www.3ders.org

Feb. 24, 2015 | By Alec

Only a few years ago, chosing a desktop 3D printer was quite easy; there were simply only a few affordable options. While new models are now appearing all over the place recently, some of them stand out more than others. The same can be said about the Krak3n 3D printer, a large forthcoming model that features some very interesting modular options and at the same time remains interesting to both beginners and experienced 3D printing hobbyists.

The current prototype Krak3n.

The Krak3n is developed by a group of four Hungarian developers based in Budapest. By their own admission, they were all 3D printing fanatics who were unsatisfied with the current models on offer. ‘They had been amazed because of the untrammelled possibilities of this new method, but soon they have realized that most 3D printing fans do not have the possibility to choose a perfect desktop 3D printer atomically,’ they write about themselves in the third person. ‘There are too many "either-or" attributes (precision, price, features, speed, design, etc.). So they decided to plan and make the ultimate 3D printer, a high quality device, with many features, that fits more users than anything ever before, with endless future development possibilities.’

While every new 3D printer is presented as something truly revolutionary (and many aren't exactly that), the Krak3n 3D definitely has some very interesting attributes that will doubtlessly catch the eye of hobbyists across the web. For its name, rather than a Norse reference, in fact refers to its many capacities. ‘It is a building monster!’ according to its developers. And while it won’t appear on Kickstarter for another two months or so, the specifications we’ve seen so far definitely suggest it is an all-purpose building machine.

The extrusion head.

‘Our printers have an unique structure, completely eliminating linear carriages. In addition they are complete with advanced features, such as automatic print bed calibration, or the print guard, so beginners can use it easily,’ they write, and especially the print guard is a nice addition. Ever ran out of filament halfway through a nightly 3D printing project? The Print guard takes care of that problem for you. ‘It monitors the filament feed in real time, and if it detects any issue with the flow, it pauses the printing process, moves the extruder head to a safe distance, so it won't melt the print, and tries to remove the [excess] filament, so it won't clog the nozzle. After fixing the issue, the user can continue the printing process, where it was paused.’

But perhaps more interesting is the Krak3n 3D’s modular character, as it can be fitted with more than just a plastic extrusion head. The Hungarian team behind the Krak3n are currently planning to include modular options for dual extrusion heads, a 3D scanner, a drawing tool head and even a laser engraver. They are also already planning further modules for paste and chocolate extrusion, and even a CNC engraver, though feasibility studies are still underway for that last option. For now, its not clear which modules are included and which have to be purchased separately (except for the scanner, which is a standard fit).

However, as can be seen in the table below, the 3D printing function itself is quite decent too. While still in development, the Krak3n is also projected to run on custom-made software that aims to be accessible to entry-level hobbyists while including advanced options for experienced users. ‘Just place it on a table, a shelf, or the floor, plug it in, and start creating! The Krak3n interface allows the user to operate the printer effortlessly, without the time consuming configuration process. This makes the Krak3n a really user friendly, out of the box 3D printer,’ its developers explain.

All this suggests that the Krak3n 3D printer is definitely shaping up to be a very interesting model that will doubtlessly turn some heads in the 3D printing community. First, however, we’ll have to wait for more information to appear alongside their Kickstarter (such as a price!), to see if it will live up to expectations. While modular options are often an excuse for grossly inflating prices, the Krak3n could really convince quite a few users if that manage to keep that side under control.

 

 

Posted in 3D Printers

 

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Andreas wrote at 2/25/2015 8:42:39 PM:

Definately looks interesting, but i would definately not buy that printer, even if it were <1000$. Why? Well, my first problem would be the space it needs to print. With the printhead in it's lowest position it folds out and makes a huge footprint compared to the relatively small print space. Probably not very Kid/Pet safe, i much rather prefer a closed up, well defined build space. (And it is easyer to control the environment (temperature, air darfts) in a closed box.). Another thing you have to take into consideration is the very long and extremely bent bowden tube. This will not work very well or not at all with non-standard filaments (Flex,...) and probably will lead to a lot of oozing or retract/refeed defects in the prints. And i have to argee with Julio that positioning precision on the Delta-Printers made with aluminium-extrusions as linear guides is already a problem on most designs (at least if you have relatively high standards on quality and dimensional accuracy in your printed projects). Just perform a simple test: How far can you move the print head around by hand without moving the motors out of position? Most Delta-Printers i've seen allow you to push the nozzle at least 1mm without using a lot of force. That's basically the reason i switched back to cartesian printers with precision steel linear bearings and rigid frame construction. Now at least the limiting factor is more a problem of inconsistent extrusion/filament and not anymore of mechanical design flaws and calcualtion errors that add even more position errors on top.

Krak3n 3D wrote at 2/25/2015 4:03:10 PM:

Dear Julio, Thank you for letting us know your concerns. We started the development before we knew about the existence of the Simspon, so our design is not a derivative to it, altough it might look similar (that printer is really awesome, but it's not too advertised, especially here. If we knew about it, we would have contaced the designer first. Every part of our printer is original design -or we have no knowledge about the existence of any similar ones-, except for the commercially available ones, like the stepper motors, the nozzle, bearings, etc.). We got the idea for the design from a robotic picking/packaging system (IRB360), but those are fixed above the work area, while our design is ground based. The calibration is difficult indeed, we had to fight some really nasty equations, but we have done the maths, the mechanics are quite robust, and the automatic calibration does a really good job, so the user won't have to do either hardware, or software calibration. If you have any further questions, concerns, advices regarding our printer, please let us know, and we will try to reply ASAP. Best Regards, Krak3n 3D

Julio wrote at 2/24/2015 5:14:17 PM:

Looks it was based on Reprap Simpson. They should at least say krak3n is a derivative work."Has a completely unique design", not true in the whole sense. On the other hand, I don't see having no linear rails as something completely good. To me, delta designs are not very precise and a delta with no rails is very dificult to calibrate.

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