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How much is a 3d printer pen
The 9 Best 3D Pens 2022 (For Kids, Hobbyists, Professionals)
3D pens let you unleash your creativity in three dimensions. Let your wildest designs jump right off the paper and into 3D as you bring them to life with a 3D printing pen!
People use 3D drawing pens for a variety of reasons. 3D pens for kids are fantastic outlets for their boundless creativity, and teach valuable lessons in spatial awareness, design, color theory and engineering.
Other 3D printing pens for beginners hobbyists let you have fun being creative at home, designing any D&D character, creature, animal or other 3D pen project you may have. Some even use more professional 3D pens for important projects. We recommend pens for all uses below in this 3D pen review.
The Best 3D Pen Buyer's Guide
| Name | Recommendation | Price | Where to buy for the best price: |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3Dsimo MultiPro 4in1 | Best 3D pen | $129 (reduced from $179 for a limited time) | 3Dsimo Store here |
| 3Doodler Create+ | Professional 3D pen | $79 | Amazon here |
| MYNT3D Junior 2 | 3D pen for kids | $39 | Amazon here |
| 3Dsimo Basic Slim 2 | Best cheap 3D pen | $35 (reduced from $69 for a limited time) | 3Dsimo Store here |
| 3Doodler Start | 3D pen for kids | $49 | Amazon here |
| Scrib3D P1 | 3D pen for kids | $29 | Amazon here |
| MYNT3D Professional | Professional 3D pen | $59 | Amazon here |
| 3Dsimo Kit 2 4in1 | Best DIY 3D pen | $54 (reduced from $99 for a limited time) | 3Dsimo Store here |
| Scrib3D Advanced | 3D pen for adults | $49 | Amazon here |
What is a 3D pen?
3D pens extrude melted plastic in the same way as 3D printers do. Some use the same filaments as FDM 3D printers such as ABS and PLA filament, and can be used either to complement your 3D printing projects or as a lower cost alternative. You can switch up the color you use with different color filaments for multicolor 3D pen printing, with infinite possibilites!
3D pens, also known as 3D painting pens, 3D drawing pens or just 3D printing pens, fuse traditional art via painting with 3D printing and give you a whole extra dimension to work with. Whereas previously great painters mimicked the third dimension using contrast and clever techniques, now you can really create art that jumps off the canvas!
How much is a 3D pen?
Reliable and usable 3D pens start at around $30-50. For those interested in 3D printing, 3D drawing pens can be a great test-run before pulling the trigger on a 3D printer.
For more professional 3D pens expect to pay $100-150, but these offer you better control and precision, and more material options. Some premium 3D pens even offer interchangeable tool heads, so you can switch out the 3D printing pen for another tool, such as wood and leather carving and burning.
We have also been given an exclusive discount for our readers for 3Dsimo 3D pens, giving anyone who uses any of the links in this article a 10% discount on any orders over $100.
What is the difference between a 3D pen and a 3D printer?
The main differences between a 3D pen and a 3D printer are that you have to manually control a 3D pen in the same way you write with an ink pen.
Your model’s accuracy depends on your steady hand and artistic talent — though better 3D printing pens are easier to control — whereas with a 3D printer the model — unless the print fails — will come out exactly how the STL file predicts.
The best thing about 3D printers is they’re so reliable — you get the STL file, slice it, and it does it. But some feel that detracts from the artistry, and there’s real sentimental value in creating your own piece of art. That’s why so many people turn instead to 3D pens to bring their most inspired ideas to life.
Our 3D pen review is split into 3 categories: our two top recommendations overall, the best 3D pens for kids, and the best professional 3D pens.
3DSourced is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
3Dsimo MultiPro — Best 3D Pen
- 4-in-1 Price: $139, reduced from $179 for a limited time — Available on 3Dsimo’s Webstore here
- 7-in-1 Price: $199, reduced from $349 — Available on 3Dsimo’s Webstore here
This lightweight 3D pen is undoubtedly the most versatile printing pen on this list. Whereas for the same money with other products you just get the 3D printing pen, with the 3Dsimo MultiPro, you get a full manufacturing suite!
There are two types: the 4-in-1, which can be a 3D pen, as well as a solderer, wood and leather burner, and a wire cutter. Then there’s the 7-in-1, which can do all these, and also be changed into a drill, saw, and screwdriver!
