The 3D printer that costs less than an iPhone: £150 device prints food, jewellery and toys at the touch of a button

The Micro 3D costs $249 (£150) and weighs 2.2lbs (1.2kg)



It prints objects, including jewellery and food, up to 4.6-inches (116mm) tall

Models are due to be shipped internationally by February 2015

Printer achieved its $50,000 (£30,000) Kickstarter target in just 11 minutes

When it comes to 3D printers, so-called cheap versions are still well beyond the reach of the everyday consumers - until now.

A firm in Maryland has created The Micro 3D that costs $249 (£150), weighs just 2.2lbs (1.2kg) and prints objects up 4.6-inches (116mm) tall.

Its designers launched the product on Kickstarter earlier today and the campaign achieved its $50,000 (£30,000) target in just 11 minutes.



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The Micro 3D, pictured, costs $249 (£150), weighs just 2.2lbs (1.2kg) and prints objects up 4.6-inches (116mm) tall. Its designers launched the product on Kickstarter earlier today and the campaign achieved its $50,000 (£30,000) in just 11 minutes. Models are due to be shipped in February 2015

THE MICRO 3D SPECIFICATIONS

The Micro 3D supports thermoplastics ABS and PLA as well as nylon, chameleon. It is compatible with Mac, PC and Linux through a direct USB-connection. Micro Motion Technology is a sensor and feedback system built into the print head, designed to give auto-leveling and auto-calibration.

This means users don't need to have technical knowledge to calibrate the machine each time.

Its makers claim this also means the printer can be used for ‘thousands of hours’ without losing print quality. The Micro 3D Printer prints objects as tall as 4.6 inches (11.6cm) and covers an area of 4.2 inches (10cm) by 4.4 inches (11cm). It weighs 2.2lbs (1kg).

The campaign runs until May 7 and at the time of writing, M3D had achieved more than $250 ,000 (£156 , 0 00) in funding.

Created by M3D, The Micro 3D comes ready to use out of the box, so there’s no setup or instructions.

To start 3D printing, users plug in The Micro 3D, download or create models, and hit print ‘making it ideal for both the everyday user and the more tech-savvy 3D printing enthusiast,’ explained the designers.

‘At M3D we knew at some point in the future these tools would be a part of everyone’s lives, so we asked why not now?’ continued founder Michael Armani.

‘In order for [3D printers] to live up their potential, they need to be affordable and completely effortless to use.’

‘There hasn’t been a truly affordable consumer printer that’s easy to use; where you plug it in and press print, until now. And that’s why we made The Micro 3D printer.’

The Micro 3D Printer prints objects as tall as 4.6 inches (11.6cm), pictured, and covers an area of 4.2 inches (10cm) by 4.4 inches (11cm). Here it is shown making a vase



To start 3D printing users plug in the printer, download or create models, pictured, and hit print 'making it ideal for both the everyday user and the more tech-savvy 3D printing enthusiast,' explained the designers. It supports thermoplastics including ABS and PLA, as well as nylon

The designers said they looked at existing 3D printers, took the features they liked, and redesigned everything else. In addition to being more compact and lighter than existing printers, M3D said The Micro 3D is 10 times more power efficient, too, using as much energy as a phone or tablet, pictured

In addition to being more compact and lighter than existing printers, M3D said The Micro 3D is 10 times more power efficient, too.



The designers said they looked at existing 3D printers and took the features they liked before redesigning everything else.

‘The Micro 3D is for everyone. We designed it to be perfect for beginners and experts.’

Examples given in the demo video include printing custom-made pastry cutters, or replacing broken shower curtain hooks.



The Micro 3D will also print custom toys, pictured, jewellery and even food, including chocolate. The firm was offering an Early Bird price of $199 (£109) but these models sold out within minutes. Although the Micro was designed as a basic model, it can be used with open source software by more experienced users Co-founder David Jones said: 'We've managed to keep the cost of The Micro 3D low by ensuring that it's space and power efficient, compact, and lightweight'

The Micro 3D will also print custom toys, jewellery and even food, including chocolate.

The firm was offering an Early Bird price of $199 (£109) but these models sold out within minutes.

Although The Micro 3D was designed as a basic model, it can be used with open source software by more experienced users.

Co-founder David Jones added: ‘We’ve managed to keep the cost of The Micro low by ensuring that it’s space and power efficient, compact, and lightweight.