[robust-cactus]

The size of the printing mechanism is an innovation for sure, but I think after you add up all the other components to make a functioning printer you end up at nearly the same size: a resin vat, space to print, various leveling mechanisms, filters, UV light shield etc - the form factor doesn't really change all that much.

[jvanderbot]

If you think 3D printing is always going to be on a flat bed of the same size using the same amounts of material, then yeah, minimizing the printing mechanism sure seems like a non-necessary improvement. But that's not the intended use case anyway. It can only print small things. Maybe it can add tiny details or structures to large prints though

[araes]

> Maybe it can add tiny details or structures to large prints though

Combine it with their rather enthusiastic article on printing your own children

https://www.tomshardware.com/3d-printing/elegoo-making-3d-pr...

> Just imagine printing a piece of furniture, a near life-size statue, ...

"Such a lifelike figurine, with real plastic spaceship accessory"

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zPi4gpbczzvoGR34Rds7D8-120...

If the Galaxy Quest aliens happen to glance this way lately...

[robust-cactus]

Hmmmm interesting. I can see a use case for like a drone or small robot to have one of these attached to add details all over the place. Ok you've convinced me it's cool lol

[dgacmu]

Imagine the equivalent of endoscopy: being able to insert a small tube inside of an object and print structures larger than the tube inside of them.

Obviously, that requires a lot more than just this, but it's intriguing to think about being able to perform internal repairs of nearly-sealed objects.

Or print a kitten inside a bottle, for those old enough to catch the bonsai kitten reference. ;)