MakerBot’s Bre Pettis Moves from CEO to Innovator for Bold Machines

The news that Bre Pettis, one of the co-founders of MakerBot was stepping down from his CEO position raised a few eyebrows. No one thought Pettis was done with 3D printing, or with MakerBot (now part of Stratasys), and a press release confirmed as much.

“Stratasys and MakerBot are excited to announce some management changes at MakerBot that will take effect in the 3rd and 4th quarter of 2014 and into January 2015. Most notably, Bre Pettis will be transitioning from the day-to-day activities of management to a position with Stratasys where he will be able to influence and direct the vision of MakerBot and Stratasys; he will also be a member of the MakerBot Board of Directors.” 

With that detail in place, it became a question of what Pettis would be doing. No small part of MakerBot’s success was based on Pettis’ charisma and ability to get people excited about 3D printing. Handing over the day-to-day operations of MakerBot seemed to be a precursor to something new in the field, rather than an ending.

Bold Machines’ Margo is ready for her closeup. Courtesy of Bold Machines.

It didn’t take long for Stratasys to reveal that Pettis was now head of an Innovation Workshop, called Bold Machines. The new workshop uses Stratasys’ entire line of additive manufacturing (AM) systems to complete projects meant to showcase what Stratasys and AM can accomplish. The first project will be a movie featuring a cast that has been entirely 3D printed, featuring a heroine named Margo.

From the Bold Machines site:

“Margo is a smart young detective. Her parents have gone missing on a space exploration mission. She receives a cryptic message and a key that leads her to discover her parents’ secret laboratory under the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s a cutting edge laboratory full of contraptions, robots, and a jet pack for her dog. She’s going to need all the advanced tech she can get because she’s also just uncovered a sinister plot schemed up by a local business mogul, Mr. Walthersnap, who turns out to be a bad guy.”

Bold Machines has begun promotions for the film by offering downloadable models of the main characters, starting with Margo. 3D designs for the characters were produced by Jose Alves da Silva, who used Pettis’ rough sketches to produce the final designs. Pettis and co. are set to begin talking with filmmakers about how to bring their vision to life on the big screen.

Below you’ll find an interview with Pettis at CES 2014.

Sources: MakerBot, Bold Machines