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Live from the Engadget Stage: Solidoodle CEO Sam Cervantes
In a show full of 3D printers, Solidoodle sets itself apart in one key area: affordability. The company has offered up a series of sub-$1,000 models, including, most recently, the Solidoodle 4, introduced a few months ago. January 10, 2014 1:00:00 PM EST
3D Systems bestows Creative Director title on will.i.am
If Alicia Keys and BlackBerry have taught us anything, it's that music stars aren't always the best equipped to become the creative director of a tech company. In spite of her songwriting prowess, the "Girl on Fire" singer couldn't do much to reverse the phonemaker's eroding fortunes. We'll say this for will.i.am, however: This isn't the Black Eyed Peas rapper's first ballgame. Though, again, his gig with Fusion Garage head Chandra Rathakrishnan also kind of seemed doomed from the outset. Given the sort of show 3D Systems has been having this CES, however, things are definitely looking up for the 3D printing giant. So, maybe they've just got a feeling about the guy.
Here's a $499 3D printer
After the deluge of announcements from MakerBot and 3D Systems over the past two days, it's likely going to be tough for any other 3D printing companies to cut through the noise this week at CES -- though XYZprinting's got something most of the competition can't match: a sub-$500 price point; $499, to be exact. The Taiwanese company will be brushing elbows with the big boys, showcasing the da Vinci 2.0, a semi-enclosed cube printer with a 7.8 x 7.8 x 7.8 build volume, which is set to launch in Europe, Japan and the US come March.
3D print yourself in chocolate and full-color sugar candy with the ChefJet Pro
Be honest: This is the moment you've been waiting for -- at least since 3D Systems picked up Sugar Lab a few months back and quite probably even longer. It's the chance to print yourself and the ones you love in edible, sugary form. In among a slew of notable new printers unveiled by the company this week, CEO Avi Reichental took to our stage to announce two systems capable of printing in sugar and chocolate. The company landed on ChefJet for the name of the models, and it certainly seems to do the trick, borrowing the suffix from its ProJet line of industrial printers, while making it pretty clear who the target audience is here: bakers, chefs, hotels and the like. And honestly, if this thing isn't all over The Food Network by the end of the year, we'll eat our hat (printed in chocolate or sugar -- take your pick). The plain, old ChefJet is the smaller of the two, naturally, described by the company as a "countertop" device. The system prints in sugar, chocolate and flavored confection (you pick the flavor) in pretty much any design you can 3D print, including, but not limited to, old standbys like cake toppers and centerpieces. If that's the only thing that's been holding you back from that Star Trek-themed wedding, let us be the first to say "Live long and Mazel Tov." And seeing as how the target audience here is likely not among the most tech savvy, the company's created special "Digital Cookbook" software to make designing and printing a bit easier for the uninitiated. As its name implies, the ChefJet Pro takes things a bit further, with larger build volume and the ability to create sugar prints in full-color. The ChefJets are set to launch at some point toward the end of the year. Not a ton more specifics at the moment, but believe us, we've got as many questions as you do. Thankfully, we've also got the company's CEO on our CES stage as you read this. We'll let you know how the prints taste, for starters.
The CubeJet promises pro-level 3D printing in a consumer form factor for under $5,000
Like you, we've dreamt about owning one of those industrial rapid prototyping machines since the first time we saw one in action. Of course, certain financial and real estate realities have made such fantasies a resolute impossibility for our modest New York City apartment. Priced at "under $5,000," the CubeJet will likely still be too rich for our blood by the time it launches in the second half of this year, but compared to the $100,000+ plus machines out there, things are certainly heading in the right direction. Ditto for the size - in fact, this pretty would look pretty sweet sitting on our office desk at home. Thus far, 3D Systems' consumer-facing machines have relied on the extrusion technology that you find in most printers in that class. This time out, however, the company is tapping into its industrial roots, for a desktop system that is capable of creating full-color, high resolution prints. This being a consumer device, the company's also focused on offering up a relatively user-friendly interface, though that remains to be seen until we actually get our hands on the printer on the CES floor. We'll also be joined by the company's CEO Avi Reichental on our CES stage later today, who will no doubt shed more light on the CubeJet, along with the company's other announcements.
