New 3D printing pen is world’s smallest — will try and raise funds for production via Kickstarter

This could be a game changer — the LIX Pen, the world’s smallest 3D printing pen, is coming to the super-supportive-of-all-things-related-to-3D-printing confines of Kickstarter. 

This is exciting not only because 3D printing pens are a fairly new, and underdeveloped form of technology, but its noteworthiness is increased ten-fold because of the impressive specs that come with it. Compared to the 3Doodler, which we covered last year, the LIX Pen is miniscule. It measures 6.45 inches long, with a .55 inch diameter, and weighs only 1.23 ounces.

That easily makes it one of the smallest and lightest 3D printing pens on the market today. 

The aluminum-based LIX Pen is held just like any other normal pen. In order to work, a 3.5mm-like jack is plugged into its base, and the other side is plugged into the user’s computer. Power flowing into the pen heats the plant-based PLA filament (it can use ABS plastic as well) to 300-degrees Fahrenheit. The liquid is then fed through a hole in the base for one’s air-based doodling pleasure. 

What’s convenient about the LIX Pen is how simple it is to use — there’s no program guiding the printing tip; rather, the user simply starts sketching in the air with the pen while the filament slowly draws out, whereupon it cools quickly to form a near-instant solid structure. 

Each filament is 10 centimeters long. According to the company, that’s enough for about two straight minutes of drawing. 

Now that they have a solid product, the folks at LIX will turn to Kickstarter to see if they can get the funds necessary in order to move forward with production. The campaign is slated to launch the week of April 14th, and those who invest $139.95 will receive their own LIX Pen.

To see the LIX Pen in action, check out the video below:

Story via: mashable.com