Jan.7, 2014
Makerbot Chief Executive Bre Pettis unveiled the MakerBot Replicator 3D Printing Platform including the new Mini, Z18, and prosumer Replicators at CES 2014 on Monday. This is the fifth year Makerbot has been to CES, and the company has now sold more than 44,000 units worldwide.
MakerBot Replicator Mini
The MakerBot Replicator Mini is a new model. It is a smaller and cheap 3D printer with the build volume of the original MakerBot Cupcake, and Pettis called it the "point-and-shoot" model. "It's basically one touch, set up for speed. It's the point and shoot of 3D printers." said Pettis.
MakerBot Replicator Mini features a smart extruder which is easy to swap or replace. It detects filament absence automatically and sends notifications to MakerBot Desktop and MakerBot Mobile apps.
The MakerBot Replicator Mini is a plug and play device with build volume of 10.0 L x 10.0 W x 12.5 H cm / 3.9 L x 3.9 W x 4.9 H in. It includes Wi-Fi and a built-in camera so you can monitor the progress and share images to social networks. It is accessible through MakerBot Desktop and MakerBot Mobile apps and you can save pictures to your cloud storage library.
The MakerBot Replicator Mini is priced at $1,375 and be available in the spring of 2014.
MakerBot Replicator Z18
The company also announced the MakerBot Replicator Z18 with large build volume, its biggest unit to date. Replicator Z18 can make industrial prototypes and models with its build volume of 30.5 L x 30.5 W x 45.7 H cm / 12.0 L x 12.0 W x 18.0 H in. You can print multiple things at once with 100-micron layer resolution.
A 3.5-inch full color LCD display on the device helps you to set up and maintain your printer, access your object library and see previews. You can connect to the 3D printer via Wi-Fi, USB stick, Ethernet, or USB. It features an enclosed and heated build chamber designed for printing large models with minimal curling. It has also an onboard camera to monitor your print progress.
MakerBot Replicator Z18 is available for $6,499 and ships in the spring of 2014.
MakerBot Replicator
Along with these two new models, Pettis also showed off a new prosumer Replicator, the fifth generation of the device. It prints in PLA filament and has a build volume of 7,522 cubic centimeters [456 cubic inches] (8x10x6 inches), 11% larger than the MakerBot Replicator 2 Desktop 3D Printer. A 3.5-inch screen on the device allows you to print right from it and it includes an on-board camera, easy-to-remove magnetic extruder, and Wi-Fi connectivity.
Specs:
- Layer Resolution: 100 microns [0.0039 in]
- Filament Diameter: 1.75 mm [0.069 in]
- Nozzle Diameter: 0.4 mm [0.015 in]
- Printer Weight: ~16 kg [~35 lbs]
- Build Platform: Glass
- Operating Systems Windows: (7+), Mac OS X (10.7+), Linux (Ubuntu 12.04+)
- Connectivity: USB and Ethernet
MakerBot Replicator is available today for $2,899 and will ship in a few weeks.
"These three models are really the same unit, but with different strengths: consumer, prosumer, and industrial grade," said Pettis.
Makerbot has also updated a line of apps, including a desktop app with MakerWare printing software, a direct integration with Thingiverse, and the ability for a user to monitor and control your printer; as well as a mobile app that let you remote monitor from smartphone: watch, pause, cancel, and swap filament and receives notifications and alerts of print completion.
Pettis also announced MakerBot digital store where people can buy designs made by in-house studio of designers. At launch, prices range from 99 cents for a blueprint of a small toy to $9.99 for a whole collection of figures. In addition he also introduced a learning program to teach aspiring designers 3D-printing tips and tricks; as well as a partnership with Softkinetic, a 3D sensor manufacturer to create the "futuristic 3D scanners of tomorrow."
"We're not just making 3D printers," said Pettis. "We're creating a full 3D-printing platform."
Posted in 3D Printers
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Bastards stealing the Core XY and H-Bot mechanisms.. I wonder if its included in their Patent Portfolio...
Kris - Unique Design owner wrote at 1/8/2014 10:17:53 AM:
Nice touch of design new Replicator, but i know this design and sliding bed - please chceck our printer released on September 2013 - Cubo concept - similar or not? ;) Mini Hiwin linears, H system, separated XYZ motors, hudge fan near bed ... http://forums.reprap.org/file.php?152,file=19088,filename=Cubo_concept.JPG and video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSy3YCaF_Hs
Stackhouse3d wrote at 1/7/2014 4:26:35 PM:
Actually the main reason for curling is the build environment. Make an enclosure and see the difference. A simple one can be made out of cardboard and Al foil. The idea is to keep the heat produced by the build platform in. A professional Stratasys printer has a heated bed and heated enclosure. This is done for a reason.
Frank wrote at 1/7/2014 3:53:50 PM:
Bre Pettis. What a twat.
jd900 wrote at 1/7/2014 3:33:02 PM:
What RepRap ideas did they grab this time? The only thing new that looks like RepRappy stuff is the extruder barrel looks a lot like e3d. It looks nice, but raising the price of the new model seems a bit much. A lot of people got sticker shock from the Replicator 2. It's nice the new replicator has an H-bot mechanism. Professor No, your mileage may vary on different part adhesion methods. I think technique has a lot to do with how well any of method works.
ThatGuy wrote at 1/7/2014 2:52:00 PM:
So you can post your video of your printer to facebook. That will be riveting! I still can't believe that no one has merged the scanner and printer. The volumes should be the same and then as you print you can use the scanner to verify that the print is going well and stop when things go sideways. How is that helmet supported? It seems like it would tip over backwards. Cool looking machines. Dr. No- try a heated kapton bed at 90C+ with an 8mm brim for larger parts. I like a glue stick wiped on the surface when I need more grip.
Steve wrote at 1/7/2014 2:20:32 PM:
Any other material support? They only mention PLA as a material for all these printers which is pretty limited. PLA is good for making toys or molds but can't handle heat and mechanical stress very well without deforming.
Professor No wrote at 1/7/2014 1:44:05 PM:
" designed for printing large models with minimal curling " Well, well, well.....I hope that this dream will come true because after hours of tweeking my R2x baby I still don't have a clue on how to print large parts with a high infill in ABS. The best solution I found so far is ading a thin glass plate and spaying hair spray on it. Much better than the ABS juice by the way( for acetone adicts ). The leveling of the platform is also a pain in the ass, as well as managing the kapton film. Not print & forget like it sounds on youtube videos'. I hope that this new line of printers will solve these issues. The first generation of makerbot printers are clearly intended to a semi-hackers kind of public. Send me one for testing Bre ! ;-)
pnis wrote at 1/7/2014 12:29:55 PM:
and they continue grabbing ideas from reprap Community while they give almost nothing usefull back...
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