The ColorPod is a novel device that extents a regular 3D printer with the capability of printing full color 3D models. The unit prints full color 3D objects by dispensing powder and colored liquid droplets. It creates a model in a heap of powder on the build plate. It can be used with most popular 3D printers.
The ColorPod comes with fully functional PC software supporting both STL and OBJ 3D model files. For larger models, the software creates a support wall around the actual model. Aad van der Geest invented this process back in 1992. The ColorPod makes this technology available for owners of popular filament (FDM) based 3D printers. In its simplest form the ColorPod is just a printed circuit board and two motors. All other parts can be printed with a regular FDM 3D printer.
Update (march 2019) Now added the dualbox. It consists of two boxes with moving bottoms. Powder layers are wiped from one box to the other. This yields more accurate models.
Files
geeti3_cpod.zip
These are the stl and step files for making a colorpod setup on a cheap geeetec i3 3d printer (just 200$) .
Now available dualbox: Two containers with movable bottom
During printing the bottom of the feeder box goes up. The bottom in the model box goes down.
A spinning roller is used to wipe a thin layer of powder from the feeder box to the model box.
The construction of the boxes is very compact:
The bottom pulls itself up with threads that are wound around the axis of a geared stepper motor. This is very compact. You can easily take out the model box.
You can buy the colorpod printed circuit board in my tindie shop (spitstec) . Example build is for an ultimaker 3d printer. The software is made so that it can run on any gcode-based 3d printer. I can help you to make a design for your printer. The software that comes with it is for windows.
How much and were do I get one? Are there any videos of this thing printing? how solid of a print is it?