--- title: 4 Things to Consider When Purchasing a 3D Printer for Your Dental Lab description: More affordable 3D printers are hitting the market everyday. See what your dental lab needs to consider before purchasing one. image: https://info.whipmix.com/hubfs/Product_Images/Asiga%20Printers/Asiga-family-max-small-1.jpg --- [![whip_mix_logo.png](https://info.whipmix.com/hs-fs/hubfs/social-suggested-images/whip_mix_logo.png?width=180&name=whip_mix_logo.png "whip_mix_logo.png")](https://whipmix.com/) [![Contact Us](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/111220/b7ad40d2-a589-4955-901d-95c009e55049.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/111220/b7ad40d2-a589-4955-901d-95c009e55049) ![background-teeth-banner-100867-edited.jpg](https://info.whipmix.com/hs-fs/hubfs/background-teeth-banner-100867-edited.jpg?width=1500&name=background-teeth-banner-100867-edited.jpg "background-teeth-banner-100867-edited.jpg") # [4 Things to Consider When Purchasing a 3D Printer for Your Dental Lab](https://info.whipmix.com/things-to-keep-in-mind-before-purchasing-a-3d-printer) ![Chris Frye](https://info.whipmix.com/hs-fs/file-1271180257-jpg/WM_Head_Shots/Chris_Frye.jpg) By [Chris Frye](https://info.whipmix.com/author/chris-frye) - June 15, 2017 - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Finfo.whipmix.com%2Fthings-to-keep-in-mind-before-purchasing-a-3d-printer&t=4%20Things%20to%20Consider%20When%20Purchasing%20a%203D%20Printer%20for%20Your%20Dental%20Lab) - [**](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Finfo.whipmix.com%2Fthings-to-keep-in-mind-before-purchasing-a-3d-printer&text=:%20More%20affordable%203D%20printers%20are%20hitting%20the%20market%20everyday.%20See%20what%20your%20dental%20lab%20needs%20to%20consider%20before%20purchasing%20one.) - [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Finfo.whipmix.com%2Fthings-to-keep-in-mind-before-purchasing-a-3d-printer&title=4%20Things%20to%20Consider%20When%20Purchasing%20a%203D%20Printer%20for%20Your%20Dental%20Lab&summary=More%20affordable%203D%20printers%20are%20hitting%20the%20market%20everyday.%20See%20what%20your%20dental%20lab%20needs%20to%20consider%20before%20purchasing%20one.) - [**](https://plus.google.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Finfo.whipmix.com%2Fthings-to-keep-in-mind-before-purchasing-a-3d-printer) New, more affordable 3D printers are hitting the market everyday. As a result, a large number of dental labs have either already purchased one or are considering doing so in the very near future. If you are one of those labs, there are several important things to consider which will help you to determine if adding a 3D printer is right for you. Here are 4 things to consider before purchasing a 3D printer: ##### **Needs Analysis** - What do you need the technology for? [Are you starting to receive digital impressions](https://info.whipmix.com/dental-labs-proactively-discuss-digital-impressions-with-dentists) and need to print models? Would the printer open a new line of business for you? For example, would you like to start offering surgical guides? splints? nightguards/bite guards, etc. printed from intaoral scans provided by your more progressive accounts?  - Would a printer improve a product or service you currently offer? ##### **Printer Capabilities** - Can this printer be multi-purposed (can I use it to print multiple materials)? If it does print multiple materials, does it need to be purged between printing different materials? What is that process like? ##### **Integration Analysis** - Space - Do you have enough room for the printer and related equipment and materials? - I.T. - Do you have someone to support and maintain the software/hardware? - Integration - Will it integrate with your current CAD system? ##### **Operator considerations** - Training - Will the company you purchased the printer from be able to provide comprehensive training to your technicians? - Compentency - Who are the right people to train in your lab? - Capacity - Will your lab be able to handle the added workflow and productivity? ##### **Cost Analysis** - Purchase Price - What is best for you? Buy it outright or finance it? - Annual maintenance contract - Is the cost justifiable? - Material cost - How much does it cost to print a model, guide, pattern etc.? - Other consumables - What other consumables will you need to account for? Obviously, there are a lot of things to consider when purchasing a 3D printer. Your printer re-seller or manufacturer should be able to answer all of these questions for you. As I have said many times, there is no such thing as a plug and play 3D printer. There are adjustments that need to be made to your [3Shape](https://whipmix.com/product-category/scanning/) or ExoCAD software, adjustments that may need to be made to the material files, and adjustments to the printer itself. The key is to look at a printer like the[ Asiga](https://whipmix.com/product-category/3d-printing/), and to work with a company that can answer all of you questions at the beginning, and will also be there to support you long after the purchase.   [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/111220/9ca2c072-22cb-4bcb-b470-be0de94241d8.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/111220/9ca2c072-22cb-4bcb-b470-be0de94241d8) ## Leave a comment ![Chris Frye](https://info.whipmix.com/hs-fs/file-1271180257-jpg/WM_Head_Shots/Chris_Frye.jpg) Written by [Chris Frye](https://info.whipmix.com/author/chris-frye) Chris has been a product specialist for over 18 years. In 2012, he became involved in the 3D printing industry, helping clients understand the complexities of printing and how it can help their companies. He is knowledgeable in all forms of 3D printing, having been associated with Stratasys, 3D Systems and Asiga. Chris can be reached at cfrye@whipmix.com or 513-680-1512. 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