For 3D printing, it uses any 1.75mm 3D printer filament to print and can take any standard filament, and comes with a small amount to start with.
It weighs just 70g, so you can remain precise and accurate for long periods of time without feeling any strain, with the other three interchangeable options also with their own uses.
- For choosing a filament, check out our complete 3D printer filament guide.
The soldering option can easily be switched in instead of the print head, as can the burning attachment for burning wood or leather. The burner is also great for finishing any 3D prints which need slight transforming. Lastly, the resistance wire cutters are perfect for cutting foam and plastic – and 3Dsimo have plans to release even more options for it, including a drill, electronic screwdriver and heat gun.
The 3Dsimo MultiPro truly is the Swiss army knife of 3D printing pens, and is a full 3D pen set in one small package. For the price, not only do you get durability and reliability that will save you headaches and keep you stress free, but you also get incredible versatility with the interchangeable tools.
3Dsimo MultiPro with a donkey Shrek model it created.
3Doodler Create+ — Best 3D drawing pen
- Company based: USA
- Price: $79 — Available on Amazon here
3Doodler’s top-of-the-range 3D pen, the 3Doodler Create+, is an advanced, simple-to-use and effective 3D pen for adults, teens and creatives to have fun with.
3Doodler recommend it for use by people 14 years old and up, and to use it you just need to plug it in, wait for it to heat up so it can melt the plastic, and you’re ready to start 3D drawing – it’s that simple! It’s been upgraded to make printing smoother, more precise and now gives you better control over your creations.
- Filament refills can be bought here.
Like the 3Doodler Start, you can download the 3Doodler app which contains instructions for how to build a variety of designs, 3D pen stencils, and the 3D pen itself comes with 15 different colors of filament to experiment with, as well as an activity guidebook.
The 3Doodler 3D printing pen uses 3mm filament that is non-toxic, but they say that it is only compatible with their filaments, so it may not be best to use any other third party filaments with the 3Doodler Create+.
Overall, it’s a super 3D pen that comes with all the resources you need to unleash your creativity.
Best 3D Pen for Kids
A major factor in choosing a 3D pen for your kids is safety. We therefore only considered 3D pens that are safe for kids, with features such as:
- Using low heat melting plastics and heat resistant nozzles so that they cannot burn their hands
- Easy to hold, move and print plastic
- Beginner-friendly, preferably with an LCD screen to easily monitor temperature and other options
MYNT3D Junior 2 — one of the best 3D pens for kids
- Price: $39.99 – Available on Amazon here
Designed specifically for kids, the MYNT3D Junior 2 is the simpler, safer and more child-friendly version of their best-selling 3D pen. It’s easy to control and grip, and has a long battery life so your child will never be left unable to finish their latest creative project.
Most importantly for a 3D pen for kids, it features a low temperature nozzle that won’t ever burn your child’s hands, using a special PCL plastic filament that melts at low temperatures.
PCL is a biodegradeable plastic with an exceptionally low melting point, with the MYNT3D Junior able to melt and print this plastic with ease, but not allowing temperatures to rise above this point to ensure your child’s safety. As a result, it doesn’t print ABS or PLA.
The 3D pen charges easily via microUSB, and comes with 3 rolls of MYNT3D PCL plastic filament to start off with, as well as starter stencils and a USB cable for charging. It’s another great 3D pen for kids that is both fun and educational.
3Dsimo Basic 2 — Best cheap 3D pen
- Price: $35, reduced from $69 for limited time
- Best price: Available on 3Dsimo store here
3DSimo is a former Kickstarter campaign 3D pencil which has expanded into a full product range of pens. 3Dsimo’s entry-level 3D pen, the 3Dsimo Basic Slim, is designed to replace a 3D printer for kids. It comes in either blue or red, depending on your child’s favorite color, and is suitable for children aged 8 and up.
Unlike 3Dsimo’s more professional 3D pens, the Basic Slim uses a special non-toxic filament (PCL) that melts and extrudes at lower temperatures and without any harmful fumes, making it a great safe 3D pen for kids that won’t cause any accidental burns.
Most usefully the battery lasts for 2 hours, so your kid should have more than enough time to draw before it needs charging.
It’s great for STEM education and for fun family projects, challenging each other to create fun objects and letting loose creatively. The 3Dsimo Basic Slim is a great way for young children to learn basic principles of engineering, architecture and structural stability, as well as enhancing spatial awareness.
3Doodler Start 3D Printing Pen
- Company based: USA
- Price: $49.99 — Available on Amazon here
Successful American 3D pen manufacturer 3Doodler sell two 3D pens featured on our best 3D pen buyer’s guide, the Start and the Create+. The Start is an all-round perfect 3D pen for beginners, and it’s specifically designed for use by kids and newcomers.
This hobbyist 3D printing pen for kids by 3Doodler is a great way to get your kids creative and combine family time with a fun activity that ends up with amazing colorful designs.
3Doodler say the Start is safe for kids 6 years old and up, and is a great way to teach them spatial awareness building three-dimensional objects.
Though FDM 3D printers usually print plastics such as ABS or PLA, 3Doodler 3D pens go a different route. Their pens are created using a ‘warm nozzle’ technology which prints their special ‘eco-plastic’ filament which is neither ABS or PLA. This material melts and extrudes at a lower temperature than PLA and ABS, making it safer for children to handle.
3Doodler have a free, downloadable mobile app to complement your 3D pen printing. Once downloaded, the app has a bunch of stencils, guides and other engaging content to add to your printing. It comes with 48 plastic strands to use, and a one-year warranty.The 3Doodler Start is a fantastic cheap 3D pen for beginners and experienced makers alike.
Scrib3D P1
- Price: $29.99 — Available on Amazon here
Scrib3D make two popular 3D pens: the Scrib3D P1, their beginner-friendly model; and their more professional 3D pen, the Scrib3D Advanced.
The P1 is the ideal low cost 3D pen for beginners and kids to explore all three dimensions and improve their spatial awareness and thinking, indirectly learning key engineering and math principles that’ll pay dividends in school.
Despite the price, the Scrib3D is a super 3D pen which comes with a number of useful tools. You can adjust the print speed, so if you’re working on a very intricate feature of your design you can slow it right down, and then speed it up again when you want to quickly fill in a larger section.
It prints both PLA and ABS, so it reaches fairly high heats, but has built-in safety features to prevent any burns or accidents, so we feel it’s still safe for kids to use. It’s also super easy to print with — just plug it in, wait 2 to 3 minutes for the pen to heat up (when it’s ready, the red light will go out), and then you’re all ready to print!
Overall, it’s a great 3D pen for beginners.
Professional 3D Pens
MYNT3D Professional 3D Pen
- Company based: USA
- Price: $59 — Available on Amazon here
One of the best-selling 3D pens currently, the MYNY3D Professional 3D pen allows you to regulate filament flow and have complete speed control.
Another key feature is the completely adjustable temperature controls, allowing you to choose the exact degree you want to print at, between 140C and 230C, to change based on what material you choose to print.
The wide OLED screen shows you the temperature you are currently printing at, and the MYNT3D Professional can print with any 1.75mm filament that melts in between 140C and 230C. It comes with 3 different color ABS filaments, and can be taken outside or anywhere around the house as it is powered by USB and can be plugged into a portable power bank.
With the ability to print a variety of filaments, have complete control over temperature and printing speed, it’s a great versatile 3D printing pen.MYNT3D Professional 3D pen creating a Bulbasaur.
3Dsimo Kit 2 4in1 — Best 3D Pen DIY Kit
- Price: $54, reduced from $99
- Best price? Available on 3Dsimo store here
An open source 3D pen set, the 3Dsimo Kit is the editable and modifiable version of the 3Dsimo’s 4in1 pen, but in a DIY 3D kit that you’ll need to assemble yourself.
It still features the 3D printing pen, soldering, burning and cutting tools, and at a far lower price than the 3Dsimo MultiPro, so if you have the DIY skills you may prefer this option.3Dsimo Kit 2 DIY 3D pen next to a Sylveon pokemon drawing it created.
All the data can be found on the 3Dsimo Github, and the 3D printing pen kit comes with all the electronics and 3D printed parts you need to build the pen – which 3Dsimo say you can completely assemble in just 15 minutes! The 3D pen runs off a trusty Arduino Nano-based microcomputer.
It’s definitely an interesting option for makers who are not intimidated by the added complexity of building your own 3D pen, and definitely for those who are interested in modding a 3D pen thanks to its open source permissions.
- We also have a guide for the best open source 3D printers.
Scrib3D Advanced 3D printing pen
- Price: $49.99 — Available on Amazon here
For those looking for a more professional 3D pen with better speed controls as well as better control over heat, the Scrib3D Advanced 3D printing pen may be perfect for you.
The large LCD screen tells you everything you need to know while drawing, and you can adjust the speed with 8 different 3D pen speed options to comfortably control your line thickness — such as when you want to fill in very intricate details.
It features the same beginner-friendly features of the Scrib3D P1 — you just plug it in, wait a few minutes, and you’re ready to go — but with improvements across the board to make for a seamless and effective 3D pen printing experience, and it’s designed with ergonomics in mind for maximum hand comfort while printing.
Overall, it’s a great professional 3D pen.
If you liked this article, you may also like:
- Our ranking of the best cheap 3D printers
- Our ranking of the best cheap 3D scanners
- Top 10 best 3D printer kits
2022 3D Pen Price – How Much Does A 3D Pen Cost?
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Table of Contents
Peter Dilworth, Maxwell Bogue, and Daniel Crown developed the first-ever 3Doodler, or so to say a 3D Pen.
The invention of this device happened in 2012 at the Artisan’s Asylum in Somerville, Massachusetts.
It took some years for this technology to get mainstream and the 3D pen price to drop enough to be called affordable.
So, here’s a list to let you know how much does a 3D Pen Cost in 2020? We have listed some of the pens on this list to help you get an idea of how much 3D pens cost. This certainly would help you to buy a 3D pen that you wish to own.
3D Pen Price Under $50
Below is a list of two pens, enlisting their features and pros and cons, trying to explain why they are priced, what they are priced.
Atmosflare 3D
It is a resin-based pen which is rare because most of the pens use plastic filaments. Best recommended for age group 12 and above, Atmosflare uses a cool blue LED light and a special link that enables you to draw objects easily. Let’s take a look at the pen’s features.
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Features
With Atmosflare, drawing vertically is as easy as squeezing the pen, and moving the tip vertically is.
You are moving away from the drawing surface with LED light ON.
Atmosflare comes in a nice looking box inside which you find a plastic tray. Once you unpack, you will get the battery, the cartridge, five tips, and a user guide.
The pen’s body is plastic and gray. Atmosflare is 6 inches long and thickness is not constant all over the surface, the variation is from 1.5 inches to 0.75 inches from start to the end.
The front of the pen has a hole from where the pen’s tip comes four UV lights that work for curing the material. The battery compartment of the pen is placed at the back of the pen. While the 3D material in liquid resin form comes in soft containers that fit into the bottom of the pen.
Pros and Cons
PROS:
- Simple to use.
- Has a good battery life.
- Can draw 3D parts easily.
- Overall, the product is well made.
CONS:
- One might find refills of the pen expensive.
- Refills are not always readily available.
- Using the pen sometimes can be messy.
Final Take on Atmosflare
The pen is enjoyable, it can create things in midair. The 3D pen price is $29.76. Atmosflare is well made and its battery life is also good. While making a cube typically, you utilize a cartridge and a half and you don’t need recharging.
The pen does have some issues, but it’s with the refilling of cartridges and not with the pen as a whole. Overall, it is a perfect pen that’s easy to use, even by kids.
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7 Tech 3D
This pen comes with a complete package that includes, the pen, a 110-240 V adapter, 3*1.75 multicolored ABS filament, and an easy to comprehend manual user guide.
Known for its jamming detection, 7 Tech 3D does not have an issue that the pen gets clogged. The pen is also known for having an excellent extrusion speed that can be easily managed.
Features
The nozzle diameter of this pen is 0.7mm and the heating temperature is 160-230 degrees Celsius, which is adjustable.
7 Tech 3d runs with a power input of 12V 3A adapter and is currently available only in blue light.
The box in which this pen comes in includes the power cable that is needed to charge it, and ABS filament, introduction manual, and design of this pen.
This pen can use different types of plastic filaments, which have different melting points and the pen comes with a feature of adjusting the temperature for reaching the melting point of the material that you are 3D printing with.
As mentioned above there is a jamming detection offered by this pen. Another feature of this pen is its auto standby mode which enables its user to save power and ensure that the heating element stays durable.
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Pros and Cons
PROS:
- The pen comes with sturdy material that lasts long.
- 7 Tech 3D comes with penis temperature control and adjustable speed that allows you to select custom settings for designing work.
- The pen has an ergonomic design and is lightweight in construction.
- Features like jam-clogging and LCD make it easy for the kids to use the pen.
CONS:
- Although the pen comes with 3 filament strands of 3 colors, they aren’t enough.
- The nozzle of this pen can get extremely hot and heated up to 240 degrees.
- Children below 8 years are not advised to use this pen because of a burning hazard.
Final Take on 7 Tech 3D
In aesthetics, as well as in aura the pen is easy to use design and so children will associate it immediately and that’s why keeping it away from them is a task in itself. If you want to buy a sturdy pen that is user-friendly and has amazing features under 3D pen priced at $50, this is your pen.
3D Pen Price Between $50-$100
There are a lot of pens available in the market in this price range, we have tried to give you a glimpse of two.
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Soyan 3D Pen
This is a fully equipped device that can change the world by creating a person’s thoughts into reality.
Soyan is a 3D doodle pen that uses different colored ABS and PVC plastic filaments for 3D printing.
Features
Soyan is based on FDM technology and has been designed to primarily work with ABS. The pen does not have any temperature control and it comes in various colors.
The weight of this pen is 2.2 ounces whereas the overall dimension is 1.2*7.4*1.7 inches. This pen is known for possessing an ergonomic design that makes it easy to be used by all kinds of users.
Pros and Cons
PROS:
- The pen has a handy design that makes it comfortable to be used.
- The overall drawing experience with this pen is smooth and stress-free.
- Soyan 3D comes with a cooling technology that lets user touch as well as grasp itself even soon after printing has completed.
- There is a tiny slider in the pen which allows its user to control the speed at which plastic comes from its tip.
CONS:
- The cost of the device is low but the cost of its filaments may seem to be fairly more than usual.
- Till now, there have been reports that point out the problem with the ejecting button.
- Though it comes with fast heating, fast cooling technology, the cooling of the pen takes a longer time than expected.
- Soyan 3D is not meant for every kind of age group.
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Final Take on Soyan 3D
Overall, the pen is light in weight and has a slim design. It’s also user-friendly unlike many other pens in the market that are too technical to understand. The 3D pen price is $69.95 which is justified.
Myriwell 3D Pen DIY
Myriwell 3D Printing pen is a smart 3D drawing pen coming with an adapter and free filament. For freehand creations of 3D objects, this pen is a complete package that comes with a 0.4mm nozzle and 1.75mm ABS/PLA material. Let’s take a look at this pen’s features.
Features
Myriwell is great for beginners as well as 3D printing enthusiasts. The pen is compatible with both ABS and PLA and is known to paint in many colors.
It has an adjustable speed and is durable.
The filament of this pen can be changed easily by pressing a button. There are LED indicators built up on the pen to show the temperature of this 3D pen.
To help its user start immediately after unboxing the pen comes with 10-page stencils and 60 feet PLA filament in 6 different colors.
The advanced LCD screen on the pen shows a clear display that corresponds to the speed at which you are currently using the pen. Fun for all ages and suitable for kids as well as adults, Myriwell is a perfect gift to help develop imagination and improve spatial thinking ability.
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Pros and Cons
PROS:
- The pen has a silent radiator that doesn’t let any noise to be produced.
- Myriwell 3D Pen has a non-slip design that let’s user to get a complete hold of the pen.
- You can paint in many colors using this pen.
- Overall the pen is durable, lightweight, and portable.
CONS:
- Cooling of the pen is an issue and for this reason, it needs to make sure that kids learn to use it strictly.
Final Take on Myriwell 3D Pen
The 3D pen price $69 and amongst the pens available in the market at the same range, this pen has more amazing features and designs.
3D Pens Priced Above $100
This section is often referred to as the expert’s section. However, the pens listed below can be used by a beginner too. The fact that they are the most pricey, doesn’t intend to mean they can be only used by the experts.
3D Simo MultiPro
The manufacturer of this pen and many other multifunctional devices, 3D Simo is a brand that targets not only 3D lovers but makers.
Behind successful projects of the manufacturer stands a team with 6 years of experience. For finishing print with accuracy and repairing prints that were difficult to use, 3D Simo is great.
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Features
The extension of this pen has the same properties as a normal electric screwdriver does, but with an addition i.e. drilling small holes for model makers.
12 material presets for the most common materials available in the market like ABS, PLA, Flex, PETG, Metal, Wood, etc, this pen has extensions.
The pen can be controlled using a 0.75 mm filament. The temperature of the tip of the pen is adjustable and can reach up to 450 degrees Celsius.
Pros and Cons
PROS:
- The pen can be controlled using a mobile application.
- It’s easy to use compared to other pens on the list.
- The pen supports almost every filament that is possible to 3D print using a 3D pen.
CONS:
- The pen is not portable.
Final Take on 3D Simo MultiPro
This pen is not like most of the average pens in the market. It’s way ahead of its competition and an amazing pen that can help not only in 3D printing but also in soldering, cutting, and even burning. If you want to buy a 3D pen that is all-rounder, you can choose this one.
Scribbler Duo
Designed to keep in mind the imaginations of children as well as adults, this 4th generation pen, Scribbler Duo is action-packed.
It comes with a 3D creator that can be equipped with two nozzles. Let’s straight dive into its features.
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Features
Firstly, the pen has a duo-feed technology that puts the pen into the category of the super-sonic 3D pen. Its two-nozzle system enables users to use multiple colors while designing 3D objects and takes half-time than a single-nozzle pen.
You can switch between six different speed settings while printing a part or functional prototype.
The pen is not only compatible with the company’s filaments, but also another plastic filament of 1.75mm diameter. There is an oversized LED display that’s positioned conveniently on the pen’s neck with which users can control the operating temperature.
Pros and Cons
PROS:
- The pen has an LCD Display.
- One can control its speed and temperature.
- The pen comes with the Duo Double Nozzle.
- Has constant extraction feeding.
CONS:
- Cooling of the pen is a bit of a problem
Final Take on Scribbler Duo
Whether you are an aspiring architect or a design professional, you are going to love this pen.
Your skills in 3D printing are going to be developed. Scribbler is the best way to become the creator of your world. Looking to buy a 3D pen that has amazing features, choose Scribbler.
The Conclusion
How much is a 3D pen for? You must have got an idea from the article. It starts at $50 which is very much affordable. The feature comparison of these pens would tell you what to expect from what range of pens.
Which one can be termed affordable according to the features and 3D pen price at which it is available in the market!
3D Pen 3D PEN 2 (blue)
Description
Benefits
- Possibility to use two types of plastic ABS and PLA 1.75 mm thick.
- LCD display.
- Temperature control accurate to the degree.
- Adjust the plastic feed speed to draw lines of different thicknesses.
- Safe and ergonomic body, handle weight only 65 g.
- Entering sleep mode.
How the 3D pen works
The 3D pen is filled with plastic in the form of a thread and fed into a special chamber called an extruder.
Here, the plastic is heated to a melting temperature, after which the plastic heated to a plastic state is pushed out through a narrow nozzle and quickly solidifies.
By adjusting the speed of plastic feed into the extruder using the slider on the pen body, you can change the thickness of the line when drawing and create three-dimensional objects of the most bizarre shapes.
In order to paint in a different color, simply remove the used plastic and replace it with the desired one. As you continue painting, the new plastic will easily "stick" to the old one.
Drawing usually occurs on a hard surface over a pre-prepared drawing or stencil in one plane. Then the parts are fastened into one whole and a three-dimensional figure is obtained. However, experienced users, with sufficient skill, can draw immediately in three-dimensional space.
How to refill the 3D pen?
The 3D pen uses a plastic filament with a diameter of 1.75 mm as the “ink”, which is automatically fed into the extruder using a built-in motor.
To replace the plastic, an eject button is provided.
If you run out of plastic, you can simply insert a new thread and continue working. Additional plastic can be purchased in our store in individual colors and a set of different colors.
Two types of plastic
The melting point of different types of plastic is different. Moreover, the melting point of plastic of the same type but different colors is also different.
The 3D Pen 2 can work with the two most popular types of plastic: ABS and PLA. To change modes, it is enough to select the desired type of plastic when turning on the handle, and that's it - the handle itself will heat up to the desired temperature.
For ease of use and temperature adjustment, the 3D pen is equipped with a display.
If, during use, the plastic feels hard to come out, you can increase the temperature by one or two degrees, or vice versa, if the plastic comes out too liquid, the temperature should be slightly reduced.
PLA
Starch-based PLA is the safest plastic. It practically does not smell when heated and is best suited for creative tasks. In addition, PLA plastic has a lower melting point: about 170 degrees.
At the outlet of the nozzle, the plastic is already cooling down, and its temperature is much lower: about 55 degrees, so you can not be afraid of getting seriously burned, however, it is very important to take precautions and not leave young users alone!
PLA parts are bright, saturated and glossy. At the same time, this type of plastic is more prone to destruction - it is better not to wet it and not wash it using household chemicals.
ABS
ABS is probably the most popular plastic in the 3D printing industry. Most of the objects around us are made of such plastic, for example, parts of the Lego constructor.
Compared to PLA, ABS plastic is stronger and more durable: it is more resistant to aggressive environments, it can be washed, and it can withstand severe stress.
Due to its properties, ABS plastic has gained immense popularity in the DIY (do it yourself - do it yourself) environment and is widely used for household purposes.
ABS plastic is made from petroleum products and smells quite strong when heated, so it should only be used in well-ventilated areas or outdoors. Also, ABS plastic has a higher melting point: about 230 degrees.
Applications
Art and creativity
The 3D pen has a huge potential for realizing the most daring creative ideas:
- artists can draw three-dimensional paintings;
- fashion designers can produce their own collections of glasses, accessories and even shoes;
- designers can create photo frames, jewelry boxes and other interior items;
- Engineers can turn their mechanical ideas into solid prototypes.
When buying a set of plastic along with a pen, we give a set of stencils for creativity, on which novice users can draw flat details, and then fasten them with a pen into a three-dimensional figure.
Use the 3D pen to create your own personalized and unique souvenirs, badges, bracelets, coasters and phone cases.
Learning and play
Using the pen develops users' fine motor skills, spatial thinking, imagination, and mental focus, as well as increases concentration.
Modeling
When creating layouts and dioramas, the 3D pen helps you create small objects and details.
It is also well suited for minor repairs and upgrades of quadcopters and RC models.
Fans of games, movies, cartoons, books or comics can create figurines of their favorite characters, scale models or even real masks of their characters.
Household use and DIY
The use of a 3D pen in the household is very difficult to overestimate, because it is no more difficult to use than a regular glue gun.
Using a 3D pen, you can create new items and repair broken ones, not only from plastic, but also from wood, plywood or chipboard: small household appliances, toys and even furniture.
3D printer add-on
Sometimes parts printed on a 3D printer may have cracks between layers, and small parts may not be printed at all. To eliminate such defects, you can use a 3D pen - it will allow you to fill the cracks with plastic and build up the missing details.
In addition, using a 3D pen, you can combine individual fragments of a printed part into a single whole, if it is impossible to print it all at once, for example, due to a limited print area.
What's included
- 3D Pen 2;
- heat-resistant plastic stand;
- 12V power adapter;
- instruction in Russian;
- PLA starter kit in three colors.
3D Pen
- 1 Description
- 2 History
- 3 Design
- 4 Materials
- 5 Application
- 6 Development
- 7 Interesting 3Dtoday blog posts about using 3D pens:
Description
FDM printing is the logical evolution of CNC machines.
The only fundamental difference was the use of a specialized nozzle (extruder) for melting and feeding plastic. By the same logic, hot glue guns, which are widespread in everyday life, have also been developed. The use of thermoplastics instead of thermoplastic adhesives allows devices like these, dubbed 3D pens, to be used as hand-held additive manufacturing devices.
Parts of the future model can be drawn on paper and glued together
History
One of the latest developments is the Dim3W 3D pen
Wooodle.
The team turned to Kickstarter to raise the funds needed to bring the project to life.
With a $30,000 goal, Wobbleworks has raised over $2 million by the end of the campaign, indicating strong public interest.
Amid the success of 3Doodler, a competitive wave swept through. At the moment, the range of 3D pens includes actual 3Doodler clones like 3DYAYA or SwissPen, as well as more original designs including Dim3W and LIX.
The basic principle of operation of all these devices is the same, but there are some design features aimed at improving a fairly young concept.
Design
In essence, a 3D pen is nothing more than a manual extruder. The user himself acts as the CNC of the machine.
3Doodler disassembly. The nozzle at the bottom and the pull mechanism in the middle of the handle are clearly visible. and heating element.
Since almost all software functions of 3D printers are performed by the user, 3D pens do not require a connection to a computer or the creation of digital models. Only a power supply is required - as a rule, conventional power supplies with a 12V voltage converter are used.
As with FDM printers, it takes a few minutes for the nozzle to heat up, after which the pen is ready to print. The supply of material is carried out by pressing the corresponding button. Some models, such as the Dim3W, are equipped with a print speed control.
It is also possible to have a reverse feeder. This feature allows you to quickly remove the plastic filament from the pen and replace it with a different color material.
Materials
3Doodler complete with colorful ABS plastic packs
Two of the most popular plastics in FDM 3D printing are currently used as materials for 3D pens - ABS plastic and organic, biodegradable polylactide (PLA plastic). Theoretically, it is possible to use other materials - polycarbonate, nylon, etc. At the same time, existing models do not provide the ability to accurately adjust the nozzle temperature, which is important when switching to other materials. Temperature characteristics are embedded in the firmware. In the future, we can expect more variety in the range of materials and the ability to fine-tune the temperature if there is a corresponding demand.
Like full-fledged FDM printers, 3D pens use thermoplastic filaments with a diameter of 1.
75 or 3mm. For ease of use with the pen, the threads are usually supplied as scraps rather than spools, but it is ultimately up to the user to choose.
Applications
Such voids, formed during plastic delamination due to uneven cooling, can be filled with a 3D pen
3D pens are positioned as a means for creative work, three-dimensional drawing. Although devices can indeed fulfill such a role, creating more or less decent-looking models requires serious skill.
However, initially 3D pens were conceived for a completely different purpose, similar to the purpose of their ancestors - hot glue guns. It's about repairs. The fact is that some types of plastics used in FDM 3D printing (for example, the very popular ABS plastic) have a high degree of shrinkage and a tendency to deform during uneven cooling. All this often leads to cracking of the manufactured models. 3D pens were supposed to be a tool for manually repairing printed models.
These devices allow you to fill in missing layers or faults.
Particularly good results can be achieved with careful treatment of cracks with acetone, which dissolves ABS plastic. The surface softened in this way will adhere well to freshly applied plastic with a 3D pen.
3D pens allow you to draw in the air instead of paper
The surface of the repaired area can be leveled by sanding and gently working with the same acetone. Similarly, household products can be repaired - many of them are made from the same ABS plastic that has become widespread in the industry.
As for artistic applications, 3D pens will appeal to those who love to draw and want to move from 2D sketches to 3D physical models.
The main difficulty lies in purely human limitations - any unwanted hand movement will affect the quality of the model, especially when drawing the model "in the air".
One interesting way to improve the quality was to divide the models into their component parts using sketches on paper as templates.
Finished parts are simply glued together.
BioPen allows surgeons to “paint over” damaged areas of bone or cartilage tissue, contributing to its restoration
This method is quite possible to make a good reproduction of the Eiffel Tower.
Of course, the method is applicable only when creating parts of models with relatively flat surfaces.
The possibility of using a variety of 3D pens in medicine is very promising.
Devices called "bio-pens" (BioPens) are being tested as tools for applying live cell layers mixed with biopolymers that act as support matrices and contain essential nutrients.
The original 3D BioPen was developed by Australian scientists at ASEC and is designed to repair cartilage and bone tissue.
During surgery, PioPen allows clinicians to “paint over” damaged areas of bone or cartilage, stimulating the recovery process.
Development
CreoPop - the next step in the development of 3D pens
Following the FDM technology, photopolymer 3D printing has also undergone adaptation for "manual" use.
