What's Happening?

The Bambu Lab H2S Is Here - and It's Properly Exciting

orders@mindkits.co.nz — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 17:49:00 -0500

Bambu Lab's been on a bit of a roll lately, and the H2S is their latest - and honestly one of the more interesting things they've put out in a while.

Most 3D printers - even good ones - have a dirty little secret: they get less accurate over time. Mechanical wear, belt stretch, general drift. You recalibrate manually, accept it, print on. The H2S does something different. It's got a Vision Encoder that tracks positioning to under 50 microns - that's thinner than a human hair - and it automatically compensates for mechanical drift during calibration. Bambu's calling it the first in the industry and they're not wrong. It's the kind of thing engineers and makers who build functional parts have been quietly wanting for ages.

The extruder's been given a proper upgrade too. Bambu's moved to a PMSM servo motor - 67% more extrusion force compared to the previous H-series setup. Paired with up to 1000mm/s toolhead speed and 20,000mm/s² acceleration, it's quick. Like, noticeably quick if you've been used to anything but the top-end Bambu machines.

Build volume has had a nudge up too - 340x320x340mm, which is the biggest of any Bambu printer in the range. Useful if you've ever hit the ceiling on a P1S or X1C and had to split parts you really didn't want to split.

On the materials side, it's running a 350°C nozzle with 65°C active chamber heating - so pretty much anything you'd want to print is fair game. ABS, PA, PC, carbon fibre filaments, no dramas. And if you've got HEPA filtration and VOC concerns sorted, the sealed chamber mode handles that too.

There's also an optional 10W laser and cutting module - same concept as the H2D. If you want to add laser work to your setup down the track you can bolt it on. Not everyone needs it day one, but it's nice to have the option rather than needing a second machine.

The AMS Combo (printer plus the multi-material unit) is $2,940 inc GST and is taking preorders now - ETA December 2026. The base H2S starts at $2,498 if you don't need multi-material out the gate.

It's a solid preorder for anyone who's planning to upgrade their setup for next year or kitting out a professional space. As official NZ Bambu Lab resellers, you're not doing a grey import - full local warranty, and we actually know these machines inside out. If something goes sideways, you can talk to a real person here in NZ.

Have a look at the H2S on our website, or come in to the workshop if you want to talk it through - always happy to help figure out what's actually the right machine for what you're doing.

View the Bambu Lab H2S AMS Combo ?

3D SCANNING IN 2025: Why it's finally within reach for makers and businesses

orders@mindkits.co.nz — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0500

3D scanning used to mean a room-sized machine, a specialist operator, and a bill that made you wince. If you wanted to reverse-engineer a part, capture a sculpture, or bring a real-world object into your CAD workflow, you were looking at a significant investment - or outsourcing the job entirely.

That's changed a lot. Over the past few years, a new generation of handheld and desktop 3D scanners has made this technology genuinely usable for everyday makers, small businesses, educators, and product developers. We've been watching the space closely, and we think it's finally time to talk about it properly.

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WHAT MAKES A 3D SCANNER ACTUALLY USEFUL?

There are three things that have historically held 3D scanning back for everyday users:

1. Accuracy - early consumer scanners produced meshes full of noise and holes, making them frustrating to work with downstream in any serious modelling software.
2. Speed - slow scan times meant fidgety objects, people, or anything that moved slightly became a mess.
3. Software - the hardware might work, but if the bundled software was painful, the workflow collapsed.

The current generation of scanners - particularly from 3DMakerPro and Shining3D - have made genuine progress on all three. We're not saying every $400 scanner is a professional metrology tool. But for applications like reverse engineering parts for custom fabrication, capturing organic shapes for digital sculpting, creating assets for AR/VR or games, archiving heritage objects, artworks, or prototypes, and quality inspection on production runs - there's now real capability at accessible price points.

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WHAT WE CARRY AND WHY

We stock scanners from two brands we've specifically chosen: 3DMakerPro and Shining 3D (EinScan/Einstar).

3DMakerPro - Compact and approachable

3DMakerPro focuses on the small-to-medium object segment - things up to roughly 300mm. Their flagship Seal scanner hits 0.01mm accuracy for detailed work, while the Toucan opens up to full-body or large-object scanning with its dual-range system.

The Smart Grip accessory turns your phone into the display and control interface for the scanner - which sounds gimmicky until you've tried to use a laptop in a workshop or on-location. It actually removes a meaningful friction point.

3DMakerPro's software (JMStudio) has improved substantially over the last few updates - alignment, hole-filling, and export are all solid for the price point.

Shining3D (Einstar/EinScan) - Proven industrial pedigree in a portable format

Shining3D is a Chinese company with deep roots in professional scanning - their EinScan industrial line is used in automotive and aerospace environments. The Einstar line brings that pedigree into a more accessible, prosumer format.

The Einstar 2 is their latest consumer-focused model: wireless, fast at up to 1.5 million points/second, and built around their EXStar Hub software platform. The fact that it runs untethered is a bigger deal than it sounds - scanning complex or large objects without cable management is genuinely more pleasant.

The Einstar Rockit is a pocket-sized form factor - genuinely small, designed for fieldwork, reverse engineering on-site, or scanning where portability matters more than scanning volume.

For businesses needing more capability, the EinScan Rigil series steps up to tri-mode scanning (structured light, laser, and photogrammetry), industrial-grade accuracy, and the full EXStar ecosystem.

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WHAT'S ACTUALLY CHANGED ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY?

A few things worth understanding if you're new to 3D scanning:

Structured light vs laser scanning - most prosumer scanners use structured light (projecting a known pattern and measuring deformation). Newer models use infrared VCSEL arrays which are faster, eye-safer, and less affected by ambient light than older LED-based systems.

Photogrammetry integration - some scanners now blend photogrammetry (camera-based point cloud generation) with active scanning, giving you better colour texture capture alongside geometric data.

Software pipelines - the bottleneck used to be software. Tools like JMStudio and EXStar Hub now handle scan merging, hole filling, noise reduction, and format export (OBJ, STL, PLY, STEP in some cases) far more gracefully than their predecessors.

Wireless operation - removing the tethering constraint sounds minor but genuinely changes how you can work with larger objects, awkward geometries, or in field environments.

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WHO IS THIS FOR IN NZ?

We see the clearest use cases as:

Product designers and engineers needing to digitise existing parts for redesign or manufacture
Artists and sculptors wanting to bring physical work into digital mediums
Educators - 3D scanning is a natural companion to 3D printing in the school environment, and the workflows teach real spatial reasoning and digital manufacturing concepts
Fabricators and trades - reverse engineering custom brackets, panels, or fittings is surprisingly common
Heritage and archival - museums, iwi collections, and cultural institutions have used 3D scanning for documentation and digital preservation

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THINKING ABOUT GETTING ONE?

We're happy to talk through what makes sense for your application - scanner choice depends a lot on object size, material (shiny and dark surfaces are still challenging), accuracy requirements, and whether you need colour texture or just geometry.

If you're in Auckland, we also have demo units available - scanning is one of those things that's much easier to understand in person than on a spec sheet.

Browse our 3D Scanner range: https://www.mindkits.co.nz/3DScanning.aspx

What Are People Actually Making With a Laser Cutter? (And Why June Is the Time to Get One)

orders@mindkits.co.nz — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 17:27:00 -0500

It's June, which in NZ means two things: it's cold, and smart small business owners are starting to think about Christmas stock. Yeah, I know - feels early. But if you're making personalised products or custom gifts, you genuinely need the lead time.

We've been having a lot of conversations lately with customers who've picked up the FLUX Beambox II and turned it into a proper little income stream. One person's running a gift business out of their garage - custom wooden ornaments, engraved chopping boards, personalised wedding keepsakes. Another's doing corporate gifts for businesses in their region. It's one of those machines where the use cases just kind of multiply once you've got it.

