Stratasys 3D Printers For Less?

There's those low-cost personal 3D printers we often write about and there's those really expensive commercial 3D printers that you'd never be able to afford. Or at least that's how it used to be. 

Stratasys announced something they call a "3D Print Pack", composed of their small uPrint 3D printer, a cleaning system and startup materials & supplies. What's the difference you ask? They now offer this as under a leasing package for only US$290 per month.  

 

Theoretically you could always get a lease on equipment yourself, but this just makes it much easier. Imagine having a real commercial 3D printer on premises for less than USD$300 per month - this is less expensive than using a 3D print service for a single part in some situations. 

 

Could this be Stratasys's way of competing against increasingly low-priced competing 3D printers?

 

Via Stratasys

Comments

[Ian Johnson]

That's quite a bit less per month than the Mcor, however Mcor also includes unlimited blades and glue and maintenance. Their $850 or so per month represents the total cost of ownership.

I know printing cost with the uPrint will vary a bit depending on the use of support material, but is there a rule of thumb for $/cm3?

[Bradley]

The Mcor is in a completely different category. Paper vs. ABS plastic.

Also it requires very time consuming support removal and the uPrint requires virtually none.

I'd say it costs between $8 and $10 per cubic inch when including support material in the mix.