Apr. 6, 2015 | By Simon
Although the popularity of 3D printing has been around for a few years now, it hasn’t been until recently where we have started seeing products designed for finishing 3D prints. Sure, people have using tools such as hand routers or various chemicals but few products have actually been marketed as “3D print finishing tools”.
Just last week we saw the release of the Retouch3D finishing tool launch on Kickstarter and it has since raised over $45,000 of its original goal of $30,000 and still has over 25 days left to go in its campaign.
“Forget snapping, scraping, and sanding; Retouch3D’s variable heat control system and interchangeable heads mean you finish-off all your 3D prints like a pro,” says the Retouch3D Kickstarter page.
“Retouch3D’s ergonomic handheld design combines comfort and precision, allowing makers to clean-up 3D prints with the assistance of heat which is matched to the melting properties of their printing material. Compliment the hours you spend 3D modeling with a hi-tech tool that helps make your models look perfect!”
The tool, which uses any number of included interchangeable tips to burr or melt off undesirable material on 3D printed objects, is designed for both professionals and hobbyists alike who aim to have a more finished 3d printed object than what comes directly off of a 3D printer including those created using SLA, SLS, FDM and other polymer-based additive manufacturing methods.
Now, a new option for finishing 3D prints has also launched on Kickstarter that - similar to the Retouch3D - acts as a sort of hand router for finalizing a 3D print.
The cordless tool - which is a 3D printing-focused update to the existing Solderdoodle Pro soldering tool - utilizes the existing Solderdoodle Pro functionalities with three all-new tips designed specifically for 3D prints. For those that already own the Solderdoodle Pro, the new attachment set including the 3 tips is just $15.
“You can literally go anywhere and still have a way to charge your Solderdoodle if there is a laptop, USB battery, wall adapter, or even a USB solar charger nearby,” says the Solderdoodle 3D print finishing tool’s Kickstarter page.
“Solderdoodle Pro uses a high-efficiency, high-power charge controller, uses the same battery that's used in the Tesla electric car, and uses replaceable tips.”
The original Solderdoodle Pro was designed as a portable soldering iron with the ability to last for over half-hour with full-power at 800º F or for over 2 hours above 500º F with the ability to charge from any USB port.
Ultimately, while the Retouch3D was designed specifically for 3D print finishing, the Solderdoodle Pro simply makes use of a new tip system on top of an existing product that was originally designed for soldering wires. For interested users who haven’t pre-purchased a Solderdoodle Pro, the cost of purchasing both the unit and the tips starts at $58 for the first 300 backers before going up $10 to $68 for the remainder of the campaign.
For the more 3D printing-focused Retouch3D, backers who are willing to pay $149 (limited to first 500) will be among the first to received the product after it goes into production.
It’s important to note that while there is a cost difference, the Retouch3D does include more tips in their lineup and are planning on releasing more tips over time as beta testers and other users request them. Additionally - although both units have not been tested - the Retouch3D appears to be more ergonomically-friendly, however unlike the Solderdoodle, the unit is not cordless.
Will this end up being the battle between 3D print finishing tools? Already, the new 3D print-finishing Solderdoodle Pro kit has raised nearly $10,000 for the 3D print-finishing attachment set with 26 days left to go in their campaign while the Retouch3D has raised over $46,000 with 27 days left to go in their campaign.
Posted in 3D Printer Accessories
Maybe you also like:
- 3D printed modified Apple charger could hack iPhone in minutes
- Slow down and look for hidden 3D printed tiny bunnies near you
- 3D printed STAR bot sprawls down and goes under doorways
- Scientists create lifelike artificial ear using cells from sheep and a 3D printer
- NZ programmer building impressive 3D-printed Aston Martin
- 3D printed eyewear Protos launched crowd-funding campaign
- 3D printed wired face
- 3D printed luxury homes for hermit crabs
- Ford's 3D-printed shift Knob teaches how to drive a manual
- Disney develops richly expressive 3D printed eyes for robots
The Solderdoodle Pro base unit includes a conical soldering iron tip, so yes, you can solder with it.
Corey wrote at 4/7/2015 2:03:25 AM:
So, I can solder with it?
3Ders.org provides the latest news about 3D printing technology and 3D printers. We are now seven years old and have around 1.5 million unique visitors per month.
