3D printing moves a step closer to mass market availability


Makers M3D reached its $400,000 target in just eleven minutes of the device appearing on the crowd funding website. Early backers of the machine will be able to get one for just $199, while other backers can pledge as little as $299.

Dubbed Micro, it comes with easy-to-use software that allows users to search, drag and drop objects to print. At just 7.3in square and weighing just one kilogram the device will be easy to move around, and can be used with Windows, Mac or Linux.

"It's our goal to make the Micro accessible to everyday users," reads the pitch on Kickstarter. The tagline on its Kickstarter page calls it "the first truly consumer 3D printer".

There are certainly those out there that see the device as being a potential game changer. "Along with the market entry of New Kinpo I think it's one of the most interesting things to happen in desktop 3D printing," said expert Joris Peels. "New price points and lower pricing will be key in getting people to buy a 3D printer. Not many people can afford to pay $2,000 for a printer but many more can try one for $500 or $300.”

M3D hope to be able to start shipping the machines in August of this year.