A 3D plastic printing machine has been created by Pham Xuan Phuong, Cao Dang Khoa and Truong Minh Vu, all from the Engineering Faculty of the University of Technology in Da Nang. 

The idea to build the printer came from the popularity of 3D printing technology worldwide, but the technology remains uncommon in Viet Nam because 3D printing machines are very expensive.

In order to make a low-cost 3D printing machine, the 3 local students bought the majority of its components second hand to save cost.  Their machine was completed after 3 months of research and it can make products with complex details, shapes and textures.

Dang Khoa and the 3D plastic printing machine

With their printing machine, the local students won first prizes in science research contests at faculty and university levels.  The printer received high appreciation for its creativeness and high applicability from the Science Council from the University and the municipal Department of Science and Technology. 

Dang Khoa proudly said that his group’s printing machine only cost about 4 million VND whilst the same type of printer is on sale on the domestic market at between 15 and 22 million VND.

Products from the low-cost 3D printer

He added that he and his friends would, in future, install more print head nozzles in the printer to save printing time and offer a wide range of colours.  In addition, they are planning to adapt their product to be able to print on such materials as metal and cement.