Oct.2, 2013
The Cube goes on sale in Britain today: Dixons' stores PC World and Currys start selling 3D Systems' Cube, a 26 x 26 x 34cm, 4.3kg 3D printer for £1,195. But this printer doesn't come cheap, with each cartridge costing £52.80.
You can connect the cube to a Mac or a Windows PC via wireless network, but it also has a USB port ready to take a Flash drive. The printer prints layers of plastic 0.2mm thick using a single print head. If you expect the print quality to be as high as Lego bricks, then you will be disappointed. The Cube comes with 25 free designs so it is pretty easy for beginners and children to get starting with 3D printing.
The Cube will be available to order online starting today from PC World and Dixons. It comes in white, silver, pink, green, and blue.
Worldwide shipments of sub-$100,000 3D printers will grow 49 percent in 2013 to reach a total of 56,507 units, according to Gartner's report published today.
"While still a nascent market, with hype outpacing the technical realities, the speed of development and rise in buyer interest are pressing hardware, software and service providers to offer easier-to-use tools and materials that produce consistently high-quality results," said Pete Basiliere, research director at Gartner.
"In the next 18 months, we foresee consumers moving from being curious about the technology to finding reasons to justify purchases as price points, applications and functionality become more attractive."
Gartner expects that by 2015, seven of the 50 largest multinational retailers will sell 3D printers through their physical and online stores.
"Simply experiencing the technology and conceiving ways to use it will mainly drive makers and hobbyists, not the average consumer, to purchase a 3D printer to begin with," said Basiliere.
"However, we expect that a compelling consumer application – something that can only be created at home on a 3D printer – will hit the scene by 2016. This application, which will be the most compelling use case yet for consumer 3D printing, will arise from work done by makers and other enthusiasts who push the envelope of consumer 3D printing uses and enabled by manufacturers who develop 'plug-and-play' tools."
Posted in 3D Printers
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The cartridges cost 2x more than the competition for similar amounts of material.
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