MakerBot Demonstrates Affordable 3D Printer ‘Replicator’

MakerBot Industries introduced its new affordable 3D printer at CES. Unlike its predecessor, the Replicator can print objects in two colors. Those objects can also be larger than before.

Last year, MakerBot demonstrated its Thing-o-matic at CES and this year saw the introduction of its successor, the Replicator. The new device can print objects with more precision and there is now also a version that can print in two colors. The material used for this is absplastic, which MakerBot can supply in rolls of 55 different colors for about $45 per roll. The manufacturer also supplies biodegradable corn-based material. The maximum size of a 3d print from the Replicator is 22×14.4×14.9cm, with the Thing-o-matic that was still 12.7×12.7×15.2cm.

The base material is heated after which the Replicator builds up the object in layers. By sanding it, the layered surface can be smoothed. The objects can be loaded as an stl file, which is used by CAD software and can be exported, for example, by Google Sketch-Up. Loading takes place via the USB port or via an SD card reader. The Replicator runs on the ReplicatorG software, an open source program for Windows, Mac and Linux.

The cheapest version of the Replicator is $1799, but it can print in only one color. The version with support for two colors costs $ 1999. MakerBot is shipping the systems ready-to-use and expects to ship the first devices to customers within six weeks.