Although 3D printing has been around for a few years, the whole concept of at home 3D printing is something that is very new, and exciting for people. But it is also something that people may think is not going to be available or affordable for a while, but I am here to tell you that it’s actually available now, and it will not cost you your retirement money to be able to use!
Whether you are a designer, architect, or just someone who likes to get creative, there is something out there for you in the 3D printing world. I have found a few products that are available for purchase now, or availabe for purchase in the near future that will get you excited about 3D printing at home!
The LIX 3D Printing Pen
The LIX pen was introduced in April of 2014, and has gotten its popularity as the worlds smallest 3D printing pen. The LIX pen works by basically melting, and cooling the plastic material, which allows you to doodle your creation in the air. The pen can be plugged into any USB port, so keeping it charged and going is never a problem. With its small size and easy to use features, the LIX pen is highly desirable for designers, architects, artists, or pretty much anybody who has a creative bone in their body.
The LIX pen is fairly affordable, costing $139.95 for the 3D pen, or they have a ball pen version for $59.95. The only downfall following this pen so far is that it is still not ready to be sold on the market yet, but you can visit the LIX website, and sign up to know when it will be for sale, and to preorder it.
The 3doodler Pen
Another popular choice in the 3D printing pen market is the 3doodler pen. The 3doodler describes itself as the worlds first 3D printing pen, and the worlds best as well. The 3doodler works kind of like the LIX pen, by heating and cooling the material and allowing you to draw your creation straight up into the air.
You can purchase the 3doodler right off of their website for around $99.99. Something cool about the 3doodler is that you can purchase a bunch of hip accessories, including a storage stand for the pen, or a foot pedal for those longer projects.
One downfall that comes with the 3doodler is its size. It is a lot bulkier, compared to the LIX pen, making it a little harder to handle. The 3doodler is also not as portable as the LIX. It is not chargeable, so you are limited to where you can use it, although it is said to be coming out with a chargeable power source, so this may not be an issue in the future.
Cubify Cube 3D printer
Another option of 3D printing that is not as portable, or as affordable as the printing pens is the Cubify Cube 3D printer. The Cube is one of the best deals for somebody who really wants to 3D print, but doesn’t have a steady enough hand to create a masterpiece with the printing pens. The Cube comes with some really cool software that you can use to design and customize your piece. It also has a smartphone app that you can use to print directly from your smart phone.
It is easy to use, and is safe for kids 8+ to use, but it all comes with a price. You can purchase the Cube directly off of the Cubify website for a price of $999.00. You can also expect to pay an additional $49 for the material cartridges.
Featured photo credit: Leo Davie/thecoolector.com via thecoolector.com
