The world of crowdfunding has been flooded with 3D printer projects, and there's a constant push to bring simple and affordable models to market. But there's also a desire to expand what these machines can do, which brings us to Trinus. Thanks to its modular design and a base price of $299, Trinus looks like an excellent option, and those who want laser engraving support can add it with a simple extra module.
Its evolution has been slow but steady. 3D printers are more robust and stable, with prices starting to fall within reason. Despite the huge number of available models, the market is very young and still has its share of rough edges. Several projects that promised the sky and the earth bit the dust prematurely, and these accidents cause the most frustration among beginner users willing to dip their toes into the world of 3D printing. Crowdfunding seems to be the pace-setter for 3D printing right now, and what has just become a huge blip on our radar is Trinus, a 3D printer with enough flexibility to support a laser engraving head.
A 3D Printer with a Laser Head
For more advanced users, laser engraving might be just an accessory, but for those studying models on the web, the potential of this 2-in-1 solution might be more appealing. The Trinus printer is very easy to assemble (just eleven parts in its basic model), its print volume is 120 by 125 by 125 millimeters (small, but similar to other direct competitors), it's compatible with PLA, ABS, PC, Flex, and wood filaments, its weight is under ten kilograms, and it can work connected to a computer or directly from an SD card reading GCode files and similar. As for the laser module, its power is 500mW, it works on wood, cork, leather, food, and other soft materials, and its approximate lifespan is 10,000 hours (it includes protective goggles).
Kickstarter Campaign and Pricing
The Trinus campaign has been a runaway success on Kickstarter, and although only one week remains, its backers have already pledged over a million dollars to fund production. The price of the basic model is $299, but it's likely that many users will decide to add accessories like the thermal bed ($40, needed for ABS), the protective shell (critical if there are children or animals nearby), and the laser module itself, so a much more realistic figure for the Trinus is $499, which includes all of the above plus one kilogram of filament. First deliveries are expected in August.
