My 3D Printing Journey: Insights for AT Act Programs Considering a Printer

Hey AT Community! I wanted to share my recent dive into 3D printing and offer some insights that might help other AT programs thinking about getting a printer.

Why I Chose 3D Printing

I'll be honest - my initial motivation was personal. I'm building guitars as a hobby and needed custom jigs for precise drilling angles and router work. But the process of selecting and setting up a printer taught me a lot that could benefit AT programs looking to add in-house 3D printing capabilities.

My Printer Selection Process

Here’s what I prioritized:

Top Priorities:

1. Budget-conscious - Let's face it, most AT programs operate on tight budgets. I aimed for under $300
2. Print size - I wanted to make sure I could print reasonably large objects in one piece. Think about the biggest thing you'd want to print. Printers with at least a 10-inch (250mm) print area in each direction give you plenty of room to work with.
3. Material versatility - Since I didn't know what materials I'd need down the road, I wanted a printer that could handle various filament types. Some materials are super easy to print with (like PLA), while others offer special properties like flexibility or extreme durability. Having options means you can match the material to the specific need.

Secondary Considerations:

• Beginner-friendly (crucial if volunteers or students will use it)
• Print quality and reliability
• Free and easy software - You'll need software to convert 3D designs into instructions the printer can understand (called "slicing"). Make sure the printer works with free, user-friendly options - you don't want to discover you need expensive software after buying the printer!

My Research Resources:

• Tom's Hardware Budget Guide - Their September 2025 review highlighted the Elegoo Centauri Carbon as the fastest budget option (https://www.tomshardware.com/best-picks/best-budget-3d-printers)
• Aurora Tech YouTube - Systematic testing helped me understand real-world performance (https://www.youtube.com/@AuroraTech)

My Choice: Elegoo Centauri Carbon

After weighing everything, I went with the Centauri Carbon ($299 in July 2025). Here's why it could work well for AT programs:

• Fully enclosed - Safer around clients, reduces noise, and maintains consistent temperature for better prints
• Large print area - Can print objects up to 10 inches in each direction (about the size of a dinner plate), which is plenty for most AT devices
• Fast printing - What might take 6 hours on other printers often takes 2-3 hours on this one, meaning quicker turnaround for client needs
• Self-leveling - The printer automatically adjusts itself before each print
• Built-in camera - Check on your prints from your phone or computer, perfect for those long overnight prints
• Built-in light - You can actually see what's happening inside (surprisingly, many printers don't have this!)

Setup Experience:
Literally 30 minutes from box to printing my first Benchy (the 3D printing community's standard test boat design).

First Impressions:
I'm really happy with the printer! I've successfully printed both my own designs created in Fusion360 (3D design software) and downloaded designs from Thingiverse (a site for 3D designs). The prints are super quick and stick well to the build plate - I haven't had a single print fail from poor adhesion.

I have encountered some minor issues: "elephant foot" (where the bottom layer spreads out slightly wider than intended) and some walls that aren't perfectly straight. These are common beginner issues that I'm still fine-tuning.

What really amazes me is the cost savings. The slicing software estimates material cost for each print - typically under $0.25 for items that would cost $30-45 retail. For example, a specialized guitar tool that sells for $45 costs me about $0.10 in filament to make!

Keep the Conversation Going:
If you're already 3D printing for AT - what printer did you choose and why? If you're considering getting started - what questions do you have?