FABTotum launched a new making option, the PRISM, which enables their Personal Fabricator to include multiple 3D printing processes.
Factotum in 2013 produced their first device, the FABtotum Personal Fabricator, which was a plastic-extrusion 3D printer which could switch toolheads to add CNC milling and 3D scanning features. It proved quite popular, raising well over USD$500K.
The company now takes the concept of multiple tools quite a bit farther with the FABtotum PRISM. This feature, an add-on to the Personal Fabricator, makes the machine become an “everything but the kitchen sink” making utility machine, as it then includes these fabrication capabilities:
- 3D printing with Fused Filament Fabrication (plastic extrusion)
- 3D printing with Sterolithography (UV laser-cured resin)
- 3D scanning with optical cameras
- 3D scanning with structured laser light
- 3D scanning with touch probe
- CNC 3D milling
- Laser etching (and cutting of very light materials)
This powerhouse combination of making technologies provides many ways to make things. As any tool owner can tell you, you need the right tool for the job. In the case of Personal Fabricator + PRISM, you get many tools in one purchase.
Consider the 3D printing options: you can choose to rapidly print a strong, robust machine part in materials like ABS or nylon. Or you could choose to 3D print a jewelry mold in a wax-like resin at very high resolution.
That’s the flexibility any creator would like to have.
The 3D scanning capabilities are interesting, but perhaps a bit redundant, with three separate methods. It’s likely most people will tend to use the optical technique as we’ve found it works most easily in other environments. The touch sensor could be useful to measure the accuracy of 3D printed or milled parts, however.
The CNC milling option is capable of working with relatively soft materials, such as foams, brass, wood and aluminum. Fortunately, the PRISM includes a fully enclosed case, able to capture the cloud of bits shaved off the material. Using the milling process you will be able to produce your own circuit boards.
You can pre-order a PRISM-equipped Personal Fabricator unit now on their Indiegogo page with a variety of pricing combinations, which are dependent on the number of toolheads you require. Pricing starts at USD$1,149 and goes up depending on options. Or, if you happen to have an original Personal Fabricator, you can purchase a PRISM add-on for USD649.
