Solidoodle 4 3D Printer Available Under $1000

Solidoodle, the start-up 3D printer maker has started selling the fourth generation of the Solidoodle 3D printer online for a dollar under $1000. The company has emphasized the user experience of 3D printing in this latest model.

The unit has a sturdier metal frame to protect the machinery better, the company has said, and a visually simplistic style that is meant to appeal to the public more. Loading the spools of plastic filament, ABS or PLA, into the printer is an easier task thanks to a back loader. The spool’s placement is supposed to also lessen printing errors like tangles and wrap-ups.

The underlying technology of the Solidoodle 4 is similar to the Solidoodle 3. The print area is still the same 8 in. x 8 in. x 8 in. (20.3 cm x 20.3 cm x 20.3 cm) and has a .1-micron to .4-micron print resolution range.  The unit has the same heated build platform, but the electronics are now housed in a separate enclosure to better protect them from the heat that is created from the printer.

While $1000 is still a high price to pay, the Solidoodle 4 comes out below the price of 3D Systems’ Cubify Cube ($1,299) and well below the expensive MakerBot Replicator 2 ($2,199). And when you consider that the Solidoodle 4 is delivered fully assembled, not requiring the hours of assembly that many other budget 3D printers require, this is a competitive product to hit the market. There have been other successful Kick-starter projects with sub-$500 prices, but those printers are usually not as polished as this printer is.

Other than being on sale at the Solidoodle online store, the Solidoodle 4 will also be for sale at Micro Centre retail locations.

[Image via prweb]

SOURCE: http://www.tomsguide.com/us/solidoodle-3d-printer-under-1000,news-17930.html#xtor=RSS-980