The BukoBot 3D Printer

Yet another 3D printer kit has appeared on KickStarter, the Bukobot 3D printer by Diego Porqueras of Pasadena, California. As there have been many such startups emerge in this manner, the challenge for any of them is to put themselves ahead of the pack. What makes the Bukobot different? 

 

There are several features Porqueras has included that separate the Bukobot from other 3D printer kits:

 

• Some models designed specifically for eco-friendly PLA plastic printing
• Z-axis simplified and quieted by using Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE)
• Belts replaced with stainless steal Syncromesh Cable
• Entirely 3D printable design, requiring no access to laser cutters or exotic materials
• Unique expandable frame permitting a larger build area
• High quality components throughout
• Low price of USD$599 for the base kit

 

The Bukobot's design is, of course, inherited from the RepRap project, but Porqueras has incorporated a number of unique design features based on his observations of problems he encountered using other 3D printer kits. 

 

There are several models under development, several of which are offered in the KickStarter project in either kit or assembled form. Porqueras hopes to raise USD$42,000 by May 23, and it looks like he might achieve that. It's a lot more likely to happen if you click the ilnk below, of course. 

 

Via KickStarter

The Indymaker Color 3D Printer

Finally - we've been waiting for this! Maker Doug Keenan of Indianapolis has designed a personal 3D printer that has a very unique feature: Four Color Printing. The Indymaker Color 3D Printer accepts up to four plastic filament spools, which may be of different colors. A special switch delivers different color plastic to the print head. 

 

To be clear, this isn't "full color printing" in which any color from the spectrum may be reproduced. It's really single color printing with instantly switchable colors. Nevertheless, its a huge step forward that permits all manner of multicolored objects to be produced in single print runs. Imagine a pepper shaker that's black and white - and says "Pepper" on it in red letters. 

  

The project requires US$20,000 to be able to "integrate the electronics, take advantage of price scaling, and to get good constructive feedback from early users." This is a prototype, of course, which may lead to an actual product in the future. 

 

By donating to the project you'll receive different rewards based on the amount you donate. For those donating USD$999 or over, you'll receive an actual Indymaker Color 3D Printer kit - or an assembled version if you're able to wait a bit longer. 

 

If this sounds interesting (and we think it does), head on over to Kickstarter and check out Keenan's new project. 

 

Via KickStarter (Hat tip to KSLY Innovations)

Printrbot Exemplifies Ingenuity

We've seen a series of experimental personal 3D printers emerge over the past year, some on the KickStarter online funding service. Each experiment has an interesting idea that improves on the ideas of others, gradually moving the state of the art forward. 

 

Printrbot, made by builder Brook Drumm, includes some very interesting features, not the least of which is simplified assembly. Drumm, like many of us, built his own 3D printer from a kit but found that it took many hours of work to get it done. We believe, as he seems to, that such effort simply will not be undertaken by the majority of consumers. The result is that few consumers will ever operate a 3D printer of their own. 

 

However, Printrbot hopes to change that by vastly simplifying the assembly process. The design (seen in the above image, click for more detail) is visibly simpler than the RepRaps, MakerBots and RapMans we've seen before. This simplification carries through into the assembly process, which Drumm claims to be as little as 45 minutes! 

 

The design is flexible. Evidently you can add length to any of the XYZ axes, creating a potentially large build envelope. You can also add a case or perhaps even a heated build platform. 

 

We're quite impressed with Drumm's design - and apparently many others are as well, since the project has already exceeded its original funding goal of USD$25,000 by more than a factor of TEN! Hundreds of kits and assembled Printrbots have been ordered, likely keeping Drumm and his crew busy for quite a while. 

 

Via KickStarter

Crania Anatomica Filigre Results

KickStarter, the crowdsourced fundraising site continues to amaze us. As does this particular project, Crania Anatomica Filigre. As you can see, it's an extremely cool 3D print of a stylized skull by Chicago-based designer Joshua Harker. 

 

Harker's fundraising goal was to collect USD$500 and get his work seen and touched by more people. It appears he made that goal: some 955 backers posted a mind blowing USD$77,271 for a variety of product combinations. At the USD$50 level and above you'd receive an actual sculpture. Of the 955 backers, it looks like Harker will be busy producing some 899 sculptures! As Harker says: "COMPLETE BITCHEN AWESOMENESS!"

 

We agree. But what does this mean? Some thoughts:

 

1. People love skulls
2. Joshua Harker is a kick-ass designer
3. People are increasingly fascinated with 3D printed items

 

Probably #2 is the real answer. We can't wait to see his next project!

 

Via KickStarter