An affordable 3D Printer? Image Credit: Pirate3D
Advances in 3D printing technology in recent time have been massive, with the media, publishing stories about the great things that can be ‘printed’, as well as the controversial.
Open source schematics that were made available online to 3D print a gun were met with intrigue and controversy. Whereas, NASA’s purge into 3D printing could one day see solutions to food production in space and the construction of spacecraft and lunar bases.
Intriguing as 3D printers are, the cost is one of the only drawbacks to this technological marvel. However, thanks to Pirate3D, the solution is on its way with the first consumer appropriate, affordable 3D printer.
“Finally, a 3D printer that everyone can use…”
This is the motto for the Buccaneer™ Cloud 3D Printer – the world’s most affordable home printer. At an affordable price of $347 for a fully assembled Buccaneer™ 3D printer, Pirate3D have teamed up with Kickstarter to begin pre-ordering.
The Buccaneer™ 3D Printer comes assembled and calibrated! Image Credit: Pirate3D
Small, slim-line with a cool silver chromatic finish, the Buccaneer™ has the consumer in mind with it’s overall look. It could easily fit in a persons home office next to their computer. It also looks approachable, which in itself sounds weird, but not so much when you see the scary looking 3D printers that look as though they will take off. The Buccaneer™ appears simple and easy to use.
The current world of 3D printing is restricted to confines of laboratories, R&D and enthusiasts. The concept of designing a schematic, sourcing materials and going into production seems complicated for the consumer use. That isn’t even touched upon the time and complications of assembling a 3D printer.
Not for the Buccaneer™, the unit is already assembled and comes fully calibrated with the intention of being able to enjoy the many pleasures of the 3D printing process. The easy to use SmartObject™ customization tool allows users to be able to spend the time creating and printing rather than learning the intricacies of 3D design. That, combined with tablet integration makes the Buccaneer very consumer friendly.
Easy on the eye and easy to use! Image Credit: Pirate3D
However, it is not all about the consumer. The Buccaneer also hands the opportunity for the designer to be able to create his or her own 3D designs with the Smart Object API. What’s great about this is that if somebody has come in at entry level and wants to take the next step in 3D printing, the Smart Object API offers this giving the ‘stretch and challenge’ of designing without being lost in piles of code and complicated schematics.
Perhaps the most exciting feature that Pirate3D are looking to incorporate is the very cool pirate distribution network.
Promising more to come from their Pirate Distribution Network or PDN, Pirate3D look to have not only produced a 3D printer that can exist in our homes for an affordable price, they have also recognized the audience and the importance of social sharing allowing no limits for what the consumer can create. I know what I am saving up for…
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The Buccaneer Cloud 3D Printer - Image Credit: Pirate3D