www.3ders.org

Jan.8, 2014

Old World Laboratories launches today its newest 3D printer, the OWL Nano. Unlike most RepRap-style DIY 3D printers that use plastic extrusion to build 3D objects, the OWL Nano uses stereolithography (SL) technology, where a laser beam is used to solidify UV curable material in layers.

OWL Nano supports a build volume of 200 x 200 x 200mm and is a compact 3D printer that fits in any workspace. The company claims the OWL Nano prints objects with a resolution 100x more precise than its closest competitor in the $2,000 – $5,000 price range. But they haven't shown any 3D prints yet.

"The OWL Nano offers the accuracy and reliability of significantly more expensive, larger machines," said Nicholas Liverman, partner, Old World Laboratories.

"OWL Nano's leap in resolution and accuracy stems from its next-generation stereolithography technology," says the company. "Unlike other stereolithographic printers, which bounce a laser beam off mirrors before it reaches the object being printed, the OWL Nano positions its laser source just centimeters from the structure. This decreases beam distortion and allows the highly tuned, single strand laser to focus on an area as small as 100 nanometers. The OWL Nano's laser also maintains a perfect perpendicular position below the object it is forming, which creates a more balanced 3D print." "In addition, it also minimizes fumes – eliminating the need for additional room ventilation – and helps stabilize operating temperature."

Product features include:

• Printing technology: Stereolithography (SLA)
• Layer Resolution: 100 nanometers
• Build Volume: 288 in3 (6L x 6W x 8H in) / 4,500,000 mm3 (150L x 150W x 200H mm)
• Weight: 45 lbs
• Power: 1.4 A, 120 V
• Build Temperature: 72 – 77 F
• Build Materials: Acrylate, Photopolymer Resin
• Software: Netfabb, Marlin Filmare (included)
• O.S. Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux
• Travel Case: Pelican (included)

The OWL Nano desktop 3D printer is priced at $4,900.

Update Jan.9, 2014:

3D prints made on the printer:

 

Posted in 3D Printers

 

 

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Tony wrote at 11/30/2015 12:12:51 AM:

The specs are impressive but there is no obvious way to buy one of these machines so I guess they are still refining it.

HARDY PRIETO RIOS wrote at 6/16/2014 4:14:56 PM:

HOLA, NECESITO EL LINK PARA BAJAR EL CATALOGO

Kakatran wrote at 4/6/2014 8:27:28 PM:

Parts look awful my Envisiontech Ultra can do tons better. Why can't they add images of their prints ? Wouldn't that speak louder than their words ?

John wrote at 3/10/2014 1:41:34 AM:

So after having tried to get these guys to print a test model for me for the better part of two months, they keep telling me there is a delay and that they will do it next week.... the last email said give us another 5 weeks... im pretty sure this is either a scam or they have over exaggerated the resolution on this machine to a point where they don’t want people discussing the actual print quality. Im pretty disappointed both with their lack of customer service, honesty and ability to deliver something as simple as a test print.

professor Smith wrote at 2/18/2014 6:01:23 PM:

This machine is amazing,I have witnessed its amazing ability to create tiny detailed prints. The phots of the prints show do no justice.

ian wrote at 2/12/2014 11:15:45 PM:

They're claiming resolution equivalent or better than the nanoscribe: http://www.nanoscribe.de/en/applications But the prints don't seem to show this level of detail. They credit a "single strand laser" for the resolution, but I could find no mention on Google. I think they mean "Fiber laser", which are becoming more common in many products (several laser cutters, etc.). Nanoscribe uses a fiber laser: http://www.nanoscribe.de/en/technology/direct-laser-writing

James wrote at 1/16/2014 4:41:31 AM:

I assume that the 100nm refer to the layer resolution (in Z), what about the accuracy in X and Y ?

mike wrote at 1/15/2014 8:42:15 PM:

That is poor photography, the company was only willing to give private demos for a very good reason.

slo 3D creators wrote at 1/11/2014 1:29:17 AM:

Owning a Form 1, I can vouch for the quality and these prints look worse than the ones that I am getting. It very noticeable in the sloped surfaces and the irregularities. This SL printer may be able to focus to 100nm, but it does not mean that it can accurately keep that 100nm movement. By the way the Form 1 is capable of 250nm.

BigFan wrote at 1/10/2014 12:55:55 AM:

yeah...not impress with the quality of the prints. Maybe bad photography? Would like to see a sample in person.

nicklogan wrote at 1/9/2014 3:35:46 PM:

It's likely the 100 nm resolution refers to the depth of exposure into the resin, not the movement control capability of the beam.

broli wrote at 1/9/2014 11:03:16 AM:

Isn't 100nm inside the range of the UV spectrum? This looks like a marketing stunt. Yes it probably is accurate, like most SL printers, but 100nm accurate is a bit of an exxageration imo.

Anja wrote at 1/9/2014 10:00:01 AM:

@jd900. There was no photos of the parts yesterday. But I guess they added later. We have updated in the post.

the OWL wrote at 1/9/2014 5:46:31 AM:

Great article, thanks !

jd900 wrote at 1/9/2014 5:26:06 AM:

OK, so the press pack didn't include pictures of parts made using this machine? I went to their web site, the parts don't look very impressive, so maybe that's why. The parts look markedly worse than what I've seen with a Form 1. I think it's a nice looking machine, but the part it makes is the whole point.

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