“Affordable, Effortless” Micro 3D Printer For Everyone Killing It On Kickstarter

In the race to drive down costs for and increase the capabilities of 3D printers, the team behind the Micro 3D printer believe they're among the frontrunners. The Micro is designed to be inexpensive and incredibly easy to use while also offering reliability and consistency.

'It is the most affordable 3D printer that can be used right out of the box. Perfect for beginners and experts alike, just plug in the printer, download or create models, hit print, and watch your custom creations form right before your eyes,' reads the team's Kickstarter pitch.

The Micro features auto leveling and auto calibration with a Micro motion chip; it's quiet and consumes little power; it's built with lightweight yet strong carbon fiber rods; and it has a ceramic heater for quick heating. You can swap out both print beds and nozzles, and the Micro can handle PLA, ABS, or nylon filaments as well as Micro's own filament spools.

The Micro uses its own software, which has a library of printable designs and is designed to be as simple to use as any drag-and-drop software could be. However, advanced users can also utilize more powerful tools such as open-source slicers.

Weighing in at just 2.2 lbs and with a print area of 7.3 cubic inches, the Micro is quite small, but that's also be design--a small machine fits well in an average user's home. The Micro also offers USB connectivity and has a 50-350 micron layer resolution with 15 micron X and Y positioning accuracy.

The team was looking to raise $50,000 on Kickstarter, but after a day it's already nabbed nearly a quarter of a million dollars and counting. Judging from the incentive packages, it appears as though a Micro will cost you about $300, which is a great deal if indeed this machine works as advertised. That would make it a truly affordable tool for the home or the classroom.