HeyGears G1 Promises UV Printing and Full-Color 3D in One Machine

HeyGears is running a Kickstarter for the G1, a desktop machine that aims to combine UV flatbed printing with full-color 3D printing. The pitch is simple: one device, two very different workflows. UV printing lets you put graphics on almost anything, while the 3D side builds solid parts in full color.

The build volume reaches 420 mm by 320 mm by 130 mm. That is larger than most resin printers and competitive with entry-level FDM machines. For the UV side, an Epson print head handles CMYK ink at layer resolutions down to 10 microns. The ink comes in bottles, not locked cartridges, which should keep running costs lower than dedicated UV printers that force proprietary supplies.

How the dual process works

UV flatbed printing works by jetting ink onto a rigid surface and curing it with ultraviolet light. It is the same technology used for printing logos on phone cases, trophies, and promotional products. The G1 extends that to 3D by building up layers of cured resin and ink simultaneously. Early review units appear to deliver on the promise, based on hands-on videos from testers.

Early bird pricing on Kickstarter sits at $2,000. The manufacturer's suggested retail price will be higher once crowdfunding ends. For buyers who want both UV and 3D capability in one footprint, that is cheaper than buying two specialized machines. Whether the execution matches the concept is still being tested by backers.

Who should care

Product designers, small-batch manufacturers, and makers who need custom graphics on functional parts are the obvious audience. A prototype printed in resin with a matching UV-printed label or texture could save hours of post-processing. The trade-off is wait time. Crowdfunding deliveries are months away, and early hardware often carries bugs that surface only after wider use.

If the G1 delivers what HeyGears promises, it could fill a real gap in the prosumer market. UV printers and resin 3D printers already exist separately. Combining them without a massive price penalty would make the machine worth watching, even if you only use one of the two modes.