SeeMeCNC DropLit DLP SLA Printer Unveiled

SeeMeCNC has been on a roll as of late. At Maker Faire Detroit this weekend, they unveiled their enormous delta 3D printer. The printer which stands at over 15 feet tall is the largest known delta 3D printer ever created. This wasn’t all though. The company, based in Goshen, Indiana, also unveiled a new SLA 3D printer called Droplit, which they intend to begin selling shortly.

Droplit is an entirely open source resin based stereolithography printer. The company believes that SLA technology will soon begin to drop in price, just like FDM extrusion printers have in the past couple of years. With Autodesk getting involved with open source SLA technology, with the creation of their Spark platform, they probably are correct in this belief. Over the next several years, it would not be surprising if we were to see a major shift from FDM to SLA based 3D printers, within the home and office. SLA technology has the ability for much more accurate and higher resolution prints. Typically though, the printers are much more expensive, partly due to the DLP projector, or lasers required to cure the resin, layer by layer.

“We’d like to be a part of yet another technology around 3D printing that we think we can contribute to greatly,” said John Olafson of SeeMeCNC. “Resin based printing isn’t new, but it isn’t as adopted yet, for many reasons. If we can put together kits for guys who like to tinker and experiment, just like we have done with FFF and especially Delta Printers, I think you guys here will have a blast learning and evolving the tech faster than ever.”

The Droplit SLA printer is still in development, and the full specifications have yet to be released, however, we were able to get hold of some of the basic specs of this new machine.

• Technology: Resin based stereolithography via DLP projector
• Build Diameter: Approximately 3 1/2″
• Build Height: Aprroximately 7-8″
• Electronics: Arduino based
• Hardware: Kit Form, DLP Projector purchased separately
• Open Source: Most files can be found here.

The printer, which has a very unique look to it, as you can see from the images provided, initially was listed on the SeeMeCNC website as being ‘sold out’ with a price of $399.  However, the price has since been removed, which does not include the required DLP projector. A Typical projector can be purchased for under $500, meaning that if the price does stay at $399, this would probably be one of the most affordable DLP SLA printers on the market. The exact date of availability has not yet  been provided, however, they do expect to have a beta run of 10 units very soon.  Let us know what you think about the SeeMeCNC Droplit 3D printer.  Are you considering purchasing the machine once available? Discuss in the Droplit 3D printer forum thread on 3DPB.com.