As the hype for 3D printers mellows out, people are moving on to other more innovative solutions that allow ideas and designs to be reproduced quickly in the real world. 3Doodler, maker of the world's first handheld 3D pen, has come out with its new 3D pen iteration, the 3Doodler Pro.
The 3Doodler Pro is the makers' third handheld 3D pen model and builds upon the technology used in earlier models such as the Create and Start. Unlike the 3Doodler Create, however, the 3Doodler Pro is not limited to spitting out ABS, PLA and Flexy plastic, which are also common materials for 3D printers.
Note that 3Doodler has yet to release a list of compatible plastic materials for the 3Doodler Start. 3Doodler promises to make them available later this month.
Base materials such as polycarbonate, nylon and even wood and metal composites can be used with the 3Doodler Pro. This versatility in materials can be attributed to 3Doodler Pro's featured fan speed, tactile speed and temperature controls, which allow users to manipulate attributes and adjust them to suit specific materials. It can go up to 250 degrees Celsius (485 degrees Fahrenheit).
Bear in mind that the wood and metal composites, which come in either copper or bronze, are mixtures of wood or metal particles and a plastic ink base. Just imagine how a random copper wire would work with the device.
3Doodler says that copper and bronze composites produce a slightly brittle structure that increases in strength as the layers get piled on. Moreover, projects finished with either materials can be polished to produce better shine.
The wood composite creates lightweight structures and can be used for repairing wooden furniture and utensils, as well as floors. 3Doodler claims that it is safe to sand or stain to produce a more interesting finish.
Projects made of nylon produce a semi-flexible, fabric-like material, and can be colored using fabric dyes. Polycarbonate, on the other hand, has a higher melting point and will resist higher temperatures than the other mentioned materials. 3Doodler says that since it can solidify quickly to a rigid form, it's the best material for projects such as 3D prototyping.
The 3Doodler Pro also features an LCD display for its real-time tactile speed and temperature. 3Doodler also fitted it with a larger drive system that keeps the device going longer for more ambitious projects. Just like previous models, the Pro also has an interchangeable nozzle for better precision. Moreover, the 3D pen has a carbon fiber finish.
The entire package will set interested parties back by $249. 3Doodler also sells the needed materials for $9.99 per pack. The metal composite costs a bit more at $14.99 per pack.
