14 DAY TRIAL // Those following the 3D printing industry are surely familiar with WoobleWork’s 3Doodler 3D pen. This was one of the first products of its kind to be launched on the market, but critics soon jumped in, calling the device no more than a glorified hot glue gun.
But many creative minds didn't see the device like this. Anyway, following the success of the 3Doodler, a lot of companies followed the same path, readily offering their own 3D pens. But the trouble is, they all functioned using the same principle – a plastic piece of PLA filament goes into the pen and it extrudes the melted plastic once you push a button on the pen.
Now another company has announced its intention of joining the 3D pen family, with the advent of a new Indiegogo campaign. The start-up is called CreoPop, but what they have planned for us is a little bit different than the usual 3D pens we have seen so far.
The process used in the act of 3D printing with the new pen is a completely different one, as this product will rely on a stereolithographic (SLA) technique.
The 3D printing device will use a photosensitive resin and UV laser to harden the resin. Unlike other pens, the CreoPop will not use a heating mechanism so it will be safe for use even by the little ones.
The UV laser is quite capable of performing the hardening part of the process, as the resin is being extruded from the tip.
Because liquid resin is used as ink, the company will be able to offer it with all sorts of interesting capabilities, including ink that changes colors when subjected to heat, magnetic ink that can stick to your fridge, elastic ink and so on.
The Indiegogo project is expected to go live this month and early adopters will be able to order the pen plus two ink cartridges for $89 / €43. Refills will be offered for the super cheap price of $2 / €1 to $3 / €2.
In the images teased for us, we can see some of the things you could achieve using the new magic pen like for example, this colorful teddy bear and a really neat looking hand tattoo.
Creopop calls the product “the world’s first 3D pen with cool ink” and if everything goes well, pledgers can expect to receive their pens in Q1 of 2014.
