It’s Elegoo’s tenth anniversary, so we had a chat with Cofounder Kevin Wang.
Fabbaloo: Today Elegoo sells a wide range of 3D printers and associated gear. What were the biggest decisions you faced along your ten year journey?
Kevin Wang: Elegoo’s journey has always been about aiming high and pushing forward, like climbing one peak after another. We have made three major shifts over the past decade, each one shaping who we are today.
We started with STEM electronics kits in 2015, and by 2018, we had become the No. 1 seller of Arduino kits on Amazon. As we connected with our users, we saw a clear link between STEM and 3D printing because both attract makers, educators, and creators around the world. That insight led to our first major shift when we expanded into resin 3D printing.
At the time, 3D printers were either too expensive or too complicated to use. We saw an opportunity and jumped in, starting with resin printers. It was a challenge, but we love challenges! Our Mars and Saturn series quickly gained a following, and the big breakthrough came in 2020 when we launched the first Saturn. We sold out 3,000 units in just three minutes during pre-orders, which was a huge moment for us.
Our second shift came in 2022 when we expanded into FDM printing with the Neptune series. Especially from the Neptune 3 series onward, it became a hit thanks to its reliability and affordability. But we knew we had to keep evolving.
In 2023, we realized it was time for a company-wide transformation, which was our third shift. We doubled down on R&D and branding with a bigger vision to become a tech company that builds an ecosystem integrating hardware and software for everyone who wants to create, reinforce smart manufacturing, and unleash inspiration. The launch of the Centauri Carbon last month serves as a testament to our phased success and confirms that we are moving in the right direction.
As of today, Elegoo has sold millions of products in over 90 countries and regions. Last year, we hit a major milestone with over 200 million in revenue, backed by a team of nearly 700. This growth allows us to keep delivering better 3D printers, more innovation, and even stronger support to make the printing experience smoother than ever. We believe 3D printing has an incredible future, and our mission is to provide unique and smart creation spaces for everyone, enhancing personalized experiences whether you are a hobbyist, a designer, or someone who just loves bringing ideas to life.
Fabbaloo: The OrangeStorm Giga is a very different FFF device with its extraordinary build volume. What challenges did you encounter when moving from small to large build volumes? How well is this device selling, and who is buying it?
Kevin Wang: OrangeStorm Giga is our first attempt at creating an FDM 3D printer capable of industrial-grade production. With its massive 800mm x 800mm x 1000mm build volume and a top speed of 300mm/s, it combines size, speed, and precision in a way that’s rarely seen in consumer-friendly machines.
Scaling up from desktop printers to something this big wasn’t easy. The biggest challenge was its sheer size, which pushed our supply chain, logistics, and manufacturing to new limits. That’s why we launched it on Kickstarter in November 2023 to gauge demand and optimize production. The response was incredible, raising 3.5 million USD and far exceeding our expectations.
Since then, the Giga has found a strong audience, especially among designers and professionals who need large-format printing. We even visited a designer last year who bought nine Gigas to produce creative projects for French fashion house Louis Vuitton and automotive parts. The Giga isn’t just about printing big; it’s about making functional, production-ready parts, aligning perfectly with our vision for smart manufacturing.
Fabbaloo: How do you see resin vs FFF 3D printers in the future? Will one grow to dominate? Will Elegoo continue selling both types of systems?
Kevin Wang: When it comes to resin vs. FFF or FDM 3D printers, we see both types continuing to grow and evolve in their own ways. FDM machines have a lower entry barrier, which gives them a larger user base, especially for beginners. On the other hand, resin printers deliver higher precision and more detailed models, which makes them popular in fields like gaming and dentistry. At Elegoo, we will continue to push the boundaries on both sides, strengthening our leadership in resin 3D printing and expanding our FDM lineup.
Of course, hardware is only one part of the overall user experience. Last year at Formnext, we launched SatelLite, our slicing software for resin printers. And this year, alongside the launch of the Centauri Carbon, we released our FDM slicing software, ElegooSlicer. Our goal is always to provide the best user experience by creating an integrated ecosystem, and there will be more innovations to come, so stay tuned!
