While we have seen plenty of DIY printers (several of which powered by AVR XMEGA and megaAVR MCUs), this one certainly ranks high on the list as most intriguing. In fact, Plan B may have just revolutionized the way we think about the 3D printing process in its entirety.
Designed by 22-year-old engineer Yvo de Haas, Plan B is an open-source platform powered by an ATmega 2560. Unlike other 3D printers on the market, this device works just like a desktop printer. The process is similar to the Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) process, but instead of using a laser to sinter the material, an inkjet printing head deposits a liquid binder onto a layer of gypsum powder.
Then, a thin layer of powder is spread across the surface and the process repeats itself with each layer adhering to the last. Though the “three dimensional printing” method has been in existence for decades, it was typically only seen in industrial uses.
The Plan B printer will aim to bring this method to the masses. The printer is designed to be assembled using only basic tools (e.g. screwdrivers, Allen keys, wrenches, a saw, soldering iron). De Haas’ product can be put together for about $1,300.
This DIY device is capable of printing with a resolution of 0.26mm, and since the 3D models are printed in layers of powder, it requires no additional support material. All excess material can be reused once the model has been removed from it. Currently, the Plan B can only print in gypsum powder; however, the Maker is experimenting with expanding into various types of materials including ceramics, graphite powders and even confectioners sugar.
“The powder material is stored in hoppers on each side of the printing bed. As the inkjet nozzle deposits the pattern on the layer of printing material, the printing bed slightly lowers, causing the powder on the side to rise up slightly above the bed,” 3DPrintingIndustry.com notes.
The printer then levels out each subsequent layer until the design is finished. Once completed, the powder designs are still somewhat fragile. Therefore, a hardening substance must be applied so that they can be handled. De Haas says it depends on what type of material you print with, but in his case, a layer of SuperGlue worked to firm up his final products.
Plan B is only capable of printing in a single color, but de Haas is planning on updating the printer with multiple inkjet nozzles so multi-color prints will be an option. Currently, printing speed is about 30mm per hour accompanied with a speed of 60mm/s; still Yvo looks to upgrade that frequency in the future. Overall, this is a drastically different take on 3D printing and the sort of thinking we can expect to see a whole lot more of throughout the budding Maker community. The model allows for all excess material to be reused, which can provide an environmentally friendly characteristic that we do not often see in DIY designs.
Interested in learning how to build the Plan B? Check out the Maker’s incredibly detailed guide here.