So what can you actually make with it?

Heaps. Seriously, here's a quick rundown of what people are producing on the Beambox II right now:

Personalised timber products - chopping boards, serving platters, wooden signs, photo frames. These sell really well at markets and on Trade Me. The Beambox II cuts softwood up to about 18mm thick, which covers most timber you'd use for gift products.

Acrylic work - keyrings, plaques, custom signage, awards and trophies, fridge magnets. The machine cuts acrylic up to around 20mm thick and the edge quality is clean enough to sell without any finishing work needed. Great margin products if you're buying acrylic sheet in bulk.

Custom fabric and leather - the 55W CO2 laser handles natural materials well. People are doing custom leather patches, fabric labels for clothing and bags, decorative laser-cut panels.

Paper and card - wedding stationery, gift tags, intricate paper art, packaging inserts. Fast and precise at this kind of delicate work.

What makes the Beambox II good to work with?

The big one is the built-in camera. You place your material, click preview in the software, and you can see exactly where your design is going to land before you cut anything. No test runs on scrap material, no guessing. This is a proper time-saver when you're doing batch production.

Autofocus is another thing you appreciate quickly - especially if you're switching between material thicknesses. The machine reads the height automatically and adjusts the focal point. No messing around with manual spacers or test cuts to find your focus point.

It runs on LightBurn, which is the industry standard software for laser cutters and genuinely good to use. If you've used any other laser before, you'll be up and running in a day. If you're brand new to lasers, LightBurn has solid tutorials and a big community - you won't be stuck for long.

Work area is 600 x 375mm - enough for most products you'd want to make. You can fit a standard chopping board in there, or run a batch of 20 keyrings at once.

What's the investment?

The FLUX Beambox II 55W is $6,335 inc GST. It's in stock at our local NZ warehouse, so no overseas shipping wait - usually ships within a day.

We also have the Exclusive Maker's Bundle at $6,799 - that's the machine plus the Extension Pocket add-on (which handles thicker materials and supports rotary engraving) and the Chuck Rotary attachment for doing cylindrical items like cups and bottles.

If you're thinking about buying one for your business, have a chat with us. We're happy to talk through what you're wanting to make and whether the Beambox II is the right fit - or if something like the smaller beamo might actually suit your setup better.

Check out the full FLUX range on our FLUX Machines page, or give us a call.

Stop Printing Outside in PLA - Here's What Actually Works

orders@mindkits.co.nz — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 16:37:39 -0500

It happens to pretty much everyone when they get into 3D printing. You nail a great print, you stick it outside - on the fence, under the deck, bolted to the letterbox - and a few months later it's discoloured, warped, or just falling apart. You blame the printer. You blame your settings. But the culprit? Probably PLA.

PLA is brilliant for indoor prints. It's easy to work with, prints beautifully, and you'll find it in practically every spool drawer in NZ. But UV light and heat are its kryptonite. NZ sun is particularly rough on it - we've got some of the highest UV index readings in the world, and PLA just wasn't built for that.

ASA is the one you want outdoors

ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate) is a material specifically designed for outdoor use. It handles UV well, doesn't discolour or become brittle in the sun the way PLA does, and tolerates a decent range of temperatures without warping or softening. If you've got something that needs to actually survive outside - think camera mounts, garden markers, drain channel clips, letterbox numbers, gate latches - ASA should be your first choice.

We've added Pixel Filament ASA to the lineup in two colours: CryoFrost (white) and Singularity (black). Both available as refills ($25/kg) or with a reusable spool ($28/kg).

How does it print?

ASA prints a lot like ABS - which is good, because it also doesn't have ABS's reputation for warping everywhere if you look at it wrong. You'll want a slightly higher bed temp than PLA, somewhere around 90-100°C, and an enclosure helps if you've got one. Nozzle temps in the 230-250°C range are the sweet spot.

If you're printing on a Bambu Lab with an AMS, just swap in your ABS profile and you're most of the way there. Works great on the P1S and X1C which have enclosed chambers. The A1 Mini can work too - just give it some time to get the bed warm and avoid big drafts.

One thing worth knowing: ASA does off-gas a bit during printing, so if you're printing indoors in a small space, some ventilation is a good call. Not a big deal in a workshop or garage, but worth being aware of in a bedroom or home office setup.

PETG is another solid option

If you want something a bit easier to print than ASA and still a step up from PLA for semi-outdoor use, Pixel's Hyper PETG is worth looking at. It's not quite as UV-resistant as ASA, but it handles moisture and mild outdoor exposure really well. Great for things like plant pot holders, outdoor cable trunking, weatherproof enclosures. Prints almost as easily as PLA+. We've got it in BSOD Blue and a few other colours.

TL;DR - match the material to the job

PLA for indoor stuff. ASA for proper outdoor exposure (UV, heat, rain). PETG sits somewhere in between and is a great all-rounder. All three are in the Pixel range, all made from quality polymers, and all backed by our no-quibbles returns policy - if it doesn't print the way it should, we'll sort it out.

Check out the full Pixel Filament range here: mindkits.co.nz/Pixel-Filament2

Why Our Customers Keep Coming Back (And What That Actually Means to Us)

orders@mindkits.co.nz — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 18:29:37 -0500

We don't do a lot of chest-thumping around here. But we've had a run of genuinely lovely reviews lately and we wanted to share them, partly because they're nice to read, and partly because they say something real about what we're trying to do.

Bryn's story is one that comes up more than you'd think. He bought his Bambu printer from another reseller - totally fine, there are a few options out there. But when he needed parts and accessories, he hit a wall. The original seller didn't stock them, which meant hunting overseas or paying international freight on stuff that really should just be available locally.

He found us, sorted his nozzles and upgrades at NZ pricing, and left us a review. The bit that stuck was this: "Its better to be able to do that (and get NZ pricing) than be forced to order them in from another country." That's exactly why we put the effort into stocking the full ecosystem, not just the hero products.

Matt Hastings had a different kind of experience. He picked up an SV08 Max and hit a few teething issues early on. So he did what any sensible person would do - he sent us an email. What followed was a back-and-forth troubleshoot with Tim and Sam, working through the problem until they cracked it. His review said: "Saved my sanity." That's the bit we love. Not "problem solved" or "great service" - but "saved my sanity." That's the real version of what good support feels like.

And then Nathan Eveleigh, who put it simply: "Only place I go for my 3D printing needs." Five stars, a smiley face, and we're stoked.

We're not a big corporate retailer. We're a small NZ team - Tim, Jase, and the crew - who actually use this gear every day and care about getting it right. When someone's machine is giving them grief at 9pm, they can email us and genuinely get a response. When you need a spare part, there's a good chance we've got it in the warehouse already.

If you've had a good experience with us, leave us a review on Google - it genuinely helps more people find us and it means a lot to the team. And if something didn't go right, even better to tell us. We're not going anywhere and we'd love the chance to sort it.

Thanks for being part of the MindKits crew. It's a good one.

The Discount Gets Bigger Every Day - MindKits Fire Sale On Now

orders@mindkits.co.nz — Thu, 28 May 2026 18:23:50 -0500

Wait, so the longer I wait, the better the discount?

Yeah, basically. That's kind of the whole thing with our fire sale running right now. It starts at 15% off today, goes to 17% tomorrow, and hits 19% the day after. So if you've been meaning to grab something from our clearance range, the maths is actually working in your favour this time.

The catch - and there always is one - is that clearance stock is exactly that. Once it's gone it's not coming back. We're not reordering this stuff. It's what we have, and the price keeps dropping until someone grabs it or it runs out.

So what's in the clearance sale? Honestly, a bit of everything. Electronics components, cables, Arduino bits, Bluetooth modules, sensors, LED matrices, LCD screens, and accessories for makers and tinkerers. The kind of stuff that's been sitting on shelves waiting for the right person to find it. If you're a maker who likes finding good deals on useful parts, there's heaps to dig through.

