A very handy 3D print accessory is coming to Kickstarter: 2K Buddy.
2K Buddy solves a problem many 3D printer operators face: properly mixing two-part resins.
Hold on, what’s that got to do with 3D printing? It’s actually for post-processing 3D prints. Many times you may want to coat a completed 3D print with a resin:
- For watertight sealing of a model
- For making a model food safe
- For increasing the strength of the model
- For colouring a model
Not every 3D printer operator uses resin in this way, however, because it is usually a pain to do so.
There are multiple problems with the traditional resin coat application process, which involves pouring each of the two resins into small plastic cups and mixing by hand:
- The ratio of the two resins is often not correct
- You always pour more than you need, wasting expensive resin
- You have to mix by hand
- There is usually a mess to clean up
- Applying the mixed resin requires tools
I’ve coated a few 3D models in this way and experienced all of the above. Once, the resin ratio was off so that the coating didn’t quite cure properly — it remained “wet”. In that case, I not only wasted the resin, but had to re-print the model, too.
2K Buddy attempts to solve all of these issues with a precision system for mixing and dispensing two-part resins.
The resins are stored in separate tanks on board, and peristaltic pumps push each resin to a mixing toolhead. The resin mixes only in the toolhead, and emerges “ready to cure”.
The toolhead doubles as a handy dispenser that is easily held in your hand. This allows the operator to perform precision depositions, which could be required in some situations.
Since it dispenses only when activated, you use only the resin you need. The rest remains in the 2K Buddy for future use.
I asked about how pigment is handled, and founder Maximilian Werners explained:
“At the moment, pigments are mixed into one of the two liquid components before it is connected to the 2K Buddy. The machine then handles the two-component material as usual and dispenses it at the defined mixing ratio.”
It also sounds like they might develop an automated pigment mixing system that integrates with the 2K Buddy in future models, which sounds quite interesting.
For casual users, the 2K Buddy might be overkill, but if you are doing resin coating of 3D prints on a semi-regular basis, this item should be a no-brainer. It will just make things a lot easier, more efficient, and more accurate.
As of this writing, the Kickstarter has not quite launched, but from what I understand, it will be opening up very soon, if not already. Once open, we’ll know the price for the 2K Buddy.
Via Kickstarter
