World’s Smallest 3-D Printer

 Researchers at the Vienna University of Technology have developed what they claim is the world’s smallest 3-D printer. The new printer, which costs about $1,700, is smaller, cheaper and lighter than any previously made. It is the size of a milk carton and weighs 1.5 kgs. Reserachers say the new printer will provide rapid fabrication in smaller size and lower price needed by the home consumer.

“We will continue to reduce the size of the printer, and the price will definitely decrease too, if it is produced in large quantities,” said Klaus Stillmann, one of its creators.

According to the researchers, the objects are printed with a special type of resin that is light-sensitive, hardening when it is hit by a beam of intense light. Intricate designs can be built up layer by layer. This process is called additive manufacturing technology.

"As the desired parts of a layer harden, the remaining resin is irradiated and a new layer can be added. These layers are just a 20th of a millimetre thick and are printed with such precision that the machine could be used for manufacturing detailed objects such as hearing aid parts," explains Register in a report.