Desktop Factory to offer up $5,000 3D printer

While they're still a long ways from sharing shelf space with cut-rate inkjet printers, it looks like three dimensional printers are slowly inching towards the consumer space, with Idealab company Desktop Factory set to sell its first 3D printer for not entirely unreasonable price of $4,995 sometime this year. According to The New York Times, some 200 customers have already signed up to buy the printer, which will make up the entirety of the initial test run. They may be feeling a bit a buyer's remorse before too long, however, as the company says the price of the printers will come down to $1,000 in four years. Eventually, Idealab foresees companies selling 3D designs of products on the Internet, which people could then simply print out at home. For now, however, the printers would seem to have somewhat limited applications, relying on nylon mixed with aluminum and glass that results in gray objects that have somewhat jagged edges and a sandy finish.

[patdooley @ Feb 5th 2008 9:09PM]

With regards to the application of 3d printing: engineers, techs, home/small business with appreciate it but it will not be general use even if you got the price down to $1,000.

Problem one: Materials -- no way in hell can you match the properties of materials from thermoset, thermoplastic, composite, non-ferrous and ferrous metals.

Problem two: As previously noted CNC desktop mills are cheaper and can machine the aforementioned materials.

Problem three: Software -- how many people know had to use decently or will be capable of learning mid-stream to high end CAD packages? Low end CAD gives you low end results ie think at least Solidworks, Solidedge, Pro-E up to Catia.

Product objective: 3D printers have their niche and their uses and I'm glad to see the price come down -- hell if it drops to $4,000 I'd could get one for work easy because it does but CNC is several niche applications -- but no way in hell is it going to be used as a "replicator" in anybody's lifetime.

[lifino @ Feb 7th 2008 2:12PM]

Who cares about the quality of my CAD skills... Anything I am likely to print would be purchased online.

Will it work with Vista?

[Stormfury @ Apr 21st 2008 6:06PM]

3D Printers are amazing. I already use one at my high school Engineering program. There, we're learning how to use high-end industrial programs like SolidWorks and Mastercam, and they're actually not as hard to use as people think.

Making your own home toothbrush is as easy as making it in a CAD program like SolidWorks (which is very easy, actually) and hitting "Print".

I use the class's 3D printer for printing special parts I don't have when I'm putting a robot together, or parts that aren't in any stores and haven't even been made. Think about how often this happened when you were building Legos or even putting a model together, when you thought "God, if only I had a part like so-and-so!". A 3D printer fills that gap very nicely.

[D-Wreck @ Aug 24th 2008 3:33PM]

haha i think its funny that no one mentioned how difficult it is to design 3d products,im a mechanical engineer getting paid over $65000 a year to design these things, i went to school for 6 years for it, not to mention the software i use costs over $25,000 for a single liscense

[William @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:53AM]

ZBrush cost less than $1000 and can design models with excess of one billion polygoin count. perfect match for 3dprinting

[Chris @ Jan 12th 2009 6:33AM]

Funny how some people can train for 6 years and still find their job difficult. Just proves, you can't teach talent. ( - _ -;)

Zbrush is an amazing 3D digital sculpting app and a 3D printer is perfect for it. ($300 edu license)
Modo is another super quick intuitive 3D in a more traditional sense. ($100 edu license)

Neither of these take more than a month or so to learn how to use.

You're a mechanical engineer, that's a whole different ball game from a 3D designer.
3D Design is not difficult at all.

Anyway, if you really get paid $65,000 for 3D design, please tell me where you work, I'll be submitting my app.

[koi @ Dec 4th 2008 2:49PM]

I said cell phone not rubber duck dammit!!!

[twisted future @ May 8th 2007 2:02PM]

Yeah, I was blogging on wtf consumers will ever do with these things, my consensus: religious icons!

http://twistedfuture.com/2007/05/07/3d-printing/

[Darwin @ May 8th 2007 9:03PM]

ROFL

[daniel milloy @ Aug 20th 2008 8:28AM]

sex toys, obviously

[glacia @ May 8th 2007 2:19PM]

For average consumers I don't see stereo lithography being a big seller. If they were $1K my company would probably buy a hundred of them today for prototyping.

