MakerBot announces Replicator Z18 3D Printer

(Photo: Wikimedia Commons)The strut being made on the MakerBot 3D printer, side view.

MakerBot announced through eWeek that Replicator Z18 3D Printer is now available for orders. Replicator Z18 is the largest 3D printer of the printing specialist company to date. It is expected to be available for shipment this spring, when shipment of the Replicator Desktop 3D printer begins.

The Replicator Z18 casters are placed by the MakerBot cart at ergonomic height, which enables the printer's easy movement. Suggested retail price for the printer is $6,499. The cart costs $1,250, while the filament case is priced at $750. The filament case holds PLA Filament XL or XXL spools. It enables large printing without worries about running out of filament. Both the cart and filament can be ordered either with the printer, or separately.

MakerBot CEO Bre Pettis said that Replicator Z18 is made for the big thinkers, as they believe the 3D printer is a game-changer in the 3D printers line of work. Its massive build volume and quality 3D printing are considered equal to industrial 3D printers which cost thousands of dollars more.

This is the first time for MakerBot to produce a 3D printer of industrial size, joining the line-up of other 3D printers falling in the category of desktop 3D printing. In this line-up, we can also find the company's latest printer Replicator Desktop 3D Printer, Replicator Mini Compact 3D Printer, Replicator 2 Desktop 3D Printer and Replicator 2X Experimental 3D Printer. MakerBot also markets MakerBot Digitizer Desktop 3D scanner.

The Replicator 3D printers, like the Replicator Mini Compact which are currently accepting orders as well, are expected to ship this spring. These printers are powered by the Replicator 3D Printing platform that includes a camera, app and cloud workflow, Wi-Fi connectivity and plug-and-play features.

Copyright © 2014 Ecumenical News