A 3D pen can be described as pen that prints in three dimensions.
You don’t have to be confused if this seems unclear. 3D pens are very new, and there aren’t many people who have one. To make it easier, think of your ordinary glue gun with colored glue sticks and a smaller tip. Instead of gluing things together using glue sticks, you can make use of the colored plastic that comes out of the pen’s tip to draw or create art.
It’s like making stick figures. There is no need for papers to print them; you can just let the figures sit on their own. It’s similar to making an art piece using a pen and using different colors.
Is it possible to make a 3D pen without going insane?
There were not 3D printers at the time. There was no 3D pen. 3D printers were large and expensive. The machine was expensive for many artists or hobbyists. It is still necessary to have a computer to design your figures and print them using an 3D printer. It took a great deal of computer expertise in order to know the best way to design things on the computer. The only thing that was missing was a small, portable pen that artists can use to create 3D figures. Sneak a peek here to get a full article about 3d pen.
The remarkable trio of Maxwell Bogue and Peter Dilworth created the first 3D pen after having a disastrous experience using the 3D printer. Their invention was named pick3dprinter. It’s basically a glue gun to create 3D drawings. They first launched the product in 2013, and the rest is history. For artists, 3D pens have become an essential.
What is the working principle of 3D pens?
The principle that makes 3D pen work is simple. It is the use of heat to melt plastic. The filament of plastic is heated inside the same way as the glue gun. The temperature varies depending on the components used to create the filament. The melted filament can then be pulled through an extruder or nozzle. Sometimes called a doodler, the user of the pen moves the pen to make different designs. When the pen is removed from the heat, the plastic melts quickly and is then made permanent.
3D pen materials should melt quickly and then solidify when extruded. Some plastics meet these requirements. They include acrylonitrile butadiene and styrene (ABS) and poly lactic acid (PLA) as well as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as well as polyamide (nylon) as well as glass-filled polyamide, polycarbonate (PC), and high density polyethylene(HDPE). ABS and PLA plastics are the two most commonly utilized.
Cost Effective – ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
Due to its cost-effectiveness ABS plastic is widely utilized in the production of products. From Legos to bicycle components ABS plastic is all over. 3D printing took advantage of this inexpensive plastic and created ABS the most used filament for 3D pen. It’s easy to find ABS at craft stores or online.
One of the disadvantages of the use of ABS is its higher melting temperature, which is pegged at 210 to 250 degrees Celsius. Technology is so advanced that even the tiniest 3D pen can be able to reach this temperature. However, ABS filament can release small amounts of fumes at this point and can cause irritation for those who breathe them. Doodlers who are using ABS filament extensively should always work in well ventilated areas to avoid excessive inhalation of the fumes. Alternatively, you can use a mask if you plan on using ABS for long uninterrupted durations of duration.
Poly Lactic Acid, a renewable polymer
You will be surprised to know that PLA is made from common foods like potatoes, corn, or sugar cane. PLA is a type of plastic, but it is biodegradable, and does not cause harm to our environment. Making use of PLA as a 3D printer instead of other plastics is healthier for the environment. It also has slightly less melting point, ranging from 160 to 220 degree Celsius and doesn’t emit harmful gases when heated. It emits an almost sweet, scent similar to that you get when making pancakes. What person wouldn’t love to be able to smell it when they work?
But, PLA filaments for 3D printing take a long time to cool off after they’ve been removed from the nozzle. If you’re working with intricate designs with many small parts, you’ll require additional cooling equipment. It’s also less fragile than ABS.
Considering how people are turning towards eco-friendly products, it shouldn’t come as an unwelcome surprise if PLA is the most well-known 3D printing filament in the future. 3D pen filaments are cheap, so we recommend doodlers to purchase both kinds of filament, experiment with them and discover the one that suits their needs best.
Artists and hobbyists alike can find immense joy in seeing their work unfold right in front of their eyes. The advent of 3D pen technology has provided us with the chance to break away from flat surface and make our thoughts become tangible. 3D printers can still provide the best printing of complex designs. But, 3D pen are a excellent choice for artists who want to show off their talents as artists.
