Tag Archives: MakerBot
3D Printing at CES 2013 Roundup: MakerBot, Stratasys and More
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
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.
Our Detailed Guide to CES 2013: Welcome to the Year of 3D Printing!
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
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).
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!
Artist Uses 3D Printing to Create Amazingly Detailed Sculptures
Artist Micah Ganske uses 3D printing to design elaborate sculptures that are incredibly detailed and nearly impossible to create using traditional methods. He says of his craft:
My sculptures are designed digitally and produced using a MakerBot 3D printer. Just as important to me as the amazing results that can be achieved with this exciting technology, is what it represents as a forward-looking technology. The dream of being able to replicate objects has always been a fixture of science fiction and I whole-heartedly embrace it as a way to create impossible artworks.
Here are some of his works:
“Industrial Ring Habitat”, Extruded Polymer, 18″x18″x5″
“Colette”, Extruded Polymer, 14″x12″x9″
Star Trek inspired- “James Tiberius Kirk #2″, Extruded Polymer, 4.5″x5″x4″
About Micah Ganske
Micah Ganske was born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1980. In 2002 he received his BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a Post-Baccalaureate certificate from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2003. In 2005 he received his MFA in painting from the Yale School of Art. In 2005 he was the recipient of the Adobe Design Achiement Award in Digital Photography at a reception held at the Guggenheim Museum in New York where his work was also displayed. In October 2007 Deitch Projects exhibited Ganske’s first solo exhibition. In 2011 he launched his second solo exhibition with RH Gallery in Tribeca, where he is now represented. Micah Ganske is also a 2012 Fellow in Painting from the New York Foundation for the Arts.
Hat tip to thecreatorsproject.
3D Printing Sees New Developments in 2012 – VentureBeat Summary
VentureBeat published a fun summary of some of the top new developments in 3D printing during 2012. They include all stories covered by on3dprinting, listed below:
- MakerBot’s continued growth
- Shapeways raises $6.2 million Series B
- 3D printed guns
- Piracy
- 2-year-old fitted with 3D printed magic arms
VentureBeat’s recap:
Plenty of amazing things are happening as 3D printing expands its influence into mainstream culture. Not only are lots of 3D printing companies expanding and getting more funding, but enterprising designers are finding more and more ways to use the fledgling printing technology. While some of these uses are a bit troubling (like piracy of copyrighted material and firearms), others show that, with enough ingenuity, 3D printing can change lives.
via VentureBeat.
Bre Pettis photo from bre pettis used under Creative Commons license.
