Electronics

Third-gen Solidoodle 3D printer pumps up the volume

Third-gen Solidoodle 3D printer pumps up the volume
The Solidoodle 3 boasts a build area of 8 x 8 x 8 inches
The Solidoodle 3 boasts a build area of 8 x 8 x 8 inches
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The Solidoodle 3 boasts a build area of 8 x 8 x 8 inches
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The Solidoodle 3 boasts a build area of 8 x 8 x 8 inches
Aside from the increase in size, the Solidoodle 3 is pretty much identical to the Solidoodle 2
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Aside from the increase in size, the Solidoodle 3 is pretty much identical to the Solidoodle 2

Over the past couple of years, the number of consumer 3D printers hitting the market has multiplied like … well, like plastic chess pieces churned out by a 3D printer. For its latest unit, Solidoodle has upped the build area to 8 x 8 x 8 inches (20 x 20 x 20 cm), which is two extra inches over the printable dimensions of the Solidoodle 2. This more than doubles the build volume from 216 in3 (3,540 cm3) for the Solidoodle 2 to 512 in3 (8,390 cm3) for the new Solidoodle 3.

Apart from the size, the Solidoodle 3 is pretty much identical to the second generation Solidoodle. It uses 1.75 mm plastic filament and prints at a layer height of 0.3 mm as standard, with the ability to decrease the layer height to 0.1 mm for printing of high-resolution parts. Its heated build platform allows the creation of large objects without bottom warping and it accepts 3D files in STL format.

Naturally, the extra build area does equate to a larger footprint for the printer, which measures 13.5 inches long x 14 inches wide x 14 inches deep (34 x 36 x 36 cm) and weighs 20 lbs (9 kg).

It’s also a bigger hit on the hip pocket nerve, retailing at US$799. The Solidoodle 3 is currently available for pre-order, with shipping commencing in January.

Source: Solidoodle

2 comments
2 comments
Paul Anthony
The standard resolution is only around 12 thousandths of an inch. That is not so bad. I would be interested in reading some of the advances in 3D scanning to accompany these printers. It would be nice to say, scan a bride and groom and then have the little figurine made to put up on their cake. I know that there is a company doing this now in spain and a new one somewhere else, but I am interested in what home versions are available and what capabilities they have. I remember seeing something about making your own using a wine glass and a laser pointer, but that was some DIY project.
Jadesqr
Hey Paul, I saw that too on TV, 'Big Bang Theory' season 6, episode 14. "Howard and Raj get superhero figurines made of themselves". Then buy a machine and make a miniture Bernadette.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2636834/