On 3D Printing » CES 2013

CES 2013 was shaping up to the the year of 3D printing with 8 major exhibitors showing of 3D printers, 3D printing marketplaces, and more. We visited the booths, heard the announcements, and talked to the teams. Here is our recap.

MakerBot Has Several Major Announcements

Last year, MakerBot won Best of CES 2012 in the Emerging Tech category. We think MakerBot deserves an award this year again for the biggest announcements. In our exclusive footage of Bre Pettis, the MakerBot CEO revealed the new MakerBot Replicator 2X “experimental” 3D printer, announced changes to the Thingiverse API, and talked about the plans for “bot farms.”

Stratasys and Objet

Recently merged Stratasys and Objet were exhibiting at CES 2013, showing Mojo 3D printers in action.

3D Systems Wins Best Emerging Tech with New Cubify 3D Printer

3D Systems had announced that they would bring the next generation 3D printing showcase to CES, and they did by introducing two new printers.

Above photo courtesy of core77:

This year they pulled the sheets off of not one, but two machines: Their updated Cube 2, a faster and more accurate update to the original, and their larger CubeX, which can print “basketball size” (10.75″ x 10.75″ x 9.5″) in both ABS and PLA.

The Rest

Afinia showed off its latest H-Series 3D printer.
FormLabs announced that it would be shipping its Form1 3D printer soon to Kickstarter funders.
Delta Micro Factory Corp showed off the UP! 3D printer.
3D printing marketplaces Kraftwurx and Sculpteo were at the show.

What else did you see at CES? Write your thoughts in the comments!

Exclusive Video from CES: MakerBot’s Bre Pettis Announces New Printer and More

on3dprinting — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 06:28:30 +0000

At CES 2013 this past week, MakerBot announced a new 3D printer called the Replicator 2X, updates to its Thingiverse library, new materials, and more. We were onsite to record MakerBot CEO’s special announcement in the exclusive, full video below.

Pettis called the Replicator 2X an experimental machine. MakerBot published more details about the new Replicator 2X on its blog:

We call the MakerBot Replicator 2X an Experimental Desktop 3D Printer for a couple reasons. Unlike the MakerBot Replicator 2, which is optimized for PLA filament, the MakerBot Replicator 2X is optimized for the more traditional thermoplastic ABS. So why is a traditional plastic “experimental”? Because it’s a tricky material. ABS requires careful calibration and control to get consistently nice things, and the user of the MakerBot Replicator 2X should be prepared for the challenge. We know that many of you still prefer ABS, so our engineers have worked long and hard to deliver a great tool for the job.

We want you ready for experiments coming in the future, too. The MakerBot Replicator 2X has side-by-side extruders so that you’re prepared for new developments in dual extrusion technology. Want to try making things in multiple colors? The Replicator 2X is ready for the test.

Here’s are a few of the great things in the Replicator 2X:

- High-tolerance aluminum build plate that’s machined for crucial flatness to make it resistant to warping or sagging that could affect the quality of your prints.

- New easy-load filament lever makes loading filament as easy as flipping a light switch.

- Re-designed filament feeding system dramatically reduces stripping, skipping, and jamming.

- Enclosed sides keep drafts at bay and stabilize the ABS cooling period for less cracking and peeling.

3D Systems Will Bring Next Generation 3D Printing Showcase to CES 2013

on3dprinting — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 01:00:24 +0000

3D Systems is planning to make a splash at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this coming week. You can read our detailed guide to CES 2013 to learn about all of the exhibitors.

Since 1986 3D Systems has transformed entire industries with powerful 3D content-to-print tools. The company intends to democratize access to affordable 3D content-to-print solutions for professionals and consumers. Launched last year at CES, Cubify is 3D System’s consumer zone (www.cubify.com).

In the press release below, 3D Systems indicates that it will be bringing their full suite of consumer 3D printers, and even printers for kids!

ROCK HILL, South Carolina, January 3, 2013 – 3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) announced today that it will bring its next generation consumer 3D printing experience to the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, NV, January 8-11, 2013, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in the Main Hall, booth 15447 and the MommyTech zone, booth 71003 in the Venetian.
3D Systems plans to showcase its new line of consumer 3D printers, 3D printed products, and apps delivering an exclusive 3D lifestyle experience. Attendees can sip a cup of coffee at the Cube Café while checking out the only home desktop 3D printers on the market, try on designer printed fashion and gadget accessories and get creative with gamified 3D design apps. Toy and entertainment brands and app developers are invited to learn how to monetize their intellectual property and creativity on 3D Systems’ hosting, publishing and production platform, Cubify, and join in the 3D printing revolution.