[daryl @ May 8th 2007 2:37PM]

The $5k for the printer isn't so bad, it's the $4k for the plastic-ink cartridges that will kill you.

[Joshua @ May 8th 2007 2:40PM]

Some day this will be so cheap that we will never have to go to the store to buy things like plastic spatulas ever again.

[bran @ May 8th 2007 5:15PM]

I'd love to print out a few spatulas and coat hangers from time to time.

I could see using this to build models for showing off ideas to buyers/managers/etc.

[Gadget Oggler @ May 8th 2007 2:42PM]

Mock if you want, but I smell a replicator (just in time for me to replicate my new hip in 50 years).

[bross.00 @ May 8th 2007 2:46PM]

An excellent way to fill landfills. The geek in me needs one. The environmentalist worries.

[LukeA @ May 8th 2007 2:56PM]

One of the companies that makes 3D printers uses cornstarch and a biodegradable binder to print the models.

[alenox @ Mar 9th 2008 8:53PM]

what about the enviro. costs associated with mass producing objects in factories, then shipping them to retailers where people DRIVE their cars to bring them home - 3D printing has the potential to revolutionize internet shopping/commerce

[RuneSpyder @ May 8th 2007 2:54PM]

Isn't anyone else worried that the image on the laptop is some sort of gadget and what is being printed is some sort of duck?

[bsamsel @ May 9th 2007 10:26AM]

i am, extremely disconcerting!

[Turbowaffle @ May 8th 2007 3:13PM]

Clearly, the duck transforms into the gadget.

[Vexorg @ May 8th 2007 3:32PM]

And if the gadget prints out the same as a duck, it is therefore...

...A witch!

[mrcarmine @ May 9th 2007 1:40PM]

lolloloolloollol @ runespyder

for real

i like this though, but i just wanted to say that muli-color rapid prototypers do exist now

[3lement @ May 8th 2007 3:22PM]

Finally my own lego factory!!!

[hobgoblin @ May 8th 2007 4:38PM]

now that is one very interesting take on it :D

[Iscariote @ May 8th 2007 3:44PM]

The "download a product design and print it out at home" idea is hilariously dumb.

[Major Malfunction @ May 9th 2007 2:41PM]

@Iscariote

Wow.. what vision you have. Such a dreamer, I can hardly contain my pee.

[Iscariote @ May 8th 2007 4:04PM]

I'm sure plenty of companies are chomping at the bit to have internet piracy expand to physical goods.

More importantly, due to things like economies of scale home 3d printing will always be expensive compared to mass production.

But sure, I lack vision.

[Sean @ May 8th 2007 4:21PM]

Great, in 5 years, there will be 3-d plans for everything imaginable on bit torrent.

[nun ya @ Jul 12th 2008 11:34PM]

it might be bad if the resolution gets so good you can scan and print a fingerprint...

[WillTheSecond @ May 8th 2007 6:08PM]

"I'm sure plenty of companies are chomping at the bit to have internet piracy expand to physical goods.

More importantly, due to things like economies of scale home 3d printing will always be expensive compared to mass production.

But sure, I lack vision."

As I was reading in the paper (the Guardian, from the UK) this was described as the device that could 'bring down global capitalism' and its kind of true. After all, people pirate games, music and movies, why not designs for products?

This won't create a replicator 'Star Trek' future, but nonetheless one of the more advanced (non-consumer) machines has produced several of its own parts, which shows the potential of the technology. If the replicators can replicate replicators, and the replicators make most of the everyday stuff you need, as well as some of the stuff you don't, why should you buy anything? And apparently the technology is estimated to be analogous to computer technology 30 years ago, so 30 years down the line, the world may be very very different... If they manage to suppress this technology it won't, but I think it may already be too late for that.

