Team reveals next generation 3D pen at the world's biggest consumer electronics tradeshow
3Doodler, the world's first 3D drawing pen, today announces the new model of their ground-breaking gadget at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The new device includes a slimmer, lighter design that is less than a quarter the size of the original and weighs just 50 grams. The team, who have previously raised $2.3m on crowdfunding platform Kickstarter, are looking to raise funds for the new version of the pen on Kickstarter in a special short campaign aimed at early adopters that will last just 20 days.
The next generation of the world's first 3D printing pen
3Doodler's brand new model has been completely redesigned from tip to toe after more than two years of research and development. More efficient, quieter and sleeker than the original 3Doodler, at 50 grams the 2.0 pen is less than half the weight of an apple. Its stylish aluminum casing gives the pen a more premium feel, alongside internals that include a re-engineered drive system and an entirely new nozzle design. The new enhanced airflow, which uses a patented fan system, cools the plastic even more efficiently and quietly, while the dual speed control provides perfect precision over your creations. The new JetPack accessory, a portable power pack for Doodling on the move, and one of four new accessories being released for 3Doodler 2.0, allows for over 3 hours of non-stop Doodling with PLA plastic, and over 2 hours with ABS.
Compact and easy to use, the 2.0 pen allows you to literally draw in the air by extruding heated plastic that cools almost instantly into a solid, stable structure. Whether freestyle 3D sketching or tracing shapes from templates to make larger architectural structures, the 2.0 pen allows artists, designers, geometrists, hobbyists, teachers, and architects to test out their ideas quickly and easily.
Kickstarter Approach
In a short 20-day campaign to raise $30,000, Early Bird pledges start at $50, with the first 100 units shipping within a month of the project launch - almost unheard of for any crowdfunding platform. Combined with other special pledge levels for early backers, this helps prioritize the community who backed the original campaign. The remaining reward levels will be shipped to backers by April 2015.
Max Bogue, Co-Founder and CEO explains: "We're launching on Kickstarter to offer users on the platform the first chance at Doodling with the 2.0 pen. Although we don't expect to raise millions again, it's our way of thanking the community for the support we were lucky enough to receive the first time around. We're at a show surrounded by retailers interested in stocking this beautiful version of the pen in their stores, but it's important to us to offer our dedicated community the chance to own the brand new device first."
For backers enthusiastic about bringing this kind of technology to schools, there is a special Educational Bundle available a part of the campaign. It offers not just a pen for you, but also 12 pens for your nominated school, library or makerspace, accompanied by lesson plans, accessories and bulk plastics. There is also a Special Edition Gold-Colored Pen available for those seeking out the height of luxury in 3D design.
3Doodler 2.0 Specs
Key features of the 3Doodler 2.0 include:
¼ the size of the original 3Doodler, making it the same size as a marker pen
Weighs only 50 grams, less than half the weight of an apple
Housed in a sleek anodized aluminium casing that looks beautiful and feels great to the touch
A fully re-engineered drive system, for even smoother 3Doodling
An entirely new nozzle design, for better performance and crisper Doodles
Enhanced airflow to cool the plastic even more efficiently, using a new quieter fan system
Dual speed control, so that you can customize your Doodling experience
Manual temperature optimization, allowing minor flow adjustments for expertly consistent Doodles
More efficient and stable heating due to a reworked heating algorithm
More efficient power consumption
Daniel Cowen, Co-Founder: "Our dream with creating the first generation 3Doodler was to build something that captured the imagination of people worldwide. People Doodled things far beyond our wildest expectations - from RC planes, to 3Doodled dresses, architectural models, and even writing braille. Now drawing in the air just got even better. As we continue in our pursuit to create the world's first and best 3D printing pen, we're excited to see how our community pushes the boundaries of 3D art and creation."
Since the original 3Doodler launch in February 2013, world-famous architects, celebrities and public figures have used the 3D pen, including UK Prime Minister David Cameron and HRH Prince Harry. 3Doodler teamed up with The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) to take over the window of the New York MoMA Store in 2014, firmly marking the pen as the must-have tool for artists and designers.
3Doodler has sold over 125,000 units, making it the best selling 3D printing device in the world. The device is a 2014 and 2015 CES Innovation Award Honoree, and has won the Stuff Kickstart of the Year 2013 and The 3D Print Show Best Consumer Product 2013 award.