MakerBot (Brooklyn, NY) has introduced “a new category for the 3D professional segment” with the launch of Method, “the first Performance 3D Printer.” The OEM added that performance 3D printing bridges the gap between desktop and industrial 3D printing by bringing features that were previously only available on industrial 3D printers, to professionals at a significantly lower cost. “Method leverages industrial technologies and expertise from Stratasys and combines it with the accessibility and ease of use for which MakerBot is known.”
Industrial technologies on the MakerBot Method 3D printer include a Circulating Heated Chamber, Dual-Performance Extruders, Precision PVA Water Soluble Supports, Dry-Sealed Material Bays, and an Ultra-Rigid Metal Frame. The Method also includes built-in sensors and automation features that “are designed to provide users with a seamless experience.” The printer’s industrial features control the 3D printing process to deliver “a high level of precision, reliability and dimensional accuracy at an accessible price.” This technological breakthrough defines the new Performance 3D Printing category, the OEM added.
“In an age of disruption, businesses are under pressure to innovate and bring products to market faster. Current desktop 3D printers derive their DNA from hobbyist 3D printers and are insufficient for many applications in the professional segment,” said Nadav Goshen, MakerBot CEO. “We believe that Method is the next step in helping organizations adopt 3D printing on a larger scale. Method provides a breakthrough in 3D printing that enables industrial designers and mechanical engineers to innovate faster and become more agile. It’s built for professionals who need immediate access to a 3D printer that can deliver industrial performance to accelerate their design cycles. Method was developed to bring industrial technologies into an accessible platform, breaking the price/performance barrier, and redefining rapid prototyping in the process,” Goshen added.
Method is designed to deliver industrial reliability and precision by carefully controlling every aspect of the 3D print environment, resulting in repeatable and consistent parts with ± 0.2 mm dimensional accuracy as well as vertical layer uniformity and cylindricity. Until now, this level of precision has been limited to industrial-grade 3D printers. The dual extrusion system found in Method combined with water-soluble PVA provides a superior surface finish, and enables unlimited design freedom and unrestricted geometries, such as complex overhangs without scarring, the company added.
Method also allows users to turn their CAD files into parts faster by providing a seamless and reliable workflow without tinkering, and “up to 2X faster print speeds than desktop 3D printers .” Method offers out-of-the-box deployment and a hassle-free guided set-up, making it easy to install and use. Method also includes automated maintenance procedures and support to ensure a smooth and seamless user experience. “It delivers industrial-level performance at one-third of the first-year cost of ownership of an entry-level industrial 3D printer,” said the company. “With Method, teams can reduce design risks by testing and validating prototypes with accuracy early and often, minimizing potential cost overruns later in production. It’s also designed to provide an elevated level of speed and control into product design cycles while reducing production costs – thus helping businesses bring products to market faster.
MakerBot launches Method 3D Printer
