Dremel - 3D45-EDU DigiLab 3D45 Award Winning 3D Printer w/extra supplies, 30 Lesson plans, PC & MAC OS, Chromebook, iPad Compatible, Built-in HD Camera, Heated Build Plate

The Dremel 3D45-EDU 3D printer is easy to use with almost no set-up. It was well packed for shipment which caused a bit of concern on how to get the packing material out of the machine without causing damage. We quickly found a video that suggested it was OK to gently lift up on the print head module to get it out of the way. Then we were able to remove the last of the packaging.We like that the Dremel filament reels come with an RFID chip that tells the machine how to make all necessary adjustments for the type of material used. The guided leveling and automatic calibration of the build plate are well worthwhile. The enclosure is sturdy and helps keep the work area at the proper temperature. The removable build plate makes it easy and quick to change print jobs keeping the machine running. Being able to remove the build plate also makes it easier to remove the print.The first 8th grader we introduced the machine to had a file downloaded and printing within 30 minutes.

I currently own two Dremel 3D45’s and I have to say they are amazing! I have printed ALL of Dremel's filaments (in every color) and they are extremely simple to use and print perfectly! I have also printed Proto-Pasta HTPLA as well as Proto-Pasta HTPLA CF in one of my units. I would recommend upgrading to a plated/hardened nozzle to print CF or any other “exotic” fliaments.The packing of the product is what you’d expect from Dremel. It’s simple set up, and start a pre-loaded print with in seriously less than an hour (there is firmware update). The menu screens are easy to read and navigate. The machine is honestly very quiet. The enclosure helps but overall even with a door open it’s not loud.Pros:Simple to useEasy to set upQuietAmazing build qualityDremel Specific CuraPrint CloudBuilt in cameraAuto set up of Dremel filamentsAble to use 3rd Party Filaments*Cons:No Yellow PLA from Dremel at the momentSlow start up5 screws (Torx & Hex) to clear a hard jamNo Torx/Hex tools included.

This is the first 3d printer I've owned, so this isn't really a comparative review, but a review of using the product. First off, it's fantastically fun to 3d print things. My kids have been making themselves toys almost non-stop, and when I can occasionally get in some time for myself, I've been printing up little organizational tools, and it is fantastic for both uses. The printed objects generally come out really fantastic, are very precise, and often look quite handsome. Changing filament is intuitive and fast. However, there are some caveats to be aware of:Caveat #1: The printer comes with really intuitive free software called Dremel DigiLabs 3d Slicer. It is really easy to get started with and takes 3d models that you want to print and converts them into instructions for the printer, including generating "supports" to hold up parts of the 3d model that would otherwise float in space. Unfortunately, the supports that it generates are really a giant pain to work with, are too frequent, too dense, and too difficult to remove. There is other 3D software (you can search for it) that will do a much better job of designing these supports, but the free versions typically don't work with this printer, and the paid ones are quite expensive.Caveat #2: Using other software would be a whole lot easier if there existed printer drivers, but the only evidence that such a thing might exist seems to several months old support posts indicating that drivers are eventually coming but not available yet. So, I instead of running a cable to print, I'm stuck ferrying a USB drive back and forth. It's not the end of the world, but it's more of a pain than it should be.Caveat #3: We've had this machine about a week now, and we've already had to clear two jams. When this happens, material simply stops flowing through the printhead, and device just keeps working away printing (somewhat amusingly) into space. Again, not the end of the world, but disappointing nonetheless.Caveat #4: The "educational software" was not what I expected. It's a very short, very generic course on 3d printing online that seems targeted at teachers who desire to have a certificate that says they know about 3d printing. I was hoping for a lot more detailed instructions on 3d modeling, support structure, relevant software packages and so forth. In its defense, the educational software did turn me onto the entirely independent and remarkably good TinkerCad and Fusion 360 programsSo, two weeks in, this is not a perfect device and not quite what I expected, but it is a load of fun and incredibly useful for little projects and tinkering around the house. Even at this price, I do actually expect it to eventually pay for itself by printing things I would have otherwise picked up at the store, and of course it opens up the potential to create your own projects that are otherwise entirely unattainable.

Very pleased with the purchase so far. I was able to print right out of the box with the included models (frog) but also with few models directly from Thingiverse (cookie cutters, windup car...) without any issues.Dremel DigiLab 3D slicer works best for me, I tried printcloud but the slicer gave me some issues and the results were not great with some bed adhesion problems.Overall pretty happy with the purchase.Concerning the EDU package that I bought to go through my 8 years old daughter and 11 years old son, I was a bit disappointed that it did not come with lessons printed in booklets for the price, it is 100% online and you need to print the lessons yourself. Lessons seem to be well done and I am planning to go over a few of them with my kids, I have not done so yet though.