In a new crowdfunding project on Kickstarter, Hyderabad-based iSquare Mobility has developed a module called Kiteboard for building a modular Android smartphone.
Now the concept of a modular smartphone is nothing new; efforts by companies as diverse as Jolla, LG, Fairphone and Motorola were bought to market with varying degrees of success.
But the Kite smartphone is pitched more as a platform to enable students, hackers, and researchers to build and develop a phone of their very own. And you can 3D print a custom shell to house your phone in whatever material you choose.
iSquare already has a working prototype called “Poorna” which is built around an older Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 quad-core processor.
If the campaign is successful, however, backers will receive a second-generation Kiteboard called as Kite v2. The KiteBoard v2 has a slightly more powerful Snapdragon 450 octa-core processor.
Moreover, the Kite v2 runs Android 6.0, will have a 5-inch screen, a 12MP rear camera, a 3,000mAh battery, and a good old fashioned 3.5mm audio jack.
But moving past the conventional specs and build, Kite has also demonstrated a proof of concept called the PianoPhone. As the name implies, this has a built-in piano on the backside of the phone.
Should You Back Kite on Kickstarter?
In terms of rewards, Early Bird specials for $274 for a Kiteboard v2 are still available. A shipping date of January 2019 is promised. Thereafter, the rewards scale up to a standard $299 Kite on Kickstarter exclusive.
iSquare pledges to supply all the necessary components, software, and documentation to assemble the Kite phone. 3D printing parts from the supplied STL files looks to be most complex part, since the whole phone can be put together “in five minutes” using a screwdriver.
The KiteBoard v2 also supports up to two displays and two cameras for more advanced projects. Also of interest is the Raspberry Pi HAT compatibility (which is what makes the PianoPhone above possible).
So should you back the Kite on Kickstarter? An encouraging sign is the “Project We Love” designation from in-house Kickstarter curators. This is typically a solid endorsement of a project’s viability.
But what might hold it back is the ambitious goal of $941,000. Since launch on 23 April, the project has only raised $11,516 from 45 backers. It looks as though there will be a bit of an uphill climb for the Kite on Kickstarter.
And that’s disregarding the fact that for $299 you can get a significantly more powerful and established make of smartphone. That’s not to discourage any potential backers out there, but it’s best to approach this project as an educational tool above all else.
A new Kickstarter campaign has been launched for a new 3D printed flossing device called UFloss, which allows you to floss all of your teeth at the same time. This oral hygiene product will use an app to take impressions of the user’s mouth, creating a fully custom-fitted solution for all.
As both your dentist and parents have repeatedly told you while you were growing up, flossing is a very important part of developing proper oral hygiene habits. However, it can be a tedious and time-consuming process to floss in between every single tooth. Many of us simply forget or forfeit our desire to floss away once we’re done with brushing.
But one company called UFloss has recently launched a 3D printed solution that would lets consumers floss all their teeth at once. The team is currently attempting to raise money for the product through a new Kickstarter campaign.
Claiming to have partnered with top 3D printing manufacturers, the UFloss solution promises full customization for each user. The floss is essentially a mouth guard that is personalized for the wearer, which is done by first taking an imprint of one’s mouth.
Each space between teeth then has a piece of floss attached to the mouth piece. Once the UFloss is inserted into the mouth, users can simply move the piece up and down to remove plaque from their teeth. The device has a stabilization feature to keep the UFloss steady, as well as an ergonomic handle for easy use.
Customers will be able to download the UFloss app and order the impression kit. After following the instructions and uploading an image of the impression through the app, the company will then create a custom fit and ship it directly to the user. Refills will be automatically sent out each month to a user’s doorstep.
“We’ve been flossing the same way for hundreds of years. Be free from flossing each tooth one by one and struggling to reach the back of your mouth,” explained Calvin Mason, CEO of UFloss. “UFloss is designed to give you the most custom flossing experience ever- saving you time and providing you optimal cleaning for quality care. This revolutionary technology allows you to do this all from the comfort of your home.
UFloss for a custom fit
Although this concept could certainly be a promising addition to the oral hygiene market, the UFloss is not the first 3D printed solution to present an all-in-one flossing experience. Last year, Blizzident launched a 3D flosser that has the floss attached to a roll at the front of the mouth piece. Compared to the UFloss, the Blizzident looks a bit more like a DIY project, but the attached floss rolls eliminates the need for having refills shipped each month.
Nonetheless, UFloss says its design consists of durable, slow-twitch flexible fibers that are FDA-approved. The actual bite surface was designed to evenly distribute the wearer’s bite force.
