Hot on the heels of the 3Doodler—the 3-D printer/hot glue gun hybrid that raised $2,344,134 on Kickstarter last year—comes Gather 3D, a fun mashup of the classic Etch-a-Sketch and an old school MakerBot.
The device doesn’t require a computer or CAD files, the print head is entirely controlled by a pair of knobs that control the X/Z-axes and buttons that increment the height of the hot end.
The resolution leaves a little something to be desired, but the same can be said of traditional Etch-a-Sketches, not to mention many low-cost 3-D printers, and at least Gather 3D provides a souvenir of all the hard work.
The knobby interface belies a traditional technology load out. An Arduino processes the analog input and three servo motors control the movements of the printhead. USB Ports on the side of the controller suggest the system could eventually be upgraded to function like a more traditional 3-D Printer.
While it may seem like a goofy idea, designer Pierre Papet has done a great job making the concept seem realistic with hip, colorful, and minimal packaging. The burnt MDF feels more like a nod to maker culture than a side effect of sub-par manufacturing techniques.
