Rein van der Mast releases new Meteor 3D printed fountain pen

Dutch designer and technologist Rein van der Mast has been disrupting how fountain pens are made. Instead of relying on proven technology, in 2013 he was the first to 3D print a titanium fountain pen, followed, in 2016, by the nibs. Some amazing models followed: the very unique Spica Virginis (also available in solid gold) and, progressively more widely available models, such as the Type One. The latest addition to van der Mast’s collection is  Meteor, an exclusive multi-metal fountain pen in which arts and crafts of the past go hand in hand with manufacturing technologies of the future.

Although most parts are 3D printed in titanium and stainless steel with laser powder-bed fusion, the finishing touch is still done by experienced craftsmen. “The design of the Meteor is slightly more ‘classic’ then the Spica Virginis (others would say: conventional LOL),” van der Mast explained. There are two versions available: ‘Pure’ and ‘Royal Blue’/’Wine Red’. ‘Pure’ shows the metal parts as they are when they leave the 3D printer. ‘Royal Blue’/’Wine Red’ has a shiny surface with royal blue or wine red lines.

A remarkable 3D printed black box/display stand is included. For the display stand Van der Mast turned to HP’s Multi Jet Fusion. technology Van der Mast: “I had applied this technology successfully to my previous design: the TypeONE of 3Dimensions2 . I found some significant advantages over Selective Laser Sintering. One of them is in the density of the prints.” Extra unique to the pen is the nib, also completely 3D printed in titanium, including the slit and the logo. The nib itself writes wonderfully. It is comfortable and reliable.

The 3D printing is carried out at machinefabriek de Valk , on SLM280 and ProX300 systems.