As the 3D printing revolution continues, prices of 3D printers have continued to fall, with devices such as the Buccaneer 3D printer set to sell for under US$400.
But even that is still too expensive for many people – students in particular. That’s why Matthew Krueger, also known asmatstermind at instructables.com, has created a 3D printer for next to nothing from everyone’s favorite childhood toy, LEGO.
Krueger has had an obsession with 3D printing since he first came upon the original Makerbot Thing-O-Matic, but as a student, he lacked the funds to purchase a 3D printer of his own. Since his education was based in engineering, Krueger started making attempts at creating his own 3D printer with limited funds and what he had on hand. After attempts with an Arduino and parallel port, 3D printing on the cheap seemed like it would remain out of reach, but then Krueger pulled out his LEGOs and started building.
What he created is the LEGObot, an NXT-powered 3D printer that is roughly based on the original Makerbot. Instead of plastic, the LEGObot currently prints with hot glue, which although a usable medium, has a rubbery consistency that leads to a lack of practical uses.
Krueger tells Gizmag, “I am currently building a machine to recycle milk bottles into filament, based off of Lyman’s designs. Once I am able to make filament, then I will try to adapt my LEGO printer to use the filament.”
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- World's biggest 3D printer whirs into actionon April 26, 2024 at 7:09 am
A giant 3D printer, which is big enough to make a house, has been unveiled at the University of Maine. The university says it has beaten its own record for the world's largest polymer 3D printer - with the new printer four times bigger than the previous machine.
- 3D printers and other cutting-edge technology bring Biden official to Phoenix Collegeon April 24, 2024 at 7:00 am
U.S. Deputy Commerce Secretary Don Graves makes an election-year visit to Phoenix College to view impact of $4.2 million federal technology grant.
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- Makers of the world’s largest 3D printer just beat their own recordon April 26, 2024 at 10:43 am
After a five-year reign, the world’s largest 3D printer located at the University of Maine has been usurped—by a newer, larger 3D printer developed at the same school.
- World's biggest 3D printer unveiled in Maine may one day create entire neighborhoodson April 24, 2024 at 9:14 am
The printer's frame fills up the large building in which it's housed on the UMaine campus, and can print objects 96 feet ... "It's not about building a cheap house or a biohome," he added, referring ...
- Worlds largest 3D printer is at UMaine, constructing houseson April 24, 2024 at 4:32 am
The printer's frame fills up the large building in which it’s housed on the UMaine campus, and can print objects 96 feet ... “It’s not about building a cheap house or a biohome,” he added, referring ...
- 3D printing related patent filings decreased in the consumer industry in Q1 2024on April 23, 2024 at 5:00 pm
The global consumer industry experienced a 10% decline in the number of 3D printing-related patent applications in Q1 2024 compared with the previous quarter. The total number of 3D printing-related ...
- The world's largest 3D printer is at a university in Maine. It just unveiled an even bigger oneon April 23, 2024 at 5:00 pm
The printer's frame fills up the large building in which it’s housed on the UMaine campus, and can print objects 96 feet ... “It’s not about building a cheap house or a biohome,” he added, referring ...
- Plasmics Combines Individual Requirements and High Quality Standards With Innovative FDM Printingon April 23, 2024 at 3:02 pm
We sat down with the CEO of Plasmics to learn more about their innovative hotends, orthepedic 3D printing application and more!
- The world’s largest 3D printer just got supersizedon April 23, 2024 at 9:17 am
The newest iteration of UMaine's massive 3D printer that was unveiled Tuesday can print objects 96 feet long by 32 feet wide by 18 feet high.
- This $18 Fallout Tabletop Humble Bundle Deal Includes 3D Printable Minison April 22, 2024 at 3:35 pm
The success of Amazon's Fallout TV show has made Fallout games more popular than ever. However, for anyone looking to explore the radioactive post-apocalypse in a new way, Humble's Fallout RPG And 3D ...
- Best Cheap Vacuums for 2024on April 22, 2024 at 3:08 pm
We tested dozens of vacuums and picked the best cheap models to help you clean house on a budget.
- Formlabs' new 3D printers are faster and cheaper to useon April 17, 2024 at 6:01 am
(For the uninitiated: The B suffix stands for “biocompatible,” meaning the unit can 3D-print materials for medical applications. Formlabs has made inroads into the dental and medical industries, ...
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