DeltaMaker: the Newest Kickstarter 3D Printer Success
Success or failure for any business venture is as much about luck and marketing as the product or service offered. Project funding on Kickstarter proves this point as well as any marketing class could ever hope. I’ve talked about marketing success on Kickstarter before when looking at the RoBo 3D, and you could almost think of this post as a companion piece.
The DeltaMaker is the newest 3D printer project on Kickstarter to be fully funded. It’s managed to raise almost $148,000, putting it around $40,000 over its goal. The hobbyist additive manufacturing (AM) system from the company of the same name has taken a unique angle, literally, on 3D printing by basically setting a printer on end to allow for a larger build area with a smaller footprint. Continue reading
A Look Back at 3D Printing in 2012
All the parties have ended, the ball has dropped, and people have dragged themselves off to bed. 2013 is sure to be an interesting year for additive manufacturing (AM). Before I get started on the new, let’s take a quick look at some of the most important, or most interesting, stories of 2012 from Rapid Ready Tech.
In April, Stratasys (company profile) launched its desktop, professional 3D printer; the Mojo. With a price point of under $10,000, the Mojo offered small businesses a low-cost alternative to using service bureaus for rapid prototyping. This was only the beginning of a year of serious moves by Stratasys. Continue reading
Rapid Ready Roundup: New Objet Materials, 3D Systems v. Formlabs, 3D Printing Study and Bones
In the course of my diligent efforts to keep you good people up to date on the state of additive manufacturing, I come across many interesting news items. I’ll gather them up every so often and present them in a Rapid Ready Roundup (like this one). You can find the last Roundup here.
Let’s see if we can’t fire up those brain cells from a post-turkey stupor. Objet (company profile) has announced the availability of a new version of its Rigid Black Material. According to the company, improvements include, “…enhanced dimensional stability and surface smoothness.” In addition, Objet has added 16 new digital materials with rigid or rubber-like properties. These new materials have been designed to be tougher, simulating polypropylene, and offer Shore A values from 27 to 95. Continue reading
Rapid Ready Roundup: 3D Systems, Form 1 and 3D Print Show
In the course of my diligent efforts to keep you good people up to date on the state of additive manufacturing, I come across many interesting news items. I’ll gather them up every so often and present them in a Rapid Ready Roundup (like this one). You can find the last Roundup here.
Like it or no, defense spending is a huge part of technical innovation around the world. Nothing promotes research and development like a healthy cash flow. 3D Systems has landed a $2.95 million award from the U.S. Air Force. The award is intended to foster development pertaining to the use of selective laser sintering for parts production in the F-35, and other weapon systems. Continue reading
FORM 1 Brings Stereolithography to the Desktop
Lately, I’ve had the privilege to cover the release of a number of new and interesting 3D printers. Some of these additive manufacturing (AM) systems are intended for industrial use, but a few are targeted at home users and small business. MakerBot’s new Replicator 2, for instance, promises to be an excellent tool for rapid prototyping and hobbyists alike, all at a reasonable price point.
I won’t go into my spiel about 3D printing moving into homes again here, but suffice it to say that I’m a believer. I came across what I feel is more proof of this notion today in a new AM project being funded via Kickstarter, called FORM 1. Continue reading