Some highlights from the clearance sale

Common Component Kit for Arduino with Case E1

~~was $27.80~~ $18.07 inc GST

Component Kit with Resistance Card for Arduino E2

~~was $39.73~~ $16.95 inc GST

48mm Square 8*8 LED Matrix - Super Bright RGB

~~was $14.87~~ $6.92 inc GST

60mm Square 8*8 LED Matrix - Super Bright RGB(CIRCLE-DOT)

~~was $14.87~~ $5.65 inc GST

Bluetooth - LiPo Add-On for Makey Makey

~~was $59.90~~ $32.34 inc GST

Color 24-Bit LCD 4-3in PSP Touch Screen

~~was $47.90~~ $26.83 inc GST

It's worth having a poke around even if you don't have a specific project in mind - sometimes you spot something that sparks an idea. Could be a spare part you've been after, a component that fills a gap in your workshop, or just something you didn't know you needed until you saw it at 17% off.

One thing worth knowing: the discounts apply to the clearance-tagged products, not the whole store. So if you're after a new 3D printer or laser cutter, those have their regular pricing. But for components, electronics, and accessories that aren't moving fast enough - those are the ones with the escalating deal.

We run these clearance events every now and then to make room for new gear coming in. Partly practical, partly because we'd genuinely rather our stuff end up with makers who'll use it than sitting in a box in our warehouse.

If there's something in there you're curious about - what it does, whether it'll work with a specific setup you have - just reach out. Tim and the team are pretty easy to get hold of through the website chat, or give us a call. We're not going to give you a runaround.

Check it out at mindkits.co.nz/clearance-sale before the stock runs out.

Your Printer's Sitting There - Let's Actually Sort That Out

orders@mindkits.co.nz — Wed, 20 May 2026 17:23:14 -0500

You'd be surprised how often we hear it. Someone buys a 3D printer or laser cutter, gets it set up, runs a few test prints - and then it just kind of... sits there. Not because they've lost interest. More because they hit a wall and didn't know where to turn.

That's where Jase comes in.

Jase does one-on-one training sessions - 1 or 2 hours, via Google Meet, Facetime, or in-person if you're in Auckland. No slides, no jargon, no rushing. Just you and your machine with someone who uses this stuff every day and can actually explain it in plain English.

What happens in a session

It depends entirely on what you need. Some people want to nail their slicer settings - figuring out why their prints keep stringing or why overhangs are failing. Others are new to the whole thing and just need a guided walkthrough of setup, workflow, and how to get good results consistently.

Some sessions end up going deep on materials - what filament actually works well for different applications, why you'd choose ASA over PETG outdoors, how to dial in settings for flexible TPU. It's the kind of thing that's hard to figure out just from reading forums.

For laser cutter training it's usually about getting past the software. xTool, LightBurn, the FLUX machines - they're all a bit different, and the fastest way to get confident is to have someone walk you through a real project, not just watch YouTube videos and hope for the best.

One thing people don't expect

We train on any machine - not just what you bought from us. Got a Bambu Lab printer from somewhere else? Picked up a laser cutter during a sale? Doesn't matter. If you need help getting the most out of it, we're sorted.

We've had teachers book sessions before setting up 3D printing in their classrooms - and come out of it feeling genuinely confident running it with students. Small business owners who'd been avoiding the machine in the corner of their workshop. People who were just stuck on one specific setting and needed 30 minutes with someone who actually knew the answer.

Training options available

We've got a 30-minute onboarding session ($99 inc GST) - good if you just need a quick-start walkthrough on a machine you've just set up. For more in-depth stuff, the 1-hour training session is $195.50, and there's a 2-hour option if you've got a lot to work through.

If your machine's gathering dust, it doesn't have to stay that way. Book a session and let's get it sorted.

- The MindKits team

The Bambu Lab H2D Just Landed - It's a 3D Printer, Laser Cutter, and Digital Cutter in One Machine

orders@mindkits.co.nz — Wed, 13 May 2026 17:18:48 -0500

Right so - Bambu Lab have done something a bit mental with their new H2D. It's not just a 3D printer. It's a 3D printer, a laser engraver/cutter, and a digital cutter all crammed into one machine.

If you've been sitting on the fence about whether to buy a 3D printer or a laser cutter, the H2D might have just made that decision for you.

What's Actually in the Box

The base machine handles 3D printing with a proper 350 x 320 x 325mm build volume - that's noticeably bigger than a P1S. Add the laser module and you've got engraving and cutting covered. The digital cutting/plotting option handles things like vinyl and paper. Depending on which variant you grab, you can kit it out with different combinations.

The AMS 2 Pro Combo (which is what we're stocking at $4,499) gets you multi-colour printing sorted from the start. The AMS 2 Pro has tool-free access from the top - no more unscrewing the housing when filament jams up, which is a pretty welcome change if you've dealt with that before.

The Tech Nerd Bit

Bambu have gone pretty hard on the monitoring side of things. Four cameras, 36 sensors, and an AI nozzle camera with a macro lens watching for print failures in real time. It also does a full pre-flight checklist before each print - scanning the chamber for debris, checking nozzle size, the lot. For anyone who's come back to find a spaghetti mess where their print should be, that's actually really useful.

Dual nozzle setup means you can dedicate one nozzle to support material - which sounds like a small thing until you've spent ages trying to peel supports off a complex print. It also cuts down on filament waste during colour changes, which adds up over time.

Print speeds hit 600mm/s and there's a 5µm optical encoder for motion correction. Honestly, the spec sheet for this thing goes on for a while.

Who's It For?

The H2D makes a lot of sense if you've already got a 3D printing setup and have been eyeing up a laser cutter as the next step. Instead of buying two separate machines and finding space for both, you get one unit that does both jobs. Schools running makerspaces would get a lot of use out of it - students jumping between 3D printing and laser engraving in the same session without any machine-swapping.

Small businesses doing product prototyping or custom merch would also find it pretty handy. Print your prototype, laser engrave the branding, cut the packaging - all on one machine.

It's in stock now and you can have a look in the showroom if you're Auckland-based. Give us a ring on 09 367 7474 if you want to chat about whether it's the right fit, or head to the link below to check the full specs.

Check out the Bambu Lab H2D AMS Combo on the MindKits store

FLUX Beambox II 55W Is Back In Stock - Here's What People Are Actually Making With It

orders@mindkits.co.nz — Wed, 06 May 2026 19:48:33 -0500

Good news for anyone who's been sitting on the fence about getting a laser cutter - the FLUX Beambox II 55W is back in stock at our NZ warehouse and ready to ship.

We get asked a lot "what do people actually use these for?" And the honest answer is: heaps of stuff. It's one of those machines where you buy it for one project and then can't stop finding new uses for it.

What are people actually making?

Small business owners are using them to cut custom acrylic signage and personalised gifts. Schools have them running in makerspaces where students are designing and cutting their own projects. Woodworkers are adding engraved details they couldn't do by hand. We had one customer who bought theirs specifically to cut leather panels for bags - started as a side project and turned into a proper little business.

The laser cutter thing gets easier to understand once you see what comes out the other end. A piece of untreated timber goes in, a beautifully engraved keepsake comes out. A sheet of coloured acrylic turns into a perfectly cut custom nameplate. It's satisfying in a way that's hard to explain until you've done it.

The specs that matter

The Beambox II runs a 55W CO2 laser - that's enough grunt to cut through 20mm acrylic and 18mm timber. The work area is 600 x 375mm, which is pretty generous for a desktop machine. Engraving tops out at 900mm/s, so even detailed work doesn't take forever.

