Dremel 3D Idea Builder lands in UK
;)
Look what Dremel have sent me to play with! Their 3D 'Idea Builder' Printer which is launching in the UK on 1st September.
I'm looking forward to taking it for a test run so watch this space for any updates and news.
Alan W
Oh dear...
Some interesting results but that didn't last long - I powered it down overnight but starting on Day Two the unit would not feed filament :( I removed the nozzle and cleared everything through, and then found that it would still not feed filament and was emitting a worrying clonking noise from the extruder. Possible some filament has got snarled up inside somewhere, or something has come adrift somewhere, but there is a definite blockage that is stopping the filament from feeding through.
I guess a broken piece of filament clogged the feed near the extruder stepper motor.
Dremel (Bosch) sent me another, and I was unable to reproduce this problem at all despite my best efforts. The replacement unit has worked flawlessly.
Alan W
What a blast!
This machine is one of the first of a new breed designed and packaged for the family user, or beginner in 3D printing. It is designed to use PLA filament only (not ABS) but has a fine 100 micron resolution and I managed to produce dozens of 3D models, some of them very intricate and impressive. The product is commendable and the software is non-intimidating to use.
The Dremel 3D Idea Builder is Windows, Mac and Linux/ Ubuntu compatible. The supplied Dremel 3D software is however only a printer driver/ controller. You can view, rotate and scale objects using it, but you need separate third party software to design your own 3D objects. You can make a start with Tinkercad. Standard .STL files are imported and converted by Dremel 3D to print them. Other packages and models are downloadable from Dremel's website.
The build-platform is a cold-bed type made of acrylic with replacement 'build tapes' and after a few teething problems I was able to design and build 3D objects with some confidence. It's mainly getting the objects to stick themselves down initially which is the main consideration, and after some trial and error the machine performed flawlessly.
Dremel PLA filament should be used and this is available in ten colours including metallic and translucent. A reel of white PLA is included with each machine.
As I conclude in my review, if I had one of these as a kid then my parents would not have seen me for months. I would have been making gadgets for marble runs or domino races, Matchbox Superfast car races or Scalextrix, my model wargames dioramas, model railroads, desktop organisers, you name it. Electronics hobbyists will soon be making simple enclosures, LED display holders, speaker grilles, parts for buggies or robotics, levers and actuators, badges and lots more besides. Dremel has done a thorough job of bringing 3D printing to the everyday user or beginner, and the new printer launched in the UK on 1st September.
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