We are at #CES2014 in Las Vegas this week, where there are a whole lotta new 3D printers at the 3D Printing TechZone.

MakerBot, the darling of the desktop 3D printing world, announced three new 3D printers at the show.

We caught up with Bre Pettis, Founder and CEO of MakerBot, for an exclusive video interview and tour of the new announcements. Watch the full video below.

First, Bre Pettis showed us the MakerBot Replicator Mini, which sells for $1,375.

“You can make great collectibles with it,” said Pettis. The build area allows for objects 4” x 4” x 5”.

Pettis also suggested that the Replicator Mini 3D printer would be great for schools. MakerBot recently announced an education initiative called MakerBot Academy with a goal to put a 3D printer in every school in the U.S.

This is also one of the next generation of MakerBot 3D printers that are smart, explained Pettis. They know when they need more filament and say “feed me.”

MakerBot seems to be taking an Apple strategy, creating a desktop 3D printer for everyone’s needs. Instead of the iPad, iPad Mini, and iPhone, MakerBot has the Replicator Z18, the Replicator Fifth Generation, and the Replicator Mini.

“If the Replicator Mini is the consumer machine, the MakerBot Replicator [Fifth Generation] is the prosumer machine,” said Pettis.

Bre was especially product of the knob on the Replicator interface, modeled after high-end stereo equipment. This interface lets you browse and select projects to print and the 3D printer can connect to the Internet via Ethernet, with Wi-Fi coming soon. The Replicator sells for $2,899.

Pettis also showed us the Replicator Z18, a large-size 3D printer with a 12” x 12” build volume and a heated build chamber to keep models dimensionally stable. This monster of a 3D printer sells for $6,499. Pettis said he’s really excited to see what people create with such a large build area.

Back to the education initiative, Pettis – who is a former teacher – thought that the Replicator Z18 might be great

It’s Also About Software

While the MakerBot founder was really proud of the new desktop 3D printers, he was quick to emphasize that the software is also new and improved.

MakerBot announced this week the availability of the MakerBot desktop application including a digital store, the MakerBot mobile app, and the MakerBot PrintShop application that lets you design bracelets and other items.

Thanks to Bre Pettis for the interview!

Last year at CES was the year of 3D printing (and 3D TVs right?). MakerBot announced the Replicator 2X desktop 3D printer, recently merged Stratasys and Objet were showing off the Mojo 3D printer, and 3D Systems won Best in Tech for the Cube consumer 3D printer.

Well this year is already shaping up to blow last year away. It’s a 3D printer bonanza!

Related: Read our coverage of 3D Printing at CES 2013

3D Systems has already announced five (5!) new 3D printers, including devices that create edible treats, ceramic objects, and full-color 3D prints. MakerBot launched 3 new 3D printers including the Replicator Mini. And there are 28 companies in the 3D printing industry exhibiting at CES, including:

• 3D Printlife
• 3D Systems
• Afinia
• Beijing Tiertime Technology
• CEL Technology Ltd.
• DWS SRL
• EnvisionTEC Inc.
• Formlabs
• FSL3D
• Incodema Group
• Invoxia/Swissvoice
• Kevvox
• Leonar3do International
• LIGHTFORGE
• Makerbot Industries
• Matterform
• Mcor Technologies Ltd
• Old World Laboratories
• Pirate3DP Pte Ltd
• Robo 3D
• Sculpteo
• SolidIdea.com
• Solidoodle LLC
• Stratasys, Ltd.
• TCT Magazine + Personalize
• WhiteClouds
• 3Doodler
• XYZprinting Inc.

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) said it was expanding on last year’s 3D Printing TechZone by 25% to 4,400 square feet featuring 9 exhibitors, including 3D Systems, Makerbot Industries, Sculpteo, and Stratasys Inc.

“Exhibitor demand really drove our decision to formalize this 3D Printing TechZone, as it’s quickly becoming one of the more dynamic and innovative categories within our industry, while also becoming more accessible to consumers from a price perspective,” said Karen Chupka, senior vice president, International CES and corporate business strategy. “The sell-out response to this TechZone speaks to the strong interest in this category and the desire from leaders in the field to showcase their new products on the CES show floor.”

The 3D Printing TechZone will be located in the Las Vegas Convention and World Trade Center (LVCC), South Hall 3.

Stay tuned for more coverage. Tweet us @On3DPrinting to meet up!

iMakr.VC Invests in Metal 3D Printing Project

Desktop 3D printing has always been criticized for producing plastic. Cheap, low resolution, plastic objects (no offense, MakerBot and FormLabs). With high end industrial 3D printers, many other materials are possible — from gold to stainless steel to sugar — but not so with desktop 3D printers, at least to date.

Newton 3D wants to change that by bringing metal 3D printing to the home office.

“The Newton 3D printer uses metal clay that is deposited into layers through a syringe,” said Romain Kidd, Chief Marketing Officer of iMakr.com, in an interview with On 3D Printing. ”The metal clay and the bed are not heated.” The Newton 3D uses metal clays such as bronze, sterling silver, copper and steel which are then fired. The parts can also be finished.

Newton 3D is built from the research of Esteban Schunemann, PhD student at Brunel University in London, which started back in 2009. Esteban was awarded the joint winner prize for the Goldsmiths’ Technological Innovation Award 2013 by the Craft and Design Council. Now being commercialized, Newton 3D was funded by iMakr.VC.

Related: MyMiniFactory, funded by iMakr.VC, Launches 3D Printing Christmas Design Contest

The Newton 3D is currently in “version 0″, the team told us. Pricing has not yet been announced but interested parties can fill out a pre-order form. Deliver of the first batch is expected is in early to mid-2014.

Here’s a time-lapse video of a 3D printed silver seashell.

Newton 3D is engaging the broad community of jewellers, product designers, homeware designers, fashion designers,  and others interested in metal 3D printing on Twitter with the hashtag #Newton3D.

Here’s another video showing the capabilities of the Newton 3D.

Learn more at newton3d.com

Well the holidays are fast approaching and if you are like me, you are still deciding on what to give a loved one who likes really cool gadgets and technology.

Best thing to do is to head over to the On 3D Printing Holiday Gift Guide 2013 and find something fun.

We profile the best 3D printers, 3D printing marketplaces, 3D scanners, 3D printed toys, 3D printed jewelry and more!