Relatively cheap 3d printer hits the scene and the results look pretty good. The iModela by Roland is an interesting little machine, it cuts, bevels and shapes your 3d models and with a little finesse you have a perfect looking new custom toy. For a price tag of $977 its probably the most affordable 3d printer I've seen. The main drawbacks are, it seems pretty tiny so no custom 8" figures but it looks to manage 3" or so with relative ease. The other issue is it seems you have to work your model in halves and then glue together so their is always the risk of a seam. From the video it looks like this can be dealt with fairly well with proper sanding and paint. The video explains how to use the thing but its all in Japanese and has a weird telephone ringing sound track so youve been warned. (wtf japan) The printer uses a mix of plastic, wax, balsa wood, and foam which is a weird combo but it seems to work out. So definitely worth checking into if your a 3d artist looking to make some of your own toys or your a designer looking for a cheap way to print some small runs of your designs.

via KOIKOIKOI

Devin "Spicy Donut" Lawson