Exciting Time as MakerBot’s Highest Tech 3D Printers Hit the Market

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — March 11, 2014 — Big things are building at MakerBot! MakerBot has two exciting announcements this week: order availability for the MakerBot® Replicator® Z18 3D Printer, MakerBot’s largest 3D printer to date, which is expected to ship this spring, and the start of shipping for the new fifth generation MakerBot Replicator Desktop 3D Printer!

Orders for the new MakerBot Replicator Z18 3D Printer with its massive build volume of 30.5 L x 30.5 W x 45.7 H cm (12.0 L x 12.0 W x 18.0 H in), can be placed starting today at makerbot.com/Z18 or by calling 347-334-6800. MakerBot believes that the MakerBot Replicator Z18 offers the best price/performance in its category and will be one of the most disruptive products of the year in the 3D printing industry due to the combination of its massive build volume and affordable price.

Also available with the MakerBot Replicator Z18 are the MakerBot Cart for the MakerBot Replicator Z18 and a MakerBot Filament Case, which are also expected to ship in the spring with the MakerBot Replicator Z18. The MakerBot Cart puts the MakerBot Replicator Z18 on casters at an ergonomic height that enables easy movement of the 3D printer. The MakerBot Filament Case holds XL or XXL spools of MakerBot PLA Filament and enables the 3D printing of large prints without worrying about running out of filament. Both of these accessories can be ordered separately or with the MakerBot Replicator Z18.

“We made the MakerBot Replicator Z18 for those who think big,” said Bre Pettis, CEO of MakerBot. “We believe the MakerBot Replicator Z18 is a game-changer in the world of 3D printers. We consider its massive build volume and its ability to bring professional-quality 3D printing to the user comparable to industrial 3D printers that are tens of thousands of dollars more. We view it as the 3D printer for large industrial models, engine prototypes, movie special effect models and the next generation spacecraft. We are using it in our own factory to make prototypes, jigs and fixtures. This 3D printer is very exciting for us and has already generated a lot of excitement in the industrial 3D printing community.”

The MakerBot Replicator Z18 3D Printer is the first industrial-size 3D printer that MakerBot has offered. It joins the line-up of MakerBot’s other 3D printers that lead the desktop 3D printing category, including the recently introduced MakerBot Replicator Desktop 3D Printer and the MakerBot Replicator Mini Compact 3D Printer, as well as the MakerBot Replicator 2 Desktop 3D Printer and the MakerBot Replicator 2X Experimental 3D Printer. MakerBot also markets the MakerBot® Digitizer™ Desktop 3D Scanner.

Also exciting this week is the shipping of the new MakerBot Replicator Desktop 3D Printer! Five years and five generations of MakerBot technology have gone into the creation of this new generation of 3D printers. The MakerBot Replicator Desktop 3D Printer is being shipped out on a first-come, first-serve basis, based on when the order was placed.

“Five years of research, hard work and listening to what our customers want in a MakerBot Replicator Desktop 3D Printer have gone into making this product and creating a new MakerBot 3D Printing Platform,” noted Bre Pettis. “I have so many proud and excited emotions running through me today as we ship out our very first fifth generation 3D printers. I want to know what our MakerBot 3D printing community thinks of this giant leap forward in connectivity, speed and reliability for their 3D printing needs. I can’t wait to see what people make.”

These new MakerBot Replicator 3D Printers, including the new MakerBot Replicator Mini Compact 3D Printer, which is also available for order and expected to ship this spring, are all powered by the new, user-friendly MakerBot Replicator 3D Printing Platform, which includes an onboard camera, plug and play features, app and cloud enabled workflow, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

MakerBot also offers an entire MakerBot 3D Ecosystem that sets the standard in making user-friendly 3D printing and scanning accessible for everyone. “MakerBot is an innovation company; we innovate so others can innovate,” noted Bre Pettis. “In providing the tools for others to be creative and productive in their careers and lives, we empower manufacturers, entrepreneurs, artists, teachers, students and creative individuals to jump in and help lead the Next Industrial Revolution.”

The MakerBot Replicator Z18 3D Printer has a suggested retail price of $6,499 (USD). The MakerBot Cart and MakerBot Filament Case will each have a suggested retail price of $1,250 and $750 (USD) respectively. To learn more about the MakerBot Replicator Z18 3D Printer and to place an order, visit makerbot.com/z18 or call 347-334-6800. To learn more about the MakerBot Replicator Desktop 3D Printer and place an order for it, visit makerbot.com/Replicator. The MakerBot Replicator has a suggested retail price of $2,899. The MakerBot Replicator Mini Compact 3D Printer is also available with a suggested retail price of $1,375 and is available for order at makerbot.com/mini.

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