3D Printer Manufacturer Mcor Technologies at RAPID 2012

All of us have probably made a paper mache something at some point or another — maybe it was in school, maybe it was helping out your kids on a project. The basic idea for using water and an adhesive to shape and create an object isn’t a new one. As always, though, the best ideas are often the most obvious ones.

Mcor Technologies is a 3D printer manufacturer that hails from Ireland. Rather than basing their process on ABS, metal or the other usual materials for 3D printing, the company has, in a way, taken their cue from paper mache. Mcor’s Matrix 300 uses standard, everyday paper as its material of choice.

We thought that getting a 3D printer to work with A4 sheets of paper would be a brilliant idea. –Dr. Conor McCormack, Mcor CEO and co-founder

The machine designed by Mcor lays down paper a sheet at a time where it's cut before being attached to the next sheet by a water-based adhesive. The end result of the process is an object built by layers the same way as other 3D printers.

Mcor believes that by using a material as easily recyclable as paper, combined with a water-based adhesive, they have not only created a functional printer, but one that is as green as possible.

The Matrix 300 has a build envelope of 10.9 x 7.4 x 5.9 in. (277 x 190 x 150 mm). The printer itself is 37.4 x 27.5 x 31.4 (950 x 700 x 800) and weighs around 350 lbs. Mcor has developed its own SliceIT software to run the printer, which accepts STL files and also allows for 3D viewing, parts placement, orientation and scaling functionality.

RAPID 2012 is set to be the US premiere of the system. You can check out Rapid Ready's pre-coverage of RAPID 2012 here.

"Every year SME works diligently to unveil something ground-breaking and new to conference attendees, and this year we've assembled a diverse, international representation of the world's most innovative technologies," said Gary Mikola, SME business development manager via a press release. "We're thrilled that Mcor Technologies has chosen RAPID 2012 as the first venue to introduce their 3D printer to the United States."

Below you’ll find a short video that shows the Matrix 300 in action.

Sources: RAPID 2012, Mcor Technologies, New Tech Post