An inexpensive open source 3D printer
Open Hardware – Printy
© Lead Image © Kirill Cherezov, 123RF.com
Printy offers an inexpensive, open source DIY 3D printer kit, with a license that paves the way for future open source solutions.
If a single technology defines crowdfunding and open hardware, it would be 3D printing. Not only did 3D printers appear at about the same time as crowdfunding and open hardware, but the demand for cheaper 3D printers has always been high. Even more importantly, 3D printers are a way for other open hardware projects to print cases and replacement parts, overcoming the problems of manufacturing hardware. Kickstarter alone lists 685 projects related to 3D printing over the last decade – however, most are proprietary, only 37 are open source and even those may use obsolete technologies [1]. Jay Lin's Printy project [2] is an attempt to bridge that gap with an inexpensive do-it-yourself open hardware kit (Figure 1) whose crowdfunding campaign will be underway by the time this magazine hits the newsstands.
Printy's Crowd Supply page spells out the current situation: "SLA [Stereolithography] 3D printers are not only expensive, they are typically proprietary. For an enthusiast trying to find the right balance between low cost, high print quality, and open source design, the best advice one could offer has long been 'pick one'. The current market has left the 3D printer community stranded in a disconnected ecosystem full of walled gardens. With Printy, we aim to dismantle those walls and help reconnect that community. And what better way to share the joy of 3D printing than by first sharing the joy of building a 3D printer?"
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.