With the consumer electronics show over, it’s finally time to take a look at the new line of MakerBot printers (here’s the press release). Unlike MakerBot’s previous offerings with a one size fits all service model, they’re branching out with a product line that can only be described as, ‘regular, small, and large’.
The new MakerBots include an updated Replicator that’s just slightly larger than the previous version. It includes Ethernet, an option for WiFi, an on-board camera, and a control panel with a 3.5″ LCD and rotary encoder. This new Replicator will retail for $2900, $700 a lot more than the current Replicator (single extruder).
The other new MakerBots include the stripped down and small Replicator Mini. It’s a no-frills maker with a build volume of 10 x 10 x 12.5 cm (~4 x 4 x 5 in) with 200 micron resolution. also in the new lineup is the Replicator Z18, an impressively large printer with a 30.5 x 30.5 x 45.7 cm (12 x 12 x 18 in) build volume, 100 micron resolution, plastic sides for a heated build volume, and all the bells and whistles on the new Replicator. The tiny will sell for $1375 and the Z18 is expected to sell for $6500.
The updated Replicator is available now, and the tiny and Z18 will be available sometime in the next few months.
