Never cry about a broken controller again.
When was the last time your friend spilled coffee on your PS3 controller? Or how about that time you smashed that alarm clock? With Cartesian’s EX1 these broken electronics can be easily replaced.
The EX1 is a home based 3D printer capable of making swift, simple, and cheap circuits on almost any material. So why run out to the store when you can simply print that controller replacement on a piece of paper?
Printed circuit at work.
The EX1 uses inkjet technology to print two chemicals onto a chosen surface. The chemicals then react to form silver nanoparticles which produce the printed circuit. Surfaces tested so far include various plastics, stickers, paper, wood, and fabric. Now you can make a nerdy fashion statement and wear your watch on your sleeves.
The printer’s software is quite flexible. You can input, adjust, print, and import images, even from MSPaint. The print area is currently 17.5 cm by 8 cm and, depending on the substrate, the ink cartridges will last for dozens of boards.
Make a nerdy fashion statement.
Co-Founders Isabella Stephens, John Scott and Ariel Briner.
Co-Founder of Cartesian Co., Isabella Stephens, adds: “Our goal with the EX¹ is to make circuit printing more accessible and affordable for young inventors and engineers like ourselves while delivering high quality professional results that would satisfy even the hard-core engineering veterans. On top of that, the positive response we’ve received allowed us to come up with a number of stretch goals that will further the printer’s capabilities, including silk screen cartridges, Raspberry Pi integration, LCD screen and cameras mounted to the print head.”
The EX1 is priced at $1,499 and can be purchased on Cartesian’s Kickstarter page. They broke their $30,000 goal in half-a-day and raised $120,000 in the first week. The campaign will end on December 11th and quick backers can receive their own printer by 2014.
Pictures courtesy of Cartesian Co.