Hangprinter is an open sourced RepRap machine that uses walls and other surfaces as a frame. It literally hangs and prints. It makes a build volume an obsolete concept.
Printrbot just teased their Printrbelt 3D printer with the heated conveyor belt print surface or "Infinite Z" as they described it. The belt is a steel belt covered in Kapton with adjustable bed height and tension. It is a direct competitor to BlackBelt 3D printer (which has a bigger print surface) and knowing Printrbot, it should be low cost and open source.
Brook responded in a Tweet:
Yes, Printrbelt will be open source & affordable. I'll do larger sizes. Already have bits designed for 12"x12" window, but this first.
So we can expect larger models in the future.
Short teaser:
More detailed presentation by Brook:
Brook writes:
The Printrbot Printrbelt allows for very long prints, multiple copies of one print, or a whole project of files to be printed in one shot. It is a beta, but too fun to keep to ourselves.
We are working with Polar3D, who has already hacked a printer like this onto an existing printer frame. They are working on the firmware magic in a cloud service to make this mind-bending twist on 3d printing easy for anyone. This will be a neat partnership that takes an important step forward in desktop manufacturing. Stay tuned for more on this wild 3d printer that brings a new superpower to your desktop at an affordable price.
Formlabs just released their Fuse 1 3D printer which is a desktop selective laser sintering machine priced at 9,999 USD. It has a 165 x 165 x 320 mm build volume and uses nylon powder.
This is a small revolution on the market and a big step forward in 3D printing availability and affordability!!! Laser sintering machines used to cost in hundreds of thousands and were very large. This will push the competition to respond and lower the prices even more in the future.
Fuse 1 introduction video:
Here is a different promotional "The Human Touch" video:
Here you can see the Fuse 1 size on a table next to a Form 2 SLA machine:
I wonder what will the price of the powder material be? Will it be recyclable and reusable? Will it come in proprietary cartridges with chip control unit?
Here is a much more detailed review by Tested. It shows how the Fuse 1 works and accompanying equipment like recovery station and material mixer. The material is recyclable and the mix of new and used material is determined by the user to get different print qualities. The material is gray to absorb more energy from 10 watts fiber laser.
I always like to see new 3D printer designs and builds by different people. Recently I found this larger volume (40cm3) machine by "Thomas Workshop" on Instructables. It is fully made from common aluminum profiles and Thomas did put some effort to document and present his work process. Test prints look good and the frame seems sturdy.
Here is the final video from three part series showing electronics and printing:
Here is the detailed step-by-step build guide with videos, documentation, and picture construction log:
BlackBelt is a new 3D printer that uses a carbon fiber conveyor belt as build surface. As it prints at an angle it can produce really long objects. It can make many different objects in series or one big object. Due to geometry and angle, some objects will need a "starter" object or support to hang on to. It is also possible to print support-free overhangs!
BlackBelt specifications:
Industrial linear guides
Build volume of 13″ x 13″ x infinity
Adjustable print angles: 45° is the default, but some parts come out better at the lower angles of 15°, 25°, and 34°
1.75 mm filament diameter
€9,500 for desktop version, €12,500 for large system with standing supports
This machine looks very interesting, but what gets me suspicious is a lack of video material. There are only a few short videos and no reviews, tests or extensive presentations.
Update (19.06.2017.):
BlackBelt went on Kickstarter and they announced that they have a patent pending, the 3d printing community claimed that there are issues about that since there were similar open sourced systems. More can be found at:
Electronics: Printrbot Rev F5 Printrboard with USB B connection and micro SD card slot for untethered printing
Software: Printrbot does not provide software, but recommends Cura v15.04 – available for free download.
Power Requirements: 12V (6 amp) laptop power supply (included)
Motors: NEMA 17 stepper.
Overall Footprint: 16.6″ x 13″ x 11″ (L x W x H)
Description:
The Smalls is a small, portable, and versatile 3D printer kit for the hacker, maker, or student on a budget …not afraid to build a kit and engage in our community forum for support. Build volume begins at 4″ x 4″ x 5″ (X-Y-Z), but the possibility to expand is there with our upgrade kits (coming soon) or your own design whimsy.
The Smalls is perfect for customization. Paint the stock metal. Print your own parts out of any filament you like. Install almost any existing upgrade and/or accessory in the Printrbot store. Get the idea? Make the Smalls your own! Construction decisions were pragmatic, using the right fabrication tool for each job: Pristine machined aluminum, water jet 5052 and 6061 aluminum plate, and just a dollop of 3D printed parts to give it that “reprap flavor”.
Okay, so how does it print? Since this is a kit, the results are largely up to you, but make no mistake. In the hands of an experienced user (like the ones we have here at PBHQ), the Smalls can produce results comparable to the Play, Simple, or Plus.
This absolutely is the lowest priced 3D printer we’ve ever released! (except for one other laser cut wood kit with fishing line instead of belts and sandpaper pulleys instead of real pulleys that was only available for a limited time until we corrected both price and some design problems …but let’s just keep that between us). It is definitely the least expensive printer that we will EVER, EVER release …that we know of. …for now. We are pretty sure it is the most affordable American-Made 3D printer. Definitely the most economical Northern-California-Made 3D printer. Totally the most budget-friendly 3D printer manufactured in Lincoln, CA. Not “cheap”, just inexpensive.
