3D pens have a more direct and natural creative interface than 3D printers, but these devices come with limitations of freehand design, such as wobbly lines and approximate angles. This is one reason why they are marketed as creative toys for children most of the time.

Despite being a niche surfing on the hype of the 3D printing industry, 3D pen makers of all horizons have met a lot of success in their respective crowdfunding campaigns.

Some pens rely on a feed of ABS or PLA plastic strands that are heated up and molten through a hot nozzle for instant deposition as the plastic cools down. More recent designs rely on photo-polymers available as liquid cartridge refills, the viscous resins are cured by an LED light as they exit the cool nozzle.

Two years ago, U.S. start-up WobbleWorks was launching what it claimed to be the world's first 3D pen, the 3Doodler, which raised over US$2.3 million in Kickstarter funding, far exceeding its initial US$30,000 goal. It was such a success that the company reiterated the crowdfunding experience in January this year for version 2.0 of the same product. The company claims it sold more than 130,000 3Doodlers and has raised another US$1.5 million for ramping up with the slicker 3Doodlers 2.0 version.

Delaware-based start-up Future Make Technology LLC is about to conclude its Kickstarter campaign for a blue LED-based photo-polymer curing pen, the Polyes Q1. The campaign reached its US$50,000 goal on the first day of its campaign, and has nearly reached US$150,000 so far.

Marketing manager Steve Cho likes to present the Polyes Q1 as a safer alternative to high-temperature fused deposition pens (melting plastic strands well over 200 C with the associated unpleasant smell).

He also likes to emphasize the use of Blue LEDs for photo-polymerisation as an eye-safe light (combined with tilt sensors so the light switches off when the pen is pointed upwards). Another feature that Cho hopes will sell well is the variety of liquid inks developed by the company, including transparent, temperature colour-changing or glow-in-the-dark inks and scented inks (so the 3D sketches come out with a pleasant smell of your choice).

This article is from our partners at EET Asia. To read the full article, please click here.

See a comparison table of selected 3D pen suppliers on GlobalSources.com