You can’t have it all though, and especially at only $199 on Kickstarter. When it comes to getting what you pay for though–and receiving a quality product–there can’t be many complaints. Others might just be inspired to innovate further and add on what they need, participating in the overall concept of the making community–as well as the venue of the Kickstarter campaign.
Wichert discovered that others, in finding specific 3D printing requirements and needs not being currently fulfilled by the Micro, had made their own additions with hacks as well as off-the-shelf parts. It occurred to Wichert that others might enjoy his innovation combined with the Micro as it stands, so he went back to where all the magic happened for the Micro M3D printer and has just launched a Kickstarter campaign for a heated print bed to accompany it, with hopes to fund $16,000 by August 19th.
“From day one the backers noticed that it would be a much more functional printer if we were able to have a heated print bed,” states Wichert on his Kickstarter page. “Several people bought existing parts off the shelf and created [their] own and they worked well.”
Wichert had a custom heated print bed made for him. Along with that, for a functional prototype, he added:
- A custom circuit board
- Sourced electrical components
- Custom programming using PWM to control the board
For installing the heated print bed to the M3D itself, Wichert has conveniently made use of the holes in its base. After squeezing the silicone tubing about, one just inserts the mount, tightens the screw, and puts the bed on top, screwing it down. Wichert plans for all parts to be made out of high-temperature material like nylon or high-temperature polyurethane.
Will you be supporting this campaign? Discuss in the Heated Print Bed for Micro M3D 3D Printer forum thread over at 3DPB.com.