The Raspberry Pi CPU powers every aspect of the 3D print device

An engineering student claims to have built the first 3D printer entirely controlled by a Raspberry Pi computer.

Owen Jeffreys is using the Pi as both CPU for the printer and a media player for its connected display. The home-made device consumes little power while driving the machine's motors, heaters and temperature sensors, as well as its screen, which shows key job information.

The as-yet-unnamed 3D printer is currently slower than a consumer-use Makerbot and takes 25 hours on average to print a 60mm-high chess piece, but Jeffreys believes that this can be improved. According to him, the choice of motor and gearing currently limits the speed of the print engine.

"The project is not entirely complete – there is still room for improvement," he states. "One which is underway is to modify the interface board […] from a hand-etched, double-sided PCB to a compact 'shield' which will stack neatly on top of any Pi, while faster print speeds and a twin print-head are also being considered."