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3D Printing for the Masses

The technologies

Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)

Essentially robotic hot glue guns

Stereolithography (SLA)

Utilizes light instead of heat to make models. How? A high powered light source hardens a cross section of light-sensitive liquid plastic.

formlabs – Form 1

formlabs website

On Kickstarter

On Wired

Makerbot – Replicator 2

A comparison between Makerbot’s Replicator 2 and the Form 1:

MakerBot Replicator 2Formlabs Form 1
TechnologyFused Filament Fabrication (Heat)Stereolithography (Light)
Build Size11.2? x 6.1? x 6?4.9? x 4.9? x 6.5?
Build MaterialPolylactic Acid (PLA) FilamentLiquid Acrylate Photopolymer
Layer Thickness100 Microns25 Microns
Print SoftwareIncludedIncluded
Cost$2,199$2,299-2,699*
* Kickstarter pricing – retail pricing TBD

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