Six months ago we reported on an amazing development from Mcor Technologies in Ireland. They were creating a revolutionary 3D printer that uses plain old paper as the print media instead of using complex chemical stews or common table sugar as most other 3D printers do. That post was one of the most popular in Fabbaloo’s history, so clearly inexpensive paper-based 3D technology is of immense interest.
At the time the specs were impressive, basically because the cost of print media was so low (and commonly available) that operational costs beat practically anything else.
Now tctnews reports they are readying the device for delivery this summer. According to tctnews, Mcor “plans to launch the Mcor Matrix in the UK at the TCT conference and exhibition in October 2008.” Mcor’s website says:
Currently the Mcor Matrix is not available for sale although we have machines beta testing. Scheduled launch for Ireland & UK before the second quarter 2008, with mainland Europe Q4 2008 and target the US Q1 2009.
We’re most curious regarding the quality of the output. As we’ve seen in many other devices, insufficient print resolution, robustness, coloring and other factors can easily deflate the excitement of a 3D print.
Via tctnews
Awesome. Would like to seem some benchmarks.
We have some cool samples on display at our website! Check out printing in colored layers of paper at http://www.freedomofcreation.com
This technology is nothing new, the earliest RP machines, known as LOM, (laminated object material) have been around for approx 20 years or more.
The limitations are severe i.e. removal of waste material is not easy at all especially inside the model. the weight of the finished models is very heavy,, if the machine purchase price is under 2.5k then I reckon it might be a great hobby machine, albeit 20 years out of date.