MakerBot unveils the extra-large Replicator Z18 3D printer
As for hardware reveal number three at today's MakerBot press conference at CES: This one's a biggie -- quite literally. The new MakerBot Replicator Z18 is a beast of a printer. The printer can do prints up to 12 x 12 x 18 inches, the latter number being is how the device got its name -- it can print up to 18 inches in the Z axis. All together that's 2,592 cubic inches of printing space. "This is industrial-strength 3D printing," Pettis explained. Feature-wise, you've got the same color display and USB/Ethernet/WiFi connectivity, built-in camera and Smart Extruder as the new third-generation Replicator. They also share that delicious stereo-like knob that subtly clicks in to place. Unlike the other Replicator, however, this one is enclosed, with a heater built in to assure more stable builds. Heating up that large of a space means it takes a little bit longer to start laying down filament, but the quality should be worth the wait. The Z18 starts shipping in spring for $6,499.
MakerBot announces Replicator Mini 3D printer: one-touch printing for $1,375
When MakerBot CEO Bre Pettis hit the CES stage today, he was joined by three tall, somewhat ominous black boxes (along with, strangely, acoustic versions of Goo Goo Dolls and Stone Temple Pilots hits). After reminiscing about just how far the company has come in its past five CES appearances, the big unveiling commenced. The first box in the middle was the Replicator Mini. The printer, Pettis noted, is roughly the same size as the company's original Cupcake printer -- albeit a lot more powerful. It's also much more user-friendly, with a single-button experience. "If I was announcing cameras today," he added, "this would be the point-and-shoot." Pettis added that the printer has been "years in the making," getting the device "just how we wanted it." The Mini works with PLA and has built-in WiFi, so you can connect it directly to your devices for printing. There's also, interestingly, an on-board camera, which offers up print monitoring with photos you can share with your social networks via the aforementioned WiFi. Inside, you'll find a "Smart Extruder," which snaps on and off magnetically, for easier filament loading. And when it runs out of plastic, the printing just pauses. The printer will run $1,375 when it starts shipping in spring of this year.
Deltaprintr: a quick, tall 3D printer for under $700 (video)
The trio behind the Deltaprintr launched their project with a noble enough goal: creating a 3D printer that was cheap enough so as to actually be affordable for college students like themselves. The result comes in $685, preassembled. Not too shabby, so far as these things go. And with the project currently about halfway through its Kickstarter campaign, the online 3D printing community has clearly taken a bit of a shine to what the team is attempting to do -- in fact, it took roughly a week for them to top $100,000 out of a $195,000 goal. They haven't been able to maintain that clip, but with around $130,000 and 15 days left, things are looking pretty solid for the Brooklyn-based crew. So, aside from price, what makes this thing different? For starters, there's an easy calibration process for the print heads -- which, as anyone who's spent any time with a consumer device can tell you, isn't always the case. In fact, you can set the machine to auto-calibrate. The printer's also quicker than many of the units we've seen and is capable of some high-resolution prints, with the default set at 100 microns (you can get even higher res, but that'll take longer, naturally). The platform is also reasonably modular. Thanks to the fact that the peripheral uses fishing line instead of belts, you can actually double the height for around $15 in additional parts, if you don't mind tinkering. And the printer works with PLA plastic, so there's no need for a heated bed (though, if you're doing a quick print, you might want to stick some tape down for traction).
3D Systems buys a piece of Xerox to expand 3D-printing empire
We're mere weeks from 2014, and here's a sign of the times: A 3D-printing company has just picked up a piece of Xerox, a name that's still a bit hard for many to divorce from images of office printers and industrial copiers. Of course, 3D Systems isn't exactly a new kid on the block. The company may not possess the relative name recognition of a MakerBot, but it's been in the game for almost 30 years, founded by the inventor of the rapid prototyping technology that would give birth to the world of 3D printing. The $32.5 million acquisition announced this morning involves a chunk of Xerox's solid ink product design, engineering and chemistry team in Oregon with more than 100 or so employees joining 3D Systems. The team, labs and IP involved will likely have its biggest impact on 3D Systems' booming industrial wing, with the two companies having already collaborated on the Star Trekifying Projet line, which has become something of an industry standard for rapid prototyping.
Cornell 3D prints a working speaker -- coils, magnets and all
From the sound of it, it's not a very good speaker. But then, that's not quite the point. What's particularly cool there is that a team of Cornell researchers created the whole thing using 3D printers -- the plastic shell and conductive and magnetic pieces. The speaker marks a step toward a larger utopian vision where entire products are fabricated using such techniques, not simply shells and other miscellany. That's still a ways off, of course. Aside from the clear (or not so clear) sound issues, there are some roadblocks. For one thing, there's the fact that the job still required two separate printers for different components. Also, the speaker had to be hooked up to wires to play the audio clip of President Barack Obama name-checking 3D printing. Still, it's easy to see in the short clip below where things may be going.
