Nov 23, 2015 | By Kira
Formbytes, a Spanish startup whose goal is to bring 3D printing to all, has won first place in the 15th edition of the Creatic Awards, which recognizes the best business initiatives in the field of technology and innovation in the Mataró-Maresme region of Spain. The first-place prize includes €8,000 as well as one full year participation in the TecnoCampus startup incubator.
Founded by Miquel Lloveras, Joaquim Agustí and David Marco, Formbytes was created with one goal in mind: to make 3D printing accessible and affordable for everyone. To that end, the three entrepreneurs are developing proprietary 3D printing products and software, and are ready to bring their portable, inexpensive and user-friendly 3D printer to market.
“We believe in the great potential of 3D printing, so our goal is to produce a 3D printer available to everyone, that brings this technology to the public and can reach all levels of education,” said the company.
Even though they are targeting the entry-level or beginners 3D printing market, that doesn’t mean they’ve skimped on quality, speed, or other professional features. The upcoming machine will offer a resolution of 0.1mm, and 150x150x100mm build area, and will come in a range of fun, bright colors. They've kept the size small to encourage 3D printing in any location, including classrooms, desktops, or on-the-go. In terms of software, the Formbyte will run on open source FreeCAD or Cura.
To further promote the ease and accessibility of 3D printing for educators or individuals, their Formbyte 3D printer will come in an easy-to-assemble kit, and will even include step-by-step instructions and optional “Introduction to 3D printing” courses for teachers, professionals, students and individuals. Given their commitment to education, the company plans to offer discounts for schools and teachers.
The first of these ‘Intro’ courses will take place December 12-13, 2015 at the MADE Makerspace in Barcelona. For €445, users will have access to a Formbytes 3D printer, SD card, 200g of PLA filament, all the necessary tools to assemble the Formbytes 3D printer KIT, and hands-on training in how to create with a 3D printer.
“We believe that 3D printing is a very important educational component that is full of possibilities, so we make a clear commitment to training regardless of age through a KIT ideal for beginners.”
The award was presented during the ‘Night of the Entrepreneurs’ in the Catalonian city of Mataró, where several other entrepreneurial organizations were recognized for technological innovation and social responsibility. While we have yet to see just what Formbytes has in store for us as we await launch of their 3D printer kit, we’re all for projects that aim to make 3D printing technology more accessible and affordable. Surely the funding and mentorship from the TechnoCampus incubator and Creatic Award will push them ever closer to that goal.
Posted in 3D Printer
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