As you’ve probably noticed, companies making 3D printers are multiplying. This year at World Maker Faire, we have so many exhibits showcasing 3D printers that we had to divide them up into two sections, the 3D Printer Village and the 3D Printer Pavilion. We’re excited by all of this 3DP goodness.
So, what if you’re in the market for a 3D printer and want to take one home with you? While most exhibits will have printers to show, very few will be available for purchase at the Faire. The just-released MakerBot Replicator 2 will be at the event, but won’t be available for purchase. Fortunately, if you’re ready to purchase, the Maker Shed will have 3D printers for sale. In addition to some MakerBot Replicator 1 Dual Extruder models, we’ll also have the Ultimaker and Printrbot for you to take home that day.
Printrbot will be selling the new, fully assembled Printrbot Jr. for $399 in the Shed. You can come in, buy one, and be printing with it in your hotel room that night. This slick little machine prints using PLA and has a build area of 4″ x 4″ x 4″. It even folds up so you can transport it. Printrbot will also have their LC and LC+ in kit form available.
Ultimaker will have printers available in Shed, too. You’ll be able to purchase one as a kit for $1599 or fully assembled and tested for $1899. This machine has an 8.2″ cubed build area and prints with PLA. It is capable of printing at better than 100 micron X and Y resolution and 20 micron layer height. The machine prints happily at speeds around 150mm/s but is able to approach 400mm/s with with some tweaking.
So, if you’re in the market for a 3D printer, and going to be at the Faire, make sure to stop by the Maker Shed. Not only will you get to meet the people that made the printer you’re looking at, you’ll also be able to take one home.
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