The makers of the 3Dsimo 3D printing pen are applying their lessons learned after a product launch and a year of manufacturing to the next generation. The 3Dsimo mini is a smarter, smaller 3D printing pen that includes soldering, burning and cutting tools in one package. 3Dsimo mini is running a very successful campaign on Kickstarter to fund production costs.
The 3D pen uses 1.75 mm filament and can draw in a variety of materials, with the temperature being controllable up to 260 degrees Celsius. ABS, PLA, fluorescent, translucent PETG, luminous, HIPS, laybrick, wood-like, thermochrome, carbon, flexible and metal filaments have all been tested with the 3Dsimo mini.
As a soldering iron the pen tip heats up in less than ten seconds to 490 degrees Celsius. The cutting extension looks small but can cut through a variety of thicknesses of polystyrene, Plexiglas, balsa wood and foam. The woodburning attachment is shown to cut intricate artwork in the campaign video, along with doing some plastic welding.
3Dsimo’s mobile app lets the user control the temperature and the speed of the unit, and is compatible with iOS, Android and Windows. Instructional videos, drawing templates and software updates are also available through the app. The unit is powered by a cable through a 1.5 Amp USB connection, but a battery pack is available as an add-on option during the campaign.
This device seems ideal for makers who need the flexibility of a tool that can cut, burn, and solder depending on the need. My only physical problem with the 3Dsimo mini is the fact that three nozzles need to reside somewhere on my desktop while using the fourth with the pen. This might not be a problem for more organized makers. The other issue I take with the campaign page is the printing template that allows categories for Boys, Girls, and Advanced. I would rather see a Beginners section and not split boys from girls when trying to inspire the next generation of makers.
The campaign has more than tripled its original goal of $35,000 and first units are expected to ship in March 2016. The team has applied several lessons learned from the first product to the design and development of this next generation.