Printing is breaking new boundaries every day, and with the latest 3D printing techniques comes a much cheaper option for those with a little creativity and a desire to create clever models with just a pen in their hand.
The 3Doodler, which contains a mains-powered electric heater to melt plastic that cools as it leaves the end of the pen, acts more like a cake-icing device than a printer, though has become a major success with people across the world already. After launching a Kickstarter campaign to raise $30,000 towards the pen’s development, US start-up company WobbleWorks passed their target in just a few hours.
An impressive demonstration video showed how easy it was to create things, and this was proved when the creators built a miniature model of the Eiffel Tower in just a few minutes.
It is hoped that people will be able to buy the gadget in shops later this year, with a price point of $75 – around £49. While a battery-powered version will be released in due course, the team have noted that a wireless version will require a lot more work.
WobbleWorks are also looking into ways that people can create food-based models with the pen, particularly with sugar. Company spokesman Daniel Cowen said: “We could in theory use the pen to melt sticks of sugar. But we don’t want to get into food safety issues just yet. We will be running some [food] tests soon – and we’d have to lower the temperature in the pen, too.”