The PocketMaker team
Just one glimpse at the PocketMaker 3D printer will have you rubbing your creative hands together with glee, thinking yes, this is going to be good! What’s not to like? It’s fun, compact, and has a tiny price-tag too. At just $99 on Indiegogo now (all of the $49-$79 early bird opportunities were sold out very quicklly) this 3D printer that fits in the palm of your hand is meant for the creative spirit on any level.
The small fabrication device is mobile not only in allowing you take it absolutely everywhere, but can also be controlled directly from your smartphone. The PocketMaker company is comprised of a young group of students and business-minded engineers and designers from Beijing: Hu Biao, Sun Ran, Lang Qiyue, and Xu Shiwen. Here, they’ve set out to quickly solve any issues stemming from a lack of affordability or accessibility in 3D printing, an ongoing conversation today that is in the process of being put to rest as progressive companies like PocketMaker wow us with lower prices and functionality.
There’s more to this new 3D printer than just small size and great price. It also features something else that everyone should find pretty interesting: the PocketNozzle. These nozzles are actually replaceable cartridges—and according to the PocketMaker team, this means you won’t have to worry about the mess and inconvenience of clogging. You can use either ABS or PLA filament, along with a range of other materials.
“We think that everyone could have access to 3d printing,” states the PocketMaker team on Indiegogo. “Our mission was to make 3D printing simple and affordable. We redesigned and customized the motor while leaving only the essential structure needed for stable, quality 3D printing to make it truly affordable and completely effortless to use. We know that at some point in the future 3D printing must be a part of everyone’s lives.”
The printer will retailing for $149, so if you want to try it out and pay less, Indiegogo is the perfect route. At $99 you receive the PocketMaker 3D printer with one pocket nozzle and a starter supply of white PLA 3D printing filament. As prices for rewards increase, you receive larger volumes of hardware and materials. Shipping is set for May of next year.
Product specs are as follows:
- Print volume – 80 x 80 x mm (3.15 x 3.15 x 3.15 in)
- Lightweight – roughly 850g (1.87 lb)
- Replaceable nozzle
- Removable print bed
- Print accuracy – 0.2mm
- Wireless connection
- USB-compatible connection
- Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac compatible
- Filament: standard 1.75mm.
- Supports PLA, ABS, and more
- Other standard 1.75 mm filament spools on the market are also supported
- PocketMaker APP is available for an effortless, plug-and-play experience
- Supports and uses open source software (for advanced users
Check out the video below to see the printer in action, as well as getting some great ideas for what you will be able to make. While it might take a bit longer to print out every piece for a more complex project, at $99 it would seem that everyone would want these on the desktop—or in their pocket! Discuss in the PocketMaker forum at 3DPB.com.