The bit that makes everyday use much less fiddly: it has a built-in HD camera and autofocus. You place your material, tap autofocus (done in 2-3 seconds), preview exactly where your design will land, and then run it. No more manually adjusting Z height, no guessing if your design is aligned. When you're working with a piece of timber or leather that you can't easily replace if you get it wrong, that preview function alone is worth it.

It connects to Beam Studio (FLUX's own software) and also works with LightBurn if you're already across that. Both are solid options depending on what you're doing.

In stock now, locally

Having it in the local NZ warehouse means you're not waiting weeks for it to arrive from overseas. It usually ships in a day. We've also got the Exclusive Maker's Bundle if you want to go straight in with a full kit of accessories.

If you want to see it in person before committing, come through to the showroom - we've got one set up and the team's happy to run through what it can do. Or if you're keen to just get into it, grab one here for $6,335.

And if you're thinking about a laser cutter but not sure where to start, give us a ring on 09 367 7474 - we're always up for helping people figure out the right machine for what you're actually trying to do.

Why People Come to MindKits

orders@mindkits.co.nz — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 22:13:14 -0500

We asked ourselves that question this week. After 15+ years, what keeps people choosing MindKits, not just once, but again and again? I know this sounds like a case of "We Love Us" syndrome but I genuinely feel honoured that we have customers who have come back to us for year upon year through their journey from Arduino, to ESP32's and now to 3D Printing. As chief Ninja, I love it.

Turns out the answer isn't really just about the products. It's about the moments that happen around them.

Nathalie and the five-star training session

Nathalie came in for a Bambu P1S and some one-on-one training with Jase. She's a teacher, so getting it right for her students mattered. She left us a five-star review saying "excellent training from Jase."

That one made our week. When a teacher walks away confident enough to bring a new tool into the classroom, that's the whole point.

Matthew, the right printer, and a surprise in the box

Matthew was trying to find the right machine. Angus pointed him toward a P1S, talked him through why it made sense for what he was after, and Matthew ordered one.

When it arrived, there was a handwritten note inside. And a free roll of filament.

That wasn't a policy. Nobody told anyone to do that. It's just what the team does when they reckon someone's going to love their new machine. Matthew noticed, and we're glad he did.

Stefan and the spare parts that were actually in stock

Stefan's Bambu needed spare parts. He came in, we had them, and he was sorted on the spot. Simple as that, but not always easy to find.

Carrying the right parts, stocked and ready, isn't glamorous. But it's the kind of thing that makes or breaks someone's day when their machine is down.

15+ years, and this is still the best part

Schools, small businesses, hobbyists, the person doing cosplay armour panels: we love all of it. The conversations, the problem-solving, the moments when someone figures out what they're trying to make.

If you've bought from us and had a good run, a Google review means the world to us. It helps other Kiwis find their way here. And if you're still looking for your first machine, come have a chat.

The MindKits team

Meet Pixel Filament! High quality. Lower cost. Earn rewards :)

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 20:51:00 -0600

MindKits Launches Pixel Filament: Premium 3D Printing Filament at Unbeatable Prices

After a year of rigorous testing, MindKits is proud to introduce Pixel Filament - a new line of high-quality 3D printing filament that delivers top-brand performance without the premium price tag. Whether you're printing functional prototypes, artistic creations, or everyday objects, Pixel Filament is designed to give you professional results every time.

Why Pixel Filament Is Different From Other Budget Filaments

The 3D printing filament market is crowded with products making big promises, but Pixel Filament stands apart. By working directly with manufacturers and eliminating unnecessary middlemen, we've created a product line that matches the print quality of leading brands while keeping prices accessible for makers, hobbyists, and professionals alike.

Our confidence in Pixel Filament is backed by action. If you try any Pixel spool and aren't satisfied with the quality, simply return it for a full refund (minus shipping costs, with reasonable usage limits). No lengthy interrogations, no hassle - just straightforward customer service. This risk-free guarantee reflects our genuine belief that Pixel Filament will exceed your expectations.

The proof is in our own workshop. Our entire team has switched to Pixel Filament for internal prints, print farm operations, and personal projects. When the people making the filament choose it for their own work, you know it's something special.

Comprehensive Range of 3D Printing Materials

Pixel Filament isn't just one material - it's a complete ecosystem of printing options designed to handle whatever your projects demand. The current range includes PLA Basic, Hyper PLA+ (High speed), PLA Max (ABS like properties), Matte PLA, PETG (including High Speed, Carbon Fibre and Translucent options), Hyper ABS (High Speed), ASA and HIPS (ABS/ASA support material). Each material is formulated to deliver consistent results with vibrant, carefully selected colours that bring your creations to life.

Every spool features clear, dyslexia-friendly labelling with all the technical specifications you need at a glance. The packaging design prioritises functionality - you get the essential information without unnecessary clutter. Plus, all Pixel spools are reusable, reducing waste and supporting more sustainable making practices.

Pixel Filament Pricing and Value

Pixel Filament delivers premium quality at prices that make sense for regular makers. PLA Basic starts at just $25 NZD per kilogram, while specialty materials like Hyper PLA+ and PETG are priced at $26.50 NZD per kilogram (GST included). These competitive prices mean you can stock up on the colours and materials you need without breaking your budget.

Earn Rewards With Pixel Points

For customers who have purchased a 3D printer from MindKits, every Pixel Filament spool you buy earns you Pixel Points - up to 20% back on your purchase. These points accumulate in your account and can be redeemed for anything on the MindKits website, from more filament to upgrades, accessories, or even your next machine!

The Pixel Points system is straightforward and transparent. Once you log into your MindKits account, you'll automatically start earning points on Pixel Filament purchases if you're eligible. Points begin as pending when you place an order and become active once your order is paid and ships. You have 180 days to use your points, giving you plenty of time to save up for bigger purchases or use them right away to reduce your checkout total.

To check your eligibility and view your PP balance, simply log into your MindKits account and scroll down to your account dashboard. If you've ever bought a machine from us, you already qualify to start earning.

Seamless Compatibility With Your Workflow

Pixel Filament is engineered to work flawlessly with standard slicer settings, eliminating the frustration of dialling in new profiles. The filament is fully compatible with Bambu Lab and eSun presets, meaning you can drop it straight into Bambu Studio or Orca Slicer without any adjustments. Through extensive testing, we've found no need to create custom profiles - the existing settings just work.

For users of Cura, PrusaSlicer, Luban, or Simplify3D, complete technical specifications are available on each product page to help you configure your settings appropriately. If you need assistance getting started or optimising your prints, our support team is ready to help you achieve the best possible results.

Supporting the New Zealand Maker Community

The launch of Pixel Filament represents more than just a new product line - it's our way of giving back to the community that has supported MindKits for years. By offering premium filament at accessible prices with a rewards program for our customers, we're helping makers across New Zealand take on more projects, experiment with new techniques, and bring their ideas to life without worrying about filament costs eating into their budgets.

The more you print with Pixel, the more you earn, and the more projects you can tackle. It's a cycle that benefits everyone in the making community, from hobbyists printing terrain for tabletop games to professionals creating functional prototypes for clients.

Start Printing With Pixel Filament Today

Ready to experience the difference that premium filament at fair prices can make in your 3D printing projects? Browse the complete Pixel Filament range on the MindKits website, choose your favourite colours and materials, and start earning Pixel Points with every purchase. With our no-risk money-back guarantee, you have nothing to lose and better prints to gain.

Check out our full range here and start growing your PP today!

Whether you're stocking up on reliable PLA for everyday printing, exploring the strength of carbon fibre reinforced filament, or trying translucent PETG for the first time, Pixel Filament has you covered. Visit MindKits today and discover why we've made Pixel our go-to choice for all our printing needs.

