Stalactite 3D SLA Printer Launches on Indiegogo

Over the past year or so, we have seen an amazingly large number of 3D printers pop up on crowdfunding websites such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo. Several of these have blown away their funding goals, while others have not quite reached theirs.

The latest printer to look for funding via crowdfunding, is the STALACTITE 102 high definitely resin printer. The project just went live on Indiegogo today with a funding goal of €50,000.  The company, Stalactite is based out of Barcelona, Spain.

Unlike most 3D printers that we have seen recruiting backers on these popular crowdfunding sites, the STALACTITE 102 uses a different type of technology. They use a type of technology commonly referred to as stereolithography (SLA). It is a process by which resin is cured using direct light processing (DLP). It is a method that usually can achieve greater print resolutions than the more commonly scene fused deposition modeling (FDM) technique.

“STALACTITE 3D’s first printer launch coincides with the multinational enterprise Hewlett Packard’s decision of settling their global Head Office for 3D Technology Development in Barcelona,” said the company in a press release. “That will put Barcelona city to reference in the 3D printing industry for southern European countries.”

Just last October the STALACTITE 3D project was chosen as one of the ten winners among more than 5000 projects for the HighTech XL Start-Up BootCamp Accelerator contest in Eindhoven (Holland). Now they have officially launched their campaign on Indiegogo.

The majority of resin based printers out there today sell for quite a bit more than the typical FDM printers that you find on the market, such as the MakerBot Replicator, and the Cubify Cube. However, the price of this printer really isn’t all that much. Early birds on Indiegogo will be able to purchase it (as backers) for as low as €1,850 (first 5 backers), or €1,999 (next 10 backers). The post crowdfunding retail price for this printer will be €2,895 (approx. $4,000).

The STALACTITE 102 can print using 4 different resins:

STANDARD: Their entry level resin. Affordable and suitable for general 3D printing. It can be used for figurines to maquettes, as well as quick prototypes.
PROTOTYPING: A hard and thought material, aimed at print objects that require improved physical properties. It has similar properties as ABS or Nylon plastic. It should be used for electronic housings, cogs, iPhone holders, etc.
ELASTIC: This resin is elastic and flexible.
WAXY: This resin demonstrates similar properties to investment casting waxes. Once you print your model you will be able to use the lost wax investment process and cast your designs to bronze, silver, gold or any other meltable metal.

While these are the only resins currently available, the company expects to release more in the future. The prices for resin will start at 80€ for the standard version, 90€ for the prototype & flexible versions, and 125€ for the waxy version. (plus VAT where applicable).

Here are some specs of the STALACTITE 102:
– A minimum layer thickness as small as 25 microns, although the hardware can support layers as thin as 10 microns.
– High quality precision components.
– High dot-per-inch density on the X/Y plane. (as low as 50 microns)
– Mechanized aluminum and laser cut steel components.
– A patent pending decoupled dual peeling system.
– A fairly large build area of 102 X 76.8 X 180mm

Check out the official video below

Be sure to discuss this printer in the Stalactite 3D Printer thread on 3DPB.com.