New Matter

By Bayle Emlein

Bucking the trend of screen-time sprawl, the MOD-t 3D printer from New Matter is all about designing and building projects. For under $300 you can enter the world of 3D printing. Another $200 adds enough PLA plastic for the MOD-t printer to keep the kids occupied until after sunset on Present-Opening-Day, whether you use December 24, December 25, January 6, or a year-end birthday.

The original MOD-t (carefully avoiding look-and-feel infringements on a leading-edge development in another industry) has been out for over three years. The 2nd generation is on Kickstarter. We know that can be a good place to find a bargain and still stay on the (b)leading edge. The main improvement is a 30% improvement in printing speed. One of the barriers to 3D printing becoming a useful technology tool has been its glacially slow output.

The MOD-t is eco-friendly, using PLA material available in a variety of colors. PLA plastic is regarded as safe for use in food containers and for microwave cooking. The MOD-t has a clear plastic cover that contains the printer, the product, and the user; it also reduces printer noise. The printer is Wi-Fi enabled: the designer can select, customize, and print wirelessly from a device. The design, pricing, and ease of use make the MOD-t a fit for both home and school use. Look for it to show up on GoFundMe pages, if it hasn’t already. In addition to teaching tech skills, it promotes teamwork and project-based learning.