May 23, 2015 | By Simon
Of all of the various 3D printers and additive manufacturing technologies we’ve seen launch off of various crowdfunding platforms, few have garnered as much attention as the 3Doodler 3D printing pen.
The pen, which successfully raised $2,344,134 from 26,457 backers, allowed for filament to be fed directly into a handheld extruder which could be used to literally ‘sketch’ in mid-air. Since it was released, the handheld ‘3d printer’ has helped legions of artists create everything from three-dimensional sketches to entirely functional objects.
However, just like most other additive manufacturing technologies, the 3D printing pen was not without its fair share of shortcomings - particularly in the material department.
Now, an entirely new 3D printing pen is gearing up to launch on Kickstarter and if all goes as intended, could be one gigantic step for the evolution of 3D printing pens that the 3Doodler helped lay the foundation for.
Created by design engineer David Paškevič, the 3DSimo Mini is a new generation of 3D pen based of Paškevič’s original 3DSimo, which allows users to create models in multiple materials ranging from those that change color with different temperatures or those that glow in the dark, among others. While the pen will print with standard PLA and ABS filaments, there are other materials that the company promises will work with the FFF pen including WOOD, HIPS, LAYbrick, Bendlay, Flexi and more ... thanks in no small part to the pen’s variable temperature extruder; in addition to being able to extrude filament, the tip - which can reach temperatures of up to 490° C - is also capable of burning, cutting and soldering.
Unlike 3D printing pens that we’ve seen in the past, Incorporated into the design of the 3DSimo pen is an on-board digital display that can control various settings of the pen - including material presets and other settings that can affect the outcome of a 3D printed model.
“Do not get limited by the choice of material; you can for example, choose between golden, silver, wood or flexible PLA,” says the company. “Over time, due to the growing trend of 3D printing more new materials will appear and our 3Dsimo is fully prepared for this because of all parameters adjustability and the thermal feedback for determining the precise temperature.”
While the unique material processing capabilities and digital display are certainly a welcome development in the 3D printing pen space, the design of the pen itself is very well-considered for being held in the hand for a long duration of time.
Since the company has already proven that they can produce and deliver a manufactured product, the 3DSimo mini doesn’t appear too good to be true for those that are interested. The company will launch the pen starting at $89 on June 23rd on Kickstarter while the original 3DSimo can currently be purchased over at the company’s online store.
Posted in 3D Printers
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