Ink Based 3D Printer

Slow printhead, simple machine. What we see here is my 3D printer putting down and printing one layer in powder. The first phase show the powder distribution process which works by driving just the right amount of powder in front of a aluminum tube roller. The roller rolls against the motion direction, keeping the powder lose. The depositing process is filling the space nicely and evenly. The second part shows how ink is deposited using an outdated HP inkjet head. This head is currently the only documented head that comes with a carriage. The next printer will have a much better head. A lot of binder has to be spayed onto the powder. I achieve that by moving the printhead very slowly (many drops per inch), and by overlapping the deposit. The overlap also greatly reduces banding. Shining through the powder, you can see the layers below. The geometry is a little monkey head. It's currently printing the chin.