“UFloss is on an amazing journey. Through rapid prototyping and development using medical grade material. We have partnered with the top manufactures in 3D printing to create your custom UFloss,” adds Mason. “UFloss understands that every smile is unique. With our proximity imaging software; each dental profile receives a custom pattern. UFloss gives backers the great advantage of saving time by flossing your teeth and unison, ensuring optimal cleaning with a custom fit.”
UFloss is currently running a Kickstarter campaign to collect the funds to launch the 3D printed product. The company is aiming to raise €81,190 (~100,000 USD) to jumpstart UFloss.
Of course, we always caution our readers to jump blindly into crowdfunding campaigns, but this project is just to cool to miss! And plus, we all know how important flossing is to our oral hygiene, right?
Professional musicians and audiophiles may soon be able to benefit from custom-fit, 3D printed in-ear monitors, if this Kickstarter campaign by HW Audio is successful.
HW Audio are a British company that specializes in making custom in-ear monitors for musicians and audiophiles. Now they’ve turned to Kickstarter to raise funds for a new range of customizable in-ear monitors that can be easily fabricated using stereolithographic (SLA) 3D printing.
“At HW Audio we have taken the scans of hundreds of ear impressions to develop our new ultimate fit universal range of in ear monitors,” is the campaign pitch.
“Due to the design, standard methods of manufacturing such as injection moulding were impossible. Instead we have chosen to 3D print the shells that house the same balanced armature drivers as our custom in-ear monitors for professional musicians.”
The current production process at HW Audio is for technicians to handcraft their custom in-ear monitors using a reverse moulding technique. This limits them to manufacturing only 25 pairs of in-ear monitors per day. That, plus the need to take physical ear impressions to make the IEMs.
The plan is to incorporate SLA 3D printing into a more refined production process. All universal and custom in-ear monitors can be produced in-house, and HW Audio will be able to take 3D scans of ear impressions rather than physical moulds.
“This will allow us to manufacture on a much larger worldwide scale,” says the campaign, “and also greatly reduce human error in the process to make the product much more reliable.”
In-Ear Monitors Feature Innovation called The Govnor
But this isn’t the only innovation being packed into these in-ear monitors. The monitors will also include a unique pressure valve called “The Govnor”.
It’s designed to address two problems, say the team at HW Audio. First is the occlusion effect, which creates a hollow sound as you hear the speech vibrate through you rather than you would normally.
The second issue is the possibility of the seal in the ears creating a build-up of pneumatic air pressure that could, if left unchecked over the long term, result in hearing fatigue and even hearing loss.
Trivia buffs may be intrigued to learn that The Govnor is inspired by British engineer named James Watt, who in 1788 devised the same pressure valve for steam engines in the Industrial Revolution.
The HW Audio in-ear monitors are available to back on Kickstarter with pledges starting from £299, although the tier with 3D printing rewards starts at £434. If successful, worldwide shipping is expected to take place in September 2018.
In March, Montreal-based Dyze Design launched the Tungsten Carbide nozzle on Kickstarter. A state of the art 3D printing accessory, the nozzle offers high wear resistance and performance for almost any 3D printer. Fully funded and then some, it’s not too late to get in on Early Bird pledges.
In March, Montreal-based company Dyze Design, a dedicated and passionate team working on the development of high performance 3D printer parts, launched the Tungsten Carbide Nozzle on Kickstarter: a state of the art nozzle that offers high wear resistance and performance for almost any 3D printer, such as Ultimaker, Raise3d, Prusa, Makerbot, Robo, LulzBot, Flashforge and many more.
Ending April 4th 2018, the project’s initial funding goal was $15,000 CAD.
The campaign will help the team ensure that they can measure performances in extrusion, flow and oozing, make improvements on the different molds, manufacture more nozzle sizes and perform high-temperature tests.
Dyze Design wanted to create a high performance, yet affordable product. For that reason, rewards start at $56 CAD for Early Bird, which includes one nozzle available in a choice of 0.4mm, 0.6mm, 0.9mm or 1.2mm sizes. For $115 CAD, you can get a double pack, or the triple pack for $172. For interested bulk buyers, there are also the Super Early Bird 4 pack, 6 pack, 10 pack, 25 pack and even 50 pack rewards.
Find out more on the Dyze Design Tungsten Carbide Nozzle Kickstarter page here.
Why Should I Use the Tungsten Carbide Nozzle?
With plain plastics like PLA, any common metal nozzle can easily hold up against the flow. Unfortunately, once we start using filaments reinforced with hard fibers such as carbon and glass, things start to get complicated; these reinforcement materials will scratch the inner wall of your nozzle orifice as they pass.
