The State of 3D Printing: Insights from the Community Survey

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In the video “The State of 3D Printing: Insights from the Community Survey” by Teaching Tech, the community is invited to share their thoughts and opinions on the state of 3D printing. The video explores the community’s likes, dislikes, and priorities regarding 3D printing, and includes sections on general snapshot, consumer interests, and other related topics. The survey conducted provides important feedback for developing 3D printers that meet the community’s needs and desires. Key findings from the survey include the number of printers owned, preferred slicers, printing interests, desired features, and more. The community emphasizes the importance of printers that not only work well but also allow for customization and upgrades, while also valuing open-source and sustainable printing practices. The video concludes with a reminder to buy quality filament and resins from trusted sources.

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Table of Contents

General Snapshot

In this section, we will take a general overview of the community survey and discuss its importance in gathering feedback from the 3D printing community. We will also touch upon the success of a previous printer developed by Bamboo Lab.

The community survey was conducted to gather opinions and preferences from the 3D printing community. It aimed to understand the community’s likes, dislikes, and priorities related to 3D printing. The survey received an overwhelming response, with nearly 1,000 people participating.

The importance of community feedback cannot be overstated in the development of 3D printers. By gathering opinions from the community, manufacturers can gain valuable insights into the features and functionalities that users want in their 3D printers. This ensures that the printers developed align with the needs and wants of the users.

The success of a previous printer developed by Bamboo Lab is a testament to the power of community feedback. The printer, called X1, was developed based on the feedback received from the community in a previous survey conducted a few years ago. It addressed the community’s need for properly developed printers with great features. The positive response from the community led to its widespread popularity and disrupted the home 3D printing market.

Consumer Interests

In this section, we will delve into the various interests and preferences of consumers regarding 3D printing. We will explore the number of 3D printers owned, the preference for FDM 3D printing, the preferred slicers for both FDM and resin printing, the perception of 3D printers as tools and hobbies, and the popular printing interests.

According to the survey, most people own between 2 to 4 3D printers. This indicates a significant interest and investment in 3D printing among the community.

The majority of the audience expressed a preference for FDM 3D printing, which is not surprising given its accessibility and affordability compared to resin printing.

When it comes to slicers, the preferred slicer for FDM printing was Orca slicer, followed by PrusaSlicer, Cura, BambooStudio, and SuperSlicer. For resin printing, the preferred slicers were Chitubox and LCHI.

The survey also revealed that 3D printers are viewed as both tools and hobbies by the community. It seems that most people enjoy the ability to make practical prints to solve problems in their lives, as well as 3D printed parts and upgrades. Other popular printing interests mentioned include decorative pieces, prototyping, prints for selling and profit, cosplay and costumes, and other miscellaneous projects such as RC cars and drones.

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Preferred 3D File Site

In this section, we will discuss the preferred 3D file site among the community. According to the survey, the preferred 3D file site is PrusaPrinters. This indicates that the community has a strong trust and preference for this particular site when it comes to sourcing 3D files for their printing projects.

Preferences for 3D Printer Features

In this section, we will explore the preferences of the community regarding 3D printer features. We will discuss the preference for printers that “just work,” the interest in budget printers and DIY printer kits, the importance of open-source hardware and software, the limited interest in cloud connectivity and AI, and the desire for multicolor and multimaterial printing.

The survey revealed that the majority of the community prefers more expensive 3D printers that “just work” out of the box. While there is interest in budget printers that may require some tinkering, most users would still rather pay more for a reliable and hassle-free printing experience.

There is also a significant interest in DIY printer kits, where building the printer becomes a project in itself. This suggests that a portion of the community enjoys the process of building and customizing their 3D printers.

Open-source hardware and software are of great importance to the majority of the community. This indicates a strong preference for transparency and customization when it comes to 3D printing technology.

On the other hand, there is limited interest in cloud connectivity and AI features for 3D printers at the moment. The community seems to value control and autonomy over their printing processes, rather than relying on cloud-based systems or artificial intelligence.

Furthermore, the survey showed a desire for multicolor and multimaterial printing capabilities. Users are interested in being able to create prints with multiple colors and materials to enhance their creations.

Other desired features mentioned by the community include quiet operation, fast printing speeds, and easy firmware modification.

Survey on Technical Support and Design Capabilities

In this section, we will discuss the feedback received from the community regarding technical support and design capabilities of 3D printers.

The survey included questions about the community’s experience with technical support. While specific feedback was not provided, it is important for manufacturers to take note of the community’s perception of technical support and strive to provide efficient and helpful assistance to users.

Opinions on design capabilities were also sought in the survey. Unfortunately, the specific details of these opinions were not elaborated upon, but it is clear that design capabilities are a consideration for users when choosing a 3D printer.

Funny and Crazy Ideas for 3D Printers

In this section, we will discuss the funny and crazy ideas that emerged from the survey regarding 3D printers.

While the specific ideas were not outlined in the context, it can be assumed that participants shared humorous and outlandish ideas that showcase the creativity and imagination of the community. These ideas, although not practical or feasible, contribute to the overall fun and excitement surrounding the world of 3D printing.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored the preferences and interests of the 3D printing community based on a comprehensive survey. The community has expressed a desire for 3D printers that “just work” while allowing for customization and upgrades. There is also an emphasis on open-source hardware and software, as well as non-wasteful printing practices.

Manufacturers should pay attention to the feedback and preferences of the community in order to develop printers that align with their needs and wants. By incorporating the desired features and functionalities, manufacturers can create printers that cater to the diverse interests of the 3D printing community and provide an enjoyable and fulfilling printing experience.

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