Plastic Scribbler Ships Asterid 1100 3D Printer

By DE Editors

Plastic Scribbler announced the new Asterid 1100 3D printer, which includes a Smart Controller, a 12V 40W heater cartridge, a heated build platform with a borosilicate glass build surface, along with an 8-in. x 8-in. x 8-in. build volume, acme threaded rod for z-axis motion and geared extruder for more dependable extrusion.

The included Smart Controller adds a full-size SD card reader in addition to an LCD display, and allows for computer-free 3D printing. In addition, since the G-code is fed straight off the SD card, any latency or lag created by a personal computer and the USB interface can be eliminated.

The included slicer software can still be used to generate the g-code used for printing, but once the g-code file is on the SD card the Smart Controller does the rest, the company says. The user can auto-home all three axes, make small or large manual movements on each axis, all without the use of a PC. The Smart Controller also gives constant feedback on extruder and bed temperature, so the user can instantly monitor the status of their 3D prints.

In addition to the Smart Controller, the printer also includes a premium heater cartridge. As plastic filament is extruded through the nozzle, heat is extracted. It is the job of the hot end heating element to return this heat loss back to the hot end extruder block. With a higher power density, the heater cartridge can restore heat loss more quickly, which allows for more consistent extrusion and better 3D prints, the company says.

Over the heated build PCB, Plastic Scribbler has supplied the model 1100 with a 10.5-in. x 9-in. x 1/8-in. piece of borosilicate glass. Borosilicate glass has a very low coefficient of thermal expansion, which allows the glass to be safely heated and cooled without breakage.

The z-axis motor mounts have been strengthened, and the y-axis guide plate bearing support has also been redesigned and upgraded. Plastic Scribbler has also tweaked the slicer settings and improved the print quality. Finally, the company has made small changes to the Y and Z axis limit switch mounts. The new mounts make it easy to tweak these two end points and give more clearance to the y-axis table and the z-axis limit switch.

For more information, visit Plastic Scribbler.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.