Fabbaloo: What steps is Elegoo taking to increase safety for operators of resin 3D printers?
Kevin Wang: Safety is always a top priority for us, especially in resin 3D printing. Compared to FDM, resin printing requires extra steps like washing and curing, which can feel a bit complex for some users. That’s why we follow industry safety standards and continuously refine our products based on user feedback.
We include masks, gloves, and other protective gear in the box, and our manual repeatedly reminds users to wear gloves, masks, or even safety goggles while using the printer. We also emphasize the importance of good ventilation. On top of that, we offer dedicated air purifiers like the Mars Mate Air Purifier, which helps filter out resin fumes and other substances for a safer printing environment.
Our latest resin printers, like the Mars 5 Ultra and Saturn 4 Ultra 12K and 16K, also include some upgrades-the AI camera for monitoring and timelapse recording which improves workflow as the users can review the printing process remotely. Also, for the first time, the Saturn 4 Ultra and Mars 5 Ultra feature a drip tray around the resin tank, making the printing process cleaner and safer.
There’s always room to make resin printing even more accessible and user-friendly. We will keep enhancing the experience so more people can enjoy the precision and detail of resin printing with ease and confidence. Our upcoming new Jupiter resin printer will take the resin printing experience to the next level; so stay tuned!
Fabbaloo: Many 3D printer manufacturers are trying to simplify use of their equipment by providing ever-increasing sets of pre-made print profiles for materials, even third party materials. What is Elegoo doing in that regard?
Kevin Wang: We know that having optimized print profiles is a big deal for users, whether they are printing with Elegoo materials or third-party options. That’s why we’ve already integrated this into ElegooSlicer, making FDM printing more seamless. For resin printing, our slicer SatelLite includes pre-made profiles for Elegoo resins and features a material library where users can share settings for third-party resins and even printers from other brands.
We’re constantly finding new ways to make 3D printing more plug-and-play, and there’s more in the pipeline. When the time is right, we will have some exciting updates to share!
Fabbaloo: The Centauri series is priced dramatically lower than competing machines. How did Elegoo achieve this? What was the secret to low-cost production?
Kevin Wang: Before diving into that, I just want to point out that the Centauri series isn’t priced low just for the sake of being low-priced. As you can tell from the printer’s quality, the cost isn’t low. We chose this pricing strategy to 3D printing more accessible, especially for beginners. This way, more people can afford it and enjoy a comfortable experience. Our goal is for the Centauri series to be the FIRST 3D printer for anyone who hasn’t owned one yet, lowering the entry barrier to 3D printing. Much like the tech brand Xiaomi, we focus on providing the best value and user experience so our customers can benefit from top-notch technology at an affordable price.
Fabbaloo: How do you see the desktop 3D printer market evolving over the next few years? What developments would you be looking for in the near future?
Kevin Wang: We see incredible potential in the 3D printing industry. Here are a few key developments we expect to see in the near future:
Ease of Use: 3D printers will continue to become more user-friendly, offering plug-and-play experience with a rich ecosystem. Users will be able to start printing anytime, anywhere, with affordable materials and a wide selection of models to choose from.
Stability: The technology will improve in terms of reliability, with less need for frequent maintenance. Modular designs will make it easier to replace parts, and success rates for prints will be higher.
Wider Adoption: More and more people will embrace this technology as it becomes more accessible, making it a part of our everyday lives.
In the long-run, we envision 3D printers becoming as essential to home relaxation and creative spaces as household items like robot vacuums and other smart home devices. For something to be considered a household essential, it needs to offer high-frequency usage, convenience, and relevance to our daily lives, and a desktop 3D printer meets these criteria, combining both functionality and leisure.
The integration of AI holds great promise for breaking down barriers, especially for those unfamiliar with 3D modeling. We’re actively exploring AI-driven advancements to enhance the user experience, making 3D printing more intuitive and unlocking new avenues for creativity.
In our second decade at Elegoo, we’re excited to bring even more surprises and innovations. Working alongside our users and everyone passionate about creativity, we are creating the future with smart manufacturing.
Via Elegoo
