Kudo3d
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | 3D printing |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Founder | Tedd Syao, Jonathan Cheung |
| Headquarters | Dublin, California , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Tedd Syao, Jonathan Cheung |
| Products | Titan 1, Titan 2, Titan 2 HR, Bean (3D printers) |
Kudo3D, based in Dublin, California, specializes in producing professional desktop 3D printers. Their Titan 1 and Titan 2 lines incorporate exclusive passive self-peeling technology, establishing them as premier high-resolution stereolithography devices. This breakthrough enables versatile printing solutions across multiple sectors.
History
Established in 2012 by entrepreneurs Tedd Syao and Jonathan Cheung, both graduates of UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business, Kudo3D was born from Syao’s innovation of the Titan 1 printer and its passive self-peeling mechanism. The company quickly gained momentum after launching a Kickstarter campaign in May 2014 that reached full funding within just two minutes. Since then, Kudo3D has grown to operate additional facilities located in Pleasanton, California and Hsinchu, Taiwan.
Titan 1
The Titan 1 is designed with a modular approach that integrates both industrial and consumer-level components. It utilizes Texas Instruments’ DLP technology to cure entire resin layers at once, significantly shortening production times. Key features include an industrial-grade linear stage assembly, open-source control boards, stepping motors, a rapid-leveling build platform, and Kudo3D’s patented flexible PSP (Passive self-peeling) resin tank lined with Teflon for enhanced longevity.
Third Party Resin
This model accommodates a variety of third-party resins such as MakerJuice G+, Spot A’s Hard & Tough for detailed prints, Spot A’s Flexible Resin, as well as 3D Materials’ Castable and ABS resins, expanding its material compatibility within the industry.
Application
Thanks to its capability to print objects of varying sizes with fine detail, the Titan 1 is well-suited for applications including jewelry fabrication, miniature models, and scientific research prototypes like biomedical tissue scaffolds measuring as small as 1mm by 2mm. It also supports larger-scale creations used in art, architecture, engineering, and product prototyping.
Titan 2
Following the initial Kickstarter success by two years, Kudo3D introduced the Titan 2, which improved dependability and ease of use through enhanced control systems. Equipped with an integrated Raspberry Pi and a web-based interface, it allows operation from any computer, tablet, or smartphone.
The Titan 2 continues to employ the patented PSP resin container technology from its predecessor and is offered with cover options in Ruby Red and Green Emerald.
Titan 2 HR
In November 2016, Kudo3D unveiled the Titan 2 HR variant featuring an XY resolution of 23 microns. This ultra-precise model targets industries demanding exceptional detail accuracy such as fine jewelry manufacturing.
Bean
Marking the third anniversary of their Kickstarter debut, Kudo3D launched the Bean—a compact LCD SLA 3D printer designed to provide high-resolution output at an accessible price point. The crowdfunding campaign rapidly exceeded its $50,000 target within two minutes and surpassed $100,000 shortly thereafter.
For the Bean printer, Kudo3D supplies seven proprietary resin options (not compatible with Titan series) alongside support for various third-party resins.
PSP Technology
Kudo3D's patented Passive Self-Peeling (PSP) technology represents an innovative bottom-up approach in SLA printing, engineered to lessen the separation forces between cured layers and the resin. This system incorporates a flexible resin vat constructed from five different materials that work together to significantly reduce peeling resistance, allowing for the production of intricate details as fine as a single hair strand, as well as objects reaching heights of up to 10 inches on one device.
By minimizing the reliance on support structures, this technology cuts down post-processing efforts and surface blemishes, while maintaining high resolution and rapid printing speeds. These advantages contribute to strengthening Kudo3D’s position within the competitive 3D printing market.
Patent Approval
Kudo3D obtained official patent recognition for its PSP technology from the US Patent Office on September 27, 2016, bolstering its intellectual property assets and reinforcing its strategic business expansion plans.