Oct 20, 2015 | By Alec
3D printing new and exciting projects is a lot of fun, but enthusiasm can be quickly lost once the 3D printer has done its job. Printing errors quickly creep in, while support material and other imperfections can be a hassle to remove with a pair of pliers. And make sure you don’t damage the main print! Fortunately a new tool made by Steelmans, called the MODIFI3D, has just appeared on Kickstarter and easily and quickly removes all of those parts with its heated toolheads.
While most makers will have a host of tools scattered around their 3D printer to clean prints upon completion, it looks like all of them can go back into the toolbox where they belong. This fun and functional MODIFI3D looks like an excellent addition to any maker’s arsenal, and has been developed by Steelmans, a UK-based engineering and industrial equipment specialist who has been making tools for more than 30 years. They have decided to take their latest creation to Kickstarter, where the necessary sum of £3,000 (approximately $4000 USD) was almost completely raised within a single day.
So what’s all the fuss about? Well, the MODIFI3D is essentially a heated 3D tool with interchangeable tips designed to finish, repair and modify 3D printed parts. ‘[It has been] designed to finish, repair and modify 3D printed parts. MODIFI3D Is designed to replace much of the sanding, scraping and snapping to finish off your 3D prints,’ Steelmans explains on Kickstarter. A pen-like shape, it is easy to use, and quickly melts through filaments such as PLA, ABS, Nylon and more with extreme ease.
What’s more, the four interchangeable tips (needle, knife, scoop and point) offer you all the necessary options for any print job. ‘If you want to remove a large section or blend a fine detail, theres a tip for the job,’ its makers say. It’s also very easy to use – just plug it in a USB port, and it heats up in just 15 seconds (cooling down in 30 seconds), goes into sleep mode after 25 seconds, and comes with a save stand to keep it on. ‘You will be able to remove any unwanted material or modify your print without having to redesign and print again!’ and it looks believable.
In short, this British innovation seems like a must-have for any maker, and with a price tag of just £10 or $15 USD, there’s almost no excuse to ignore it.
Specifications:
- 5V 8W
- Size: 15mm (0.6") x 117mm (4.6") excluding tips
- Weight: 20g (0.8 oz)
- Cable: 1.5m (59") long to USB A plug
- Heats up to 420-450ºC (788-842ºF) in less than 15 seconds
- Works with PLA, ABS, Nylon and other 3D printing plastics.
Posted in 3D Printer Accessories
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Wonder how they get it heated seriously with USB that is limited to 5V 0,5 A = 2,5 W ? Anyway what about the fumes when burning ABS, Nylon etc?
James wrote at 10/22/2015 8:19:53 PM:
This product is available on Alibaba for 8 bucks. This goes against kickstarters rules as they did not create anything.
Funky Pidgeon wrote at 10/22/2015 12:01:21 PM:
So if you have a solder you don't need this. Got ya.
Andreas wrote at 10/21/2015 8:35:57 AM:
Nothing new, nothing to get excited about, nothing that needs another kickstarter... It's just a heated wax modelling/scupting tool relabeled as 3D-Printing tool. Probably they even charge a massive premium price just because they think they can sell it as novelty for 3D printer users... The worst part about it tho, trying to force an USB port to deliver 8W of power, and not having any temperature control to adapt for different tasks.
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