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The Micro 3D Printer had a very successful Kickstarter campaign last year generating more than 3 million USD, making it one of the largest crowdfunding campaigns for a 3D printer. And now the device will start shipping to people that have missed the Kickstarter campaign and still want to get their hands on this compact and very affordable 3D printer as their first 3D printer. The Micro 3D Printer has been shipping to Kickstarter backers for a while already and in April and May the company should start shipping to people that have pre-ordered the 3D printer after the Kickstarter campaign ended.
One of the most interesting things about the Micro 3D Printer is that it is very affordable at just $349 USD it is one of the most attractive price oriented FDM/FFF-based consumer 3D printers. Furthermore the filament for the device, both PLA and ABS is priced at just $13 USD per spool, but the spools are pretty small at just half pound or about 230 grams – the right size to be used with this compact 3D printer (it is compatible with larger rolls as long as they are 1.75mm). The Micro 3D Printer comes as a great gift for anyone that is interested in 3D printing, but does not want to jump on a large and significantly more expensive 3D printer right from the start. The only limit that the device has is the maximum print size you have, but then again based on our experience most of the time you will be printing small stuff and that should not come as a drawback anyway.
Micro 3D Printer Technical Specifications:
– Supports many different materials: ABS, PLA, nylon, professional, chameleon
– 50-350 micron layer resolution
– 15 micron X and Y positioning accuracy
– Filament: standard 1.75mm. 1/2lb rolls fit within print bed and allow you to try a – variety of materials and colors for less! Standard filament rolls also supported.
– Print height: 116mm (4.6″)
– Base Print Area: 109mm x 113mm
– Print Area Above 74mm: 91mm x 84mm
– Removable Print Bed Size: 128x128mm
– Printer Dimensions: It’s a cube, 7.3 in (185 mm) per side.
– Printer weight: 1kg (2.2 lbs)
– Package weight: 2kg – 2.7kg (4.4 lbs – 6 lbs)
– USB Compatible
– Glass-Filled ABS Body
– M3D software for an effortless, plug-and-play experience. Compatible with Mac and PC. Linux will also likely be supported. File Types Supported: .stl, .obj
– For more information about the interesting and affordable Micro 3D Printer…
We’ve seen people using dial gauges to level the build plate of their 3D printer more precisely for a while already, but we have just decided to try doing it ourselves just now. We’ve had a dial gauge, but we did not have the right adapter to mount it on our MakerBot Replicator 2 3D printer, but when we saw this on Thingiverse and after checking the 3D model we’ve decided to give it a try. This is an adapter to mount a Dial Gauge on a DaVinci 3D printer, but it seems that it fits just fine on the Replicator 2 as well. The uploaded 3D model does need fixing before attempting to print as it has some non-manifold segments that may mess up the printing result, depending on the slicer software used.
The dial gauge mounting adapter may use some tweaking depending on the size of the gauge that you have, for our the mounting holes on the adapter are a bit lager, but nothing that cannot be fixed. The process of leveling the dial gauge to match the level of the printing head of the extruder could be a bit tricky as we are talking about tenths of millimeter precision here. Once you have everything ready you can quickly and easily attach and detach the adapter with the mounted dial gauge on it to precisely level the build plate and not rely on feeling or using methods such as a very thin piece of paper. The end result is a that you will be getting less failed prints and spend less time readjusting the build plate level between 3D prints. So if you have a dial gauge lying around you may try mounting it on your 3D printer and giving a try to the more precise level adjustment method.
3DPrintMeetUp, a Virtual 3D Printing Expo
22 Mar2015
3DPrintMeetUp is a virtual expo that will be held entirely online on 04-05 May, 2015. It is open and free for anyone interested in 3D printing and you “can be there” regardless of your actual location. The 3DPrintMeetUp uses the ExpoLike platform for virtual expositions that was already used for a virtual Crypto Currency expo last year as well as some other targeted online events. The event will feature a series of lectures from leading 3D printing professionals, an expo hall where attendees can find information about available products, view demonstrations, ask questions, and receive answers from company representatives, and various opportunities to network with members of the 3D printing community. There is already a short preliminary agenda available, though more things should be added to it as the event date approaches. We are going to be taking a look at the online event in May as it should interesting to check out, so you might want to give it a try as well.
– For more information about the 3DPrintMeetUp Virtual 3D Printing Expo…