LIX 3D Printing Pen
- 3D Drawing Pen - $139.00
- Pixos 3D Starter with Pen - $24.01
- MakerBot Replicator 2 Desktop 3D Printer - $1,999.00
- Wacom Intuos4 Art Pen with Stand - $92.25
- ABS 3D Print Filament (1.75mm) - $20.00
Paperless pens and drawing in 3D. True, we've seen it in the 3Doodler, but LIX is the first 3D printing pen to condense this technology into a writing instrument of normal proportions. You know, rather than one that looks like it just got stung by a hundred bees. That means LIX is not only nicer to gaze at, but also more comfortable to hold and maneuver. So despite widespread sentiments about the superiority of bigger, thicker phallic shapes, artists and scribblers should find creating finer and more detailed dimensional projects much more gratifying with the LIX.
Also of immediate note: At printing LIX had just launched its Kickstarter campaign, with the pen going at an introductory rate of $70--half price--to its first 100 backers. Click fast to take advantage of the Early Bird pricing, or take up until May 29, 2014 to get your pledge in at the standard $135.
For those unfamiliar with 3D printing pens, they are essentially tools filled with malleable, meltable filament that enable users to sketch in the air. Horizontally, vertically, circularly, and to hell and back. LIX creators tout their pen as the smallest and most advanced of those available, describing it as the perfect implement for creating 3D writings, accessories, decoration pieces, jewelry, and prototypes. Similar to 3D printers, the LIX functions by melting colored plastic with its heated end nozzle as it exits the pen. Once the plastic hits the air and drawing surface, it immediately begins cooling and will thereby hold whatever shape its master has commanded. When completely cooled, the plastic becomes a rigid, freestanding structure.
The LIX pen is powered by a USB 3.0 port. It will accept 2 different types of filament. ABS filament is the stronger of the two, as well as more flexible and structured with a greater malleability and higher temperature resistance. Its melting point is 356 degrees F, and it works at 446 degrees F. PLA filament comes in a wider range of colors and levels of gloss. It is a plant-based plastic, so in addition to being a little weaker than ABS it is also sensitive to moisture. Its melting point is 320 degrees F, and it works at 356 degrees F.
DudeIWantThat.com is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more.
POLAR Modular Magnet Pen
POLAR. It's a pen. It's a stylus. It's a tool. It's a toy. And it won't even F up your phone and credit cards*! The modular writing implement, made of 12 cylindrical neodymium magnets stacked over a Pilot ink cartridge...
3Doodler - 3D Printing Pen
Bring your doodles to life. Well, except for the animation and biological functionality parts. So more like, give your doodles 3 dimensions, without the added concern of feeding or sending them to private school. WobbleWorks'...
$100 3D Printer
July 2016 Update: I received the following email from a Dude reader this week: "Hey, just a heads up, I just checked their page and the inventor says that the business partner stole people's money whom invested in this...
Inkless Pen
Adios, pocket protectors! Inkless pens are the way of the future. OK, probably the way of the future is the elimination of pens altogether, in favor of app-controlled telekinetic writing implementations, but in the interim...
Impromptu Tactical Pen
Anymore, the ability to write is a mere secondary attribute of a great pen. I might want to scribble a note to buy more Fresca every now and then, but mostly I'm using pens like POLAR as anything from a magnetic toy to...
/uzi-defender-tactical-pen-14477.jpg "UZI Defender Tactical Pen")
UZI Defender Tactical Pen
UZI incorporates a few different tools into its Defender line of pens to award them the "tactical" buzzword. This version, the TACPEN6-GM has a glass breaker and handcuff key fitted to its lightweight aircraft aluminum...
TiBolt Solid Titanium Bolt Action Pen
The only not titanium components in Brian Fellhoelter's TiBolt bolt action pen are the ink cartridge, spring, O-ring, and stylus nib. It's kind of like how the only not titanium components in my rock hard body are my...
Think Ink Fidget Pen
The Think Ink Pen bends, spins, flips, dismembers and puts itself back together again, and...you don't even want to know what happens when you pull its finger. An entertainer through and through, this pen isn't so much...
/pavashot-penshot-self-defense-59459.jpg?mode=crop "Pavashot PenShot Self Defense Pen Launcher")
Pavashot PenShot Self Defense Pen Launcher
Havashot at the Pavashot PenShot, and sendashot towards a human or animal attacker up to 30' away. The launching of Pavashot's proprietary PAVA aerosol powder will even expose a jagged-edged ring at the end of the self...
/oscillot-cat-containment-25563.jpg?mode=crop "Oscillot Cat Containment System")
Oscillot Cat Containment System
On first viewing of the Oscillot video you might think installing one of the spinning paddle perimeters along the top of your fence is like building a prison for your cat. Condemning him to being that inmate who gets...
Structure - 3D Sensor for Mobile Devices
Occipital believes the future of computer vision is mobile. That means the company's forthcoming Structure Sensor for iPad has 3D depth--the camera attachment captures accurate, all-dimensional measurements and models...
/MakerBot-ThingO-861.jpg?mode=crop "MakerBot Thing-O-Matic 3D Printer Kit")
MakerBot Thing-O-Matic 3D Printer Kit
If you're not familiar with 3D printers yet, it's time to start familiarizing yourself. A 3D printer actually "prints" an object you design on your computer by laying down successive layers of material. This offers the...