3D Pens: Top or Flop?

First of all, we will start with a brief introduction into 3D Pens, since you have to understand what they actually are. Only then can we answer whether 3D Pens are top or flop, since it also always depends on the expectation and application options.

In 3D Printing a hot nozzle solidifies plastic that melts thereafter and hardens again creating a 3 dimensional object line by line. This sounds simply fun, but you need a lot of knowledge and time to create good results which is also the case with 3D Pens.

Too many expectations

In general, companies always want to sell their own products which they are convinced of and commited to. They usually take a complex problem or Topic and find simple s olutions to make everyones life easier. Videos of great objects/works are then presented which can seen here with the SUNLU 3D Pen.

This simplicity is amplified by words as child friendly without showing the hard effort and difficult work. It takes a lot of practice and especially time, which is also the case with 3D Printers. Since only a certain amount of material emerges from the nozzle per second, this influences the size and volume of objects you work on. If you then also use different materials and constantly have to change the Filament, the entire process takes even longer.

Thus the relation between expectations of your put in time and the results are unbalanced. It is possible to build up the material layer of the layer, but there are simpler ways which we did not expect at first. The best approach is to use templates for 3D Printing Pens available online. With these, two-dimensional scaffoldings are constructed and later attached to one object as shown in the video.

And even then it takes a surprisingly long time:

Another issues almsot no manufacturer and few 3D Printing fans talk about are the plastic fumes from the heated material. Therefore, you should not sit for several hours in front of the 3D Pen just to be safe. For those who want to play it even safer, the Future Make 3D pencil which works resin and UV light is one of the best 3D Pens for you. This device does not have a hot print nozzle nor is plastic heated up creating the unhealthy fumes..

Possible applications for 3D Pens

As we have seen, every user decides through his own expectations whether 3D pens are a top or flop. In addition, you should be aware of the possibilities of 3D printing Pens and consider these with your goals to match expectations.

We present 3 scenarios in which it makes sense to have such a device:

1. Own education and learning

We see 3D Pens as an integral part for learning about 3D printg as described on our website for a successful entry into 3D printing. The pens simplify the learning process especially for children, since one understands certain peculiarities more easily and quickly. This includes differences in materials such as PLA and ABS as well as their special behaviour. Another example is the need for support material and use of overhangs. As a result, you geht familiar with the technology and learn to play the game instead of being overwhelmed by a real 3D Printer or even worse a DIY-Kit.

2. Engineers and Geeks

In our review of the 3Doodler 3D Pen, we have described this application in more detail. The pen was very useful when we one of our support materials of the 3D Pprinter broke off or we had to make to separate prints stick together. In this picture you can see the upper body connected with at the feet for which we used the 3D Pens filament.

This is a great option, especially for girders (gadget geeks / fans), since the solidifying plastic can be used in many ways. In addition, it is precisely this target group that wants to experiment and have fun with the latest gadgets.

3. Artists and creatives

3D printers are already actively used in creative areas today. At the same time, only one’s own creativity is set as a limit to the possible applications. On the linked page for art academies, we have included a Pinterest wall showing artisic applications. There you can be inspired by others and think even bigger as the possibilities from 3D Pens are larger and free than with conventional devices. The reason for this is the operation open printing space using only your hands whereby you can use the material in other places or even print on other objects which is not possible with 3D Printers.

For example, you can apply patterns on the back of your phone case or other objects. There is hardly any other device to offer this freedom for creative work. Thus one can Combine different art techniques with 3D Pens which do not always have to be at the center of your work, but rather an extension of techniques.

Are 3D Pens Top or Flop?

It is a flop for those who have too high expectations and want fast as well as perfect results. You have to accept the imperfection of 3D Pens compared to 3D Printers and take them as artistic technique. Therefore, you can not expect perfect products with high functionality for everyday use from these devices.

3D Pens are top for all those who want to start with the 3D printing and do not yet feel comfortable with 3D Printers. Also artists or engineers will find enough possibilities for 3D Pens. Furthermore, families with children will have a lot of fun without high costs. Children learn to play with a technology that is already essential in production processes around the world today. In the future, this will become even more important and the application areas of 3D Printers will grow steadily leading to a high demand for skilled workers.