The printer employs a photopolymer that uses visible light emitted from a smartphone to cure the resin instead of the traditional method of using ultraviolet (UV) light or lasers.
The 3D printer was built in the lab of Jeng Ywam-Jeng, professor of mechanical engineering at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology.
The machine starts by placing a coated vat of the speciality resin on top of a smartphone, which cures the resin onto a metal print-bed as the photopolymer material is released.
"We've tried to 3D-print a hollow ball and achieved layer thicknesses of about 100 microns. And there's no need to enclose the printer in a dark box; just to shut the lights off in part of a room," said Jeng.
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An early version of the technology required the use of a computer to control the printer motor as it builds. Now, the team has developed a smartphone app that synchronises the smartphone screen with the motor.
Jeng hopes to add a scanning feature in the future that would allow users to scan a 3D object by inserting the phone into the 3D printer and printing up the model with minimal effort.
He expects to debut the printer for around USD 100 plus the cost of the smartphone when the technology is ready for commercial market.