoodle 3:

Specs: The printer size is 34.3 X 35.6 X 35.6 cm, which is a good size to have on a desktop. The build volume is 20.32 X 20.32 X 20.32 cm. It weighs 9 kg, which is heavier than we had expected it to be, although it is still light enough to carry. The print bed size is big which is great for larger prints, and the 20.32 is bigger than lots of its competitors such as the cube, which has a bed of 14.0 X 14.0 X 14.0 cm.

Unfortunately the Solidoodle 3 only prints with a resolution of 300 microns, which is a much worse resolution compared with other printers, e.g. the cube X, Replicator 2, Replicator 2X. The Solidoodle 3 also only has one extruder and there is no option to add more.

Features: The Solidoodle 3 has a heated bed, which is very useful and stops warping on big prints, (the bottom of the print curls up because of the sudden temperature difference from the extruder to the print bed). The heated bed also allows the print to stick better on the print bed.

It also is built around a sturdy metal frame, which adds to its heavy 9 kg, but it means the printer is well protected. It comes with a plastic spool holder which is not as sturdy as we had hoped, although you can always print a new one!

The interior lighting lines the inside of the front of the printer and there is a cooling fan on the back of the extruder.

Software: The software that the Solidoodle uses is called Repetier Host, which is flexible to use, even if it takes time to get used to. To slice a downloaded model you can use Sli3er or Skeinforge. Solidoodle recommend using Sli3er.

Designs for prints can either be made yourself by using, for example Google Sketchup of they can be downloaded from Thingiverse and other similar websites.

Overview: The printer is a very sturdy construction and the software is flexible to play around with, if a bit confusing at first. The printer resolution (300 microns) is lower than we would have liked but it can still print well.