3-D printer cracks $5,000 pricing

3-D printers have been around for years, but most commonly with price tags north of $10,000. These devices “print” layers of plastic material, building a 3-dimensional part up over successive passes, until your 3-D part is complete. The printer then cures the part with a light source, and you’re good to go with a prototype part that requires minutes on your desktop to make, rather than days at an outside shop.

Desktop Factory has announced its version that costs $4,995, a price that puts one within the reach of most small engineering labs as well as college engineering departments. The company claims it will ship these next year – a pretty broad delivery date – and you can reserve yours now with a $495 deposit.

Via O’Reilly Radar. The author compares inexpensive 3-D printers to the beginning of the laser printer market back in the early 80’s.