MakerBot Unveils New 3D Printing Products
MakerBot has launched a
number of new 3D printer products it says will better serve the needs
of
educators.
Both the MakerBot
Replicator+ and the Replicator Mini+ have been
overhauled to deal with stiffer materials
and provide sturdier construction. They are also expected to be faster
and
quieter than previous models. Company representatives said the MakerBot
Replicator+
is 30 percent faster and 27 percent quieter than the MakerBot
Replicator 5th Generation Desktop 3D printer. The Replicator Mini+ is 10 percent
faster and 58
percent quieter than the original MakerBot Replicator Mini Compact.
The company also has new
print and mobile applications the company said will streamline the
step-by-step
process for 3D printing and make it easier for educators to introduce
their
students to the process.
Specifically for teachers,
MakerBot has created the Thingiverse
Education platform that will allow them to
connect with each other and share best practices about introducing 3D
printing
into their curricula. It has already been loaded with 100 lesson plans
contributed by educators and vetted by MakerBot professionals.
The platform will allow
educators to filter the lesson plans by subject, grade level and
learning goal.
"We believe that implementing
3D printing into the classroom can only be successful if the technology
complements a teacher’s goals for their students," said Drew Lentz,
MakerBot
learning manager.
Finally, a new material is
now available for use in 3D printing, a slate gray tough PLA filament
bundle
that the company said will produce more durable, high-impact strength
prototypes.
"We have gone through a
cultural shift here at MakerBot over the past year," said MakerBot CEO
Jonathan
Jaglom. "Our new solutions for educators are based on feedback
addressing how
we could accelerate and streamline the iterative design process and
make
teaching with a desktop 3D printer easier and more effective."
About the Author
Michael Hart is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer and the former executive editor of THE Journal.