Earlier this year, MakerBot released its new and improved Replicator 3D desktop printer just in time for CES 2012. The sub-$2000 price range on the device was a turning point for 3D printing technology. High-quality, affordable and user-friendly 3D printers are finally making their way into homes. Now, the company has announced its Replicator 2, bringing easier faster and even more affordable 3D printing to a desktop near you.
Featuring a 100-micron layer resolution, the Replicator 2 is the company's highest resolution printer yet. Capable of creating bigger, professional-quality models, the Replicator 2 is ideal for the desktop of a professional engineer, yet easy enough for anybody with an imagination to use. In addition to its upgraded printing abilities, the Replicator 2 also features a new sleek, futuristic design. According to Makerbot CEO Bre Pettis, it "is available in any color, as long as it is black."
“The new MakerBot Replicator 2 Desktop 3D Printer sets a new standard in resolution, build volume, and professional quality in the desktop 3D printer market,” Pettis explains. “With our fourth generation product, we have made the best desktop 3D printer on the market, made it affordable to both professionals and hobbyists, and made it cool looking.”
Like most modern 3D printers, the Replicator 2 uses the renewable bioplastic PLA to create larger prints without warping or cracking materials. With a build volume of 410 cubic inches (11.2” L x 6.0” W x 6.1” H), the Replicator 2 gives its operator a much larger space for multiple-part or larger projects. The MakerBot Replicator 2 Desktop Printer is already available for purchase at the company's new online store. The price tag of $2,199 is a bit higher than the previous model, but Pettis firmly believes it to be a worthwhile investment for any professional engineer.