[Kurtis @ May 8th 2007 7:10PM]

@WillTheSecond

"As I was reading in the paper (the Guardian, from the UK) this was described as the device that could 'bring down global capitalism' and its kind of true."

"If the replicators can replicate replicators, and the replicators make most of the everyday stuff you need, as well as some of the stuff you don't, why should you buy anything?"

You do realize that this isn't magic. You still have to buy the materials to make the items. Capitalism, as we know it, will not change. People will still have to work. This isn't a fantasy land; it's only a more convenient (and therefore likely more expensive) way to obtain products. End of story.

And as for the 'economies of scale' bit I read earlier: no.

So bob makes rubber. He sells the rubberto Sally (for a profit, but cheap because Sally bought a lot) to make rubber ducks. Sally sells the rubber ducks to a retail store (for a profit, but cheap because the retail store bought a lot) to sell to you. The retail marks up the price, and you buy the rubber duck.

-or-

So Bob makes rubber. He sells the rubber to you, but for a little higher price than he sells to Sally, because you only bought a little bit. You make a rubber duck.

-therefore-

Sally was able to make 100 ducks in one hour for $0.10 a piece, which she sold to a retailer for $0.13 a piece, which the retailer sold to you for $0.25 a piece. It took you an hour to make a single duck, but the rubber only cost you $0.15 and there were no markups. And while it took you 100 times longer to make a duck, you only need one, so that's okay.

You both lose, please play again (and put something above your neck next time)

[Jerome @ May 8th 2007 7:10PM]

why they don't program the printer to print other printer parts to bring the cost down :P

[nun ya @ Jul 12th 2008 11:55PM]

because you cant "print" your self more ink! i never bought my self a printer in my life... all my printers where given to me as part of a package deal buying computers because if you own a printer you need to buy ink... thats where they get you...

also... think about things a little bit more people... you can "print" the IMAGE (albeit 3D) of say... a FACE... doesn't mean it can speak...
a GUN... doesn't mean it can shoot a bullet...
a HOTDOG... doesn't mean you can eat it...

HOWEVER....

a COIN... you may be able to spend it

so yeah... coinage? might just go away for ever like in some parts of Asia... not that paper money holds value, just kinda hard to "replicate"

this is just a very convenient way for all you inventors to prototype "SMALL" objects more easily to save time making prototypes. it could come in very handy for soft prototypes to build a casting too. if you go to www.bidz.com you can find a great deal on cast "knock-off" jewelry that could easily be done with this method.

in short...

the PRC is LOVING what they can do with THIS technology.

[stitifier @ May 8th 2007 6:36PM]

GRAY SANDY PORN!!!!111one

[nikster @ May 8th 2007 7:00PM]

how much are the cartriges, then? I don't believe downloading paid-for 3D models from the internets is a good idea or will work, but the hardware is cool, and the possibilities are endless.
the main question is will it cost $10 to make your own toothbrush?

[Peter D @ May 8th 2007 7:01PM]

WOW, this is so cool, for only $5,000 the average consumer will want want to make cool stuff like ummm, ummmmmmm, key fobs!!! And then they can make, ummmm, other really cool stuff as well!! :) ya, that's the ticket.

[William @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:50AM]

visit http://www.pixologic.com .. ZBrush creates models at the billion plus polygon count. check out gallery. 3dprinting is the complement to this software technology.

regards,
William

[Nick @ May 8th 2007 7:19PM]

Articles like this bug me. There are tens (if not hundreds) of thousands of benchtop CNC mills making parts out there, yet no one cares. CNC is the real (as in now) revolution in home fabbing, and you can get going for around $1,500-$3,000 (less if you know electronics and are good at scrounging). I make earrings every day with my little benchtop robots. CNC does take some learning though, it's not just a matter of hitting "print".

