We at 3DGuy Printing can truly relate on this “supports-cleaning-problem”!! Until you own a 3D printer, what you don’t realize is that REMOVING print supports sucks! That’s right! Grinder, filer, chemicals… you definitely will try all means possible to make your 3D printed stuffs look good! Looks like we’ve got the answer to our retouching problem! Hurray!
Retouch3D has announced that they have launched a Kickstarter campaign for a product which quite frankly I’m surprised no one else within the 3D printing space has come up with yet. The product, also called the Retouch3D, is a heated tool that features 5 interchangeable heads, allowing for incredibly simple touching up of 3D printed objects. The device can be used to cut through support material “like butter,” to refine layer imperfections, or to blend and even-out rough patchy areas on an object.
“Until you own a 3D printer, what you don’t realize is that removing supports and getting rid of printing errors can be frustrating and time-consuming,” said Phil Newman, Founder, 3D 2.0. “We figured that if heat created a 3D print, then heat would be the best way to clean it up. And that’s how Retouch3D was born.”
The five tool-heads that come with the Retouch3D include the following:
- Macro Remover
- Micro Remover
- Macro Refiner
- Micro Refiner
- Blender Head
The device, which measures 7.03″ x 1.19″ x 1.14″ in dimensions and weighs just 3.53oz, is designed so that it can fit comfortably in anyone’s hand, in a multitude of different grip positions. It features three material preset buttons that can be programmed for different heat settings, as well as manual temperature setting controls which allow for settings from 120°F to 570°F (50°C to 300°C).
As for pricing, the first 200 early bird backers can get a Retouch3D for just $149, while later backers can grab one for between $179 and $199. Special Beta Tester units are available for $399 and will get you a device sometime in December of this year, while others will have to wait until April of 2016 or later.