3D printing pens are often marketed as toys, but these amazing tools actually have much more potential. In the hands of an artist or dedicated hobbyist, 3D printing pens can be used to make amazing creations. And just like any tool, a 3D pen's quality makes all the difference in your results and user experience. Today's AIO Robotics Full-Metal Premium 3D Printing Pen Review looks at a pen that promises to be a precision instrument as opposed to a kid's toy, but does it live up to expectations? Keep reading to find out.
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Design
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Value
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User Experience
AIO Robotics Full-Metal Premium 3D Printing Pen Review Basics
Refreshingly, the AIO Robotics 3D Printing Pen feels like a premium product right out of the box. It makes an attractive gift, too, appearing much like an expensive fountain pen in the box. With a metal exterior and well-balanced, substantial weight, this 3D pen gives a great first impression.
Print with PLA filament and enjoy single-degree temperature control so you can find the optimum settings for any type or brand of filament. Extrusion speed is similarly controllable in 5 increments. All settings are easy to set and read thanks to a bright OLED display that reads well even in bright environments.
Quickly setting itself apart from the competition with its slim, sleek design and robust construction, the AIO Robotics 3D Printing Pen is off to a good start.
AIO Robotics Full-Metal Premium 3D Printing Pen Review Pros
User Control
Other, frankly lesser, 3D printing pens only offer users limited control over extrusion speed and temperature. That’s okay for basic designs, but for precision results you need the likes of the AIO Robotics 3D Printing Pen with single-degree temperature accuracy and 5-step speed control.
This is important because even though this 3D pen only uses PLA, all PLA is different. Glow-in-the-dark green PLA has a slightly different optimal extruding temperature than plain black PLA, for example. Differences exist between filament brands, too, so this 3D pen’s level of control is invaluable.
Metal Construction
The vast majority of 3D printing pens on the market today are made out of cheap plastic. Plastic casings aren’t very durable and usually belie cheap construction throughout the pen. In contrast, the AIO Robotics 3D Printing Pen uses a solid metal casing with an reassuring weight to it that inspires confidence about the rest of the pen’s construction.
Quiet Operation
Like cheap plastic casings, other 3D pen manufacturers skimp on the pen’s motor. Cheap motors are both loud and prone to failure. Thankfully, the AIO Robotics 3D Printing Pen’s high-quality motor is not just dependable but also incredibly quiet. Use this 3D printing pen comfortably for hours without needing to wear headphones.
AIO Robotics Full-Metal Premium 3D Printing Pen Review Cons
PLA only
This would be the perfect 3D printing pen if not for its dependence on PLA filament. It may not surprise you to learn that AIO Robotics makes most of its money selling filament, and their wide selection of PLA is highly recommended for use with this pen. Unfortunately, this restriction may be a deal breaker for those with their hearts set on printing with ABS. This frustrating limitation is made more so because the ability to print in ABS is extremely common in 3D pens.
AIO Robotics Full-Metal Premium 3D Printing Pen Review Verdict
Adults shouldn’t be forced to use cheap toys to explore 3D printing, and the AIO Robotics 3D Printing Pen offers an elegant solution. Offering the superior construction, advanced control, and honest customer support that other 3D printing pens lack, the AIO Robotics 3D Printing Pen represents a safe bet for discerning customers. That is, so long as you don’t want or need to print in ABS. As frustrating as this 3D pen’s filament restriction is, the AIO Robotics 3D Printing Pen still earns top marks.