True to its commitment to children’s education, 3D Systems will deliver a second kid-centric 3D printing experience to the MommyTech zone located at the Venetian Hotel. 3D Systems will have its full range of child-friendly and education-centric solutions ranging from 3D printers to design software and apps. Avi Reichental, President and CEO of 3D Systems, will participate in a Kids@Play panel on “The Transformation of Play: How 15 Years of ‘Smart Toys’ Have Changed Children’s Play” on Wednesday, January 9th, 2013 at 9:45am at the LVCC North Hall – N256.

“We are thrilled to bring our next-gen consumer 3D printing experience to CES 2013,” said Cathy Lewis, CMO 3D Systems. “We invite toy and entertainment brands and developers to experience our secure Cubify hosting, publishing and production platform and introduce the 3D lifestyle to their audiences.”

Learn more today about 3D Systems consumer offerings on Cubify.com.

About 3D Systems Corporation
3D Systems is a leading global provider of 3D content-to-print solutions including 3D printers, print materials and on-demand custom parts services for professionals and consumers alike. The company also provides CAD modeling, reverse engineering and inspection software tools and consumer 3D printers, apps and services. Its expertly integrated solutions replace and complement traditional methods and reduce the time and cost of designing and manufacturing new products. 3D Systems products and services are used to rapidly design, communicate, prototype or produce real functional parts, empowering customers to create and make with confidence.

Our Detailed Guide to CES 2013: Welcome to the Year of 3D Printing!

on3dprinting — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 23:42:58 +0000

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) opens this week in Las Vegas. This year will include over 20,000 products from more than 3,000 exhibitors.

CBS News highlighted 3D printing as one of the key trends at CES this year, along with Ultra HD and mobile computing.

MarketBot, 3D Systems Corp and Sculpteo are among a handful of companies that make 3D printers that will be showing off new products at CES 2013, Scientific American reports. As home 3D printers become more affordable, the community of enthusiasts also continues to grow. Cracking the mass consumer market may be the next step for manufacturers of 3D printers.

“The consumer space is a key market for 3D and small steps have been made in this space via hobbyists and model makers in arts and craft projects and self-employed designers,” Accenture senior executive Kumu Puri writes in a blog post for Forbes.

Here is our list of the top exhibitors showing their latest developments in 3D printing.

3D Systems

Booths: LVCC, Central Hall - 15447, Venetian Ballroom - 71003

See our coverage on 3D Systems.

Afinia

Afinia will be showing it’s award winning 3D printer, and full line of ABS filament. Our H series 3D printer was voted “Best Overall Experience” in the recent make magazine 3D printer shootout. Live 3D printing demonstrations will be held continuously during the day.

Booth: LVCC, South Hall 4 - 36388

See our coverage on Afinia.

Delta Micro Factory Corp.

Maker of popular personal 3D printer, Up! Series.

Booth: Venetian Ballroom - 70524

See our coverage on UP! 3D printers.

Formlabs

The Form 1 is the first truly high-resolution, low-cost desktop 3D printer, achieving professional quality at a price individual designers and engineers can afford. Our technology fills the gap between low-quality hobbyist machines and high-end printers that cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Booth: LVCC, South Hall 4 - 35160

See our coverage on Formlabs.

Kraftwurx

Kraftwurx is the worlds original platform for 3D printing in the cloud. Showcase, buy, sell and create virtually anything you can imagine in 70 materials and worldwide shipping. Based in Houston, TX, our mission is to empower everyone for custom-made goods and empower manufacturing to deliver it.

Booth: Venetian, Lvl 3 - 74411

See our coverage on Kraftwurx.

Makerbot Industries

MakerBot® is a global leader in desktop 3D printing with engineers, entrepreneurs, and people who just like to make things. Honored as Popular Mechanics “Overall Winner” for best 3D printer, Time Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2012, and Fast Company 2012 Innovation by Design Awardee.

Booth: LVCC, South Hall 3 - 32025

See our coverage on MakerBot.

Sculpteo

Sculpteo offers a fully online 3D printing service – from the upload of your 3D model to the final object – designed to make this new technology easy and accessible to all. In addition to affiliates, Sculpteo, has its own 3D printing facilities in France for R&D purpose.

Booth: LVCC, South Hall 2 - 26111

See our coverage on Sculpteo.

Stratasys, Ltd.

Stratasys is a leading manufacturer of 3D printers and production systems for prototyping and manufacturing applications, recently merging with Objet to create leader in 3D printing and direct digital manufacturing.

Booth: LVCC, South Hall 4 - 35463

See our coverage on Stratasys and Objet.

You can setup your own CES itinerary at the MyCES website.

See you at CES!