Prusa i3 MK2 with Tungsten Carbide nozzle using Colorfabb XT-CF20 filament
Both glass and carbon are known to be very hard – a lot harder than many metals – and the resulting nozzle scratching and distortion from them is what is known as abrasion.
“Tungsten carbide, not to be confused with tungsten alloy, which is metal, is the ceramic of choice when it comes to wear and abrasion resistance. Cutting tools for steel are made from tungsten carbide. It is also used extensively in the mining industry as a button insert for crushing rocks”, says Philippe Carrier, Dyze Design’s Chief Research Officer. “Moreover, the high thermal performance of tungsten carbide keeps the nozzle tip hot, thus allowing faster printing speeds without sacrificing the quality.”
In fact, the thermal conductivity ensures that heat is able to travel up to the tip of your nozzle, keeping your molten plastic at the right temperature. Having a bad heat conductor may lead to colder extrusion, thus poor layer bonding and greater flow fluctuation. For these reasons, any kinds of steel and ruby nozzles will lead to lower extrusion flow.
Tungsten Carbide nozzle performance versus other nozzle materials
Comparing a reference brass nozzle from Ultimaker, the tungsten carbide nozzle is much easier to extrude. In fact, the output flow can be increased by around 80% while giving the same result.
Ultra wear resistant: The high hardness of tungsten carbide will provide a carefree extrusion experience. Its unparalleled wear resistance will ensure that both the nozzle diameter and flat will keep the same dimension, and so will your printed parts.
Low pushing force: The high thermal conductivity of both the nozzle tip and body will pump all the required heat to maintain an even temperature while extruding. Viscosity highly depends on the plastic temperature for a constant shear rate. The flow pressure will be constant resulting in excellent results and stability. The ease of pushing the filament will give an extra margin for your extruder safety.
Faster speed: Due to the high thermal performance of the nozzle in general, the printing speed can be pushed even further without sacrificing the quality. The special shape inside the nozzle — made possible by Dyze Design’s machining and manufacturing techniques — improves the flow where the diameter tapers, thus allowing a faster flow rate.
Low friction: The whole nozzle is electroless nickel plated for enhanced slippery properties. Plastic will slide on the nozzle instead of sticking to it. This results in cleaner parts and fewer issues from drag.
Any material: From printing PLA to carbon fiber reinforced plastics, this nozzle can handle anything. The low friction coating greatly helps with flexible filaments, allowing them to slide through the nozzle. A single nozzle will offer quality prints, wear resistance, and high flow, meaning there is no need to invest in heaps of different nozzles for specific purposes. This single nozzle offers the best of all worlds.
Unbeatable price/performance: Tungsten carbide is easier to produce than corundum (Sapphire, Ruby, etc) while the performance is very similar for abrasion and much more performant for thermal conductivity. The use of steel makes it very easy to manufacture and offers amazing thermal performance. In all the whole package is a win-win situation in terms of performance and price.
Now live on Kickstarter is the Gigabot X, a large-scale, direct pellet extrusion 3D printer for fabricating with recycled plastic.
Houston, Texas might seem likely an unlikely location for a revolution in 3D printing, but this is where re:3d have announced the Gigabot X, an open source 3D printer that fabricates with pelletized plastic. The unit is specifically designed to accept recycled pellets, a cleaner and greener approach for fused deposition modeling.
The official launch of the Kickstarter campaign for the Gigabot X took place at the SXSW Festival, with a campaign seeking $50,000 in funding. Pledges of $9,500 or more will secure backers an exclusive Gigabot X Beta 3D printer, plus 5 lbs of pellets to get started.
The first-generation Gigabot is an affordable large format 3D printer which was also a crowdfunding success story in 2013. But in launching the Gigabot X, the gang at re:3D reckon they’re fast approaching the realization of a goal 5 years in the making; a 3D printer that can print using plastic trash.
How so? The answer appears to lie in direct pellet extrusion. Melting small chunks of plastic instead of extruded filament for the input material makes 3D printing directly from recyclables an easier process.
Gigabot X creates a Virtuous Cycle for 3D Printing
There are other benefits that come from printing with pellets. It eliminates the need for extruded plastic filament, for example, which tends to be about 10x more expensive than pelletized plastic.
re:3D also say that direct pellet extrusion dramatically cuts back on printing times; in current tests, they’ve increased print times up to 17x than a filament-fed Gigabot.
There are other pellet printers already on the market, but they’re typically used in larger, more expensive manufacturing systems. According to the Kickstarter page:
“Our goal, much like with the first-generation Gigabot, is to increase 3D printer accessibility and bridge the gap between cost and scale by creating an affordable, large-scale pellet printer.”
