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MakerBot Intros Platform for Experimental Projects

Photo: Business Wire

A new offering from MakerBot aims to serve as an experimental platform for creating, building, innovating and collaborating with 3D printing. MakerBot Labs is a sandbox for designers and engineers that includes customizable hardware and software with open APIs, custom print nodes and more.

"We're introducing this new, more open platform as a direct response to our advanced users calling for greater freedom with materials and software," explained MakerBot CEO Nadav Goshen in a statement.

The first products available on the platform include:

  • MakerBot Labs Experimental Extruder, a customizable extruder with four interchangeable nozzles, such as a large-diameter draft nozzle (for "draft" printing at higher speeds) and a stainless steel nozzle (for printing in abrasive materials);
  • Custom print modes in MakerBot Print, allowing users to import and export print setting configurations for various materials and objectives;
  • MakerBot Labs Community on Thingiverse, a hub for users to collaborate, discuss techniques and share resources like custom material print modes, custom hardware mods, new apps and software APIs; and
  • MakerBot Labs API, giving developers the means to interface with and expand the capabilities of MakerBot 3D printers.

For more information, visit the MakerBot site.

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

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