Sep 8, 2016 | By Benedict

Pingo3D, a startup from Altoona, Pennsylvania, has unveiled the Pingo 3D printer, a $399 machine with a 200 x 200 x 200 mm build volume. The new 3D printer will be the subject of a $20,000 Kickstarter campaign.

In an industry where startup-produced or homemade machines can be as reputable and effective as mass-produced alternatives from industry giants, crowdfunding has established itself as a key tool for getting new 3D printers to market. Formlabs, Printrbot, and others all cut their teeth on successful crowdfunding campaigns, and the trend looks to be continuing into the future of additive manufacturing. Pingo3D, a startup from Altoona, Pennsylvania, may soon join the ranks of Kickstarter-funded 3D printer manufacturers, as it prepares to launch the Pingo 3D printer, an affordable yet high-quality consumer machine packed with useful features and impressive technical specs.

Coming with a price tag of $399, the Pingo 3D printer is situated on the lower end of the price spectrum, but the company behind the new printer thinks this low price represents a bargain given the machine’s capabilities. To argue their case, the company has compared the Pingo with other single-extruder, non-heated print bed 3D printers such as the Dremel Idea Builder, which costs twice as much as the Pingo yet offers a smaller build volume. The MakerBot 5th Gen Replicator, on the other hand, offers a similar build volume to the Pingo, but costs $1,850. All in all, the Pingo has value on its side, but does it have quality?

According to Pingo3D, one of the Pingo 3D printer’s biggest selling points is its large build volume of 200 x 200 x 200 mm, large enough to print a hollow box that could contain over two gallons of water. Another important feature of the 3D printer is its apparently reliable extrusion system: a Bowden-style extruder is integrated into the X-end so that the filament path is always consistent, and an authentic E3D Lite6 hotend is used to make sharp prints and ensure jam-free printing. Additionally, a Kysan stepper motor offers 5.5 kg.cm of torque. Pingo3D is also claiming that its Z-axis offer considerable advantages over those on comparable printers. CNC-grade leadscrews and couplers give the Z-axis smooth motion, eliminating Z artifacts and producing supposedly flawless sides.

As with many 3D printers on the market, 3D printing was used to create components within the printer. Pingo3D, however, chose to 3D print their Pingo components in carbon fiber, giving the parts extra rigidity and stiffness, as well as a nice matte black finish. Other handy features of the Pingo 3D printer include a built-in SD card instead of an onboard control panel, a fully open-source design which allows users to tweak and customize their model, and compatibility with a host of filaments, including PLA, PHA, PETG, TPU, TPE, wood composite PLA, bronze composite PLA, iron composite PLA, UV color changing filament, PET, and more.

While the lack of a heated bed might dissuade some potential buyers from backing the Pingo 3D printer, its impressively low price could yet make it a good option for simple print jobs. After a year and a half developing the printer, Pingo3D will be launching a $20,000 Kickstarter campaign for it in on September 10. Early bird backers can secure a Pingo 3D printer for $370, with delivery set for December 2016.

 

 

Posted in 3D Printer

 

 

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Craig wrote at 9/12/2016 6:51:26 PM:

Looks the 100 other Prusa knock offs.

I.AM.Magic wrote at 9/12/2016 9:41:33 AM:

Let's not continue last week's discussion, lol.



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