Watch our quick intro to Pixel with Angus and a cameo by Tim =) Angus somehow managed to escape the basement, and cornered Tim on why Pixel can be so inexpensive - Watch the video here

About MindKits: MindKits is New Zealand's trusted distributor of Bambu Lab 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines, and electronics. As an official Bambu Lab distributor, we serve businesses, schools, and makers across New Zealand with quality equipment, expert support, and now, premium Pixel Filament.

Keywords: 3D printing filament NZ, Pixel Filament, cheap 3D printer filament, PLA filament New Zealand, PETG filament, Bambu Lab filament, reusable filament spool, 3D printing materials, affordable filament, quality 3D printer filament

Elegoo Centauri Carbon: Fast, Affordable, and Ready to Print

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 21:00:58 -0600

If you've been eyeing up a CoreXY printer but put off at the price tags, the Elegoo Centauri Carbon might just be your new best mate! This properly engineered machine punches well above its weight class and is ready to show more expensive printers how it's done.

What Makes It Special?

This beauty fly's hitting speed up to 500 mm/s without sacrificing quality. Independent testing scored it 95.65 out of 100 at standard print speeds - ranking among the top three desktop printers tested. Not bad for a budget-friendly machine!

The secret? CoreXY motion keeps the bed stationary while the print head zips around, delivering cleaner prints at higher speeds. The die-cast aluminium frame (a hefty 17.5kg) stays rock-solid even at 'ludicrous speed' (yes, that's what they call the fastest mode).

Print What You Want

While most entry-level printers tap out at basic PLA, the Centauri Carbon's hardened steel nozzle heats to 320°C. Translation? Print carbon fibre reinforced filaments right out of the box - no upgrades needed. Drone parts, car brackets, seriously strong functional parts? You're covered.

The fully enclosed chamber keeps temperatures stable, meaning ABS and ASA behave themselves (no warping dramas). Plus, there's an activated carbon filter for when you're running exotic materials.

Ready to Print, Actually Ready

Reviewers consistently get quality parts printing within 20 minutes of unboxing. Auto bed levelling, automatic calibration, and a user-friendly touchscreen mean more printing, less fiddling.

The magnetic dual-sided build plate flips between textured (for most materials) and smooth (for PLA at just 30°C, saving power and warm-up time).

Smart Features That Matter

Built-in camera for remote monitoring and time-lapse videos. WiFi connectivity means no mucking about with USB drives. There's even a filament cutter in the toolhead, ready for Elegoo's upcoming multi-color system.

Key Specs:

Build Volume: 256 × 256 × 256 mm
Max Speed: 500 mm/s
Nozzle Temp: Up to 320°C
Fully Enclosed
Auto Bed Leveling
WiFi & Built-in Camera
Compatible with PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, carbon fibre materials, and more

The Bottom Line

At only $840 NZD, the Centauri Carbon delivers performance rivalling printers costing twice as much. Perfect for hobbyists leveling up, schools needing reliable teaching machines, or small businesses prototyping.

Ready to see what CoreXY can do? The Elegoo Centauri Carbon is available now at MindKits with full local support, fast NZ shipping, and all the filament you need.

Tackling Moisture in 3D Printing Filament - Angus’s Eibos Filament Dryer Review

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 15:53:58 -0500

Hi, it’s Jase here from MindKits. Moisture in 3D printing filament is often the hidden culprit behind print failures and frustrating results. Recently, Angus put together an excellent video reviewing the latest filament drying solutions from Eibos, and I wanted to share some insights from that with you.

Why Drying Filament Matters

Most plastics used in 3D printing are hygroscopic, meaning they absorb moisture from the air. When printing, any water trapped inside the filament turns to steam, causing bubbles, stringing, and poor print quality. It sounds simple to just 'dry' your filament - but as Angus explains, many filament dryers on the market don’t actually do this effectively because they only heat without proper ventilation to remove moisture.

What Makes Eibos Dryers Stand Out?

Angus reviewed two key Eibos products: the Easdry (available now ) and the Polyphemus (coming soon) filament dryers. These devices combine heating with controlled ventilation, which means the moisture is actually driven out, not just heated inside a closed box. The Polyphemus even has a unique spinning feature so the spool rotates during drying to ensure even moisture removal, something you probably haven’t been doing yourself but really should!

The Easdry is great for common filaments like PLA, PETG, ABS, and TPU with adjustable heat up to 65°C. The Polyphemus goes even further with temperatures up to 80°C, perfect for the thirstiest filaments such as nylon or carbon fibre PETG. Angus reports drying a full spool of carbon fibre PETG in just 3 hours using this system!!

Thorough, quality drying at speed is an under appreciated feature that stands out in the category. As more businesses turn to 3D printing for in-house manufacturing of end use parts filament drying is going to become a larger area of focus to maintain the best dimensional accuracy and surface finish for professional application, Eibos is the ideal solution.

Bonus: Filament Storage System

After drying, you need to keep your filament dry. Eibos offers the Eurus vacuum storage system, which is a great companion product to keep your filament moisture-free until your next print.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been battling moisture issues in your prints, investing in a proper filament dryer like the Eibos Easdry or Polyphemus could be a game changer. Angus’s hands-on review makes it clear that these aren’t just another heated box but well-thought-out systems designed by folks who really get the problem. Check out the full video for more details and head over to MindKits to grab these dryers when they’re available.

Check out Angus's Ebios Review on the MindKits Youtube Channel! - We are just getting started

Keep your filament dry, print quality high, and happy printing!!!

The VORON we have at home - SOVOL SV08 Review

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 18:24:12 -0500

The Perfect Entry into the Voron-Inspired Open-Source 3D Printing World

At MindKits, we understand the excitement and intimidation around building your own 3D printer, especially when it comes to open-source Voron designs. That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce the Sovol SV08 - a powerful, reliable, and user-friendly gateway into the Voron-style 3D printing experience without the daunting build complexity.

Why Choose the Sovol SV08?

If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a Voron but shied away from the hours of assembly, printing hundreds of parts, and endless tuning, the Sovol SV08 is your perfect launchpad. Unlike traditional Voron builds that require a deep dive into technical assembly and customisation, the SV08 arrives with a thoughtfully preassembled modular design. You can have it ready for your first print in about 40 minutes, no technical crisis required.

Open-Source Spirit with Plug-and-Play Convenience

One of the most exciting features of the Sovol SV08 is its 100% open-source lineage. Borrowing directly from the Voron community’s collaborative ethos, all the CAD files and firmware (Klipper) are freely available and customisable. You get a solid foundation that's entirely yours to modify, from simple upgrades to full tool head swaps - giving you the freedom to innovate without starting from scratch.

Features That Impress

Build Volume: A spacious 350 x 350 x 345 mm print area, ideal for large, intricate projects.
High-Quality Components: Linear rails on all axes, a direct drive extruder with planetary gearbox, and hardened extruder gears for durability.
Advanced Tooling: A high-flow hotend that heats up to 300°C paired with a heated bed reaching 100°C.
Ease of Use: Comes with a bright LED work light, filament runout sensor, and a camera for print monitoring and time-lapses.
User Interface: A basic screen and dial for controls supplemented by a full-featured web interface for advanced settings and slicing profiles.

Performance That Rivals Flagship Printers

The SV08’s flying gantry motion system enhances print stability and accuracy, especially on taller prints, by keeping the bed stationary. This design not only ensures consistent levelling but also delivers flagship-level print quality at less than a third of the cost of comparable high-end printers like the H2S.

Who Is the SV08 Best For?

Whether you’re a cosplayer, tinkerer, creator, or just starting out, the Sovol SV08 offers a compelling blend of reliability, quality, and customisation potential. It bridges the gap between locked-down “appliance-style” machines and complex open-source kits that eat days of your time to build.

Final Thoughts

At MindKits, we proudly offer the Sovol SV08 as an accessible, high-performance 3D printer for anyone wanting to step into the open-source Voron world. It’s an excellent choice for those who value control, quality, and community-driven innovation without the overwhelming build process.

