3D Printing might be the most eye catching development in printing since Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press in 1439. A printing press essentially transfers the ink to a print medium by applying pressure to an inked surface resting upon a paper or cloth. It seems like science fiction but 3D printing is already in use, building hearing aids, jewelry, and even parts for NASA. A machine that can make copies of almost anything but this time in 3D. Now the technology is becoming available to anyone. However, this dream, of turning your garage into a small factory, has been difficult to achieve due to the cost associated with purchasing a 3D printer.
Gutenberg Press (Recreated), at International Printing Museum, Carson, California
3D Printing
From guitars to race cars, even a model of your unborn child, people who enbrace 3D printing are finding new uses for the emerging technology. Once used at the idustrial level only, 3D prinign has gone mainstream. Today, in Manhattan, you can go into a 3D printing store and take home your own printer for $2200. 3D printing is still science fiction to a lot of people. The idea that you can have a machine and send it a digital design and turn into something real, it blows people’s minds. From tools and toys, to models and jewelry, the 3D printers allow anyone to design and create.
During 3D printing, layer upon layer, tiny droplets are deposited building the structure. The technology has been around since the mid Eighties, mainly used for prototyping in industrial setting. The 3D printing has reached a level of technological maturity such that we can use it beyond prototyping to actually make functional parts that we can use in reality. The aerospace industry is a good example as some commercial planes use air-ducts that are 3D printed. Hollywood is using 3D printing to make costumes. For instance, parts of the suit were 3D printed in Iron Man 2 movie. There are also plans to 3D print a house. In every case, a digital blueprint is either sketched or scanned, and then sent to a 3D printer. The printing itself can be done by extruding a liquid, usually plastic, drop by drop or by using a laser to fuse resins and metals. If you think about the evolution of humans, we like to distinguish our selves from other animals with the ability to make tools, and 3D printing is the ultimate tool.
Mag iCreatum 3D Printer
There is no doubt that 3D printers are amazing, but for any technology to reach mass adoption, it has to reach a point where it is affordable for everyone. Unfortunately, 3D printers available for consumers, have been complicated, bulky, and expensive. To resolve this issue, Malak Ghorghi’s team, from Rome, Italy, has designed a 3D printer that is easy-to-use for beginners, expandable for makers, and truly affordable for everyone. The Mag iCreatum is an all-metal 3D printer that combines many different features, including 3D printing, CNC carving, laser engraving.
It is the only 3D printer you will ever need – for work or at home – Malak Ghorghi, Product Designer
The team behind Mag iCreatum claims that their 3D printer is easy to setup, has an elegant design, and the unlimited capacity to expand makes it the right choice for everyone. The Mag iCreatum is able to perform 3D printing using the fused filament fabrication (FFF) and it also equipped with 3D system, supporting many different modules that can be interchanged.
Mag iCreatum has an open module SDK that can be used to create and share new modules with other engineers and user community. The team is also working with other startups to create toolheads that can be used for special materials and applications.
Key Features of Mag iCreatum
1) 3D Printing
The Mag 3D printer can print objects by using dual extruder and high-resolution stepper motors. To minimize the risk of malfunctioning due to calibration issues, the Mag iCreatum will come with REAL auto-bed leveling system that allows precision printing at to speeds. The team behind Mag iCreatum claims that you don’t need to calibrate the printer anymore.
2) Laser Engraving (Expandable Option)
As the Mag iCreatum has a module design, it will offer many other features, including Laser Engraving. The module will have a 200mW laser that can engrave any shape into your materials.
3) CNC Carving (Expandable Option)
In addition to laser engraver, there is also a module for CNC carving. The module will have a CNC routing head that can carve your design in materials like Plexiglas.
4) Magic Plotter (Expandable Option)
Finally, the Mag iCreatum also has a module with a plotter head, which will allow you to draw anything with any pen. The team is also developing many other modules including ceramics extruder and pastry extruder (for food like chocolate, jam, and other edibles).
Design and Specifications – Mag iCreatum
The Mag iCreatum has an all metal enclosure with a Heavy-Duty Milling Machine Structure and a table for fixing the material.
Technical Specifications:
Dimension: 47cmx47cmx87cm
Print area: 270mm x 300mm (10.6 inches x 11.8 inches)
Maximum Layer resolution: 50 microns.
Max Printing Speed: 150 mm/s.
Material type: PLA, ABS…
Material specifications: 1.75mm in diameter.
Positioning accuracy: Z 0.004mm, XY 0.012mm.
Nozzle diameter: 0.4mm.
Maximum extruder temperature: 270°C.
Heating plate temperature: 70-110°C
Best ambient temperature: ≥25°C.
Power requirements: 220V or 110V, 250W/300W, 50Hz, 0.89A/2A. Connection: SD card or USB.
The file print format: STL, G-Code.
Compatibility: Windows, Linux, Mac Device
The Mag iCreatum is currently being funded on Kickstarter with a goal of $10,407, and it has already received support from 356 backers, who have helped raise $77,157, with 4 more days still to go. Currently, the $98 pledge option is gone, which offered the Mag iCreatum 3D printer with heated bed, LCD screen, and 0.5 kg spool of 1.75mm filament. If you want the all-in-one printer option, you can pledge $390 and you can get the 3D printer with CNC carving module ($69), Laser engraver ($69), and Magic Plotter ($39).
We as consumers are used to shopping when you need something instead of thinking about creating it yourself. The Mag iCreatum All-in-one 3D printer makes it possible to create anything in the comfort of your home at an affordable prince of $99.
Source: Mag iCreatum
I am officially a tech addict and enjoy providing my views on matters related to this industry. I am always interested in trying out new tech gadgets and I have owned multiple smartphones including the legendary HTC One, SGS2, Nexus 4, iPhone 4, 5S, 6S, XR, Note 9. You can ask me any tech related questions in the comment section or on twitter @hookedNav