In addition to raising funds, the campaign has another important objective; to recruit a number of beta testers who will fine-tune the Gigabot X. With their feedback, they’ll be collaborating with re:3D in an ongoing process of iteration and improvement.
And there will be some work ahead, to be sure. In addition to the direct pellet extruder, a small ecosystem of accessories are required for the Gigabot X. This includes a low-cost dryer, grinder, and feeder system.
It’s an ambitions plan, but if successful it could blaze the trail for 3D printing directly from ground-up plastic. Interested? Visit the official Gigabot X Kickstarter campaign page to learn more.
Pitch: “High-quality PLA filament featuring the patented Furling SLIDER, which prevents your filament from getting tangled-up!”
Comments on this Kickstarter 3D Printer Project: Utilising an in-house production system, these campaigners want to develop a full rainbow spectrum of 3D printing PLA filament that’s easy on the wallet. They’ve also devised a patented design called the Furling Slider, which prevents your spools from tangling.
Rewards: Early Bird Specials are still available, including a tempting AU$ 1 reward for a spool (and color of your choice) plus a Furling Slider, where the recommended retail price would be AU$ 14.99. Alternatively, pledge AU$ 2 for a digital download of the Furling Slider STL file, and make your own.
Backers: 290
Pledges: AU $20,732 pledged towards AU $5,000 goal
The concept of the Snapmaker 3D printer is a modular machine with three distinct functions. The intended audience is the workshopper pushed for space.
First and foremost, the Snapmaker is an all-metal 3D printer. The aluminum frame encases all wiring, with the exception of a few tidy ribbon cables.
But the killer feature is that three interchangeable modules can be swapped onto the Snapmaker’s X-axis rail. In addition to 3D printing, it’s also capable of laser engraving and CNC milling.
The fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printing module accepts a standard 1.75mm filament spool. The bed can be heated up to 80 degrees Celsius. But with a build volume of only 125mm square, prints are going to be strictly limited in size.
Ease of use is another core proposition with the Snapmaker 3D printer. It has an LCD touchscreen for operation, is simple to assemble, and comes bundled with the proprietary Snap3D software.
The laser engraving module has a class 200 mW laser. This is capable of burning designs into wood, leather and similar materials. In addition, the CNC milling module has an adjustable spindle speed between 2,000 and 7,000 rpm.
The Raise3D N2 Plus has a huge build volume of 12″ x 12″ x 12″. Additionally, the entire printer is fully enclosed with a sturdy aluminum metal frame and ABS, acrylic, and poly-carbonate casing.
The fully enclosed design not only improves print quality when printing with materials such as ABS, but also greatly enhances the safety of the printer, making the N2 Plus a great fit for schools and businesses.
Printing with a Raise3D N2 3D printer is especially user-friendly due to a 7 inch full color touchscreen which allows for complete device control as well as print monitoring and fine tuning during a print. The functionality of this screen can also be accessed via wifi over a LAN setup, meaning you can control your Raise3D printer from anywhere in your home or office.
The touchscreen is also integrated with the N2’s print resuming feature, allowing you to immediately resume a print that was interrupted due to a power outage or accidental shut-off.
The Raise 3D N2 comes stock with a heated bed and their V2 Hot End capable of temperatures up to 300 C. This makes the N2 compatible with almost any material currently available, including PLA, ABS, PETG, Nylon, Carbon Fiber, TPU/TPE (Flexibles), and Metal Composites (with the upgrade to a wear resistant nozzle).
Important to note is that the Raise3D N2 does not come with dual extrusion as standard. For those folks who need dual extrusion, the Raise3D N2 Dual is your best bet. With dual extrusion, you can print with two different colors at the same time, or pair one material with a dissolvable support material like PVA and HIPS. With soluble support, you can print complex models with ease.
Pitch: “Robust, precise and user-friendly upgrade for your desktop 3D printer that lets you print ceramics, porcelain and pastes.”
Comments on this Kickstarter 3D Printer Project: This project is a user-friendly add-on for your desktop 3D printer so that you can fabricate objects in ceramics and porcelain. The campaigners reckon that they’ve turned clay printing into a reproducible, simple, and enjoyable process for all.
Rewards: For a pledge of €375, backers get the Basic KIT Early Bird, which includes a print head, syringe pump, and control unit.
Recently launched on Kickstarter is the “world’s first truly customizable timepiece”. Schaffen Watches is a company using 3D printing to personalize your watch.
Impressively, the watch has already raised $51,000 Singaporean dollars from 72 backers. And there’s plenty of time to register your interest with 27 days to go.
