B9Creator resin-based 3D printer funded in a day

b9creator colors

Kickstarter might want to think about remaining their site to Kickstart3Dprojects, because yet another 3D printer project debuted on Kickstarter. The enthusiasm is not running out for 3D printers on the crowdfunding sites, as this one met its funding goal of $50,000 in just 24 hours. As of this writing, Michael Joyce’s B9Creator has received pledges of about $85,000.

The B9Creator is another resin-based 3D printer, the same technology as the popular resin-based 3D printer by Junior Veloso, still seeking funding on Indiegogo. (Veloso’s 3D printer still needs almost $200,000, a difficult amount for the days remaining, and this B9Creator’s project launch won’t help.)

Resin-based printers can produce higher quality parts than FDM 3D printers, which is the technology found in most hobby printers. But we’ll let Michael tell you more about it:

DIY 3D Printers based upon the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) concept simply can not match the higher resolution capability of the B9Creator. We utilize a powerful Deformable Mirror Device (DMD) projector to shine a 1024 x 768 pixel image onto a layer of photo-initiated polymer resin. The result is a quick solid cure of the entire layer in one operation. The layer thickness is typically 100 microns but your model can be sliced even thinner if you need even higher resolution. Note that 100 microns is .1 mm or about 0.004″

How about speed? Anywhere from 12-20 mm per hour and that’s independent of the object’s x-y density (unlike FDM which slows down as the x-y fill density increases).

“But how much does that resin cost?” The Eiffel Tower model pictured here weighs about 12 grams. Our resin costs about 10 cents per gram, making the material costs to print the Eiffel Tower just $1.20!

Watch the B9Creator in action:

Don’t let the seemingly slow speed throw you. Unlike FDM printers, it prints at that speed, no matter the x-y dimensions. In other words, a “fat” model will print just as fast as a “narrow” model.

For a pledge of $2,375 you will get the complete kit. There is no soldering or wire crimping required, and Michael says you can put it together in an afternoon with basic tools. For $1,000 more, it will be shipped to you fully assembled.

It will be interesting to see how these recent resin-based advances on the low end compete against the established FDM printers, such as the Makerbot.

Website: B9Creator

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