3D Printing is one of the hottest technologies still in development. And now 3D Systems is claiming they have the world’s first continuous-tone full color plastic printer called the ProJet 4500. The full color 3D printer will semi-rigid full-color parts complete with gradient transitions between the various tones. The 4500 looks like it uses the laser-sintering approach to 3D printing, where a laser is used to harden a powder-like material layer by layer—instead of the more popular extrusion technique used by cheaper printers hitting the market recently.
Some color 3D Printers do offer multiple color options however, they can only print with one color at a time, and the tinted raw materials can’t be mixed to produce other or even in-between tones. The ProJet emphasizes the ‘rapid’ side of rapid-prototyping since parts and mockups won’t have to be painted before being approved for final production.
Currently there is no specific pricing or availability for the ProJect 4500.
