The Portabee 3D Printer launched earlier this week. This low cost 3D printer comes as a kit retailing at 499USD & delivers a compact size portable 3D printer — reportedly “the first conveniently portable 3D printer in the world” according to the Portabee website.
The printer is collapsible in a few seconds and can then be fitted into a laptop bag. The printer currently prints only plastic materials, which can also be purchased from portabee3Dprinter.com. The printer gets its power supply from a laptop, and the filament material requires a spool in addition to the laptop.
The Portabee 3D Printer is super lightweight: at only 2.8 kg it weighs equivalent to a laptop a few years ago (before the macbook air). Portability opens up numerous opportunities. Designers and engineers can take it with them when meeting clients, and just print out samples on the spot. It allows making quick changes and delivers a real-time sample.
Portability is potentially useful for educational purposes also. Students can perform homework with it — whether the application is artistic, design or engineering, or come to that, anything else.
Portabee3D Printer tech specs:
- 120 x 120 x 120 mm build volume
- T2.5 New! 2GT (GT2) belts and machined pulleys
- Full linear bearings on all axes
- All stainless steel hardware where applicable, hardened steel linear rods (smooth rods)
- Single board solution Gen6.d electronics with integrated fan and SD card support
- Heated platform (printbed) included as standard
- Uses common, tried and tested Ø 3mm* feedstock filament, commonly PLA and ABS materials
- 0.5mm standard nozzle*
Watch the Portabee 3D Printer in action:
