Although 3D printing is a particularly popular subject on crowdfunding sites, many of the projects are aimed at cutting the price of 3D printers, making it more accessible to consumers.
However, 3DPandoras’ project is a completely different idea that means you can make whatever you like in full colour – and it’s aimed at professionals, or consumers with a lot of disposable income.
The 3DPandoras prosumer 3D printer uses coloured powders to print rather than thin layers of plastic, meaning you can create whatever you like in a garish array of colours.
The printers will retail at a whopping $10,000 (£6200) once the campaign is over and the company is able to mass produce the equipment, but until then, you can sponsor the project and get one for as little as $2,999 (£1850) if you’re quick off the mark and are one of the first 20 to sign up, $3,199 (£2000) for the next 20, $3,499 (£2,100) for the next 30, $3,699 (£2,285) for another 30. You can also pay $5,000 (£3000) for a specially branded printer.
Although not the first powder-based 3D printer to arrive on the market, the 3DPandora uses the four process colours (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black), so it theoretically will be able to print in any number of different shades – just like a normal colour printer.
The 3DPandoras is also more precise, boasting a resolution of 0.08 millimeters per layer compared to the average consumer 3D printer that creates objects at a resolution of 0.1 millimeters per layer.
The 3DPandoras should start shipping next May if the founders manage to raise the $100,000 (£62,000) target by October 10 on Kickstarter.
