3D printing in space is all the rage; NASA think the technology could be used to make pills, 3D System’s partnered with Planetary Resources to send a telescope with 3D printed parts into space. Forget 100 miles up though what about 50 feet off the ground? Can we print there?
Well with the Bukito Portable 3D Printer you certainly can. The guys at Californian Hackerspace/3D printing retail outlet, Deezmaker, have launched their second 3D printer and it is so lightweight and portable even a remote control helicopter can carry it while it is printing.
Launched on Kickstarter last week the 3D printer is so lightweight and stable that turning upside down is not a problem, it will continue to print regardless.
Though not many of us will have a use for printing in the air, what it does demonstrate is that the printer can be taken anywhere, once funded it will be battery operated so there’s no need, even for a plug socket.
Deezmaker launched their first 3D Printer, The Bukobot, to much acclaim in May last year. The Bukobot received funding three times over and its USP was that it was an open-source, low-cost printer that was easy to assemble. Bukito, the smaller incarnation of the Bukobot, has already received half of the funding with 33 days of the funding period remaining, it seems likely to achieve the funding goals.
Here are the Bukito’s specs:
Build Volume: 5"x6"x5" (125mmx150mmx125mm)
Resolution: 50 microns (0.05mm) X/Y 100 microns (0.1mm) Z
Nozzle Size: 0.5mm
Filament Diameter: 1.75mm (No special cartridge needed)
Speed: 150mm/sec+
Materials*: PLA, ABS, MABS, Nylon, Laywood
Power: Includes 110-240 Power adapter. Runs with 12-16v for battery power (not included)
Weight: ~6lbs
Controller: Panucatt's custom Azteeg series board (Arduino Compatible)
Software: G-Code compatible (Using Marlin Firmware) / Free Open Source programs like Repetier Host or Pronterface
