Both printers also feature MakerWare, new software for driving the Replicator printer. Touted for its simple GUI and ability to load multiple STL or OBJ files simultaneously, MakerBot officials said it's easier to get more models printed faster, while also simplifying the process of choosing print settings and moving, rotating, and scaling models as they are readied for printing. In addition, MakerWare's new slicing engine is up to 20 times faster than its predecessor -- another capability officials said will facilitate the output of 3D models.
Besides the new printers, MakerBot launched an interesting twist in its marketing and distribution strategy -- one it hopes will help make the consumer case for 3D printing. The company opened a flagship retail location in Manhattan, where it will not only sell 3D printers, but also 3D printed gifts and accessory, in addition to providing demonstrations and packaging up what it calls "the full MakerBot experience" as a way to get more people introduced to the ins and outs of 3D printing.
And MakerBot isn't alone is trying to mimic Apple's wildly successful retail strategy and put 3D printing on the map for a wider audience. Diego Porqueras, the maker of the Bukobot open-source 3D printer, just opened the doors to Deezmaker, a retail store in Pasadena, Calif. Deezmaker, set in a local strip mall, will sell the Bukobot and potentially other 3D printers along with parts and other 3D printing-related products. Porqueras is hoping that his location, within walking distance from CalTech and a short drive from NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab, will do a lot to help his 3D printing cause.
Jim, I noticed the same things about the article. I included the link as an example of what's out there. If you Google "PLA and 3D printing", you''ll come up with a lot of other sources, some of which have a very different take. Beth's article says "PLA was chosen because of its strength and ability to make very large prints without cracking or warping."
Gosh, Ann – That article is less than encouraging as an endorsement for PLA. It actually says it is best used as the support-structure for the primary material being ABS; that the PLA will degrade away, leaving the host ABS in place. The article is about 2 years old. I'm hoping that if MakerBot has invested their product line on this material as the primary building block, that it has rugged, stable material characteristics. Guess the Jury's still out.
Jim, I just did a little googling on the topic of PLA use in 3D printers. Here's some info: http://blog.makezine.com/2010/05/15/3d-printing-using-pla-as-a-support/
This device looks very attractive for a small sized design house. I would ask the entry-questions:
1) Not familiar with the PLA material; can we compare it something familiar and provide some specs-?
2) How big is the platen-? (max LxWxH of printed result)
3) What is the expected cost of the materials to print (per unit volume of delivered objects)-?
4) While 100 microns sounds awesome, it equals .004" – nearly 10x the coarse resolution of an Objet printer; but at 1/10th the price, still very acceptable.
Realizing these value-added points, it makes this very desirable for my office. I'm looking forward to learning more about it.
Beth, I notice that the Replicator 2 uses bioplastic PLA, not ABS. This appears to be an emerging trend in additive manufacturing, at least at the higher end. Do you know of any other 3D printers that use bioplastics?
The 3D printing revolution seems to have a knack for quickly moving technology ahead by way of collaborative effort and even a little friendly competition -- all of course in the name of scientific advancement.
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