Right now, 3D printing, while not in its infancy any longer, is still somewhere around its toddler years. Despite that, a new Kickstarter project by the name of gaming is already promising its “next generation”.
What makes this 3D printer different from others is that it doesn’t rely on simple filament. Instead, it utilizes multiple pelletized materials, creating a new means of production that could potentially revolutionize this already exciting step in technology.
They call it Fused Layer Extrusion (FLEX), their response to a lack of any multiple material 3D printers on the market. According to them, the use of more materials means better prints, which means more applications to the technology. A sound argument, and a wonderful development if their prototypes are all they are hyping them to be.
How It Works
The idea is surprisingly simple. David uses plastic pellets to create a wide array of materials, textures and colors. It widens the capabilities of the printer, and provides a readily accessible raw material to work from.
It also reduces processing time, and improves the overall quality of the final product through more thorough and minute production. All for less money, thanks to the aforementioned accessibility of building materials.
While they offer these pellets through their Kickstarter (and will offer them through Sculptify afterward), they have made it clear that you can use your own with no problems.
Design
Maybe it isn’t that important from such a new piece of equipment, but David looks really cook, design-wise. It is a simple cube, like other models (XYZPrinting, Cube X Duo, ect.), but somehow looks simpler. They obviously weren’t interested in much pomp or sleek cases when they designed it.
It has all the features you would expect, such as auto-calibration, auto-leveling, and print cooling. The heating bed is removable and warp resistant, so you can take it out and replace it without worrying about dings that could impact your prints.
They have a video on their Kickstarter page showing David in action, and it is worth taking a look.
Funding
Right now, they have reached $80,000 of their $100,000 goal. There are six days left, so they might not be quite the success story some of their contemporaries on crowdfunding sites have been, making several time their initial goal on the first wave.
But if you want to be a part of the first generation of this next gen 3D printer, they have contribution slots as low as $10.
Source: Kickstarter