Nicholas Seward is developing a new type of SCARA 3d printer with one arm. It looks interesting.
Nicholas wrote:
This 3D printer is a work in progress. I am currently printing parts and have all the components. This printer can print items over 24 inches long if shaped correctly while being able to fit in a 10inch cube. My plan is to print directly on a tape covered table. I think it will be possible for it to print all of its own parts at once. I am working on a name. Feel free to drop some suggestions. Current names: Copernicus, Helios, Homer, ScARMa, Tyr (Tyr is a 1 handed god.), One Armed Bandit
Layer One, creators of Atom3D printer, have released two open source RepRap 3d printer. Proton and Neutron. They are open sourced under Creative Commons licence.
Proton has total volume of 38 cm x 28 cm x 37 cm, assembled weight of 4.25 kg and printing volume of 18 cm x 18 cm x 15 cm.
Aldric Negrier developed this DLP projector based open sourced 3d printer. It looks easy to assemble and cheap to make. It all depends on how cheap can you find a suitable projector.
Project description:
Roobee One is an SLA DLP 3D printer inspired on the Cristelia - SLA/LCD 3d printer and the Vulcanus MAX 3D printer. It is built out of 20x20 mm aluminum profile chassis, It has an adustable print area of 80x60x200 mm up to 150x105x200mm build volume using a ACER DLP projector. The open-source machine is called RooBee One because it is red color just like a Ruby gem.
Vulcaman, well known for his previous machines, has released his latest sintering 3d printer you can make for some 500 Euro: the JRLS 1000. It is still far from commercial machines, but this field is progressing forward and that is the most important thing. Vulcaman is only 18 years old, so we can hope much more from him in the future.
Key features:
5x5x5cm build volume
1.8w 445nm laser
80w 12V heated-bed
150w 230V powder heater with IR-Sensor
coater which compresses the powder
adjustable Feed control
overflow container
closed build chamber
low cost
Most prints are currently done in instant tea powder which is 95% sugar, but the powder is used because of its red color which will absorb the 450nm laser well. White sugar will not work, because it will just reflect the laser. The laser is focused to 0.2mm. The power of the laser is set to 1W.
I was surprised when I saw Blackwolf for the first time at a Maker Faire in my regional capitol. Blackwolf is a large 3d printer with full enclosure that is developed in Croatia, city of Sisak. Hopefully we will get more information about it soon.
Here is Blackwolf working at Osijek Maker Faire:
Here is a video of printing L 2 model:
You can find more information about this machine at:
TRENDi Maker V3 DIY 3d printer follows the tradition of small machines with 3d printed parts. It is a RepRap essentially. It uses metal rods and other vitamins but there are no additional support elements lake lase cut parts other than 3d printed supports.
Project description:
This is my small 3D printer. It is not mini (A little bit smaller, than standard Prusa). No parts for laser cutting. Basic things You need to have in mind, if You want to make it: 6 mm smoth rods(relatively LM6uu bearings), M5 threaded rods for Z(2x 20mm M5 nuts), PC PSU 350W, E3DV5 (reworked) clone, Mega2560+RAMPs 1.4, Nema17 motors and Geeetech 152x152mm heated bed. My build size is XYZ 110x140x90mm. Z can be extended to 100-105 mm. X can be extended to 140 mm, if You want to lose 3 point bed leveling and to rework Y holder for heatbed.
Smartfriendz from France have a new open source 3d printer design. It is the Smartalu based on aluminum frame and a large print area. It looks very sturdy.
Printer description:
Taking account of reprap evolution, we are sliding to all metal construction frames, bigger printable volume and better quality. This printer is 27x26x25 cm printable size, with all modules made with 3mm aluminium lasercut and some printed parts. The structure is still our 20x20 aluminium frame assembled with bosh torx 6x16 screws and drilled profiles. We can't find a better system to assemble a solid frame.
Smartalu in action:
All files and instructions to make it can be found at:
ONO is a novel approach to 3d printing and it uses your smartphone as a light source for curing of daylight resin. It should cost just 99$. DLP 3d printers that use visible light from an LCD panels are getting more developed and should lower the price.
Here is Adafruit Industries talking with ONO crew about their machine:
Hobbyking Turnigy Fabrikator Mini is one of the cheapest 3d printers available. Here are several reviews that can help you decide is it worth to buy it.
Makerbot released their new 3d printers in some sort of public display of masochism. Why did you do this Makerbot? The 3d printers are basically just a slight upgrades from previous models with larger print volume. It is aimed at "professional" market. Looks like you guys are mostly just not good enough profitable group for their stuff.
After 4D printing comes 5d printing. It's just a fancy name for five axis 3D printing that enables more strength due to layers being extruded in optimized paths to resist more pressure force. It is developed at Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories (MERL) on a custom delta machine with movable printbed.
Wayne developed the Printtable 3D printer that uses IKEA table as a frame. It is sturdy and low in cost to make. And it gives a good use for those ugly IKEA furniture pieces if I may add.
