A new 3D printing pen aimed at professional designers

A new 3D printing pen aimed specifically at designers has been created, and its makers hope the device will be more cost and time effective than a 3D printer.

The 3Doodler Pro is a new version of the 3Doodler developed in 2013, with additional features intended specifically for product designers, architects, engineers and artists.

The original pen enables users to “draw” out solid structures on a surface or in the air, using a polycarbonate material.

The updated version lets users design with a range of plastics, including those replicating wood, copper, bronze and nylon, and also includes a temperature range of 100°C to 250°C and speed dials, alongside a fan so users can control the cooling of plastics. These features enable designers to create models more quickly than the last pen allowed.

It also has a stronger internal drive system, meaning it can be used for longer and more intensively, says Faraz Warsi, creative director at 3Doodler.

“Imagine being able to draw furniture prototypes in wood, hand-draw custom jewellery pieces in copper or bronze, add detail to material in nylon, or create instantaneous 3D models in polycarbonate,” says Warsi. “Designers will now have a tool that will allow them to use these materials in a brand new way.”

The pen also aims to speed up the design process, which can take longer when using professional machinery such as a 3D printer, he says.

“To create something with a 3D printer, you’ll need to own a 3D printer, which can be expensive, have knowledge of how to use specialist CAD software, and allow time for the product to print,” he says. “With a 3Doodler Pro, you can create a 3D structure exactly at the moment that inspiration strikes. The ability to make professional models without the time and money spent on waiting for a 3D print will be an invaluable asset to designers.”

The pen also comes with a storage case, a portable battery pack, a custom nozzle set and 100 strands of specialty plastic.

The 3Doodler Pro, which went on sale this week, is available to buy for $249 (£187) from the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and will soon be available to buy worldwide online from the official site.