Discover the Sovol SV08 and its bigger sibling, the SV08 MAX, and start building your own 3D printing legacy today.

Watch our VORON SV08 Review on Youtube!

For more details and to purchase, visit our Sovol page at MindKits.co.nz. If you have questions, join our friendly team on Discord or contact us through the website.

Your Own Mini-Factory: Why Smart Companies Are Building 3D Print Farms

Sun, 28 Sep 2025 22:44:50 -0500

The Manufacturing Catch-22

You've nailed your product design. Customers love the prototype. You're ready to manufacture. Then reality hits.

Traditional injection moulding? That'll be $70,000-$140,000 NZD for tooling, plus 8-10 weeks of waiting. If you discover even a tiny design flaw once customers start using it? Expensive mould modifications or start over completely.

You don't have to play that game anymore!

Welcome to the new era of Bridge Manufacturing

Smart companies are building production capability with print farms: fleets of 3D printers running in parallel. Think 50 Bambu Lab printers humming away, managed by software that orchestrates them like a symphony.

Here's where the math gets interesting: 3D printing can be considerably cheaper than injection moulding for anything under 20,000 units. For injection mounding the break-even point sits around 40,000-50,000 parts. For that crucial validation phase—your first 500 to 2,000 units—3D printing wins because there's no tooling cost.

Even better: while your competitor waits 10 weeks for their mould, you're already shipping, collecting customer feedback and implementing design refinements.

Why This Changes Everything

The real magic isn't just cost, it’s agility in a fast-moving economy.

Customers want a small tweak after launch? Maybe mounting holes need to move 3mm? With traditional manufacturing, you're stuck. With a print farm? Update the file, hit print, ship the improved version tomorrow.

One company restarted production in 7 hours using 3D-printed parts instead of waiting weeks for tooling. That could be the difference between staying in business and watching your production line sit idle.

This is "discovering the unknown unknowns"—you can't predict every issue until real customers use your product. Print farms let you iterate toward perfection instead of betting everything on one frozen design.

The Tech That Makes It Work

Bambu Lab's Farm Manager software (launched mid-2025) handles unlimited printers on your local network with real-time monitoring, automatic job queuing, and smart power management.

One operator in the Netherlands runs 35-45 Bambu printers, scaling based on demand. His clients require strict NDAs—everything stays local, fully encrypted, GDPR compliant. Total control.

When Does This Make Sense?

Print farms shine for new products with uncertain demand, anything under 20,000 units (sweet spot: 500-10,000), products needing customisation, and fast-moving markets where speed beats scale.

The hidden benefit? Your print farm isn't locked to one product. Unlike injection moulding tooling, those 50 printers manufacture whatever you need. Today it's Product A, next month Product B, next quarter both plus seasonal items. Flexibility you can't get any other way - Clearly this is the future!

The Bottom Line

The global 3D printing market reached $23.4 billion in 2025 and is growing at 23.4% annually—projected to hit $101.7 billion by 2032. This isn't experimental—it's production-ready, with over 4.5 million printers sold globally in 2024 alone.

Here's what it comes down to: Would you rather spend $100,000 NZD betting you've predicted the future correctly, or spend that on flexible manufacturing capability that adapts as you learn what customers actually want?

For many companies, bridge manufacturing isn't a temporary solution—it's the smarter way to manufacture, period.

Ready to explore what a print farm could do for your business? The MindKits team can help you evaluate whether this approach makes sense for your products.

Why resin printing isn't so scary

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 21:10:33 -0500

Discover how next‑gen resin printers, like the GK3 Pro from UniFormation, make ultra‑detailed printing safe, easy, and worth the setup for serious makers.

Open Frame vs. Enclosed, a 3D Printer Buying Guide

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 21:54:05 -0500

So you've finally decided to take the plunge into 3D printing. But as you browse through options, one question keeps coming up: should you go with an enclosed or open printer? It's a bigger decision than you might think, and getting it wrong could limit your projects before you even get started.

Let's break down the key differences and help you choose the right printer for both your current needs and future ambitions.

The Basics: Open Frame vs. Enclosed Explained

Open 3D printers have no walls around the printing area - everything's exposed and accessible. The Bambu Lab A1 is a great example, offering excellent reliability and ease of use, but your prints are subject to room temperature changes and air currents.

Enclosed 3D printers surround the print area with walls and a lid, creating a controlled environment. The Bambu Lab X1 Carbon exemplifies this approach, maintaining stable conditions regardless of what's happening in your room.

Upgradeable options like the Sovol S8 start as open printers but can have enclosures fitted later – giving you flexibility to upgrade when your needs change.

The Long-Term Perspective: Why Your First Choice Matters

Here's where many new users make a costly mistake: they buy based only on immediate needs. The Bambu Lab A1 might seem perfect for beginners - it prints PLA and PETG beautifully with excellent reliability. But what happens when you want to print functional parts that need to withstand heat? Or when you decide to start selling custom items online?

Suddenly, that "perfect beginner printer" becomes a limitation. You'll find yourself researching upgrades or replacement printers sooner than expected.

Why Enclosures Make a Real Difference

Temperature Control

The biggest advantage of enclosed printers is consistent ambient temperature. Room drafts, seasonal changes, and air conditioning can all affect print quality on open machines. Enclosed printers like the Bambu Lab X1 Carbon maintain stable conditions, leading to more predictable results.

Material Compatibility

Want to print durable parts that won't deform in a hot car? You'll need materials like ABS or ASA. These engineering plastics require consistent temperatures to prevent warping – something open printers struggle with. The Bambu Lab H2 Series takes this even further with its actively heated chamber, handling the most demanding materials with precision temperature control.

Better Success Rates

Failed prints waste time and materials. Enclosed printers significantly reduce failures caused by environmental factors, making your printing sessions more productive and less frustrating.

Matching Printers to Your Space

Open Printers Work Well When:

You have a dedicated, temperature-stable room
You're primarily printing PLA for decorative items
You need easy access during prints
Budget is the primary concern

The Bambu Lab A1 excels in these situations, offering excellent reliability and user-friendly features in an open design.

Enclosed Printers Shine When:

Your workspace temperature varies (garage, basement, spare room)
You want material flexibility
Print quality consistency matters more than easy access
You're thinking about future projects beyond basic plastics

Our Recommendations

Testing the Waters: Bambu Lab A1 Series

Perfect if you're exploring 3D printing as a hobby. It offers excellent reliability and user-friendly features in an open design. Just know you might want to upgrade for advanced materials later.

Ready to Commit: Bambu Lab P1 and X1 Series

The P1S and X1 Carbon offer the material flexibility and consistency to handle whatever projects you throw at them. It's an investment that grows with your skills and ambitions.

Maximum Value: Sovol S8

Need big prints with upgrade potential? The S8 delivers serious build volume and is compatible with an enclosure later when you're ready to tackle advanced materials.

Professional Applications: Bambu Lab H2 Series

When reliability and advanced material capability are non-negotiable. The actively heated chamber handles demanding engineering materials with precision that other printers can't match.

Making Your Decision

The choice ultimately depends on your goals and workspace. If you're confident you'll stick to basic materials and have a stable environment, an open printer offers great value. But if there's any chance you'll want to explore engineering materials or start a side business, investing in an enclosed printer saves money and frustration in the long run.

Still not sure which direction to go? That's exactly why we're here. At MindKits, we help customers navigate these decisions every day. We'll discuss your specific situation, space, and goals to recommend the printer that makes the most sense for your journey.

Get personalized recommendations from our team - we'll help you choose the printer that fits your needs and grows with your ambitions.

The Ultimate Guide To Filament Types

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 16:05:55 -0500

Discover the best filaments for 3D printing with our expert guide. Learn about PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, carbon fiber, and more—find the right material for every project, from strong functional parts to flexible prototypes and eco-friendly options.

