ELA 2.0 3D Printer, a Solid Device for Just Over $300

Jose Luis Luna says his ELA 2.0 Printer has been “completely designed to be a quality machine at a very low price.”

He says this basic design has everything you need to get started in 3D printing, but adds that if you happen to be a professional, you’ll find it a useful tool as well.

Made with MDF, which Luna says is important for proper operation of the shafts, the material helps make the machine light and easy to clean and maintain. Featuring parts printed from ABS, the ELA 2.0 construction method means parts can be easily changed or replaced. Aluminum alloy rods, quality shafts and stepper motors, and fully-assembled structure mean the printer will be ready to start printing upon delivery.

The ELA 2.0 features a 145 x 145 x 145 mm build volume and Luna says his printer is ideal for beginners and professionals in rapid prototyping.

The design is fully developed, from drawings to finished product, and the team behind the printer has generated several fully functional prototypes they used to make improvements in the process before manufacturing. Luna says he’s already sourced suppliers of materials, and he plans to use the investment just to mass manufacture the printers.

The ELA 2.0 uses 1.75 or 3 mm filament through a 0.4 mm nozzle and can print down to a resolution of 100 microns. The printer has USB connection, includes Pronterface (Slic3r) and the installation CD, and is compatible with Windows 98, XP, and Vista, and with Mac.

“Today it takes us about 2 hours to cut all the wood parts, paint and prepare all components,” Luna says. “As we improve the efficiency of the body construction, we think this number could be halved .”

The developers say setup to control the printer is handled via open source software which will be included via a free CD and drivers for the install. Luna says the ELA 2.0 is easy to use and assemble, looks great, and features the sturdy structure needed to build high-uality parts.

The ELA 2.0 will be available for $322 for a fully assembled and calibrated ELA 2.0 3D Printer delivered to your doorstep. Luna says is will take an additional $48 to ship the printers outside of his home country, Mexico, and if the project is funded, he estimates delivery by July 2015.

You can check out the IndieGoGo campaign for the ELA 2.0 for more details.  Will you contribute to the ELA 2.0 3D Printer fundraising campaign on IndieGoGo? Let us know in the ELA 2.0 3D Printer forum thread on 3DPB.com.