Blacksmith Group, a startup of Nanyang Technological University (NTU), has unveiled the world’s first combined 3D scanner and printer.
Funded by crowdfunding through Indiegogo, which raised $80,540, the first patch of the printer/scanners are due to be shipped out in March.
The scanner uses a 5 megapixel camera to scan objects, which can then be altered and edited before being printed. The printer can print objects up to 6,650 cm3, and is aimed at average consumers and 3D printer hobbyists.
Fang Kok Boon, engineering graduate and CEO of Blacksmith Group, said: “We designed Blacksmith Genesis with the average hobbyist in mind. Most 3D printers sold on the market now are not really user-friendly as their 3D models and blueprints usually have to be designed from scratch on the computer. However, with our device, 3D printing will be fuss-free as users won’t need to design an original work from scratch as they can just use our Blacksmith Sorcerer 3D software. By scanning any physical item, they can immediately copy and print the item or use the digitised object as a base to form their own 3D object.”
