You could say that Micronic’s Kickstarter project is a smashing success, at least for the two young engineers who dreamed of building a next-generation 3D printer out of their college apartment. Their Kickstarter backers have a different opinion.
Henry Chan and Luke Boppart, both 2023 graduates of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, launched a Kickstarter in June to create an affordable Selective Laser Sintering 3D printer, dubbed the Micron. SLS uses a laser to melt thin layers of finely powdered material to form a 3D print. This method doesn’t need support and can use stronger materials like nylon or aluminum. Until now, SLS required industrial-grade machines that cost tens of thousands of dollars.
