Sometimes, makers just need to take things up another level. Typically, 3D design and creation are fun and fruitful experiences for students of all ages, but those who've mastered some of the basics tend to crave a new challenge. And, that's perfectly fine since, as we'll learn throughout the newest Eduporium Experiment, the 3Doodler PRO+ 3D printing pen provides that extra burst of excitement. Designed for inventors with some 3D design experience, the PRO+ empowers them to take their designs to the next level. Besides that, it offers a truly professional-grade experience—one students won't find with any other 3D printing pen.
So, what makes the 3Doodler PRO+ such a noteworthy MakerEd tool? It starts with some of the improvements and features that aren't found in the other 3Doodler 3D printing pens. For starters, the PRO+ includes customizable temperature and speed settings. Students can take complete control of their projects from start to finish and apply the professional-grade technology to their designs. From designing concepts to completing prototypes, the 3Doodler PRO+ helps them perfect 3D formations each time they use it.
Aside from its enhanced controls, the PRO+ differentiates itself with the filament options it offers. Most of the time, students are limited in the filament types they can use with even the most popular 3D printers for education as well as the other 3Doodler pens. The PRO+, however, is compatible with many different types of materials beyond traditional 3D printing filaments, like ABS and PLA. In fact, it features the widest range of compatible materials on the market! They include everything from wood and metal to nylon, bronze, and copper, providing for a truly unique 3D printing experience.
Each 3Doodler PRO+ set comes with all of these filaments. Each kit includes six different filament types with 150 filament strands in total. As we mentioned, the PRO+ kits come with nylon, wood, and metal filaments and they also include Black ABS, White PLA, and Black FLEXY (25 strands of each). Besides the pen itself, each kit also comes with a 3Doodler Nozzle Set with six nozzles, a smoothing tool, an unblocking tool, an instructional manual, and a power adaptor set. So, whether students are constructing simple projects or taking on something bigger, the PRO+ and its accessories can certainly help! Also, the six nozzles are each a different shape, giving students the freedom to switch things up as often as they'd like.
When it comes to choosing a filament for printing, each option provides guaranteed speed, safety, and efficiency. Despite being much less traditional than ABS and PLA filaments, the wood, metal, and nylon options are very effective. Whichever material students are using, however, the 3Doodler PRO+ provides optimal output. These efficiency features are one specific upgrade when moving from the 3Doodler Create+ to the PRO+ and they provide students with new and unique opportunities for 3D printing.
Since it's designed to be powerful enough for seasoned architects and engineers, the PRO+ provides students with the same efficiency. Not only can they use it to design and test models in a makerspace, students can leverage the 3Doodler PRO+ pen to illustrate new design concepts, communicate creative ideas, and bring abstract ideas to fruition in three dimensions. It also features a built-in dual-drive system that provides students with greater control of their designs. Additional benefits include increased precision and accuracy in the final products.
Since it's outfitted with more power and precision, students can complete their designs much quicker as well. As for its surface, the 3Doodler PRO+ features a sleek and ergonomic shape that's ideal for versatile STEAM projects. It's built to rest comfortably in the hands of students and makers, allowing for increased productivity and mobility. Further, students can control speed and temperature with tactile buttons and a digital panel no matter which filament they're using. They can also scroll through the filament options using the arrow buttons and select their preference from the on-screen options. And, speaking of those filaments, the six packs that are included provide students with 125 feet worth of filaments. As these filaments expand through the extrusion process, they get over 1,500 feet worth of materials!
You can find the different filament options on our store and at the bottom of this post. While it is possible to use the DoodlePad with the 3Doodler PRO+, it's only compatible with some of the filaments and can lead to some damage to the pad. The DoodlePad is not intended to be used with the FLEXY or metal filaments and wood can only be used on the backside of the DoodlePad. This DoodlePad compatibility it does have, however, is another example of the versatility the 3Doodler PRO+ provides in STEM education.
When it comes to controlling the PRO+, as we mentioned, it's easy for students to identify and utilize the various buttons and components. Since the PRO+ needs to be connected to power while in use, students should start by identifying where the power adaptor connects. There is a small port on the back end of the pen, where they can plug the cord in. There are also five buttons in total on the 3Doodler PRO+'s front side. In the image below, each is identified to help students locate them when they're getting started. Going in order, they are the feed button (1), reverse button (2), menu/enter button (3), menu navigation buttons (up is No. 4 and down is No. 5), and the on/off switch is located off to the side.
The great thing about the PRO+ is that students can control so many of its functions using the navigation arrow buttons. This allows them to select the filament type they're using, set the pen's print speed, and control its temperature. After choosing a filament, speed, or temperature, students would then need to click the menu/enter button to confirm that selection. Also, students should pay close attention to the indicator light on the pen (No. 6). When it's red, this means the pen is heating up or no setting has been selected. If blue, this means the pen is feeding on a pre-set temperature mode and, if green, it means the pen is in custom mode. If it's flashing blue, that means it's reversing in a pre-set temperature mode and, if it's green, that means it's reversing in custom mode.
The LCD screen displays both the current temperature of the pen and the filament selected. In custom mode, students can set their own temperature and speed. As for the filaments, they can refer to the screen at any time to see which one is selected. It will display an abbreviation for the corresponding filament. For example, wood will display as 'OOD,' bronze displays as 'BRO,' copper displays as 'COP,' ABS displays as 'AbS,' PLA displays as 'PLA,' nylon displays as 'NYL,' and FELXY displays as 'FLE.' Once they choose their filament type, students can start loading in the strands through the back of the pen.
To insert filaments in the 3Doodler PRO+, be sure the power is on and that the indicator light is blue. Then, slide the filament strand through the feed port and click the feed button once. You should hear the drive gear start and then you can gently push the filament into the feed port. Wait a few seconds and the filament should then begin to extrude through the nozzle. Finally, pressing the feed button once more will pause extrusion. To doodle in 3D, students can simply use the 3Doodler PRO+ like a pencil. By mimicking a writing motion, they should be able to create the 3D shape they need—starting with a 2D design on their doodling surface and then lifting their hand off the surface to add that third dimension of height!
There certainly are a whole lot of possibilities when it comes to creating STEAM projects with the 3Doodler PRO+ 3D printing pen. It's definitely ideal for students with some 3D printing, engineering, and design experience under their belt. To learn more about the PRO+ and its variety of filament options, click below to visit our store. You can explore our 3D printing section to find the rest of our 3Doodler offerings. If you have questions about the PRO+ or any other 3Doodler pens, please don't hesitate to contact us. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more!