3Doodler review: a $99 3D-printing pen
I've spent a fair bit of time trying to explain the WobbleWorks 3Doodler to people over the past year or so. My descriptions generally alternate between the company's slightly misleading "3D-printing pen" to "sort of like a hot glue gun that melts plastic, so you can write in the air." Makes sense, right? The company didn't have much trouble getting the message across, though: it raised an astounding $2.3 million on Kickstarter after initially aiming for just $30,000. And really, it may be precisely the product's strangeness that made it a runaway hit with the crowdfunding community in the first place. In a world of lookalike smartphones, tablets and even 3D printers, the 3Doodler offers something unique, letting users create strange new works of art -- and it does so with a seemingly reasonable price of $99. The pen looks like it may have the "tech gift for the early adopter who has everything" title pretty well wrapped up (though only backers will get it in time for the holidays -- the rest of us will have to wait for a belated early 2014 arrival) But crowdfunding videos aside, how well does it actually work? Is it really a smart way to spend a Benjamin? More importantly, is it actually any fun?
Solidoodle 4 keeps 3D printing under $1,000 (video)
Sam Cervantes didn't stand on his new printer when he brought it by our offices the other day. He thought about it for second, a nice reprise of the day he introduced us to its predecessor late last year, but, well, he'd only just pulled that first unit out of the box for the first time, and he didn't want to scuff up its finish or dent the new enclosure. As to whether the new 3D printer could sustain the weight of a full grown man, he certainly thinks so. It's still got that steel structure, after all. Maybe we can convince him to put on a show at CES in January. Structural integrity questions aside, the latest printer from Solidoodle is a nice looking thing, certainly. As the Brooklyn-based company began looking to expand its sales footprint beyond enthusiast-based direct marketing, it no doubt realized that it would have to produce a product that could live on store shelves comfortably next to, say, a laptop or an HP printer. It sounds silly, sure, but big box stores aren't particularly interested in stocking products that look as though they might have been built in someone's garage. For all its charms, the Solidoodle 3 had a certain home-brewed quality to it. The new printer goes firmly in the other direction, with a metal enclosure that wouldn't look too out of place in a lot of homes.
Robox is a Robot in a box that's 'not just a 3D printer'
Toward the end of the C Enterprise's Kickstarter pitch, one employee explains the genesis of the product's name, "it's a robot in a box." And thus the name Robox was born. The product's probably more accurately described as a 3D printer trapped in what appears to be a toaster oven -- though there are some caveats to that, too. See, the company's jammed a lot of things into the device's printer head, while also making the piece removable. That means there's some interesting potential for future attachments that could make it possible to scan or mill with the thing. In the meantime, however, printing is the product's primary focus, and the head features two nozzles: a thin one for the perimeter and a thick one for filling objects -- a process it promises will speed things up considerably. There's also an auto-shutoff for the extruder, so you don't get any dangling plastic pieces when the print is finished. At launch, Robox will support PLA and ABS, though the company's also offering up a long list of potential compatible materials, including nylon, polycarbonate and PVA. Robox is set to retail for around $1,400, though early supporters will be able to snag one for $1,130.
Ask Engadget: best entry-level 3D printer?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, then here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from Andrew, who wants to print all the things, you know what we mean? If you're looking to ask one of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "Hi, I've been looking into 3D printers for some time, and I think I'm ready to take the plunge. Do you think it's worth getting an entry-level (sub-$500) model for tinkering, and if so, is there one that you'd recommend? Thanks!" Given the number of entrants into the 3D Printing market of late, we're reasonably sure there's something that'll let you whet your appetite for additive manufacturing. Solidoodle's second-generation printer, for instance, retails at $499, while the Portabee is similarly priced. Now, the only question is, of course, down to which of these two (or any others) our audience has tried and prefers. So, dear friends, which one do you suggest?
3Doodler pen gets safety feature, attaches to CNC arms to fulfill its 3D printing potential
When we ran into the WobbleWorks team on our recent Berlin trip, they were kindly enough to show off the shipping version of their crowdoverfunded 3D Doodler handheld 3D Printer. Though, when cofounder Max Bogue hinted that the company still had some surprises up its sleeve, he wasn't kidding. Perhaps most interesting is the inclusion of a mounting dock on the pen, which allows you to attach it a CNC machine, fulfilling the pen's 3D printing ambitions. Once attached, you can utilize another port to control the speed buttons remotely, so you can manipulate extrusion without actually touching the device. Also of note is the addition of a silicone tip cover, which serves to protect fingers from the heated metal extruder.
