Oct 17, 2015 | By Benedict
3D printing firm Qubea, which has been active since mid-2012, has developed a new 3D printer for kids. The Rever 3D printer, marketed as an 'affordable 3D printer for kids', is the subject of a Kickstarter campaign, through which Qubea hopes to raise $150,000.
Whilst other 3D printers, such as the Origo and Printeer, have been designed with children in mind, the Rever is available for a significantly lower price. For a limited time only, backers can receive a Rever for a $169 pledge, before the regular Kickstarter price of $219 kicks in. The Rever is also available in other colours for $269.
After seeing its products put to use in professional and medical settings, Qubea decided to tap into the children’s market. The Rever has been designed with affordability, usability and safety in mind, making it the perfect creative tool for kids. Qubea says that the Rever “brings the joy of creativity into the modern age with the world’s first affordable, safe and easy to use 3D printer for kids.”
Anyone who has operated a 3D printer would be reluctant to recommend them as being safe for children. Their heated and moving parts clearly have the potential for hazard in the wrong hands. The Rever aims to give unprecedented safety levels, with a translucent safety door. Just like with an oven or microwave, kids can watch the 3D printing process through a clear window, with the mechanical parts safely behind the door. The door can only be unlocked once the dangerous parts have been retracted away from reach. This means that kids will never be able to get their hands in the way of the printer’s moving parts, keeping them safe from harm.
Another safety hazard in most 3D printers is the toxicity of its plastic filament. The PLA used in the Rever’s cartridges is, however, non-toxic. This means that the 3D printer can be used to print plates and cups which are perfectly safe to eat and drink from. Furthermore, if a keen young child (or pet) decides to take a bite out of one of the Rever’s prints, parents don’t have to worry about poisoning.
The Rever has been designed for complete ease of use. Designs can be easily sent wirelessly to the 3D printer from a tablet—a process that kids will have no problem mastering. The free Qubea Rever iPad and Android app permits easy 3D designing, contains a simple interface, and is supplied with a child-friendly instruction manual. A large number of pre-made designs will be available to download from the Qubea store. The company will be working with a number of toy makers and designers to give a wide range of printing options to kids.
The Rever Kickstarter campaign has currently raised over $23,000 of its $150,000 target, with 55 days to go. If you are a parent or teacher and see potential in the Rever project, head over to the Kickstarter page and back the project.
Posted in 3D Printing Application
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I quite understand and like the idea of chipped filament reels to ensure quality and safety. Just saw they had post a new update: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/790988202/the-rever-the-worlds-first-affordable-3d-printer-f/posts/1388967
Tracy wrote at 10/20/2015 10:58:37 AM:
I have several 3D printer. It is difficult to use without the technical background. Also, the filament from China has been terrible me, but some of them are ok. The chipped filament maybe an option.
Tendy wrote at 10/20/2015 10:37:54 AM:
I think this product is more focus on kids usage, fun & sth. Not like other 3D printers. The idea is good, need to look inside.
Feign wrote at 10/19/2015 9:19:33 PM:
If QA is an issue and your filament is the best, then let people use it by choice. There is just no actual excuse for DRM chipped filament except as a way to hide the true cost of the printer from potential buyers.
Qubea Team wrote at 10/19/2015 10:35:56 AM:
To Bill Thank you for your comment. Qubea have been developing 3D printer for over 3 years. According to our experience, most of the 3D printing problems (nozzle jam, bad printing quality, non-stable printing) are caused by the un-qualify filament. Rever is made for kids, for easy use and fun. So we insist to use our qualify filament which are special made for Rever. One more, chipped filament also improved user experience to notify user the rest of filament roll. And the Rever chipped standard is not close end limit by Qubea, it will open to the qualified filament supplier. Compare with other branding chipped filament and un-chipped filament, our chipped filament price is very low. List below for your reference: Chipped Filament: XYZPrinting PLA 600g @ $ 28 equal to $ 23.33 / 0.5kg Zeepro PLA 280g @ $ 24.99 equal to $ 44.63 / 0.5kg Un-Chipped Filament: OCTAVE PLA 1kg @ $ 29.99 equal to $ 14.99/0.5kg
Bill wrote at 10/18/2015 1:33:03 AM:
Proprietary Filament Warning!!! It can only use their own brand of filament... at $19 per 1/2 kilo, it's about twice as expensive as non DRM filament.
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