Gadget

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A small review of an unusual and innovative 3D multi-tool pen.

This unusual pen was presented in 2015 as an innovative project on Kickstarter.

The project was very successful (1,822 beckers allowed to raise almost 230 thousand dollars). Now the 3D Simo Mini pen is mass-produced and available for purchase from Russian dealers. The development and production of the 3D Simo Mini pen is completely Czech (not China).

This is the first and only 3D multi-tool pen that combines the functions of a 3D pen, soldering iron, wood, leather and plastic burner and foam cutter. Develops creative abilities. Allows you to create 3D drawings of a new level of detail and quality. Provides hands-on experience with tools.

• 3D pen with the ability to print in a variety of materials;
• Compact soldering iron;
• Burner: you can make drawings on wood and leather;
• Foam cutter.

Separately, I will highlight synchronization with a smartphone via Bluetooth and an application with a huge number of settings for operating modes.

Pen 3D Simo Mini works from any power source with a USB port: chargers for smartphones, external batteries, car cigarette lighter chargers and so on.

The Simo Mini 3D pen allows you to create 3D drawings of a new level of detail and quality, allowing you to process the resulting 3D drawing with additional attachments. It develops children’s skills and creativity, and keeps them interested in DIY crafts.

Appearance of the pen: it is a flat, elongated white plastic pen with a nozzle on the end. There are two buttons on the top side.

Sold in an interesting and bright package

The box contains a detailed description of the characteristics and capabilities of the 3D pen.

And on the back, you can first get acquainted with the capabilities of the multi-tool pen.

Once again, I emphasize the uniqueness of this 3D pen: this is a startup from Kickstarter and production is located in the Czech Republic. The sticker on the box confirms this (!).

The packaging is thoughtful, everything is in its place.

There are two instructions in the kit: in Russian and in English. The instructions are quite detailed, there is a description of the kit, use, maintenance, etc.

Appearance of the 3D pen

Further, the package contains the second and third layers of the kit.

The photo shows additional nozzles, nichrome wire, USB cable, USB power supply.

At the very bottom are three coils of plastic (ABS/PLA/ABSchange).

In general, the pen is omnivorous. The list of supported types of plastic is quite large.

The handle uses plastic with a diameter of 1.75 mm

The 3D Simo Mini comes with a fairly good USB power cable (1.2m) and a branded USB power supply (5V/2.4A).

In an additional set: a wire with a large margin for foam cutting, as well as an additional nozzle for the burner.

After a cursory review of the instructions, I recommend downloading the 3D Simo APP and connecting to the pen. At the same time, you can adjust the operating modes «for yourself» — for a specific plastic.

Application screenshots. The last two show the plastic setting for 3D drawing, as well as the profile and temperature of the soldering iron.

A few words about the 3D Simo Mini pen itself.

The length of the handle with a nozzle for 3D plastic is about 180 mm.

But due to the flat shape, the 3D Simo Mini will be more comfortable to use than the common Myriwell pens.

In the hand lies comfortably, even a child can use the pen without much difficulty.
(Do not leave children with a pen unattended. The nozzles are very hot!).

On the top side there are two buttons (feed-return), just under the finger.

Also on the case there is an additional connector for an adapter to microUSB — four pins and magnets at the edges. Such an adapter allows you to bring microUSB to the rear end of the handle, and is used additionally if, for some reason, it is inconvenient to use the side one.

The most important connector

MicroUSB to power the handle. Requires 5V, at least 2.4A (preferably with a margin).

The weight of the pen is about 70 grams. This is a very, very light pen. Light weight is convenient for children and also does not hinder creativity.

The handle without a nozzle weighs even less, about 60 grams.

All nozzles are removable, on a plastic slide and with a 6-pin connector.

Nozzles are small and light: for 3D drawing, for burning and soldering, for cutting foam materials.

For example, the 3D drawing nozzle weighs only 10 grams and is a complete effector with nozzle, heater, thermistor and heat sink.

On the body of the pen there is a mating part of a plastic slide and connector contacts (control / nozzle type, thermistor, heating element). The contacts are spring loaded.

On the nozzles, respectively, there are contact pads.

And in the upper part there is only a small hole for loading a plastic thread (filament), with a diameter of 1.75 mm. There is also an indication. Bluetooth and heat indication LEDs shine through the case.

Installing the 3D drawing nozzle.

The fitting is well thought out. There is a thermal barrier radiator, burn protection.

The nozzle is similar to the nozzles from 3D printers. And the whole effector looks like a compact hotend from a 3D printer.

We connect the power and check the handle. It is extremely convenient to use the pen from an external battery — there are no restrictions on movement at all (put it in your pocket and draw on).

That’s just an external battery should give out more than 2A per port.

