Electronics

DeltaMaker takes crowdfunding route to growing 3D printer market

DeltaMaker takes crowdfunding route to growing 3D printer market
The DeltaMaker 3D printer features a striking symmetrical design
The DeltaMaker 3D printer features a striking symmetrical design
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The DeltaMaker 3D printer features a striking symmetrical design
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The DeltaMaker 3D printer features a striking symmetrical design
The DeltaMaker's extrusion head is controlled by three parallel arms, where no motor is specifically tied to a single axis
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The DeltaMaker's extrusion head is controlled by three parallel arms, where no motor is specifically tied to a single axis
DeltaMaker will come fully assembled and features rigid aluminum extrusion construction
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DeltaMaker will come fully assembled and features rigid aluminum extrusion construction
The DeltaMaker offers a 360 degree view of the object as it is being printed, turning it into a work of art
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The DeltaMaker offers a 360 degree view of the object as it is being printed, turning it into a work of art
The DeltaMaker 3D printer and its creators at their headquarters in Orlando, Florida
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The DeltaMaker 3D printer and its creators at their headquarters in Orlando, Florida
The 100 micron layer resolution offered by the DeltaMaker gives this owl a good surface quality
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The 100 micron layer resolution offered by the DeltaMaker gives this owl a good surface quality
A 3D printed owl fabricated by the DeltaMaker
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A 3D printed owl fabricated by the DeltaMaker
Yoda bust printed by the DeltaMaker
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Yoda bust printed by the DeltaMaker
A close-up of the Yoda bust printed by the DeltaMaker
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A close-up of the Yoda bust printed by the DeltaMaker
Black ABS plastic shows the print quality more clearly than the other objects
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Black ABS plastic shows the print quality more clearly than the other objects
The DeltaMaker has a 9-inch diameter x 11-inch tall build envelope
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The DeltaMaker has a 9-inch diameter x 11-inch tall build envelope
Parts printed on the DeltaMaker 3D printer
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Parts printed on the DeltaMaker 3D printer
The DeltaMaker takes advantage of open source hardware and software
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The DeltaMaker takes advantage of open source hardware and software
The DeltaMaker combines form and function
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The DeltaMaker combines form and function
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The ongoing race to build the cheapest, most versatile 3D printer continues with the impending launch of the DeltaMaker. Founded by a small group of engineers out of Orlando, Florida, the DeltaMaker puts its own spin on the growing personal electronics revolution, matching the print resolution of the MakerBot Replicator 2 while offering a larger overall build envelope and, at US$1,599 dollars, costs $600 dollars less.

The DeltaMaker gets its name from delta robots first invented in the 1980s that utilize three sets of parallel arms to control the motion of an end effector (which in this case is the print head) while locking its planar orientation.

Like most options on the market, it's a Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) printer that uses 1.75-mm filament ABS or PLA, and builds layers as thin as 100 microns. That's a resolution four times thicker than the Form 1 Kickstarted last year (which costs about twice as much), but is significantly thinner than cheaper printers like the Solidoodle.

A 3D printed owl fabricated by the DeltaMaker
A 3D printed owl fabricated by the DeltaMaker

However, unlike most fused filament 3D printers, which slowly drop the build platform to print successive layers, the DeltaMaker's print head travels up its three columns as it builds the model. Its creators say that this, in addition to its open air design that offers a 360 degree view of the print, turns the DeltaMaker into a conversation piece rather than a utilitarian object. They suggest people will put it in a prominent place inside their homes, and that artists will display the working printer at a gallery show ... and we tend to agree.

The project takes advantage of open source hardware (the MakerSlide linear bearing system and the QU-BD Hot End extrusion head) and software (Marlin, Slic3r, and Repetier Host). It's currently undergoing final design revisions, building upon four earlier prototypes.

As of this writing, the DeltaMaker is almost half way to its Kickstarter funding goal of $107,000 dollars, and early adopters can still save themselves a couple hundred bucks off its production price.

The pitch video below shows the latest working prototype in action.

Source: DeltaMaker via 3ders

View gallery - 14 images
11 comments
11 comments
cachurro
The Ultimaker (ultmaker.com) costs about the same, it is a reality right now (not a kickstarter project), is lightning fast (up to 70 mm/s extruding and 150 mm/s jumping), uses cheaper 3 mm filament and has a layer size 2.5 times thinner (40 microns). The build volume has the same lenght and width, but is only two thirds the height of the Deltamaker, though.
Michael Crumpton
"That's a resolution four times thicker than the Form 1 " And a print speed that is more than 4 times faster.
mooseman
VERY nice! Clean, elegant design! Best wishes to these guys!
exodous
One small step closer to printing 28mm miniatures in my home. . .
Eddy XLR
Nice design but dutch designers already have this one ready to go. Also there are a lot of moving parts in this design, like the homokinetic bolts on the tripod who will need some extreem material that doesnt wear down. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0S2DwzNO3M
John Olafson
Eddy, ours has been 'released' now for over three months
http://shop.seemecnc.com
And ours credits the inspiration from Johann, doesn't use printed parts, costs less, and can be had now, and is 100% OS hrdwr
solutions4circuits
That 360 degree view is a gimmick since it will only work on the Space Station and on Interplanetary expeditions. Since gravity is present for the rest of us, they, like other materials will need to put down support material and, with that, we're back to zero added usefulness apart from looking like it shouldn't be controllable.
The 100 micron layers is admirable, but did they brief you with "up to" or "will" as far as that layer thickness goes?
Speaking of cheap printers, I'm surprised at the lack of coverage for the Makobox A6 LT, a PLA 3D printer for $200. http://www.makibox.com/products
(Ed. http://www.gizmag.com/makibox-a6-3d-printer/21713/)
Jason Falconer
@cachurro I hadn't looked closely at the Ultimaker before, I'll have to check it out.
@Michaelc "And a print speed that is more than 4 times faster. " My personal preference is resolution over speed.
Gregg Eshelman
"They suggest people will put it in a prominent place inside their homes,"
3D printers, the parlor lathe of the 21st century. Wealthy people in the 1900's would buy insanely complicated decorative turning lathes, then hire turning masters to operate them as entertainment at parties.
Marcelo Camauer
Ultimaker is fast at 60mm/s? We're printing at 100mm/s normally, with 150 travel... Www.kikailabs.com
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