3D Systems, the industrial 3-D printing giant, is expanding its desktop line of printers with the oversized, multicolor-printing CubeX printers.
The printers, announced today at CES, promise an oversized print platform that can output objects up to 10.8" x 10.45" x 9.5", more than twice the build volume of printers from other manufacturers such as the Makerbot Replicator 2. The line offers from one to three print heads to allow for colorful printouts, although information about the ability to blend the filaments into additional colors was not released.
CubeX appears to be based on 3D Systems' 3DTouch series of printers, but with various upgrades. In addition to a modified chassis and larger print area, previously only available on the single- and double-head 3DTouch printer, the new machines also use the proprietary smart cartridges 3D Systems uses with entry-level Cube printers, rather than the more common standard spools of filament. These spools trade accessibility for a moisture-inhibiting system that is said to increase shelf life.
The company is also touting a green initiative to allow customers to return empty cartridges or discarded prints (both PLA and ABS; the printer can do both types of plastic) for recycling. It offers 18 color options, including two that glow in the dark, and can do 125 micron prints — not quite as fine as the 100 micron capabilities of the Replicator 2, and quite a ways below the 16 micron prints from expensive professional-grade machines.
3D Systems has been making aggressive moves over the past year, most recently acquiring 3-D modeling software company Geogmagic. They also filed a lawsuit this fall against startup Formlabs and Kickstarter for patent infringement based on the campaign for the Form1 printer.
Along with the CubeX, they also announced an upgraded version of the Cube printer that offers faster print speeds and more materials.
The CubeX will begin shipping February 8th, 2013. Pricing starts at $2499 for the single head unit and go to $3999 for the three-color model.
(h/t Engadget)