The company is a brand based in Singapore and this is their debut. Two brothers are behind the company which started with creating a gift for their father.
“Our name Schaffen (ˈʃafṇ) means “to create”, and this has represented our passion from day one. In this collection, we would love to work with you to co-create a timepiece that is truly the only one in the world,” explains one of the brothers, Nicholas Han YongXin.
Currently, there are two models to choose from including the Schaffen A65 Dress Watch and the S65 Sport Watch. You can personalize these models by designing your own rotor to “tell your story”. This design is then 3D printed in 316L stainless steel.
You’ll need to pledge $438 for the super early bird option of one A65 Dress Watch. After the end of the campaign, Schaffen ask that you submit your rotor design and they’ll send you mockups for confirmation.
Schaffen Creates One-of-a-Kind Timepieces
Don’t worry if you can’t think of a perfect design for your rotor. After the end of the campaign, the brothers will be in touch to discuss any motifs or ideas that suit you best.
But, after you’ve decided on the rotor design, you’ll have a few more choices to make. As well as the rotor, you can also customize the dial, hands and date window combination. You can even add your signature or change the colors too.
The final watch boasts a unique dial texture and sapphire crystal. Better yet, it has a Swiss-Made Sellita SW200-1 movement, Élaboré grade.
The result is a smart look with a brushed center and a matte outer ring. But if you’re still not satisfied, you can choose to upgrade your watch further by choosing 18K gold plating (red, yellow, or white) for your rotor.
The final touch is a leather strap in either black, brown or tan-brown. The result is a one-of-a-kind watch which is completely unique to your tastes. Expected delivery is June this year. Visit the Kickstarter campaign to find out more.
Pitch: “Unfortunately SLA machines are complicated, bulky and very expensive. We have been working to change this since 2015. We designed PLUTO to be easy to use and compact, really fitting on anybody’s desktop. From the first moment we kept in mind that PLUTO should remain affordable for everyone.”
Comments on this Kickstarter 3D Printer Project: While SLA 3D printing has become increasingly popular for offering high-resolution prints, the price point remains an obstacle for the average consumer. PLUTO is hoping to change that with a more affordable price and equal capabilities. The campaign creators claim to have 10 working models already, and are preparing a machine that is open source, plug and play, and most importantly, inexpensive.
Rewards: For $749, the creators of the PLUTO project are offering an early bird special, which includes the SLA printer, an extra build platform, an extra resin tank, as well as an offer for 500 g of resin for $35.
“We’re totally overwhelmed by the support of our generous backers,” said Jan David Hassel, Designer at inbetweengames. “The Kickstarter went way over what any of us could have reasonably expected or hoped for. Now the real fun, not to mention hard work, begins as we deliver on the turning the Kickstarter into a reality. We’re totally committed to giving players the dopest, future soviet club experience possible.”
All Walls Must Fall is a tech-noir spy thriller set in Berlin 2089 where the Cold War never ended. A game in the isometric action tactics genre, you command secret agents using time travel, social stealth and combat. Prevent nuclear annihilation. Bring down the Wall. Love, kill, and remix reality to explore the meaning of freedom in a parable reflecting upon current global issues in the mirror of a fantastic future past.
Why spend $1,000+ on a boosted board, when you could just pick up a Kickr, which is basically a modular, patent-pending, precision-machined, non-obtrusive electric drivetrain that is compatible with almost any board. There’s no re-drilling decks, changing trucks or even wheels, and it will work with your board to preserve the fundamentals of the way you ride.
Simply strap on the accessory, remove a nut, and spin the motor mount on. The throttle is controlled with your feet, letting you zip around town at speeds up to 20 mph.
„Attach Kickr to your board and turn it on. To accelerate, first push off like normal and then lean into the throttle pad on the strap when you want to increase your speed. (The placement of the pad is adjustable). Remove/ease pressure from the throttle pad to cruise. To slow down, use conventional boarding braking and bailing techniques as needed,“ said the company.
Forget skis, bring your mountain bike and a KtraK kit to the slopes this winter. With a ski that replaces the front wheel and a rear traction system mounting over the rear tire, your bike instantly becomes a human-powered snowmobile.
Best of all, the kit is so easy to install that no tools are necessary, it’s made from reinforced nylon and sealed bearings for extra durability. The entire kit only adds an additional 5-pounds to the frame, so you won’t have to worry about it hindering performance on the slopes.
Do you hate editing photos on your computer to make them look just right, before printing them out? Introducing SWYP. This innovative works exactly like it sounds. Find the images / documents you want to print, edit them directly on-screen, press the button, and you’re set.
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