SAN JOSE: The world's first compact 3D printer-cum-scanner that can also scan items has been unveiled at the American Association Advancement of Science annual meeting in San Jose, California.

Blacksmith Group start-up at Nanyang Technological University launched the user-friendly all-in-one device, named the Blacksmith Genesis.

The $2,200 device allows users to scan any item, and then edit the digitised model on the computer and print it out in 3D, Lester Kok, assistant manager of NTU's Corporate Communications Office, told Xinhua news agency.

"Most 3D printers sold on the market now are not really user-friendly as their 3D models and blueprints usually have to be designed from scratch on the computer," Kok said, "but Blacksmith Genesis doesn't require much knowledge of 3D software."

Unlike other commercial 3D printers, Blacksmith Genesis uses an innovative rotary platform for its printing and scanning. This patent-pending revolving platform allows for true 360-degrees scanning, and can print items up to 6,650 cubic cm, twice the size of those printed by other similar-sized 3D printers in the market.

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