3D Printer Evaluation Grant/Rubric

For this assignment, assume that you are in the 3D printer market for your school or business. A granting agency (me) has money for purchasing a 3D printer, but they want to make sure you have done your homework and know exactly what you need and want. Your task is to create a rubric that you will use to evaluate a number of printers (5-10). The list below highlights some of the things to think about when purchasing a 3D printer.

 

Factors to consider:

• Cost
• Kit or pre-built
• Build Platform type/leveling/material used to adhere material to plate (tape? hairspray?)
• Closed or Open Build Envelope
• Cold or heated build plate
• Internet Connectivity?
• Operating System Requirements
• Material used to print –Generic? Proprietary feed?  Color?
• Cost of material used to print
• Ease-of-use/Special tools needed?
• Customer service plan/Cost for service/Turnaround
• Manufacturer Issues
• Build Envelope Dimensions
• Print Resolution
• Print Technology (Stereolithography, Extrusion, Phase Change Inkjet )

Sites with printer information:

http://www.additive3d.com/3dpr_cht.htm

http://www.makershed.com/pages/3d-printer-comparison.

http://www.productchart.com/3d_printers/ (Interactive)

http://www.3ders.org/pricecompare/3dprinters/

http://3d-printers.toptenreviews.com/

You will see charts comparing the printers. Consider using a similar chart to organize the printers you evaluate. Assign point vales for the different categories. The printer with the highest scores should be the one you select, unless you have a compelling reason to pick the 2^nd or 3^rd highest scoring printer.

Once you have evaluated the printers with your rubric, write up a short justification (275 words) in Word, explaining why you chose the printer you chose, what you will do with it, and how it will improve your classroom or business.

Write up Rubric (One point for name on paper)
Item / Value	0	2	3
Write Up		Fewer than 275 words	275+ words
Learning/business need	Report lacks information about learning/business need	Report includes reference to learning/business need, but lacks connection from hardware decision to need	Report includes information about the learning/business need and ties the hardware decision to the need
Rubric Results	No discussion or chart is included in report	Chart of rubric results is included but not discussed in write up	Rubric results are shown in chart and are discussed in write up
Rubric Rubric
Item / Value	0	10	20
Rubric	Rubric lacks comparative factors related to the decision	Rubric analyzes hardware on the basis of three or fewer factors, or factors are unrelated to the decision	Rubric analyzes hardware using a variety of factors (five or more factors- there are 15 in the list) related to the decision
# of printers evaluated	One printer evaluated	2-4 printers evaluated	5-10 printers evaluated

3 Pages