The high cost of 3D printing isn’t just the cost of the machine itself, 3D printing filament is a frustratingly expensive and prohibitive cost for most potential users. But the low cost PET filament currently being offered on Indiegogo may just change that.
PET is the material that water bottles and other food containers are made of and has recently been discussed as a viable replacement to ABS and PLA due to its inexpensive price and abundance. Ivan Areinamo has devised a method of turning PET pellets into 3D printing filament for a fraction of what other companies charge for other materials. ABS or PLA filament will often cost between $30 to $50 dollars a kilogram, however Areinamo’s PET filament is projected to cost about $12.50 per kilogram.
Areinamo is looking to fund his startup business on crowdfunding website Indiegogo where he is seeking $10,000. His business will be located in Venezuela where he says that access to plentiful raw materials like oil and inexpensive electricity will help keep production costs low. He also intends to expand into other 3D printing materials once his PET filament is in production.
Here is the very brief and silent crowdfunding video:
According to the campaign the PET filament will work on any 3D printer, including MakerBot, RepRap and PrintrBots provided they use standard sized plastic filament. The new PET material is near translucent and is reported to have similar print quality to PLA.
“I want to develop this project, not to get rich, I want to build a small company where you and me will get a low cost filament and we can apply our knowledge of engineering and 3d print[ing],” says Areinamo.
You can purchase the filament in 1 kilogram spools for $15, 2 kilogram spools for $25 or 5 kilogram spools for $55. Shipping is included, and you can choose either 1.75mm or 3mm diameter filament.
To say that the price of 3D printing filament is high is quite an understatement and cheaper alternative 3D printing materials are sorely needed if we want to widen the appeal of 3D printing. I’m not sure if PET is the answer to be frank, but it is certainly an attractive price point.
Check out the campaign here, and remember Indiegogo doesn’t require you to meet your fundraising goal, so whatever you donate will help Areinamo launch his business and will get you your inexpensive PET filament.
