Shai Schechter, a Purchase College-SUNY junior, is launching a business to produce an innovative 3D printer with a number of key differences that will make it more efficient and affordable than similar devices.
With a successful Kickstarter campaign in progress until January 4, 2014, the young inventor/entrepreneur is moving ahead with his plan to introduce a new approach to 3D printing.
“The Purchase College motto is ‘Think Wide Open,’ and that is exactly what we are doing with the Deltaprintr,” says Schechter, a graphic design major with a minor in arts management. “We engineered the printer to be simple, efficient, and affordable, so that as many people as possible can get involved in this exciting new technology.”
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Schechter explains that “3D printing brings the manufacturing back home. You buy the material in a spool, as a continuous string of plastic. The hot-end is like a hot glue gun that moves very precisely, printing out the object layer by layer according to the program that is input. It can be used to print out a whole range of objects, from simple household items, to sculptures, to prosthetic hands specified to someone’s dimensions.”
According to Schechter, 3D printing is now primarily a hobbyist movement but its potential can grow, creating an educational component. “Our main objective is to make this into an educational tool,” he says. “We already have interest from colleges, high schools, and middle schools.”
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Schechter was inspired to create a new 3D printer when he realized that available devices were very expensive and challenging to use. In the Purchase College tradition of seeking a creative alternative, he decided to develop something innovative and accessible. With the support of Ravi Rajan, dean of the School of Arts, and Eric Wildrick, a professor and sculpture instructional support specialist, Schechter was given an initial grant of $1,000 from Purchase to bring his concept to life.
Engaging friends and colleagues with engineering backgrounds in his quest, Schechter came up with a design that features these innovations:
The Delaprintr uses fishing line instead of belts to move the print head, enabling expansion of the printer for bigger prints, as well as easier replacement.
The polar coordinate system, which defines the angle and radius, allows for faster movements than those of traditional Cartesian printers, while achieving a 100 micron resolution.
The Deltaprintr utilizes three stepper motors to control the carriage that moves the hot-end, which is the only moving part.
Since the Deltaprintr doesn’t require as many parts as other 3D printers, the savings can be passed on to the consumers. While commercially available 3D printers cost $2,000 or more, the Deltaprintr kit will retail for about $499.
Users will be provided with a detailed manual so they can assemble their own printers, enhancing the educational impact. To encourage new users, the company will also be providing guidance for using 3D printing software. “We are launching the Deltaprintr as an educational tool, but it’s also, ultimately, for the everyday user,” concludes Schechter. “This technology should be accessible to everyone.”
For more information, visit: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/shai/deltaprintr-a-simple-affordable-3d-printer.
