3D printing has become an incredibly quick and easy way to create and prototype a very vast array of objects and has reached a point where several large industries have started to use the technology in order to ramp up and accelerate production.
But 3D printing doesn’t just have to be used for large-scale projects by industry professionals. In fact, Toybox Labs, a recent startup, have created a small, portable 3D printer that kids and parents can use to create toys at home.
So if you can’t get to the toy shop for a friend’s birthday, how about printing them something?
The Toybox printer links to your smartphone, where you can choose from a variety of items to print, as well as importing or drawing your own designs on the Toybox app.
Items include cars, figurines, and a ‘disk launcher’, with new items added every week. The possibilities are endless!
In addition to being quick and easy, the material used in the printer is completely biodegradable. The plastic PLA (polylactic acid) filament is made from renewable and natural raw materials such as corn.
ToyBox - 3D printing in your bedroom
Toybox founders Jenn Chin and Ben Baltes created the kid-friendly 3D printer to empower the next generation of young and creative minds, by engaging them in cool technologies that don’t have to be complicated.
After their crowdfunding campaign in September 2017 saw them exceed their goal by 283%, Toybox Labs appeared on the US TV show Shark Tank.
They then appeared on global multi-media platform Mashable and now the business is taking off.
The printer costs around $300 (on sale for the moment!) with the ‘printer food’ costing around $15. If you’re interested, both can be bought directly from their website here.
The Toybox printer certainly is a super cool piece of technology that we can use in our everyday lives and the perfect creative tool for to use when you have a few hours to spare and want to create your very own product.
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