From Nerdy Hobby to Common Appliance : How Bambu Lab Took 3D Printing Mainstream

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 19:57:00 -0500

How Bambu Lab Finally Made 3D Printing Work for Everyone

Remember when 3D printing was supposed to revolutionise everything? For over a decade, we heard the promises that every household would have a printer, manufacturing would be democratised, creativity would be unleashed. Instead, most people's experience looked more like endless bed levelling, failed prints, and hours spent hunting through Thingiverse for that one decent design buried under thousands of plastic trinkets.

Bambu Lab changed that story completely, and the results are already visible in classrooms, workshops, and homes across the globe.

The Real Revolution: From Nerdy Hobby to Common Appliance

Teachers who once avoided 3D printing due to complexity are now embracing it because Bambu's printers actually work as advertised. Students can now iterate on their designs within single class periods instead of waiting days or weeks to see their work come to life.

This isn't just about better hardware, though the reliability is game-changing. It's about Bambu Lab's Makerworld creating the first 3D printing platform that solves 'the design problem'. While other companies focused on faster printing or cheaper filament, Bambu realised the real bottleneck wasn't technical—it was finding quality designs worth printing.

Their approach is brilliantly simple: reward creators with discount codes for contributing good models, then let users stack those codes to purchase Materials and even Printers. Yes, you can literally design your way to a free printer…(*if you live in the US). Most companies would consider this financial suicide; Bambu saw it as community building!

Beyond the Maker Community

The impact reaches far beyond traditional makers. Desktop 3D printers are seeing "tremendous growth" among "small and medium-sized companies" and educational institutions, with the market expanding at over 23% annually. We're witnessing what happens when technology finally becomes accessible enough for regular people to use.

What's remarkable is the quality of objects people are now printing at home. Custom gaming controllers with your name embedded in the grip. Intricate jewellery pieces that would cost hundreds at a boutique. Miniature architectural models of your dream home. Cosplay helmets and props that rival professional costume shops. Personalised desk lamps with geometric patterns that cast stunning shadows. Board game organisers designed specifically for your favourite games.

These aren't novelty items—they're functional solutions that often surpass what you'd find in stores because they're designed for your specific situation. A custom spice rack that fits your exact cabinet dimensions will always work better than a generic one-size-fits-all version.

From Consumer to Creator

This shift is fundamentally changing how we approach problem-solving. Instead of adapting our needs to available products, we're designing products around our needs. The psychological impact is profound—there's genuine satisfaction in creating something uniquely yours, something that works exactly as intended because you made it yourself.

Elderly hobbyists are printing custom garden tools. Teachers are creating interactive learning materials. Small business owners are prototyping products without needing engineering degrees. The barrier that kept 3D printing locked in the domain of "nerds and tech-savvy tinkerers" wasn't the hardware—it was the entire user experience.

Bambu didn't just improve 3D printing; they made it feel like using any other appliance. Download, click print, get results. Revolutionary? Maybe… Effective? Absolutely! The promise of democratised manufacturing is finally being fulfilled, one perfectly printed design at a time.

*Makerworld discount codes - While it is unfortunate that this is not availably locally for New Zealanders we do get the benefit of a rapidly expanding catalogue of curated, high quality designs!

Meet Your New Creative Sidekick: The AlgoLaser Pixi - Smart Laser Engraver

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0500

Ever dreamed of having your own personal laser engraver but thought they were too big, too complicated, or too expensive? Well, dream no more! The AlgoLaser Pixi Smart Laser Engraver is about to change everything you thought you knew about laser engraving. This mighty little machine packs professional-grade capabilities into a toaster-sized package that'll fit perfectly on your desk, craft table, or workshop bench.

What Makes the Pixi a Game-Changer?

Safety First, Fun Always The Pixi is a Class 1 laser device, which means it's designed with safety as the top priority. The fully enclosed design and automatic lid-detection system means the laser stops immediately when you open the cover – perfect for curious kids or pets wandering into your workspace. No more worrying about stray laser beams or complex safety protocols!

No Computer? No Problem! Here's where things get exciting – the Pixi runs entirely on its built-in AlgoOS system. Simply use the intuitive touchscreen to select your design, choose your material from the preset library, and hit start. You can even sketch directly on the screen with the included stylus! Though if you prefer using your laptop, it's fully compatible with popular software like LightBurn.

Precision That'll Make You Smile Don't let its compact size fool you – this little powerhouse delivers professional results with a cutting spot as small as 0.03mm and accuracy down to 0.01mm. The hand-turned Z-axis makes focusing effortless, so you'll get crisp, clean results every single time.

300+ Materials, Endless Possibilities From wood and leather to acrylic, cardboard, stone, and even coated metals, the Pixi tackles over 300 different materials. Whether you're creating custom dog tags, personalised keychains, engraved tumblers, wooden coasters, custom phone cases, intricate home décor, branded corporate gifts, or meaningful personalised presents, this versatile machine handles everything from delicate paper projects to robust signage applications.

Desktop-Friendly Design At just 8.4" x 7.7" and weighing in at 8.3 pounds, the Pixi won't dominate your workspace. It's compact enough for any home office, craft room, or even the kitchen table for those weekend project sessions.

Project Inspiration to Get You Started

Imagine crafting personalised wooden coasters for your next dinner party, engraving custom phone cases with your family photos, or creating one-of-a-kind leather keychains for your business. Small business owners are already using the Pixi to add custom engraving services – think personalised jewellery, custom signage, or branded promotional items. Teachers love it for educational projects, while hobbyists can't get enough of creating custom home décor and gifts.

The Bottom Line

The AlgoLaser Pixi Smart Laser Engraver represents incredible value in the laser engraving world. You're getting professional-grade precision, safety features typically found in much larger more expensive machines, and the convenience of a standalone system that requires zero technical expertise to operate.

Whether you're a complete beginner curious about laser engraving, a small business owner looking to expand your services, or a seasoned maker wanting a convenient desktop solution, the Pixi delivers professional results without the professional price tag or complexity.

Ready to unleash your creativity? The AlgoLaser Pixi Smart Laser Engraver with Enclosure will be available soon at MindKits - your trusted New Zealand supplier for innovative maker tools and technology.

Keeping it Real: Matt Stevens (The Prop Circle) and His Prop Making Business

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 11:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the Mindkits Kiwicast, Tim talks with Matt. Matt is the owner of The Prop Circle, a small business in Marlborough that specializes in creating bespoke props, costumes, set pieces, accessories, and robots. Matt talks about his prop making journey and how it helps him in his life, especially his mental health.

Creativity, Creativity Never Changes

“They were either really expensive or we just couldn't get them at all. Uh, so I bought a 3D printer printed some props and here we are 3 years later It's pretty cool.

According to Matt, his prop making began three years ago. Matt wanted to get some Fallout collectibles. But since New Zealand is remote he had only two options – buy the collectibles at exorbitant prices or face long lead times. In a stroke of ingenuity Matt decided on a third option – make it himself. Matt purchased a 3D printer and printed left and right. He learned weathering and making his props look realistic.

With his initial foray being successful, Matt decided to jump headfirst and created the Prop Circle.

Image from the Prop Circle Facebook Page

Not Just Toys

Matt creates props for films and so his creations must be believable to a fault. Browsing through Matt’s collection of props and you will see that these things wouldn’t stray from the real thing. Only up-close can you part his creations from the real ones.

Matt does this by making sure that his creations are weathered. Weathering is the process of making a prop (or in my experience a scale model) look like it has a “story to tell.” Scuffing up leather kneepads, oil streaks on an engine, heavy mud on a scale model of a tank, bullet holes on the wings of a WW2 plan. Weathering does not mean making something “old” but adding scuffs, tarnishes, and all manners of wear and tear to a creation that implicitly tells a story.

