Pocket 3D Printer - Indiegogo
While the 3D printing industry may be getting bigger, 3D printing machines are getting smaller, just take a look at the Pocket 3D Printer which hit Indiegogo last week.
Now the idea of what is ‘pocket sized’ is somewhat negotiable. You only have to look back to 90’s monstrosities like accessories for the original Game Boy which though doubling the size of the console, were still considered to fall into this category. Similarly, this printer measures up to 1” x 8” x 9” so it’s not exactly going to slot into your pocket but at around the size of an iPad Mini, it is certainly considerably smaller than the average desktop printer.
One box it does however tick is portability. Running off a rechargeable battery pack the machine can be powered for up to three hours from one charge. It is also wireless and users can send prints from their mobile phone directly to the printer. It also has its own app, which comes preloaded with an entire library of parts ready to print.
The Pocket 3D Printer is aimed at a causal audience of artists, hobbyists, teenagers and inventors. It is easy to use and built for quick fixes and the instant realisation of ideas. However, I find the following example on the campaign page just a little hard to believe:
“You're riding to work on the train, listening to your favourite music on your phone. Suddenly, your phone slips out of your grasp and crashes to the floor, tumbling along the aisle. You quickly chase after it, only to find the case has cracked. You calmly sit back in your seat, pull out your Pocket 3D Printer from your bag, and print yourself a new case before you get to work.”
Hmm.
In the interest of portability the machine prints using ultraviolet photopolymer resin which means that unlike standard FDM plastics, the filament doesn’t have to be heated up. This also means no fumes are released and no smell.
It is definitely an interesting project and backers can support the campaign from as little as $3. The printer can be purchased unassembled from as low as $299 saving $50 on the standard retail price. The overall campaign goal is $25,000 to cover marketing, injection moulds and other manufacturing expenses. The project will close on 9th November.
Oh and P.S. - check out the Celebrity Edition ...
"For your donation of $1049 you will receive the large size Pocket 3D Printer, AND I will use every method of communicating there is known to man to contact Hugh Jackman and ask him to personally sign your Pocket 3D Printer! I'm sure he will think the Pocket 3D Printer is cool because, well, it is! (Please note: contribution cannot be refunded if I am unable to get the signature - but I will instead include a note detailing every method of communication I attempted, and I will sign it!)"