You still need to be a good 3D designer, or you just end up buying other people's designs (part of the stated business model in the article)

While I like the idea of a home 3D printer, the resolution they get (.01") is terrible. For art you really want .003-.001" if not finer...

I mean it's cool and all, just that the tech is not there yet. The better 3D printers are still way too expensive. We want to do the sort of stuff Bathsheba Grossman (google her work!) does, but that tech is insanely expensive to own (but not to rent). 3D printers are a stable commercial item now, but the tech keeps changing due to constant and expensive advancement.

The article mentioned the Fab at home project, but not the better and further along Rep-Rap project.

They also used the example of a Star Trek "transporter" when what the author meant was "replicator"

[Mantis @ May 8th 2007 7:20PM]

I am wondering if the little blue duck is the Little Blue Duck in the Dilbert tv show. The one where Dilbert surveys the art world and combines everything people like into a small blue duck and it takes over all art in the world.

[rp @ May 8th 2007 8:28PM]

Please tell me I can use this to print out a sexy woman ala Weird Science...
please?

[James @ May 8th 2007 8:34PM]

A) From their website, "targetted price of $5000-7000", which in my experience means it launches for $10,000.

B) I think you guys actually want this: http://reprap.org/bin/view/Main/WebHome. It's actually designed to be self-replicating and can be assembled for less than $300 from 100% off-the-shelf parts.

C) The several previous commenters who brought up what to do with it... you've hit the nail on the head. These things print out 3D objects in plastic or some amalgam thereof and it's not durable enough to use in any sort of significant load situation. The idea, as I understand it, is generally to make parts to *gently* test fit/interaction, and maybe use them to make a mold and cast something a bit sturdier. I have absolutely no idea what Joe Sixpack would do with this thing.

[Ratteler @ May 9th 2007 1:07PM]

I make custom action figures with Sculpy, Bondo and a Dremel. Right now I design them in 3D and then bend aluminum wire to make a frame. Finally I recast the parts and sand them up for my satisfaction.

This would be WAY easier is if I needed to do some finish work. Although Nick is right, the scale sucks.

[Max @ May 9th 2007 10:57AM]

I'm wondering how long it takes to print a large object, hours, minutes? This would definitely be very useful for the medical community as well as architects and carpenters. And obviously with time the materials, colors and texture will greatly improve, just look at digital phot prints like 3 years ago

[Chris Pletz @ May 21st 2007 3:17PM]

There is only one company that manufactures FULL COLOR prototyping machines. We provide this as a service so you don't have to purchase an over priced machine. We are very reasonable in price. Check with us on your next project!

Best Regards
Chris
www.e3rp.com
[e-mail]

[Rob @ Sep 14th 2007 11:49AM]

Remember when the RIAA and MPAA managed to convince our governments that everyone who purchased blank media was a pirate? What followed was a media surcharge whether you wanted to backup your family photos or supply every Korean with copies of Terminator.
What happens when the OEM bad boys catch on to this new idea? Imagine a surcharge on the raw materials. It won't matter that you can't make a new engine in your home. Someone will get pissy over the fact that you CAN make a new fender for $40 instead of $300.
"What do you mean I have to pay $20 extra for this sack of powdered plastic?"

[reid134 @ Sep 16th 2007 1:51PM]

you have many vaild points, how ever this printer was made to fix products that you broke at home
like little plastic door on the doll house that playmoblie wont sell or make anymore. now i think this makes the perfct ability to creat things that you have always wanted but never found in stores,
or make a tool that only you would need for somthing.
thats why i want one

[pierson @ Jan 8th 2008 1:01PM]

Fabber rising. This is just like the computer industry in its infancy. This time it's just seeming to be like "3d printing" but its really more onto the realm of fabbers (digital fabricators) with the end goal of being able to produce anything from your desktop, the very concept that was only possible in science fiction before (StarTrek has this many times, particularly on the Enterprise series), but it's looking like reality's catching up fast.