Get amazing details and smooth finishes with a class-leading 70 micron laser spot size. Perfect for jewelers, artists, dentists, makers
Laser SLA 3D printing produces high-resolution results with smooth finishes that you cannot get from FDM printers. SLA printing used to be very expensive, and a quality desktop SLA printer can still easily cost over $3000 USD nowadays. We want to make SLA printing more accessible so that makers and creators can get the high-resolution benefits they desire without the hefty price tag.
Details!
The first thing you will notice about Laser SLA printing is the incredible detail it can render. Jewelers and dentists have used this kind of printing for years to make beautiful and intricate objects, and now you can access this technology at home for an affordable cost. Check out this beautiful print from Moai which would be impossible to recreate on a regular FDM printer:
Let’s compare the results between Moai and a standard FDM 3D Printer. The difference speaks for itself:
Even when printing at the same layer height resolution, Moai’s results are much cleaner:
Wax and Cast!
Moai can also print wax resin and use it to create jewelry via investment casting. The ability to produce intricate structures with smooth finishes that saves time and opens new possibilities for designers and craftsmen.
Laser!
Moai can print with precision and speed thanks to its UV laser and galvanometers (galvo). The 150 mW Moai laser delivers more than enough energy to cure light-sensitive resins and has a spot size of just 70 microns. Let’s compare the size difference to a typical 400 micron FDM printer’s nozzle head.
The way Moai works is that it quickly moves the focused laser spot on the resin and solidify it to form a shape:
After a layer is finished, it raises the build platform slightly and cures the next layer. Here is a time-lapsed video of what Moai printing looks like:
Galvo
While Moai’s laser delivers the energy for curing, its galvanometers (galvo) guide the laser beam to make precise movements. You can think of galvo like a rapid moving tiny mirror that reflects light. Using 2 galvos, Moai is able to draw any shape on a two-dimensional plane, and that is how it frames the shape of each design.
Full Laser Control
One thing that makes Moai different than other laser SLA printers on the market is that you have complete control of its settings. Users can adjust the power level, exposure, and movement to get the best results based on the precise resin being used and application of the finished product. You control exactly how you want things to be printed!
Moai Resin
A laser SLA printer is only as good as the resin it uses. To make sure Moai users get great print quality at an affordable price, we have developed a new line of resin specifically for Moai. This resin is designed only for our laser SLA printer and has a higher polymer content than typical UV resins for DLP, leading to better mechanical properties. We will initially launch a multi-purpose resin for general us and we will add more resin options later on. For the kit, we will include 1kg of the Moai resin.
Resin Compatibility
Moai is compatible with many UV resins already available on the market. With full laser exposure control, you can adjust Moai to get the best results for each type of resin. You can use Moai with a special dental resin you have always used, or with a wax resin that you want to try. You are free to choose what resin to print and how you want to print it; you have complete control. If you are an aspiring chemist or bio-engineer, Moai is a perfect tool for research and for developing new resins.
G-code goodies
Another cool Moai feature is its acceptance of standard G-code input via SD card. While this is common for desktop FDM printers, Moai is the first SLA printer to do this. You no longer have to connect your computer to print and you can use some of the most beloved open-source software.
Not only this is a much more convenient way to print, it gives the user the freedom to choose their software and modify the G-code as needed. We hope this transparency will stimulate open source development for slicers and support generating more laser SLA printers.
My preferred workflow is generating support via Autodesk Meshmixer and slicing using Cura by Ultimaker.
*Above is a design by Heon Jung Kim from Korea.
Easy to assemble
We want to make Moai easy to put together so that you don’t have to be an engineer to build it. That is why Moai has no extra mirrors to install and plenty of room for your hands to move around and assemble the parts. The build time is about 4 hours and testers have described it as very easy to assemble. To make sure we got it right, we took Moai prototypes to several user events to get actual user feedbacks:
Customization and Upgrades
Makers and creaters are all about customization. We plan to share details about some of the Moai’s structural details so that, as you use it, in the future, you could customize it. There will also be new parts in the future so you can easily upgrade by swapping older parts for new ones.
Why are we doing this?
Laser 3D printing technology has been a great prototyping tool for major corporations, jewelers, and dentists for many years. Many other people have not gotten to use it, however, because of the associated costs. By creating an affordable laser 3D printer that gives professional results, we hope that more people can use laser 3D printing for work and for play. By opening up laser control and using standard Gcode, we believe it will empower users to create and experiment in new ways. It is our hope that Moai will stimulate the development of new resins and algorithms in the open source community that can benefit everyone.
The development of Moai is inspired by the maker movement and would not be possible without the maker community. We have shown Moai to Maker Place in San Diego, CA, 23B Labs in Fullerton, CA and Hackaday @ Supplyframe in Pasadena, CA in order to get as much feedback as we can from our user base. The event in San Diego was a build event where we put together a Moai from parts in just 4 hours.
We are also building an online community so that users can exchange printing tips and customization ideas.
Why we believe we can pull this project off
We brought Moai to local makers because we want to show that we are serious about making this project a success. We also built several working prototypes and sent them to well-known makers around the world to prove Moai is real and that it works. Last but not least, both founders have experience building and delivering hardware products. We believe we can do this.
Team members:
Shu Peng – Math geek, programmer, hardware developer by day. HAX accelerator alumni. Started 3D printing as a hobby from work five years ago and never looked back.
Richard Li – Mechanical Engineer. Ten years of experience developing medical and industrial equipment.
Why we need you
Moai has gone through two major revisions, and the prototypes are being tested by well-known makers since January. We are now ready to finalize the development and take it to production. The delivery schedule is tight so we will order the parts right as soon as we received the money from the campaign. We need a decent sized order to source the parts at cost-effective prices and take Moai to full production. By working as a community, we can launch this. We will keep you updated with timely information as production progresses.
Special Thanks:
23b Shop, Fullerton, CA
Maker Place, San Diego, CA
Supply Frame Design Lab, Pasadena, CA
HAX Accelerator
OpenSLA community
and prior 3D printer projects on Kickstarter that paved the way.
About shipping:
Currently, we are only shipping to selected countries. We plan to use FedEx, and DHL to ensure speedy delivery to countries and will send tracking numbers once shipped. Due to different custom and duty in different countries, we will do our best to comply and may need your help regarding your country. We will not be responsible for any potential duty or tax due to local custom rules.
Trademarks and Copyrights:
Trademarks and Copyrights mentioned below to respective owners. We do not claim ownership or legal rights for Meshmixer, Cura, 3D Designs shown above or anything that we may have missed here.
Several prototypes have been developed to test the technology and the build. We are confident we can create a working product, but as with any hardware product, supply chain and production can have unexpected surprises. Both founders are experienced with hardware development and manufacturing, thus lowering the risk for our backers. Shipping can be also delayed due to weather, local events or other factors. We pledge to update our supporters regularly to keep them informed of the latest situations as they develop.