3D Printers

T3D launches Kickstarter for low cost cell phone powered SLA 3D printer

T3D, a visible wavelength light-sensitive chemical resin development specialist headquartered in California, has launched a Kickstarter campaign for its first 3D printer.

A novel concept for 3D printing on-the-go, the machine is powered using the light of a smartphone or tablet, and is designed to fit inside a person’s backpack.

The 30 day campaign starts today, with early bird deals giving buyers up to 54% off the retail value.

3D printing Draudi from T3D on Vimeo.

A “game-changer to the 3D printing industry”

We’ve been following the progress of T3D since 2015 when 3D Printing Industry EIC Michael Petch met T3D founder Professor Jeng while speaking on the same panel at Inside 3D Printing Shanghai that year.

Michael Petch and the T3D team, including Professor Jeng at a recent event in Taiwan.
Michael Petch and the T3D team, including Professor Jeng at a recent event in Taiwan.

At the show, Professor Jeng demonstrated a prototype of the Mobile 3D Printer that started out life as a project at the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology.

With the T3D printer, users already own half of the machine at home either as a cell phone or a tablet. Photo of the current machine prototype via T3D
With the T3D printer, users already own half of the machine at home either as a cell phone or a tablet. Photo of the current machine prototype via T3D

To operate the T3D printer, Dr. Jeng and his team have developed an exclusive app that allows a smartphone to perform the same function as a light projector in typical SLA machines. Taking a 3D model from a library over 5,800 objects available on the T3D cloud, the app slices it into layers, then flashes it layer-by-layer into a vat of light-reactive resin.

T3D prints using an exclusive app. Rendered image of the Mobile 3D Printer via T3D.
T3D prints using an exclusive app. Rendered image of the Mobile 3D Printer via T3D.

Dr. Jeng says, “T3D will definitely be a game-changer to the 3D printing industry. Whether it is speed or precision, T3D packs a lot of punch considering its small form factor.”

“At an estimated retail price of $299, you are not going to find anything comparable out in the market, plus it is truly mobile because it works with all your mobile devices.”

Giving Makers the front row on 3D printing

Without the UV light found in other SLAs, T3D’s Mobile 3D printer can make objects in open-air. This means everyone can watch as the build platform pulls a solid object out of the liquid bath.

MutiColor mobile 3D printing from T3D on Vimeo.

The resin used inside the T3D machine comes in a variety of shades giving users the ability to 3D print in multicolor. Though the material is patented by T3D, the 3D printer remains open-source, allowing makers to tailor the machine to new uses and different preferences.

SLA 3D printing in technicolor. Photo via T3D
SLA 3D printing in technicolor. Photo via T3D

Campaign perks

On Kickstarter T3D needs to raise $35,000 to deliver the machines to market.

A limited stock of super early bird 3D printers are available from prices starting at $169 (45% less than RRP).

Multicolor 3D printing with T3D. Photo by Michael Petch.
Multicolor 3D printing with T3D. Photo by Michael Petch.

Backers can also pay $339 for a two T3D printer bundle, and a further multi-functional package is available for $599 which including multiple resins and a flexible 3D scanner module.

The campaign closes on September 28 2017, and the first batch of 3D printers are expected for shipment in December.

Update 1: T3D has breezed past their funding goal within 2 hours of the launch. At the time of this update 235 backers have pledged a total of $51,372.

A object from a cell phone. Image via T3D.
A object from a cell phone. Image via T3D.

You can read more about 3D printing in Taiwan in our upcoming series of articles. Make sure you don’t miss this by signing up to our newsletter, liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter.

Featured image shows a test print on the T3D Mobile 3D Printer. Image via T3D

A 3D print from the T3D. Photo by Michael Petch
A 3D print from the T3D. Photo by Michael Petch