Introducing Peachy Printer, the $100 photolithographic 3D printer

This printer is different. Really different. The photolithographic technology is not new, that’s just a generic term for stereolithography (SLA). How Rylan Grayston designed the Peachy Printer to operate is entirely unique though.

Say whaaat? Saltwater Z axis? 3D files as sound waves? And he built his own electro magnetic mirror system. Talk about starting at the drawing board.

This is how it works: a Blender script converts 3D files into audio waveforms that are pushed out of the headphone jack into the Peachy; higher waves send higher voltages to the mirror’s magnets that direct the XY motion of the laser beam. The Z motion is controlled by drops being added to a vat of saltwater; the salt raises the density of the water, making it heavier than the light-sensitive resin, so the resin floats on top and rises as more saltwater is added. Drops of water are measured and the flow rate synced with the waveforms, raising the resin level for each layer. And the laser can also handle 3D scanning. Yeah, not your typical 3D printer. The print quality isn’t the best we’ve seen but the Kickstarter campaign is for improving the software and hardware.

And the kit is $100, which includes all the unique parts. From the FAQ, “You will need your own tools, 2 containers for liquid, and a pipe.” It’s unclear as to what kind of pipe will be required. Fully assembled Peachies are going for $400, which includes 500ml of resin. Though it’s the goal of the RepRap Morgan, the Peachy Printer is the first 3D printer to be sold for $100. That’s an accomplishment.