3D Pandoras – Powder Based Full Color 3D Printer Launches on Kickstarter

This has been a very exciting week if you are a 3D printing enthusiast. Over the course of the last few days, we have seen several interesting new 3D printers emerge, all using new technologies, straying from the basic FDM-based extrusion models we are used to. Yesterday, we reported on Ord Solutions’ new hybrid paste/plastic 3D printer, and earlier today MakerMex unveiled their new modular 3D printer. This isn’t all for the today’s excitement though.

El Monte, California based Global Trend Trading Technology, has just launched a Kickstarter campaign for the 3D Pandoras printer. The machine, which uses a powder material, along with a binding and curing agent, functions in a similar

way to that of a powder based selective laser sintering machine, without the laser of course. A roller places their proprietary powder on a bed, and then the print head comes by and deposits a binding agent, along with color. At this point, the roller comes by again, and the process repeats, layer-by-layer until an object is completely fabricated. Once the print has finished, it is soaked in the curing liquid in order to provide it with more strength.

The team claims to have been working on their ‘magic’ molding powder as well as the technology behind the 3D Pandoras for six years, before finally getting everything just right for a Kickstarter launch. The machine, which stands at over 5.5 feet tall, features the following specifications:

• Build Envelope: 300 x 292 x 140mm (11.8’’ x 11.5’’ x 5.5’’)
• Print Resolution: 9600 x 2400dpi
• Prototyping: 10mm / hr (0.4 inch / hr)
• Printer Size: 100 x 80 x 170cm
• Printer Weight: 70kg (154 lbs)
• Print Color: CMYK
• Print Material: Clear Curing Agent, Powder, Clear Binder

The company has made it a point to elaborate on the benefits that this technology can provide over other 3D printing techniques. For one, this method allows for the printing of objects featuring any of over one million different colors. Because of the powder bed setup, there is no need for support material, as the powder acts as the support. Additionally, there is no need for users to position an object in a certain orientation to be printed. The orientation in which an object prints has no bearing on its quality.

The company expects the 3D Pandoras to retail at around $10,000 once launched, however, they are offering the first 30 backers of their Kickstarter campaign quite a discount, charging just $2,999. Once 30 printers have been pre-ordered, the price jumps up to $3,499, and then $3,999 once 80 printers are pre-ordered. The company is seeking to raise $100,000 by October 10th, in order to go into full scale production of these machines. If all goes as planned, the very first 3D Pandoras units will begin shipping in May of next year.

Let’s hear your thoughts on this new 3D printer. Do you think that Global Trend Trading Technology can afford to produce these 5.5 foot tall machines at such a low price? Discuss in the 3D Pandoras forum thread on 3DPB.com.  Check out the Kickstarter pitch video below.  The end of the video features a pretty creative promo.