Jan 24, 2017 | By Tess
Up until now, there has been a strong distinction between 3D printers and what are commonly known as 3D pens, largely (and justifiably) because the former manufacture objects from digital files, while the latter are entirely human controlled and are used to “draw” in 3D. However, a recent partnership between Australian 3D printer company 333D and popular 3D pen manufacturer CreoPop is hoping to bridge this gap—by developing a system that integrates the 3D pen and its patented range of resin inks into a 3D printer.
333D, which debuted on the ASX in August last year, is establishing itself as an FFF 3D printer manufacturer that gears its products primarily to educational institutions and professional/commercial sectors. CreoPop, for its part, has the title of being the world’s first “cool ink” 3D pen, meaning that it uses photopolymer resins and LEDs rather than melted filaments which require high temperatures. This makes it one of the safer 3D pens for kids.
With the new partnership, it seems that 333D and CreoPop are aiming to further solidify their place within the educational sector (as well as the creative/artistic sectors), as they are planning to co-develop a new 3D printer that utilizes CreoPop’s innovative and numerous photopolymer resin materials. According to the companies, the new product, which will integrate 333D’s 3D printing technology with CreoPop’s patented resin materials, would mean a new category of 3D printer.
CreoPop Cool Ink 3D Pen
333D Managing Director Frank Pertile commented: “T3D has long earmarked the education and creative sectors as targets for our printers…We see this collaboration partnership with CreoPop as an exciting opportunity to develop something very unique and compelling for our target markets.”
In addition to the new CreoPop photopolymer resin-based 3D printing system, the companies are also developing a range of smaller 3D printers for the classroom that include a docking cradle for the CreoPop cool ink 3D pen. As Pertile explains in a press release, the 3D pen could be used not only as it traditionally is, by hand, but could be installed as an extrusion device in these new 3D printers.
“We see the classroom of the future having not only the 845 printer but many smaller 3D printers using the CreoPop pen as the extrusion device, providing a tailored and unique learning environment. As an extension we see students owning a CreoPop pen and printing cradle as they would an iPad. We are working with Mac1 to develop marketing collateral that makes available a turn-key solution for schools and students that meets their needs not only for today but for the future.”
Selection of CreoPop's photopolymer resins (some still to come)
The hope for both companies is that together they will develop a product or products that increase their volume sales significantly, and of course make 3D printing more accessible to schools and students. As of the announcement earlier today, shares in 333D (listed on ASX as T3D) have been trading at roughly 28.6% higher than before.
Posted in 3D Printer
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When you write about 3DDD, can you please include all of the issues related to its founders? Otherwise, you're misleading readers and potentially allowing the company commit fraud on the ASX.
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