While Star Trek replicators still don't exist, we just moved a little closer to the dream, thanks to a new kind of 3D printer. 3D-printing manufacturer Stratasys just debuted the Objet500 Connex3, the world’s first 3D printer that can produce multi-color, multi-material objects at the same time.
This means the one-dimensional design aesthetic seen in many 3D-printed prototypes can now give way to a wide range of dynamic and — more importantly — consumer-ready prototypes in terms of look and feel.
"As the first true multi-purpose 3D printer, we believe the Objet500 Connex3 color multi-material 3D printer is in a league of its own, enabling you to dream up a product in the morning, and hold it in your hands by the afternoon, with the exact intended color, material properties and surface finish," Stratasys vice-president of product marketing and sales operations Igal Zeitun, said in a statement.
Using three different base resins and 10 color palettes, the Objet500 Connex3 can craft a variety of 3D-printed objects.
Stratasys provides examples that are surprisingly elaborate, including a pair of sports goggles (complete with lenses and rubber-like components), flexible shoes, headphones, a blender and even multi-colored football and bike helmets.
However, the printer's large size suggests that it is mainly targeted toward major corporations and high-end designers, a market Stratasys believes will benefit the most from its new innovation.
This means the one-dimensional design aesthetic seen in many 3D-printed prototypes can now give way to a wide range of dynamic and — more importantly — consumer-ready prototypes in terms of look and feel.
"As the first true multi-purpose 3D printer, we believe the Objet500 Connex3 color multi-material 3D printer is in a league of its own, enabling you to dream up a product in the morning, and hold it in your hands by the afternoon, with the exact intended color, material properties and surface finish," Stratasys vice-president of product marketing and sales operations Igal Zeitun, said in a statement.
Using three different base resins and 10 color palettes, the Objet500 Connex3 can craft a variety of 3D-printed objects.
Stratasys provides examples that are surprisingly elaborate, including a pair of sports goggles (complete with lenses and rubber-like components), flexible shoes, headphones, a blender and even multi-colored football and bike helmets.
However, the printer's large size suggests that it is mainly targeted toward major corporations and high-end designers, a market Stratasys believes will benefit the most from its new innovation.
"In the prototyping marketplace, people are looking to bring early realism to the production process," Jon Cobb, Stratasys' executive vice-president of marketing.
"This kind of 3D printing is important not only for a one-off process, but for a prototyping process in which you're looking for choices, including sales, marketing and engineering. Also, there's probably a lot of artists and architects that you'll start to see use this kind of wide range of materials and palette of colors. I think this will enable a whole new group of people who will be interested in 3D printing."
Stratasys also has its eye on the consumer, as proven by its 2013 acquisition of the more consumer-oriented 3D-printing company MakerBot.
However, it's unclear when — or if at all — Stratasys' multi-color, multi-material 3D printer will make it to your living room, according to Cobb.
"Down the road, three to five years, sure, there's always interest in looking at the different tech that we have and trying to combine them. But for now, there's nothing on horizon," he said.
Although Stratasys has not disclosed the exact price of the Objet500 Connex3, Cobb said it will cost around $330,000, and will be commercially available in the second quarter of 2014.