Aug 24, 2015 | By Alec
Over the past year or so, we’ve seen a steady increase in the amount of multi-functional 3D printers, that combine various functions into a single making machine. While some are more interesting and tempting than others, most follow a clear path, a combination of usually two or three of the following: FDM 3D printing, CNC milling, etching, and engraving. That’s why we’re particularly impressed by the LumiPocket LT, which has just launched a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. Unlike all the others, the LumiPocket multi-functional Personal Fabricator actually relies on resin SLA 3D printing, rather than the same old boring FDM plastics.
This project was launched at just the right time, co-founder Davide tells us. His startup Lumi Industries has been able to rely on the opening up of Kickstarter in his country only a few months ago. However, you might already have heard of Lumi Industries, as they have been around since 2013 and launched the Lumifold DLP 3D printer last year ago and the smaller LumiPocket at the end of 2014.
However, they are now back with an even more interesting machine. And as you can see in the photos above, the LumiPocket LT 3D printer already stands out for its interesting build. For unlike most multifunctional machines, the Italian engineers have replaced the boring Cartesian build with SCARA: ‘The SCARA acronym stands for Selective Compliance Articulated Robot Arm. Its main advantage is the jointed two-link arm; this feature allows the arm to extend into confined areas and then retract or “fold up” out of the way,’ the Italian makers explain. ‘We modified this design so it can cover all the printing area with the smallest possible footprint. This system allows also good quality and speed; normally its main drawback is that controlling this arm involves inverse kinematics for linear interpolated moves.’
But aside from the SCARA robotic arm, the machine itself is also very interesting. For even without its additional functions, this is one of the more affordable resin-based 3D printers with excellent stats. ‘LumiPocket LT is a UV laser based 3D printer, with a resolution of up to 50 microns on the Z and 100 microns on XY axis. Run our cross-platform Software, slice your 3D model (binary or ascii .Stl file), and save the printing job to an SD card: insert it into the LumiPocket LT, it will do all the rest!’ they explain. ‘The maximum printing size is 10 cm diameter by 10 cm high; on LumiPocket LT we suggest our LumiReact resins, however it is also compatible with SpotA, MakerJuice, FunToDo, 3D Materials and Bukytown Polymers UV pigmented resins.’ In short, all you need for high quality prints.
But its PCB etching option is also very awesome and efficient. ‘Of course you can make it "the old way", by printing the mask with a laser printer, aligning the PCB board, than exposing to a UV lamp.. but why not just put a presensitized PCB board into LumiPocket LT's special tray, import your PCB files, and watch it etch your PCB that is then ready to be developed?’ they explain. This method is quick, easy and perfect for standard (pass-through) PCBs.
And finally, the integrated UV laser can be used for easy engraving of a variety of materials, including MDF, wood, PVC, heavy cardboard and leather. The laser used is an UV laser with a 200mW – not the most powerful around, but perfect for your needs and still quite dangers. In short, this engraving option is a perfect little addition to your desktop that you might not always need, but is cool to have available anyway.
The LumiPocket LT thus seems to have a lot of interesting features that will doubtlessly garner a response from the making community. If anything, this is just an affordable and cool-looking resin 3D printer, as its priced at a mere $499 (early bird option). At that price, the engraving and etching options are just fantastic bonuses to have. What’s more, virtually all of the prototyping work is already done, meaning that shipping can begin as early as February 2016. Interested? Check out the LumiPocket LT’s Kickstarter page here.
Posted in 3D Printers
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