Founded in May 2011 in Shenzhen, Weistek Co is a leading researcher and manufacturer of consumer (desktop) 3D printers, 3D printing filament and software. The company has a R&D team of 20 engineers, which owns 2 approved patents in China and 10 others which are pending. Most of the production takes plane in a 4.000 square meter facility located at the International Low Carbon City of Shenzhen, built in 2013 in order to meet the expanding needs of the market.
A 3D Printing Curriculum
In order to best its predecessors, Weistek is offering an ultra-low price point of $249 (with a $200 discount off the regular price, available to those who sign up for the pre-Kickstarter newsletter) and designed the MiniToy with all mechanical and heated parts hidden away, to prevent accidental burns or injuries.
Full STEAM Ahead for Innovation in China
These features earned the MiniToy the recognition of the electronics industry and placed it among “The Most Promising Electronic Gadgets” at the recent 2016 Global Sources Electronics Show, which closed on April 30 in Hong Kong. The products which received the award were selected as those that best represent the shift of China from the world’s factory to a hub for innovation, a shift that necessarily begins in the classroom.
Before the Kickstarter campaign officially launches, teachers can enter to win a free MiniToy through the “Teachers LOVE MiniToy” contest, which runs from May 1 to May 21. To enter, go to the MiniToy website and register for their newsletter, then head over the MiniToy Facebook page to post your video response to the prompt: “If you had a 3D printer in your classroom, tell us how you would use it to teach a simple or complex concept.” Videos should be no more than two minutes long, and should include your name, location, the subject you teach, and the ages of your students. Multiple submissions are allowed, and winners will be announced on May 24.