Kickstarter: The CoLiDo 3D Printing Pen Offers Big Fun & Safety with Unique Auto-Retract Nozzle

Today, 3D printing offers so many different options for innovation. Users can explore a wide range of machines, attachments, materials, scanners, and more—not to mention mobile and smartphone apps.

Most of us really enjoy the process of designing and downloading files, anticipating turning on the printer and watching the first of many layers applied as the machine whirs away comfortingly, building our 3D models right before our eyes. On some days though, let’s face it, all that ambition comes to a screeching halt and we still want to do something creative—but in a bit more of free, easy, and portable manner. And that’s where the 3D printing pen comes in. One of our favorite gift items at the holidays, these tools are no hassle and all fun.

Now, we’re looking at a new product on Kickstarter that’s chunky and easy to wield—just perfect for drawing, and as they say at CoLiDo, watching your 3D print ‘stand.’ The CoLiDo 3D Pen is small and easy to take with you anywhere, yet operates like a little computer, offering fast and slow settings, as well as an automatic sleep mode that occurs when the fabrication pen is either not in use for at least five minutes, or when the print-head temperature is higher than 250°C (482°F) or lower than 1°C (33.8°F).

“The CoLiDo 3D Pen has revolutionized the concept of a simple 2D drawing. With a CoLiDo 3D Pen, now your drawing has 3 dimensions. What you draw is a solid object that is not just on a piece of paper anymore, but literally stands on any surface when used,” states the team on Kickstarter.

Aside from the thrill of being able to 3D printing with a small pen, the most important and unique feature of the CoLiDo pen is its auto-retract nozzle.

“3D printing devices using FDM technology inevitably have a very hot nozzle,” states the CoLiDo team. “It is a threat to users.”

Considering how kid-friendly 3D printing pens are generally thought to be, this attention to safety and temperature should serve as a relief for parents who’d like to set their kids up in a drawing activity and then wander off for a minute to say, get all those dinner plates into the dishwasher or perhaps even chill for a good twenty minutes. Chances are though, these pens look like so much fun that everyone will want to get involved—and have their own as well. And that shouldn’t be a problem for early-bird backers who get in early and reserve their pens for just $69—including the CoLiDo 3D pen itself and two packs of ABS and PLA filaments (100 pcs per pack, 6 different colors), with shipping commencing in March. For those who miss the early bird window, never fear—for just $79 you can still order your pen, with shipping beginning in April.

There is a range of high-quality filaments to choose from, with many options in both color and texture. The CoLiDo print-head squeezes out filament smoothly and temperature is maintained in a stable manner to prevent issues like filament being cut off prematurely.

Technical Specs:

• Print Technology: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
• Print Head Quantity: 1
• Nozzle Diameter: 0.4 mm
• Filament Material: PLA or ABS
• Filament Diameter: 1.75 mm

This is recommended not just as a wonderful gift idea (we already had that one covered, for sure) but also as a great tool to keep around the house, as well as for use in making decorations for birthdays and holiday, creating gifts, and conceptualizing designs for larger projects. The CoLiDo, based in Hong Kong, is hoping to raise $38,000 USD by March 9th. Is something you are considering backing? Discuss in the CoLiDo 3D printing pen forum over at 3DPB.com.