Dec 11, 2018 | By Thomas
MakerBot has just unveiled the MakerBot Method, a performance 3D printer which aims to bridges the gap between desktop and industrial 3D printing.
The Makerbot Method, which MakerBot has been working on for two years, leverages industrial technologies and expertise from Stratasys and combines it with the accessibility and ease of use for which MakerBot is known.
The MakerBot Method 3D printer does not offer a heated build plate. Instead, it has a Circulating Heated Chamber, which the company says controls the temperature and quality of every layer to provide cooling at a controlled rate, resulting in improved layer adhesion and part strength.
In addition, the Method offers dual extrusion, and its new Dual Performance Extruders features a dual-drive gear system with a powerful 19:1 gear ratio, enabling up to 3X the push force of a typical desktop 3D printer. Dual Performance Extruders enable print speeds up to two times faster than current desktop systems.
Method also features Dry-Sealed Material Bays which form a seal to keep filament material pristine and reduce moisture absorption. A suite of built-in sensors monitors humidity and alerts users of any changes to the environment.
The dual extrusion system combines model printing with water-soluble PVA material to provide an impressive surface finish, and enables design freedom and unrestricted geometries, such as complex overhangs without scarring.
The Smart Spool provides information such as type, color, and amount of material remaining via an RFID chip directly to MakerBot Print.
The Makerbot Method also includes built-in sensors and automation features, as well as Ultra-Rigid Metal Frame and Spring Steel Build Plate which enables the printed part to pop off the plate. Method is capable of printing repeatable and consistent parts with ± 0.2 mm dimensional accuracy as well as vertical layer uniformity and cylindricity.
“In an age of disruption, businesses are under pressure to innovate and bring products to market faster. Current desktop 3D printers derive their DNA from hobbyist 3D printers and are insufficient for many applications in the professional segment,” said Nadav Goshen, MakerBot CEO. “We believe that Method is the next step in helping organizations adopt 3D printing at a larger scale. Method provides a breakthrough in 3D printing that enables industrial designers and mechanical engineers to innovate faster and become more agile. It is built for professionals who need immediate access to a 3D printer that can deliver industrial performance to accelerate their design cycles. Method is developed to bring industrial technologies into an accessible platform, breaking the price-performance barrier and redefining rapid prototyping in the process.”
The first material on the Method platform is PETG, but MakerBot offers two new categories of materials for use with Method: Precision and Specialty. Precision Materials include MakerBot Tough, MakerBot PLA, and MakerBot PVA. Specialty Materials are for users looking for materials with advanced properties. These materials provide basic print performance and can require additional workflow steps to print successfully.
On the software side, MakerBot Print Software is compatible with 25 of the most popular CAD programs. For easy collaboration, teams can also save 3D files as projects and share them via the native Cloud Management platform. Method’s built-in onboard camera also allows users to monitor their print progress remotely.
The MakerBot Method 3D printer has undergone over 220,000 hours of testing. The Printer has a starting price of 6,499 EUR and is now ready to be pre-ordered for shipping in early 2019.
Posted in 3D Printer
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Having seen the PR material. Not feeling the price tag for it.
The truth will out wrote at 12/12/2018 12:14:02 PM:
I wonder who they stole the IP from this time? They already plundered the open source community... Just say no to makerbot and their evil ways.
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