If you've never used a 3D printer, then you might not be aware of the fact that the objects they create don't always emerge in their final, flawless form. They often contain small printing errors, fringes of stray material, and supporting structures that need to be removed. Retouch3D uses heat to melt away those imperfections.
People already use things such as soldering irons, razor blades and sandpaper to finesse their 3D-printed creations. According to the designers of Retouch3D, however, their device allows for much more precise control.
This is partly because its heat level can be set to the melting point of the printing material in question – examples include things like PLA (polylactic acid), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), resins or even wax. Users can look up those temperatures on the company website.
Once the device has reached the recommended temperature, users can fine-tune the heat up and down by small increments, depending on the task at hand.
Additionally, it features five interchangeable heads. These are designed for different jobs, including removing, refining and blending.
If you're interested in Retouch3D, it's currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign. A pledge of US$149 will get you one, when and if they're ready to go. It can be seen in use, in the pitch video below.
Sources: Retouch3D, Kickstarter