MakerBot Announces 2014 Lineup

The pace of 3D printer releases looks to be speeding up. Companies used to release information about one system at a time, slowly rolling out each new product. 3D Systems broke the trend at Euromold, and again at CES by announcing multiple systems simultaneously. Not to be outdone, MakerBot has announced its 2014 lineup of additive manufacturing (AM) systems and accompanying products.

On display at CES were promotions for three new AM systems from MakerBot; the next generation Replicator, Replicator Mini, and Replicator Z18. Alongside the new 3D printers comes an expansion of what MakerBot calls its “Ecosystem.” Adding to the library of downloadable objects at Thingiverse is MakerBot Printshop, the company’s first stab at simplified 3D design. 

“We believe that the MakerBot 3D Ecosystem we are presenting to the world fulfills the vision of a 3D printer for everyone,” noted Bre Pettis, CEO of MakerBot. “Years and years of hard work and dreams are packed into these 3D printers, 3D scanner, apps, and the new MakerBot Digital Store. We have laid the groundwork for everyone to be able to be a creative explorer. We can’t contain our excitement to unleash the MakerBot 3D Ecosystem to the world.”

The newest version of the Replicator offers a larger build envelope than earlier incarnations at 25.2 x 19.9 x 15.0 cm (9.9 x 7.8 x 5.9 in.) and a layer resolution of 100µ. It includes the company’s new Smart Extruder head, which pauses a print if the system runs out of material and an onboard camera to capture prints for sharing and documentation. Additionally, the Replicator features a 3.5 in. full-color LCD display. Those interested in the newest version of MakerBot’s professional desktop AM system can expect to pay $2,899.

The Replicator Mini is designed to be MakerBot’s new entry level 3D printer. It has a build envelope of 10 x 10 x 12.5 cm (3.9 x 3.9 x 4.9 in.), and a layer resolution of 200µ. The Mini is intended to be plug-and-play, requiring little or no technical ability to get started. The Replicator’s little brother shares the same Smart Extruder, and features one-touch printing via downloaded objects from Thingiverse. It's priced at $1,375, which is more expensive than most hobbyist systems.

The Replicator Z18 offers MakerBot’s largest build envelope to date at 30.5 x 30.5 x 45.7 cm (12 x 12 x 18 in.). It shares the same extruder, camera and LCD features of the standard Replicator. The Z18 also has an enclosed build area and will go on sale later this year for $6,499. Considering the size of the build envelope.

Without much in the way of details to go on yet, MakerBot’s Printshop looks to be built as an app for mobile devices, likely with a focus on tablets. It appears as though the software will allow customers to customize pre-existing designs, such as bracelets, or string together smaller designs. Between Printshop and Thingiverse, it seems unlikely a new user could complain about a lack of objects to print.

Below you’ll find a short video for the new Replicator.

Source: MakerBot