CES 2014: Polymer Extruding 3Doodler 3D Printing Pen (video)

aNewDomain.net — At CES 2014, our Alfred Poor checked out the 3Doodler 3D Printing Pen. Demoing at ShowStoppers, the device was that rare, true first: A 3D printing pen that extrudes polymer to let you create actual 3D plastic structures, crafts and what not. And you do it on the fly. See Alfred Poor’s CES 2014 video on 3Doodler, below.

3D printing is all the rage. That’s hardly a news flash. But printing with plastic (or other materials) requires a complex machine that follows a programmed design. Where is the spontaneity? Where is the equivalent of the hand-drawn sketch? A company called Wobbleworks has come to the rescue of creative spirits trapped by two-dimensional drawing on paper.

The 3Doodler 3D printing pen is one of those unexpected finds journalists love to stumble upon at such shows as CES. Just plug it in and draw or trace plastic crafts, templates and other 3D designs. Draw in the air, if you like, or trace your design. Results are rapid. The 3Doodler 3D printing pen will cost $100 and come with 50 multicolored plastic strands when it ships this spring. The best part: The 3Doodler pen, execs at Wobbleworks told me, came about by accident. Check out my video below to find out about the extruding polymer accident — and how and why 3Doodler works. Wild!

Video: Alfred Poor for aNewDomain/producer Justin Webb for aNewDomainTV

Based in bucolic Bucks County PA, Alfred Poor is a senior technologist here at aNewDomain.net. A 30-year tech journalism vet, he’s internationally renowned for his coverage of displays. He is easily distracted by shiny, sparkly gadgets and that’s why he is covering consumer tech for us, too. Contact Alfred at Alfred@aNewDomain.net, follow him @AlfredPoor and find the +Alfred Poor Google+ stream here. Alfred also is a professional speaker, a bluegrass musician and a sailor. Check out his LinkedIn profile for more.