The Heating indicator lights up on the handle — heating is in progress. A nozzle for 3D drawing is installed, according to the selected mode, heating is underway for the melting temperature of ABS plastic.

Consumption in this mode is about 2A.

Indication on the top of the handle. The mode information is duplicated. (Heat icon).

You can connect to 3D Simo Mini and adjust the temperature for a specific type of plastic.

By default, it is enabled in ABS mode. With two keys on the case, you can change the type of plastic to the required one.

For example, on PLA or PETG (Watson), etc. The photo shows PETG (Watson) indication.

We are waiting for the handle to warm up and fill the plastic (we insert it into the hole at the top and press the feed button).

At times, the current reaches values ​​u200bu200bof more than 2A.

I used PLA plastic. The mode must be selected appropriate.

By the way, I managed to take a picture and indicate the operation of the Bluetooth connection (blue BT icon)

We push the plastic to the extruder, wait a few seconds until it runs to the nozzle.

You can try in action!

It turns out pretty good. Customizable modes of operation allow you to use any plastic, and not just the one for which 3D pens are usually “sharpened”.

After painting, the nozzle can be cleaned, although it does not get very dirty.

Next up is the soldering iron.

Like the previous one, the nozzle weighs only 10 grams.

We install on the handle, until it clicks.

The appearance of the 3D Simo Mini pen with a soldering iron nozzle.

Turn on the power, select the temperature (in the photo 275 ° C).

Consumption from 5V is about 1A.

Soldering is quite convenient, the tip is thin.

It must be understood that a thin tip and low power are suitable for a limited range of soldering and assembly work.

Next, you can try the nozzle for burning.

This is a flat spatula. Suitable for wood and leather burning.

We install on the handle.

Handle length becomes almost 210 mm

It’s still comfortable to use though.

Consumption goes only when you press the feed button.

And it is within 1 … 1.5A

In early childhood, I also had a burner, but much larger overall.

And using 3D Simo Mini is convenient!

The nozzle spatula is narrow, sharp, allows you to perform hatching, straight lines and burning out with dots.

If more detailed drawing is required, then you can install a spare needle nozzle or burn it with a soldering iron tip in the burner mode (the temperature is higher, about 400 ° C).

The appearance of the nozzle-needle from the kit.

For comparison, I disassembled the nozzle for the soldering iron. Notice the thin tip.

With practice and a certain skill it turns out well.

Well, the last nozzle is a foam cutter.

It is a “sickle” holder, on both ends of which a nichrome wire is pulled.

This is the largest and overall nozzle for 3D Simo Mini.

The appearance of the handle with the foam cutter installed

The foam cutter comes without a stretched wire. You need to pull yourself. The wire is included, with a large margin.

We make a loop of wire, throw it on one end. Slightly squeeze the «sickle», bringing the ends to each other. We wrap the second end with wire, fix it, release the ends. The wire should stretch like a string.

Turn on, check.

Heating goes on at the moment you press the feed button. Heating is almost instantaneous. The current consumption is less than 1A.

We will use a small piece of styrofoam. Let’s draw a small sketch for the test.

We press the feed button, the wire heats up and can be cut with a foam cutter like a blade. It goes through the foam like a hot knife through butter. When working, there is a slight smell from the foam, so you need to work in a ventilated area.

In just a couple of seconds, we get a cut out figure.

The cut edges are even and smooth, the rest depends on the skill and hardness of the hand.

I tried it on another figurine. By the way, the complexity of the figures can be almost any.

In conclusion, I will tell you a small way to draw exactly 3D figures in the air. This is usually left out of the tutorial videos. If you’re painting with PLA, install a small fan to help cool the extruded plastic faster.

With neat and quick movements, you can create 3D figures immediately in volume.

Naturally, as in other cases, skill and experience are also required here. Try it and you will surely succeed.

Well, for beginners, it is better to start with simple templates.

Stencils for a 3D pen are not a problem to find, but you can also just draw them by hand.

The simplest butterfly: draw two identical wings, a carcass.

We glue it with the same 3D pen.

It turns out a simple and original figure.

If you add other colors of plastic, it will be even more interesting!

A simple doll chair template.

We also glue all the parts and get a small figure.

A small and interesting video about the 3D Simo Mini pen.

Soldering 3D Simo Mini

Burning 3D Simo Mini (with a nozzle for a soldering iron).

Styrofoam cutting 3D Simo Mini

The 3D Simo Mini pen is really unusual. Several tools assembled in 3D Simo Mini turn it into an innovative harvester for bringing creative ideas to life. With the help of 3D Simo Mini, you can not only create crafts, but also implement your ideas, refine them with multi-tools.

3D Simo Mini is a unique and interesting gift for a creative person. And doubly convenient — for the child.

You can buy 3D Simo Mini with a 10% bonus using a promo code 3dsimo1.

Thank you for your attention!