Unfortunately, Saulo Quevedo’s 3D printer project was unable to successfully launch on Indiegogo after we wrote about it in August last year. That hasn’t caused Saulo to give up, however. Since his initial campaign, he has been hard at work conceptualizing a very unique type of hybrid 3D printer.
I have to admit that I am struggling to wrap my head around the 3DHD printer, but the concept is interesting nonetheless. Saulo’s 3DHD printer, which has a hypothesized print volume of 550 x 570 x 840 mm (about 22” X 22” X 33”), seeks to combine fused filament fabrication (the printing technique of your typical desktop 3D printer) with Laser Beam Direct Light Processing (DLP). The machine will use two to six extruders to 3D print an object via traditional FFF, allowing it to print in two to six colours or materials. Saulo then proposes to use DLP, known for its ability to 3D print objects with great detail, to print the fine edges of the object. Sounds crazy, right?
Saulo has yet to begin work on a prototype, currently seeking $5,000 in funds to get started, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been planning. He hopes to use worm gears for the printer’s movement, which he says can allow the printer to achieve higher speeds and resolution with 0.00625 mm per motor step. The DLP technology will rely on the use of a 150 milliwatt laser diode to cure clear resin on the edges of the printed object, after it has been printed via FFF. There are some other notes that I’m having a bit of trouble deciphering, including a “Complete System of cooling water to all print nozzles FDM” and a “System of compressed air to the nozzle DLPHD printing . Only one engine (tandem axle ) for the function of generating compressed air and suction system for cooling the water.” He seems to have designs for the rail system of the FFF portion of the printer and accounts for an enclosure for DLP printing.
All in all, a strange, possibly ingenious concept. If Saulo thinks that he can build a prototype with $5,000, is there anyone out there willing to give him the benefit of the doubt?.That’s the question he is asking. If he somehow manages to pull it off, we’ll let you know.
