MakerBot announces new Replicator 3D printer
New York-based company MakerBot Industries has presented its latest 3D printer: priced at $2,199, the Replicator 2 has replaced previous wooden housings with a steel chassis and achieves a resolution of 0.1mm. The printer is controlled via the new MakerWare software; while the beta software itself is proprietary, it uses many open source components. MakerBot has also opened a dedicated retail store in New York where prospective customers can test and buy the 3D printers.
The company notes that the build platform of Replicator 2 has 37 per cent more volume and can be used to build objects of up to 28cm ×15cm × 15cm in size. The printer uses PLA Filament, a bioplastic material that warps less than ABS while cooling down. Unlike the original Replicator, which was introduced in January, Replicator 2 only has one print head and is, therefore, not capable of printing objects in two colours. Having only one print head also makes it impossible to print supporting structures for overhangs in another material.
