Solidoodle 4 Launches

For many of the smaller 3D printer manufacturers, simply launching a product is the end of a long struggle. By now, there are enough different manufacturers that new players in the market have to bring something special to the table if they hope to get noticed. For a few companies, however, producing a solid product that does what it claims it will do is enough to move forward.

Founded in 2011, Solidoodle has continued to produce additive manufacturing (AM) systems that, while not fancy, generally perform as advertised. As a result, the company has been able to continually refine its manufacturing methods and release updated models on a regular basis. The company’s newest offering is the Solidoodle 4, a desktop AM system that moves away from RepRap aesthetics to a sleeker, more professional appearance. 

Under the hood, the Solidoodle 4 is still a material extrusion system, like the majority of AM systems manufactured. Plastic gets heated up as it’s shoved through a nozzle, and is deposited in layers that eventually build a complete object. Material extrusion is one of the simplest forms of AM, but still extremely useful for a number of applications, including rapid prototyping, parts production, and education.

The Solidoodle 4 offers an 8 x 8 x 8 in. (20.32 x 20.32 x 20.32 cm) build envelope, which is fine for most desktop applications. The new system uses 1.75mm plastic (both ABS and PLA), to build objects with a maximum resolution of .1mm on a heated build platform. It comes pre-loaded with software, and enough plastic filament to run a few test trials.

Along with the powder coated steel enclosure that gives the Solidoodle 4 its professional appearance, it also comes preassembled and is being touted as plug-and-play. Those last few elements are important. Solidoodle wants to sell its new system in brick-and-mortar stores, and has a deal with Micro Center to have the new system on shelves by Christmas.

Coming in at $999, the Solidoodle 4 is hardly the least expensive 3D printer on the market, so the company is obviously relying on the AM system’s sleek new look to draw the attention of potential customers. Whether that particular angle succeeds will be interesting to follow.

Below you’ll find an introductory video about the Solidoodle 4.

Source: Solidoodle