The VIT is a desktop SLS 3D printer from Barcelona based developer Natural Robotics. Just 30 minutes after launching its Kickstarter campaign, the VIT reached its €28,000 goal and has since exceeded the asking six times over. At the time of writing this article, the VIT pot stands at €183,465, and there are still 23 days to go.
The campaign has generated a certain amount of excitement, particularly for the highly competitive price point and the fact that the VIT produces 3D prints in a white PA12 material.
Three years in the making
Natural Robotics officially launched in 2016, introducing the Delta Black FDM machine as its first 3D printer. However, development of the VIT started much earlier, with prototyping stages commencing in 2014 following the expiry of SLS’s main patent. The VIT research and development stage continued until August of this year and now, Natural Robotics is seeking to launch its first production run for the VIT SLS 3D printer with the help of a limited number of Kickstarter backers.
Delivery promise
With only a limited number of machines available, Natural Robotics is committed to delivering what its promises. As the campaign states, “It is quite different to ship 100 machine units to thousands of them. As per our own experience we are realistic and know that a huge campaign success would completely delay the timelines.”
With a competitive price point, just €5,999 and half the price of planned retail, Natural Robotics is targeting small-medium businesses that require the quality of SLS without the high end price tag.
Héctor Esteller is the company’s founder and CEO. Esteller comments, “3D printing still has a long way to go until machines can behave with the same ease of use as other appliances. That is why our goal is to design our own models making them as user-friendly as possible and putting great emphasis on technical support and maintenance.”
Technical specifications
As a selective laser sintering system, the VIT boasts the ability to 3D print objects without the need for supports.The powdered polymer feedstock also facilitates the packing of multiple parts in a single print bed, and allows a percentage of unused material to be recycled for future jobs.
Maximum print volume is 250 x 250 x 250mm (9.8 x 9.8 x 9.8 inches). The machine operates using a CO2 40W laser, and 3D prints at a maximum speed of 20mm (0.8 inches) per hour. Jobs can be started without the need for a computer connection, though the machine also offers USB, Wifi and Ethernet connectivity as a backup.
Future development
Currently the only material color available for the VIT is white. However, the company aims to expand this portfolio in its continued development of the machine. As the campaign states, “For the VIT we will continue producing upgrades of its firmware and software with the feedback and suggestions provided by you and future clients.”
“We want to look at industrial color 3D printing as our next big innovation round. A proof of concept has already been tried using laser sintering technology and we will start working on this once this campaign is completed and fully delivered.”
The VIT campaign is scheduled to end on Saturday November 25 2017 at 3:40 PM UTC. From December 2017 through January 2018, the company will prepare the final software release and test the system before going into full production. The first units are expected for delivery March/April 2017.
Get your VIT on Kickstarter here for the exclusive campaign price.
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Featured image shows the VIT desktop SLS 3D printer. Image via Natural Robotics
