When we first saw the OWL Nano 3D printer in 2014, we were impressed by it’s incredible resolution. Now, two improved machines replace it.
On the exterior, the new MC-1 and MC-2 versions have a more robust-appearing case than their predecessor, but they still sports the unique semi-spherical bubble that has become the Nano’s trademark style. We’re told you can order either a black or white version.
The black version, the MC-1, is the direct successor to the Nano. It retains the incredible 1 micron resolution (yes, that’s 0.001mm resolution!) and 150 x 150 x 150mm build volume. Old World Labs has been field testing the machines over the past year and has deployed a number of upgrades to improve performance.
The white MC-2 version is a bit different and provides even better resolution. It can print down to 0.1 microns (that’s 0.0001mm or 100nm), which must be the finest resolution we’ve ever reported on for any 3D printer in existence.
Both machines use UV-curable resin as their material, which OWL produces in-house. According to their representatives, they now offer “tons of them”, including many bio-compatible resins.
This is perhaps why you’d need a machine capable of 100nm resolution: to 3D print extremely small and delicate scaffolding structures for use in bio experiments.
Perhaps one of the most interesting features of these two new machines is not the machine at all, but instead it’s unique maintenance program. The machines are in fact sold as a kind of service, where plans permit customers to receive regular hardware upgrades, which we’re told occur every six to twelve months. Upgrades are more than software, as OWL tells us they will actually accept the machine and swap out hardware components, too. These upgrades should continually improve the performance of the machine, ensuring their clients never feel left behind.
The pricing for these is definitely not for consumers; The MC-1, for example, is priced at USD$27,900 with the service plan going for USD$1,650 per month thereafter. But this is the only commercially-available machine we know of that can produce objects so tiny.
Via Old World Labs
