14 DAY TRIAL // The 3Doodler 3D printing pen changed the world when it was released, back in 2013. Or at least changed the way people looked at 3D printing technology. It is fitting, then, that the object would go through an overhaul.
And what an overhaul this is. While normally we would have plenty to be ambivalent about when it comes to a product refit, this one doesn't leave much to be desired at all, if anything.
There was no way to ensure a better printing quality. After all, it's the skill of the user and the steadiness of their hand (or lack thereof) that determines how interesting and good-looking their prints are.
3Doodler is a 3D printing pen after all, which you use to make, say, high fashion shoes. It's not some box you feed a CAD model in order for it to cough out some object or other a few hours later.
The 3Doodler 2.0
The first thing that will strike you, if you're in any way familiar with the original 3Doodler, is the new shape and frame.
The first 3Doodler is a pretty stocky thing. While rounded, its girth is nonetheless considerable. Also, it is made of plastic.
The 3Doodler 2.0 swaps the plastic outer casing for an aluminum one, and manages to keep the overall device within a package a fourth the size of the original. Moreover, the 3Doodler 2.0 is lighter than the first model by 50 grams / 1.76 ounces, which is no small matter.
The insides had to be shuffled a bit to make the new size possible, but that wasn't the only part that the design team took into account. They also made the printing system smoother, and designed the nozzle so that lines turn out better. The filament should even solidify faster once pushed out through the extruder.
Even more than that, a double-click inking lock has been instituted. No longer must you strain your thumb to keep filament moving. Now you only need to press once instead of keeping pressure constantly on the thumb key. Finally, the 3Doodler team have added manual temperature controls.
Availability and pricing
Like the original 3Doodler, the 3Doodler 2.0 has been posted on Kickstarter, where you can help make sure it becomes a marketable product by pledging any sum of money. Well, actually you can't help because the funding goal has already been thoroughly trounced.
Not that we're surprised that over 250 thousand dollars have already accumulated (funding goal was thirty grand). The first 3Doodler needed a few dozen thousand dollars or so and got 2.3 million.
The early bird $50 / €42 have all been claimed, but you can still be among the lucky ones that will get the product in April if you pledge $85 / €71. The retail price will be higher afterwards.
