Kare 3D Kare S1: The Kickstarter Printer That Promises Metal and Plastic on One Desktop Machine

A Desktop Printer That Claims to Do It All

Istanbul-based startup Kare 3D has launched a Kickstarter campaign for the Kare S1, a desktop 3D printer that makes a bold claim: it can process both metal and plastic filaments on a single machine. The campaign is seeking £52,275 and has already attracted attention from the metal 3D printing community, which has been burned by previous 'metal filament' promises that failed to deliver.

High-Temperature Hardware

The Kare S1's key differentiator is its extreme temperature capability. The print head heats up to an industry-leading 550°C, while the print bed reaches 150°C. These temperatures open the door to a wide range of materials — from standard PLA and PETG at the low end to high-performance engineering plastics like PEEK and PEKK, and potentially metal-infused filaments that require elevated chamber temperatures for proper sintering.

The high-temperature design is what enables the printer's dual-material claim. For plastic filaments, the 550°C nozzle covers virtually every thermoplastic on the market. For metal applications, the printer relies on metal composite filaments — metal powder bound in a plastic matrix that can be printed like standard FDM filament and then sintered in a separate furnace to produce near-full-density metal parts.

The Metal Filament Approach

Kare 3D's approach follows the established metal filament workflow: print with a metal-polymer composite, then debind and sinter in a dedicated furnace. The company offers an optional sintering furnace and washing station as add-ons to the base printer package.

This approach is significantly more accessible than laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) systems, which cost tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. However, it comes with trade-offs — longer lead times due to the multi-stage process, potential for warping during sintering, and the need for a controlled atmosphere furnace for many metal alloys.

Kickstarter Reality Check

The Kare S1 campaign is currently live on Kickstarter with a goal of £52,275. Early bird pricing starts at a competitive tier for backers willing to take the risk on a startup's first product. The printer's feature set — high-temperature capability, large build volume, and dual-material claims — positions it between budget desktop printers and professional-grade machines.

However, the metal 3D printing space has seen its share of Kickstarter disappointments. Previous campaigns for 'affordable metal printers' have struggled with delivery delays, quality issues, and unmet performance claims. Prospective backers should carefully evaluate whether the Kare S1's specifications are achievable at the stated price point.

Specifications

Process: FDM (metal composite + plastic)
Max nozzle temperature: 550°C
Max bed temperature: 150°C
Materials: Standard plastics, high-temp engineering plastics, metal composite filaments
Optional accessories: Sintering furnace, washing station
Origin: Istanbul, Turkey
Funding goal: £52,275

What This Means for Makers

If Kare 3D can deliver on its promises, the Kare S1 would represent one of the most affordable entry points into metal additive manufacturing. For hobbyists and small workshops that have been priced out of professional metal 3D printing, a desktop machine capable of producing metal parts — even with the additional sintering step — could be a game-changer.

The printer is seeking £52,275 on Kickstarter. Interested backers can find the campaign on the Kare 3D Kickstarter page, though they should proceed with the usual Kickstarter caution — especially for hardware projects promising breakthrough capabilities at low price points.