Matt uses an extensive array of weathering techniques from paint manipulation to adding real specks of rust to highlight the depth of each creation.

And he doesn’t stop until he achieves the level of realism he wants or constrained by time. But for personal projects, he rarely finishes them as to Matt constant iterations are a key to his success.

“I very rarely finish something for myself because I'll just keep touching it keep iterating on it.

The 3D Printing Revolution

Image from the Prop Circle Facebook Page

New Zealand is a far-flung corner of the world. The geographic distance from many manufacturers and distributors make it impossible to get parts on-time and within financial sense. To Matt, 3D printing, has presented a novel solution to the problem of distance that is only served by platforms such as Temu or AliExpress.

“Um yeah as terrible platform as they are I am very grateful for things like Temu uh AliExpress otherwise there's no way that we'll get some of the stuff that we need.

Matt says that 3D printing, and the attached open-source software have made parts sourcing easier and propelled resourcefulness and creativity into the frontline. With his 3D printer, Matt can prototype several iterations of his props without delay. Tools and parts that was once hard to come-by can now be solved by simply printing the part you need.

Today, Matt has been using PLA and PETG among other things in his materials.

3D printing has also allowed the creation of affordable, accessible, and ever more detailed props. And many are finding that the most recent 3D printers such as the Bambu Lab A1 Combo and Bambu Lab P1S Combo have made not just 3D printing accessible but multi-color, multi-material 3D printing easier than using an oven.

To him, 3D printing is not a replacement of traditional prop making but an augment of it.

Mental Health Boost

Matt has recently been diagnosed with ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The primary reason of the disorder is still unknown but there is wide scientific consensus that this is due to a lack of dopamine in the brain. The symptoms present as inattention, hyperactivity, or a combination of both. ADHD makes focusing on a task difficult. Though sometimes you may find yourself in a state of hyper fixation where in nothing matters but the task at hand.

To Matt prop making is more than just a business. It is an outlet. An outlet of creativity wherein he could relax and just let his inner self loose. Prop main as an outlet, also lets him manage stress as he has a primary job other than the Prop Circle.

Image from the Prop Circle Facebook Page

The community around creative work aka Makers has also been a significant help according to him. Not only are community members there to help him troubleshoot his projects the community is also accepting of him and many others like him who suffer from mental health issues.

“I guess like the more we talk about it the more open people are about it you know the better it's going to be for everyone.

Just Do It.

When asked on what Matt would like to advise to the community and people in general here is what he has to say:

“Don’t let the fear of starting [to] be your first failure I mean just if you want to do it do it and crack on. Um that's about it. And that goes for anything…

Thank you for Matt Stevens of the Prop Circle for having a great chat with Tim. If you would like to hear the entire podcast, you may watch it on the MindKits YouTube Channel.

For your creative and 3D printing needs in New Zealand, don’t forget to check out MindKits.co.nz where we have 3D printers, CNC machines, laser cutters, and more!

Check out our MindKits NZ Discord Channel and share your work and hangout with fellow kiwi makers.

-MindKits_Sam

Letting Kids Explore the World: Kevin and Questionable Research Labs

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:49:05 -0500

In the second episode of the MindKits Kiwicast, host Tim sits down with Kevin Waugh, founder of Questionable Research Labs, to explore the power of community-driven maker spaces, the importance of letting kids experiment and fail, and how anyone can start a creative movement—even with limited resources.

A Playground for Curious Minds

Questionable Research Labs operates from the old library at Tikipunga High School, providing what Kevin describes as “an adventure playground for science, tech, and design type stuff.” He emphasizes that pain and disaster are part of having fun:

“Pain and disaster are part of having fun; it’s like an adventure playground compared to a safe playground. We’re the adventure playground for science, tech, design type stuff and you don’t want it too safe.”

The lab’s origins go back to 2016 with a small coding club called Technohackers, which quickly outgrew its space and evolved into a bustling hub for young makers. After several moves—including a stint in a large downtown building and a period of “dark ages” without a home—the lab now thrives in its current school setting, fostering a vibrant, youth-oriented community.

Why Maker Spaces Matter

Photo from Questionable Research Labs Facebook Page

Kevin believes the real value of a maker space lies in its community:

“It’s really about community. The fundamental thing—you have lots of sports clubs and other spaces for people doing creative arts, but people who are cognitive, curious about the world, like making stuff, inventing things, playing with ideas… having a space to be with other people like that, that’s really about community of geeks fundamentally.”

He stresses that the culture at Questionable Research Labs is intentionally experimental and open-ended.

“Everything we do here is experimental. Any group that we run, we’re trying ideas out, throw stuff at the wall, see how that goes. We have stuff that doesn’t work and we like my science group is the one that I most enjoy running. I’m really explicit with the kids that stuff doesn’t always work.”

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Embracing Failure as a Superpower

A key philosophy at the lab is to let kids take risks and learn from mistakes.

“We’ll work really hard to make sure we don’t cause permanent harm to the kids… but we won’t stop them burning themselves with a hot glue gun or soldering iron. Pain and disaster are part of having fun.”

Photo from Questionable Research Labs Facebook Page

Kevin contrasts this with traditional education, where lessons are designed to work perfectly and failure is often avoided. In the maker space, the process is just as important as the outcome:

“If you’re having fun doing stuff, you’re probably on the right track… If they’re having fun learning and forget that it’s about learning, then that’s got to be mission accomplished.”

How to Start Your Own Maker Space

For parents and adults who want to foster creativity but lack access to a formal maker space, Kevin’s advice is clear:

“A maker space can be made—that’s the first rule. Get a couple of kids together, start it yourself, find a space, find a community room, get another parent. You don’t have to know much; you just have to foster the kids playing with this technology.”

He emphasizes that community is the foundation—once you gather a few curious minds, activities and learning naturally follow.

Photo from Questionable Research Labs Facebook Page

The Power of Neurodiversity and Mental Health

Kevin observes that maker spaces attract a diverse range of young people, including many who are neurodiverse:

“If I looked at the participants in this lab, I’d say probably… there’s a huge amount of neurodiversity. Some of them fly in school but some of them struggle. But in a space like this, where they can do stuff without fear, without demands, with fun, and it’s in their interest, then they do really well.”

He notes that the freedom to experiment and the support of a like-minded community help kids develop resilience, teamwork, and the confidence to try new things—skills that serve them well beyond the lab.

Tools for Making and Learning

Inspired to start tinkering? MindKits.co.nz offers a wide range of tools and kits perfect for young makers and educators, from 3D printers and robotics kits to coding platforms and electronics. These resources can help you create your own adventure playground for science and technology, whether at home, in a school, or in your community.

3D Printers: Ideal for rapid prototyping and hands-on learning.

Robotics Kits: Great for collaborative projects and competitions.

Coding Tools: Accessible platforms for beginners and advanced users alike.

Find Your Tribe, Build Your Community

Kevin’s journey shows that you don’t need to wait for someone else to create opportunities for creativity and connection:

“If you wait for somebody else to do it, you can… it’s like waiting for the school to get better or waiting for the government to improve—you know it’s going to be never. Just do it.”

He encourages anyone interested to take the first step—gather a group, find a space, and let curiosity lead the way.

Connect with Questionable Research Labs and MindKits

To learn more about Questionable Research Labs, visit their website at questionable.org.nz. For tools, kits, and inspiration to start your own maker journey, explore MindKits.co.nz, and join the conversation with other makers on the MindKits Discord server.

“Do the hard stuff. It’s okay not knowing what you’re doing… most of us most of the time don’t have a clue what we’re doing, and if you use that as a barrier to doing things, you’ll miss out.” – Kevin Waugh, Questionable Research Labs

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Unboxing & Assembling a Onefinity CNC

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