Tech: Recommendations: 3-D Entry Level Printer

Subject: Tech: Recommendations: 3-D Entry Level Printer
From: Rapparee
Date: 03 May 20 - 07:22 PM

A local grade school (grades Kindergarten through 8th) has asked me to recommend a 3-D printer for grades (roughly) 4 to 8. Looking over the field I think it should be filament-fed, use PLA, ABS, and other "food", and be enclosed for safety and odors. The price should be around USD 450.00, as schools here don't have a lot of money.

Suggestions?

Subject: RE: Tech: Recommendations: 3-D Entry Level Printer
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 03 May 20 - 07:53 PM

Did you see the following?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tC_z6jznFPY

I looked around for prices, costs, etc. There isn't much available for $450. However, possibly you could get in touch with a few manufacturers and ask the same question you asked here, Rapparee.

Subject: RE: Tech: Recommendations: 3-D Entry Level Printer
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 May 20 - 09:55 PM

Are any of your local FabLabs still operational? Ask them about it, you might find some interesting suggestions. I used to be a member of a group out of Austin but it looks like they went away or changed their name and I didn't notice.

Subject: RE: Tech: Recommendations: 3-D Entry Level Printer
From: Mr Red
Date: 04 May 20 - 12:15 PM

a useful wheeze is to mix & match the "food" - one is soluble in hot water. The other isn't. With clever files you can make loose interlocking things like chains.

Things have moved on since I looked at the field. There is a Doodle pen now, bit like a glue gun. Designed for ages 6-13, the 3Doodler Start has no external hot parts, and it uses a non-toxic, biodegradable filament that melts at low temperatures. on Amazon.com $50 - stencils are available apparently.
or-
$175 on Amazon preloaded with files of "things" to print. Relatively easy to put plastic doors around it. Or in a cupboard with a perspex door maybe.

No idea how good but - Best of luck.