3D Printers

LulzBot releases 3D Aerostruder Micro Tool Head for “penny-scale” 3D printed parts

Aleph Objects, the Colorado-based manufacturer of the LulzBot range of desktop 3D Printers, has unveiled a new, high-precision tool head at SIGGRAPH 2018 in Vancouver –  the LulzBot Aerostruder v2 Micro.

With the ability to 3D print penny-scale parts, the LulzBot Aerostruder v2 Micro tool head can be used with both flexible and rigid filament for precise and miniature parts. The expanded functionality of this tool head intends to give engineers and designers a higher level of detail and surface quality within their 3D printed parts.

“The Aerostruder v2 Micro Tool Head—paired with the LulzBot Mini 2 3D Printer—has changed my perception of what is possible with filament 3D printing,” explains Adam Straight, Product Specialist at Aleph Objects.

“In terms of resolution and surface finish, the prints from this new tool head are very impressive.”

A penny-sized skull printed using the new Aerostruder v2 Micro Tool Head. Photo via Aleph Objects.
A penny-sized skull printed using the new Aerostruder v2 Micro Tool Head. Photo via Aleph Objects.

Advanced open source 3D printer hardware

As a result of a manufacturing partnership with award winning 3D printer system developer and marketplace E3D Online, the Lulzbot Aerostruder v2 Micro Tool Head includes an E3D Titan Aero 2-in-1 HotEnd and Extruder.

An integral component in the production of high-precision, miniature 3D printed parts, the Titan Aero features a 0.25mm nozzle and a 360-degree part cooling fan which improves overhang and bridge performance. Straight added, “The precision of E3D Titan Aero extruders and hot ends complements the premium quality built into every LulzBot 3D Printer.”

Now in its second year, the partnership between Aleph Objects and E3D was formed due to the companies’ shared focus on developing open source hardware for 3D printers. “Free, Libre, and Open Source development respects user freedom drives better products, accelerates innovation, and strengthens user communities,” stated Harris Kenny, President of Aleph Objects.

Sanjay Mortimer, Co-Founder and Director of Research and Development at E3D Online, added, “Aleph Objects probably [has] the most useful and interesting array of tool heads for their 3D printers, and E3D is excited to contribute its expertise to a tool head that really pushes the limits of the technology,”

“It’s a lot of fun collaborating with a like-minded company that also trusts their users to really engage openly and freely with the technology. There’s a lot more to come from this collaboration, and we feel like we’re just getting started.”

The new Aerostruder v2 Micro Tool Head. Photo via Aleph Objects.
The new Aerostruder v2 Micro Tool Head. Photo via Aleph Objects.

Lulzbot enables user freedom

Late last year, LulzBot released a variety of 3D printing software, hardware and 3D printing materials for its printers. This included the version 3 of the LulzBot TAZ Dual Extruder, which was created to allow more geometric freedom for designers so that they may focus on form and function, rather than the printability of a design. The new Aerostruder v2 Micro Tool Head is expected to be available for purchase next month and is currently on display with its micro art gallery at SIGGRAPH 2018.

A 3D printed banana fabricated using the new Aerostruder v2 Micro Tool Head is set next to a real banana for scale. Photo via Aleph Objects. Clip via Aleph Objects.

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Featured image shows a penny-sized octopus printed using the new Aerostruder v2 Micro Tool Head. Photo via Aleph Objects.