TinyMaker, the Open-Source Resin 3D Printer That Fits in the Palm of Your Hand

While the current trend is towards large-format 3D printers, some players seem to want to stand out from the crowd and offer just the opposite. Such is the case with TinyMaker, the brand behind one of the smallest resin 3D printers on the market. It fits in the palm of your hand and can be carried anywhere, with the aim of bringing the benefits of 3D printing to as many people as possible. The only question is what this little machine will really be used for, and whether the manufacturer’s promises on crowdfunding platforms will be kept. The TinyMaker is said to be available for around 110 euros, with deliveries scheduled to start in February. So far, it seems that the manufacturer has fallen behind schedule. So is this little resin 3D printer a real innovation, or just a passing trend to be wary of?

This isn’t the first time we’ve presented you with a 3D printer of surprising size: remember the Pluto or the My N Mi project, a machine no bigger than a match. Naturally, this type of solution comes as a surprise, as the market is used to seeing machines that focus on larger print volumes, high speeds and proven repeatability. In the case of TinyMaker, it’s all about making 3D printing even more accessible and being able to start printing wherever you are. It took two years of development and several prototypes to find the right design and functionality.

The TinyMaker 3D printer uses resin

Taking a Closer Look at the TinyMaker

The 3D printer is very compact, measuring 100 x 115 x 155 mm and weighing 600 grams. It consumes very little power, and users can connect it to an external battery for operation. The printing plate is limited in size to 30.6 x 40.8 x 60 mm, with a layer thickness of between 0.05 and 0.1 mm. Note that the little resin 3D printer is open-source and could therefore benefit from modifications made by the user community. Finally, in terms of technology, the TinyMaker uses MSLA (Masked Stereo-Lithography Apparatuses) technology and therefore uses an LCD screen to mask the UV light source.