3D Printing

Printeer 3D printer brings kids' creations to life

Printeer 3D printer brings kids' creations to life
The Printeer 3D printer is designed to make 3D printing accessible to children
The Printeer 3D printer is designed to make 3D printing accessible to children
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In addition to the basic drawing app, the company says it is developing further apps to enable more complex designs
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In addition to the basic drawing app, the company says it is developing further apps to enable more complex designs
Further to the software and user experience, the team has also gone to lengths to make Printeer aesthetically appealing to children
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Further to the software and user experience, the team has also gone to lengths to make Printeer aesthetically appealing to children
The motors, pulleys, belts and sliders are colored and housed in a clear casing so kids can see how they work together to bring their creations to life
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The motors, pulleys, belts and sliders are colored and housed in a clear casing so kids can see how they work together to bring their creations to life
The team behind Printeer are looking to eliminate the need for advanced technical skills typically involved in 3D printing by developing simplified design software
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The team behind Printeer are looking to eliminate the need for advanced technical skills typically involved in 3D printing by developing simplified design software
The Printeer 3D printer is designed to make 3D printing accessible to children
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The Printeer 3D printer is designed to make 3D printing accessible to children
The motors, pulleys, belts and sliders are colored and housed in a clear casing so kids can see how they work together to bring their creations to life
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The motors, pulleys, belts and sliders are colored and housed in a clear casing so kids can see how they work together to bring their creations to life
The team behind Printeer are looking to eliminate the need for advanced technical skills typically involved in 3D printing by developing simplified design software
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The team behind Printeer are looking to eliminate the need for advanced technical skills typically involved in 3D printing by developing simplified design software
The Printeer 3D printer is designed to make 3D printing accessible to children
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The Printeer 3D printer is designed to make 3D printing accessible to children
View gallery - 8 images

With 3D printers becoming more commonplace, it was maybe just a matter of time before they threatened crayons and Lego as favorite playthings for the creative child. At the forefront of this intersection of education, technology and playtime is the manufacturing company Mission Street Manufacturing, whose Printeer 3D printer promises to bridge the gap between technical know-how and your child's imagination.

While 3D printers are becoming cheaper and more consumer friendly, they still typically involve some expertise in computer aided design. The team behind Printeer is looking to eliminate the need for these advanced technical skills by developing simplified design software. So simple, in fact, that you can apparently learn to use it in around 30 seconds.

All that is required is the Printeer, an iPad and a Wi-Fi connection. By installing the Draw app (iOS only), kids can sketch out objects on-screen using a finger, push print and then watch Printeer create it for them. In addition to the basic drawing app, the company says it is developing further software to enable more complex designs. It also says that Printeer can be loaded with 3D print files from a computer, effectively functioning as a regular 3D printer.

The team behind Printeer are looking to eliminate the need for advanced technical skills typically involved in 3D printing by developing simplified design software
The team behind Printeer are looking to eliminate the need for advanced technical skills typically involved in 3D printing by developing simplified design software

Further to the software and user experience, Mission Street Manufacturing has also gone to lengths to make Printeer aesthetically appealing to children. The motors, pulleys, belts and sliders are colored and housed in a clear casing so kids can see how they work together to bring their creations to life. The entire printer measures 16 x 9 x 12 in (40 x 23 x 30 cm), uses 1.75 mm PLA plastic filament and features a removable bed, so finished objects can be easily retrieved.

The California-based start up has developed prototypes and is now looking to raise funds on Kickstarter to scale up production. At the time of writing, pledges of US$549 are available and will put you in line for a Printeer in one of four colors, the options to be confirmed post-pledge via email if the funding goal is reached. Shipping is slated for October.

You can hear from the brains behind Printeer in the video below.

Sources: Printeer, Kickstarter

View gallery - 8 images
3 comments
3 comments
BigGoofyGuy
I think that is really neat. It is nice that it comes in more than just one color. I think it could spur creativity in not just the young but also the not-so young.
Ed
I don't own one of these 3d printers, but don't they take like HOURS to "print" out a simple little tchotsky? Children have the attention span of a gnat...I can't see them waiting hours for a plastic gee-jaw that they will forget about the next day!
kilomonk
One day soon, McDonalds Happy Meals will come with a CAD file instead of a toy...