Compact 3D printer lets you create your own toys

Leonard Goh | Oct 28, 2008

The Alaris 30 is one of the smallest 3D printers on the market. Picture credit: Objet

3D printers for rapid prototyping concept designs are typically seen as huge chunky machines that sit in one corner of the room and used only when needed. But Objet's latest device, the Alaris 30 not only fits on desktops (well, some of them), it can also churn out 600 x 600dpi objects with movable parts.

Measuring 825 x 620 x 590mm, the Alaris 30 is network-enabled to allow sharing among designers. The company's proprietary PolyJet Photopolymer Jetting Technology will render 600 x 600dpi objects out of resin with two printheads and if they have moving components, the machine can create them, too.

When a 3D file is received, the printer will feed the appropriate amount of resin into the tray and the two printheads get to work by "carving" out the structure of the product. Once that is done, the resin is cured so it can be used immediately once out of the printer.

While its footprint is small enough to put on bigger desks, make sure your tabletops can support at least 83kg of weight because that's how heavy the Alaris 30 is. Other than making prototypes, Gundam fanboys can also create their own robot model kits. If I were to ever get this machine, that'll be the only reason.

Objet's Web site did not mention when the Alaris 30 will be available on the market and how much it'll cost, so drop the company an email if you are interested.

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