When it comes to selecting a 3D printer, both parents and educators face many challenges, particularly because they do not know the product to go for. The cheap, safe and easier to use 3D printers are available in large numbers, but not all of them are worth your time.
Most people go for either the Monoprice Select Mini 3D Printer or the Da Vinci Mini 3D Printer. After buying one of the two 3D printers, you will be able to experiment and build various models faster and safely. The operation costs and material cost of the two machines are also low.
Monoprice Select Mini 3D Printer Overview
The Monoprice Select Mini 3D Printer is a compact machine that simplifies the 3D printing to basics and is perfect for kids, teens, and beginners.
Even though you will not be able to print any masterpiece off the machine, the Monoprice Select Mini has many specs that are appropriate for people looking to complete experiments and learn.
The printing machine uses the 4.7 inches by 4.7 inches by 4.7 inches build space to create models in various filaments such as ABS and PLA. Its aluminum print bed allows the models to remain stuck on the surface with more reliability because it is heated.
The model prints at a passable speed around 55mm/s at the 100-micron resolution. The resolution is not an issue particularly because the machine simplifies the printing processes. The Monoprice Mini accepts Micro USB and MicroSD connection options too and you are free to select the software to use.
daVinci Mini 3D Printer Overview
Even though the Da Vinci Mini 3D Printer might not have most of the features that the adult enthusiasts require, it offers a lot of value for kids.
It boasts bright colors and parts that are easier to identify and which makes it a good learning kit for young kids. The Da Vinci Mini offers many benefits over the Monoprice Select Mini 3D Printer.
To start with, its build volume measures 6 inches by 6 inches by 6 inches. It also prints very fast than the Monoprice Select Mini, to around 100m/s. if you need more convenience, you will benefit from the auto-calibration on the unheated print bed. The resolution of this machine ranges between 100 and 400 microns in 100 increments.
The Monoprice Select Min wins in most categories. A quick example, the Da Vinci Mini 3D Printer can only print with the XYZprinting PLA filament. It does not offer any wireless printing option and you will have to connect it through USB to your computer until the printing ends.
DaVinci Mini vs Monoprice Select Mini 3D Printer
da Vinci Mini vs Monoprice Select Mini 3D Printer
To help you understand the difference between the two – Da Vinci Mini 3D Printer and the Monoprice Select Mini 3D Printer in a better way, we have considered some of the common features. Keep reading to understand more.
Style and Design
The Da Vinci Mini 3D Printer comes as fully assembled and therefore you will not spend any of your time on the assembly part. It is a small sized unit that will sit on your desktop, but that should not mean that its build area is restricted. It prints decent-sized models – not very large.
The enclosure makes it loud when printing but because there is a plastic frame to cover the mechanical parts, it is quieter than most models.
It has a single extruder and can attain a 100mm/s speed, which means that you might a long time to print. And because the build area is 6 inches in every direction, you will not take hours to create a cube.
On the other hand, the Monoprice Select Mini 3D Printer is surprisingly heavy for the size. That is mainly due to its all-metal construction, which makes it a sturdier machine that does not wiggle during the printing.
The printer is also easy on the eyes because the manufacturer tucks most of the mechanisms behind the metal exterior. And despite its sleek design and the tucked-away components, the inner workings are more accessible. You will definitely love the easier to replace parts and the accessible design.
Ease of Use
Possibly, you would not want to spend your money on a 3D printer only to find out that it is not the right choice for your kids. As a parent, you already know that your kid will lose interest if the machine is very hard to use.
The two printers are incredibly easier to use. The manufacturer supplies the Monoprice Select Mini 3D Printer factory calibrated and fully assembled so that you will be able to use it straight from the box.
On the other hand, the assembly of Da Vinci Mini 3D Printer takes only a few minutes and after that, you will be able to print. Moreover, Da Vinci Min comes with child-friendly XYZprinting software, which is ideal for parents, educators, and kids learning about 3D printing.
Build Volume
The Da Vinci Mini has a large build volume – it measures 6 inches by 6 inches by 6 inches. That means that it is smaller than its predecessor is. Its total weight stands at 24.25 lbs, which means that you can easily move it from one place to the other. It will not occupy much of your desktop space. The print build area stands at 5.9 inches cubed.
Monoprice Select Mini 3D Printer has a build volume of 4.7 inches by 4.7 inches by 4.7inches. The outer dimensions are 11.3 inches by 7.5 inches by 13.5 inches. The weight stands at 9.9 pounds, which means that you can easily move it from one place to the other.
Supported Filaments
Monoprice Select Mini 3D Printer uses both PLA and ABS filaments. It also supports other filament materials like copper fill, wood, bronze fill, and steel fill. The manufacturer equips it with one extruder nozzle, a 3.7 inches IPS color screen and a heated printing bed.
The Da Vinci Mini 3D printer uses a proprietary PLA filament, which is of great quality and child-friendly. You can only use the XYZPrinting filament that the manufacturer has created for the printers within this range.
You cannot use any PLA filament available in the market. The only drawback relates to the color range. They have a good range of transparent and solid color in addition to natural and gold. The range is likely to grow as the popularity of this machine increases.
Printing Speed and Quality
The Da Vinci Mini offers three different printing speeds. Fundamentally, if you print fast, the resulting object will be of rough quality.
The fastest setting results in significant stepping on the curved surfaces but if it takes its time, the model will look better – not to a professional level. Because the manufacturer has limited you to the PLA filaments, everything is simple.
The Monoprice Select Mini 3D Printer comes pre-loaded with the “lucky cat” on the SD card. The manufacturer fine-tunes it for the best results, which means that you are unlikely to encounter any challenges.
The object will come out accurate, clean and consistent – layer after layer. Even though some jobs will leave you feeling worried and unsure whether the machine will complete the job, you should be confident during your purchase.
Software and Connectivity
The software is straightforward, which means that any beginner-level user will not have any problems using it. It runs on Linux and Windows software and after you have gone through the process, you will realize that patience is important. It allows you to scale models and add several models when printing.
It is seemingly slow at the beginning but the speed will improve as you continue printing more items. The slicing software will help you prepare the models before printing and show you more information about your print including the filament estimates. You can connect the printer through Wi-Fi and print the household items like toys for your kids.
Monoprice Select Mini 3D printer scores highly in this category. The desktop-based slicer program and the onboard software are simple to use. As with any other printer, the Select Mini can work on any slicer program and you will, therefore, be able to choose the one you desire.
The onboard user interface is straightforward and is not very different from the first generation.
The Select Mini boasts knob-based navigation scheme and intuitive menu trees but Monoprice worked hard on the aesthetics. You can print compatible .obj and .stl formatted files through one of the commercial software like Repetier, Cura or Simplify 3D or the open-source software. You can print through microSD card, Wi-Fi, or through the Micro-USB port.
The Verdict
If you are looking for a better way to introduce your kids to the new technology, to foster curiosity and creativity, you will have to consider 3D technology.
Even though any of the two machines would be a good choice, the Monoprice Select Mini is a better choice for school-aged children and for people who require a printer to use in classroom-based environments.
The Monoprice Select Mini has better overall potential and it is easier to use for student, educators, and parents. it can use various types of software and filaments, which your kids might need as their interest grows. Moreover, Monoprice Select Mini can accept filament from any brand.
