Kickstarter project Deltaprintr offers cheap easy to use 3D printer

Two college students (Shai Schechter and Andrey Kovalev) have launched a Kickstarter project aimed at bringing an easy to use and affordable 3D printer to the masses—one they have designed themselves. Called the Deltaprintr, the device is a novel pole based design that uses fishing line instead of traditional belts.

By using an open air design (and fishing line) instead of the traditional Cartesian style box, the Deltaprintr allows for quicker printing (it eliminates the need for the print-head to perform unnecessary movements) easy expansion (the ability to print taller objects)—and for more easily performing leveling calibration (it's automatic in some instances), something that can't be said for most other 3D printers being sold. But what truly sets the Deltaprintr apart is price: one fully assembled printer costs just $675. Surprisingly, the low price doesn't mean giving up quality either—the Deltaprintr 's 4mm tip is capable of 100 micron resolution.

The printer in its default configuration allows for printing objects up to 12 inches high, but that can be increased by the owner replacing the fishing line with longer strands. Schechter and Kovalev also promise to allow for printing taller creations in the future when they will offer longer side rails.