(This was originally created as a Google Presentation.)

1. 3D Printing
Arianna Schlegel & Edward Iglesias
The Technologies of Makerspaces
NERCOMP
October 21, 2013

2. The History
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prehistory: paper (2D) printing (Gutenberg press to computer inkjet)
1980s:
○ Charles Hull invents stereolithography & founds 3D Systems (1983)
○ S. Scott Crump & FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)
1993: MIT patents “3 Dimensional Printing Techniques”
1996: The term “3D printer” changes meaning from rapid prototyping
machine to actual 3D printer
2005: Z Corp’s Spectrum Z510 - the first HD 3D color
printer on the market
2006-08: RepRap’s open source project
(manufactures ~50% of its own parts)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapid_prototyping

3. History Infographic
by T. Rowe Price
see: http://www.
engineering.
com/3DPrinting/3DPrint
ingArticles/ArticleID/62
62/Infographic-TheHistory-of-3D-Printing.
aspx

4. A Short & Fun History Video

5. The Big Players
(The ones you’ll want to consider as
first choices for your own makerspace.)
● MakerBot Replicator 2 or 2X
● PrintrBot Simple
● RepRap
● EventorBot
● Cubify Cube or CubeX
● The Fablicator
● Formlabs Form1
● New Valance Robotics

6. MakerBot Replicator 2 ($2199)
http://store.makerbot.com/replicator2.html
Pros:
full-featured
personal 3D printer
Cons:
learning curve

7. PrintrBot Simple ($299)
http://printrbot.com/shop/printrbot-simple/
Pros:
price
Cons:
not so pretty

8. RepRap ($520 unassembled)
http://www.reprappro.com/
Pros:
open source, and
makes (some of)
itself!
Cons:
again,
very
bare-bones

9. Eventorbot ($799 assembled; $300-500 DIY)
http://printrbot.com/shop/printrbot-simple/
Pros:
“The Mission and challenge behind Eventorbot, was to
build a rigid, low cost 3D printer. Using less parts,
easy to assemble, and is capable to self replicate
most of its parts. It is 100% open source project,
and all plans are available for anyone interested.
80% of the Eventorbots parts are printable.
With the single solid steel frame, it eliminates 40% of
parts and cost that other 3D printers uses for a
housing and structure. Making it easier and more
affordable for anyone to own a 3D Printer.”
Cons:
distinctions from RepRap?

10. Cubify Cube ($1299)
http://cubify.com/cube/
Pros:
sleek, simplistic
(plug & play),
available at Staples,
wifi-enabled, fully assembled
Cons:
limited capacity, size
(5.5 cubic inches),
poor software

11. Fablicator ($3495)
http://www.fablicator.com/
Pros:
has its own
Windows computer
Cons:
???

12. Formlabs Form1 ($3299)
http://formlabs.com/
Pros:
out-of-the-box; uses
stereolithography (SL)
instead of plastic
extrusion (FLM)
Cons:
not yet released

13. New Valence Robotics ($--)
http://www.nvbots.com/
All they have right now is a website
where you can sign up for their
mailing list:
Geared towards high schools!
(Features remote printer monitoring.)

14. 3D Printers to Watch
@ MAKE.com:
http://makezine.com/magazine/make-ultimate-guide-to-3dprinting/3d-printers-to-watch/

15. What to Look For
● printing features
● printer design
● included components
● connectivity
● help & support
(from http://3d-printers.toptenreviews.com/)
Always consider your users’ needs!

16. Comparisons
Printer
Plastic
Printable Size
Res*
Cost
EventorBot
ABS/PLA
8.0” x 10.0” x 6.0”
50m
$799
Cubify Cube
ABS, PLA, or
Tough
Recyclable or
Compostable
Plastic
5.5” x 5.5” x 5.5”
200m
$1299
The Fablicator
ABS, PLA,
HIPS, PVA,
Nylon
7.0” x 7.0” x 7.0”
100m
$3495
Formlabs Form1
resin
4.9” x 4.9” x 6.5”
25m
$3299
MakerBot Replicator 2
MakerBotPL
A
11.2” L x 6.0” W x 6.1” H
20m
$2199
New Valence Robotics
??
??
??
??
PrintrBot Simple
PLA
4.0” x 4.0” x 4.0”
100m
$299
RepRap
PLA, HDPE,
ABS & more
8.0” W x 8.0” D x 5.5” H
~200m
$520
* m = microns

17. Price Compare List Online
http://www.3ders.org/pricecompare/3dprinters/

18. The Future: 3D Writing

19. The Future: CandyFab
Layers sugar by using hot air.
http://www.candyfab.org/

20. The Future: GE Making History
(2016)
Use of additive
manufacturing on a large
scale.
http://www.fool.
com/investing/general/2
013/08/22/generalelectric-set-to-makehistory-with-3-d-prin.
aspx

21. The Future: Bioprinting

22. Resources
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http://www.engineering.com/3DPrinting/3DPrintingArticles/ArticleID/6262/Infographic-The-History-of-3D-Printing.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_printing
http://www.3ders.org/3d-printing/3d-printing-history.html
http://www.3ders.org/pricecompare/3dprinters/

23. Let’s Not Go There...
(Stop @ 1:20
to avoid adult
language &
content.)