Peachy Printer's sub-$100 3D printer smashes fundraising goal (video)
While the cost of 3D printers are coming down, it's unlikely we'll start to see them invade everyone's homes 'til they become much cheaper. That's the idea, at least, behind the Peachy Printer, a device that's promising to retail for less than $100. Unlike printers made by companies such as Makerbot, Peachy uses a laser to set objects from liquid resin. The laser is guided by a pair of mirrors that take instructions from your PC's audio in / out ports, and the system even allows you to scan objects with your own camera. Having launched on Kickstarter three days ago, Peachy Printer has more than tripled its CDN$50,000 goal. We doubt you'll find anyone trying to build an Aston Martin replica on one of these things, but it's a neat idea that employs a different 3D-printing method to significantly reduce hardware costs. As usual, you'll find the pitch video below and anything else you may desire at the source.
Bre Pettis on the MakerBot Digitizer: we're building an ecosystem (video)
"We get to set the standard in desktop 3D scanning," Bre Pettis says, beaming. "When we looked out at the world and saw what 3D scanners could do, we wanted to make something that could make really high quality models that you could create on your MakerBot." The CEO can't stop smiling at the close of the Digitizer's official press launch. It's the smile of a man who has just shown off a major piece of the puzzle -- an object that helps answer the question of just how, precisely, average consumers can create products to 3D print. "We're really building out an ecosystem," he says of the scanner, which joins the Replicator 2, MakerWare software and the Thingiverse online database in the MakerBot portfolio. "The game is on, we're building a nice suite of products that work really well together." It's a pricey piece, of course, coming in at $1,400, but Pettis insists that it'll give users a much fuller experience than hacked Kinect-type solutions, thanks in large part to the Digitizer's software solution. "There are DIY options out there, but we've spent the time and energy on the software to make this a really seamless experience." And as for a potential Replicator / Digitizer bundle deal, well, Pettis is only saying, "stay tuned."
Ultimaker debuts its latest 3D printer ahead of World Maker Faire
Over the past few years, Maker Faire has transformed into something of a 3D printer fest, and there's no reason to expect that this weekend's event in Flushing, Queens will be any different. Ultimaker, for one, is launching a new printer, the simply named Ultimaker 2 (though the product itself displays the name as Ultimaker squared). The next-gen product doesn't seem to bring a ton of new features to the table, though the company promises that it's faster and more accurate than its predecessor. It also ships with Cura software, which should speed things up even more. Also, the launch coincides with the unveiling of the company's Thingiverse-esque YouMagine online collaboration site, which will help you find objects to, you know, print on the thing. Again, the Ultimaker 2 will be on display this weekend, and has an asking price of 1,895 euros ($2,563).
3D systems buys sugar printing firm for future breakthroughs in tooth decay
3D Systems has been on a bit of a shopping spree lately, snatching up companies left and right for its portfolio of print offerings. This latest deal is a bit sweeter than most, however. The company has picked up Sugar Lab, an LA-based startup that prints edible 3D objects in sugar. This isn't quite the breakthrough in 3D-printed food we've been waiting for, but it certainly suggests that the company is taking a much more serious look at the space, as CEO Avi Reichental suggested during our interview at Expand back in March. We reached out to the exec for comment on this latest acquisition, and he told us: "We are all foodies at heart, and for as long as we could remember, food provided a great canvass for our creativity. Adding third dimension to food creation is one of the most exciting initiatives I am involved with." At the very least, it takes us a step closer to the Star Trek cake we've wanted since we were 10.
3Doodler 3D printing pen's shipping model hits IFA, we go hands-on
Remember the 3Doodler? Odds are plenty of you do, seeing as how the company managed to nab a staggering $2.3 million for its $30,000 Kickstarter campaign. For the minority of you who didn't participate, here's a quick refresher: the device is a 3D printing pen. It's a bit like a hot glue gun for plastic -- simple and ingenuous, it melts a single strand of ABS or PLA, allowing you to draw objects in the air, solidifying as you draw up. The pen was still in early prototype phase when we first saw it, and now, here at IFA its co-creator Max Bogue is showing off the final shipping product (seeing as how Kickstarter funders will be getting theirs later this year). This 3Doodler actually looks pretty similar to that early unit. All the same elements are in place: a slot in the rear to feed in the plastic, the heated tip where it comes out in semi-liquid form, an exhaust fan (which is pretty loud, but should quiet down before people start to get theirs) and two buttons for fast and slow extrusion. Follow all of our IFA 2013 coverage by heading to our event hub!
