www.3ders.org

May 23, 2017 | By Benedict

M3D, the company behind the world’s most successful 3D printer crowdfunding campaign, has today announced the commercial launch of a pair of new FDM 3D printers, the M3D Pro and Micro+. The M3D Pro was the subject of a successful ($487K) Kickstarter last year.

For many makers, the name M3D evokes memories of a bygone era, the heady days of 2014 when an unproven 3D printer could rack up almost $3.5 million in a month of crowdfunding.

But while that year may have been the high water mark for consumer-level additive manufacturing, it certainly didn’t mark the end of M3D or the industry as a whole: the 3D printer manufacturer remains a relevant presence in the technology world to this day.

The company is cementing that fact with today’s release of two new 3D printers: the M3D Pro—subject of a successful Kickstarter campaign last year—and the Micro+, an update on the record-breaking Micro 3D printer.

Let's start with the Pro, which is in some ways the "newest" of the two printers, being the first generation of the model. According to M3D, the Pro was designed for “consumers who want an affordable and reliable large-format printer, since consumer 3D printers typically offer small build volumes and limited features.”

M3D Pro 3D printer

The Pro features a geared direct drive, a patent-pending heated glass print bed which uses “three times less power,” and a Dual-ARM processor system which “combines data from over 20 different sensors to provide better consistency and reliability.”

A structural printing mode allows Pro users to make 3D printed parts that are “as strong as their injection molded counterparts.” This mode uses a 750 micron nozzle to fuse plastic layers together with a stronger bond.

With the Micro+ 3D printer, M3D has updated the classic Micro, adding a more advanced ARM processor core which purportedly doubles print speed while permitting greater compatibility with third-party software. Planned future firmware updates for both new 3D printers will introduce more features, including power loss recovery mode and untethered printing.

M3D Micro+ 3D printer

The Micro+ is available in a range of bright colors, as well as a transparent version.

In a press release put out today, M3D commented on its new releases and the general direction the company is taking. “M3D is, at its core, a technology and business process innovation company,” said Michael Armani, CEO and cofounder of M3D. “Our story started with 3D printers but we’re continually working to break barriers to make amazing new technologies more accessible to people all over the world, and we think the M3D Pro and Micro+ are perfect examples of how to make that happen.”

And if Armani is to be believed, the halcyon days of 2014 were the beginning, not the end, and the company is now working towards an even brighter future. “The story of M3D only starts here,” he said.

The M3D Pro retails for $749, and comes with a two-year warranty. The Micro+ retails for $299, and comes with a one-year warranty.

M3D Pro specs:

• Print bed: tempered heated glass surface; uses 3 times less power density (patents pending)
• Build volume: print objects up to 7.8” tall or 7” x 7” wide
• Nozzle: 0.40 mm (other sizes: 0.35, 0.5, and 0.75mm available)
• Accuracy: 25-500 micron layer heights
• Print speed: typically prints filament at 60 mm/s, travels at speeds up to 120 mm/s

Micro+ specs:

• Print bed (sold separately): self-leveling, replaceable and non-heated, and polycarbonate. Tempered heated glass
• Build volume: print objects up to 4.6” tall or 4.3” x 4.5” wide
• Nozzle: 0.35 mm
• Accuracy: 50-350 micron layer heights, .35 nozzle extrusion
• Print speed: typically prints filament at 45 mm/s, travels at speeds up to 90 mm/s

 

 

Posted in 3D Printer

 

 

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