3D Beta Sand Printer

Summary:

The 3D Beta sand printer from Tinker Omega (now Sinto) is a prototype developed in the United States with the goal of creating a domestically produced printer. It was designed to be competitive with the limited number of similar systems currently available on the market. The printer can produce a single layer in 15 seconds and is capable of completing a full build box in under 24 hours. The print volume is 1m x 1m x 1m, and it primarily uses silica-based sand at 80 GFN, though other aggregates have been successfully tested. The printing software was developed in-house by Sinto, who has been actively updating the software throughout the prototyping process.
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Concerns:

As a prototype, the machine has a few quirks:
• Printhead Issues: Early versions experienced frequent failures due to problems with the adhesive used in the printheads. This issue has been addressed in more recent iterations by switching to a more reliable adhesive.
• Software Glitches: A bug in the slicing software occasionally caused the computer to freeze during a print, halting the job mid-process. This was mostly resolved through a software update. Since the fix, the issue has only occurred once over a span of 1.5 years and was resolved with a simple computer reboot.
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Location:

The printer is located on the first floor of TechWorks in Waterloo:
360 Westfield Ave, Waterloo, Iowa 50701
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Removal Instructions:

As this is a one-of-a-kind prototype, relocation requires Sinto's involvement. Sinto has confirmed they are willing to handle the removal and re-installation, despite the original development being under Tinker Omega. (Note: I spoke with them at a recent conference to confirm this, though no quote or formal agreement has been requested yet.)