There was something quite unusual about the 3D printer manufacturers exhibiting at CES 2014 versus those exhibiting the previous year. At the London 3D Printshow, for example, we saw dozens of plastic filament machines, typically regionally focused.
At CES 2014 we saw multiple resin-based 3D printers. It seems that the expiration of patents has permitted the emergence of new ventures specifically focused on exploiting the UV-cured resin approach.
Previously the only personal 3D printer entrant producing a resin-based unit was Formlabs, who launched the Form 1 over a year ago. But last week we saw units from Old World Laboratories, Lightforge and FSL3D, all of which use cured resin technology.
These vendors all claimed various advantages over Formlabs’ offerings, citing statistics and specifications of various sorts. While this may appear to be huge competition for Formlabs, they don’t seem to think so. Formlabs reps we spoke with said the presence of resin-based competitors simply validates their business model and they’re quite happy to compete with them.
We think the competition is a good thing; it’s rarely a happy time when one vendor has a monopoly and that’s definitely not happening in the 3D resin printer market.
Watch out for the machines with the orange lids.
Not having a resin-based printer, I wonder what developments have happened in the resin realm. Are prices going down? Are resins compatible between these systems, in terms of exposure time and wavelengths to solidify?
And @Kevin_P_Wright's concerns are an issue for everybody: are biodegradable resins available?
Not having a resin-based printer, I wonder what developments have happened in the resin realm. Are prices going down? Are resins compatible between these systems, in terms of exposure time and wavelengths to solidify?
And @Kevin_P_Wright's concerns are an issue for everybody: are biodegradable resins available?
Since their introduction to the fabrication mainstream, I have been advocating and pushing for #3Dprinting manufacturers and filament suppliers to be a sustainable beacon; by using natural, organic, bio-plastic and resins. "Modern" man, in all his arrogance, should be technologically innovative enough to be able to use only safe, natural, and abundant resources to provide the world with all it needs to live in style and comfort. What good is technology is we live in a cesspool of toxic waste? Please, help educate and enlighten others, especially our youth, to be responsible for the health and well-being of our eco-system and ALL its inhabitants.
Since their introduction to the fabrication mainstream, I have been advocating and pushing for #3Dprinting manufacturers and filament suppliers to be a sustainable beacon; by using natural, organic, bio-plastic and resins. "Modern" man, in all his arrogance, should be technologically innovative enough to be able to use only safe, natural, and abundant resources to provide the world with all it needs to live in style and comfort. What good is technology is we live in a cesspool of toxic waste? Please, help educate and enlighten others, especially our youth, to be responsible for the health and well-being of our eco-system and ALL its inhabitants.