3D Systems Announced CubeJet - Full Color 3D Printer for under $5K

It doesn't go into details of how this printer works to utilize all these colors. I can't imagine it will just use standard filament. I'd like to see more. It's priced at under $5,000.

http://media.primezone.com/cache/8852/int/23963.jpg

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-Affordable, fast, full-color 3D printer for your business, shop or desktop

-High-definition, photo-quality color for prosumers and consumers alike

ROCK HILL, S.C., Jan. 7, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) announced today a preview of its new CubeJet™ 3D printer. Priced under $5,000, this category-defining, desktop 3D printer delivers vibrant, full-color, high-resolution parts for a wide range of modeling and real-use products. Designed specifically for small businesses, independent entrepreneurs, hobbyists and educators, the CubeJet combines 3DS' powerful ColorJet Printing (CJP) technology with its award-winning, easy-to-use consumer Cube^® printers' user experience to deliver the first truly affordable, full-color desktop 3D printing experience. The CubeJet will be on display for the first time at the 2014 International CES in Las Vegas, NV, January 7-10, 2014, in the 3DS booth 31424 LVCC South Hall 3.
A photo accompanying this release is available athttp://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=22920
"Leapfrogging full-color printing to the prosumer and consumer desktop in a way that's easy to own and simple to operate redefines the 'possible' for designers, educators, architects, marketers and artists," said Rajeev Kulkarni, Vice President, General Manager, Consumer Products, 3DS. "For the first time ever, everyone can access vibrant parts quickly, accurately and affordably."
Whether you need full-color models or beautifully detailed assemblies that pass for finished products, the new CubeJet delivers. From striking white to photo-realistic pastels and bold, vibrant color, these parts communicate design intent like nothing else can, quickly and affordably. The CubeJet printer offers new levels of productivity with faster print mode options, improved user convenience with mobile connectivity using tablet computers and smartphones, and more powerful coloring and file preparation software tools.
CubeJet printers are expected to commence commercial shipping during the second half of 2014.

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I want to see how exactly it makes these prints in so many different colors. Can it print in multiple colors on one item?

There was someone demonstrating items made with some sort of inkjet 3D Printer that produces multiple color pieces, then they subjected the item to superglue to fuse it together. Had a stone like feel to it and looked very cool. I do not recall what they said the the machine was called.

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Originally Posted by JohnA136

There was someone demonstrating items made with some sort of inkjet 3D Printer that produces multiple color pieces, then they subjected the item to superglue to fuse it together. Had a stone like feel to it and looked very cool. I do not recall what they said the the machine was called.

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Interesting concept. John, do you think this was the CubeJet? Seems a little too simple for a $5,000 printer.

From what I understand it will be a consumer model of the Projetr 4500

It will be able to print in multiple colors all at once. Rather than having to print separate pieces in different colors you will be able to print one item with as multiple colors on it similarly to a 2D Printer.

I would like to know too if the printer Cubejet can print multiple colors on one object?

I'm fairly certain it can. Not 100% positive but I'm fairly sure it will be able to print multiple colors.

The CubeJet is literally a desktop ZCorp. It's a smaller version of 3D Systems' x60 ColorJet line, which is what became of ZCorp's ZPrinters after 3D Systems acquired the company. It's like a mix of inkjet, SLA and SLS. Instead of liquid resin, it uses a powder that fuses after colored ink and UV light are applied. Once a layer is created, the bed is lowered slightly, new powder is added to the top, a blade is dragged across to level the powder and the next layer is then created.

I saw it at CES. Much bigger than I was expecting, like 3 feet wide by 2 feet tall by 2 and a half feet deep, although it was just a prototype, so it could change. I spoke to the product manager for about ten minutes -- he is a former ZCorp employee. This is an enormous leap forward in 3D printing technology for this price range. It is tens of thousands of dollars for the pro-class color versions. I believe this is why 3D Systems recently acquired the branch of Xerox that was formerly Tektronix -- x60 components were being made there and they wanted to cut supplier costs for a consumer push.

http://www.3dprinterworld.com/sites/...cubejet600.jpg

So basically the CubeJet is exacly the same X60 printers the only difference is the size and price?

Hello there.

What do you think? Will Cube Jet use expensive Visi Jet PLX cartridge? If yes, it will be quite expensive to use this machine...

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Originally Posted by dream_arch

Hello there.

What do you think? Will Cube Jet use expensive Visi Jet PLX cartridge? If yes, it will be quite expensive to use this machine...

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That's a really good question. Unfortunately, I can't answer it with any certainty yet. The product manager got pulled away when I was talking to him because everyone got kicked out of the 3D Systems booth so they could do a video production.

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Originally Posted by ninicoco

So basically the CubeJet is exacly the same X60 printers the only difference is the size and price?

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I honestly can't say if that is the only difference. However, I know for certain the CubeJet is based on the same technology used in the X60 line. I've also seen X60 printers while they are printing and it looked very much like what I saw inside the CubeJet.

I think the material cost for the cubejet will be expensive as i'm sure they will have proprietary material for it.
Just like the zcorp/3d system material it's going to be up there. They are selling the machine cheap but will be making the money
from material cost.

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Originally Posted by cokreeate

They are selling the machine cheap but will be making the money
from material cost.

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That's true. Andone of the main reasons why i still have not decided yet whether to buy 3DS products.
On 27. March will be held here in Vienna 3d printing conference. I checked, 3DS will be attended by conference. I will definately ask somebody from 3DS about cartridge type and price on it and I will post it for you here if I got a clear answer.

What about size? It seems that work space will be max. 16x16x16 cm..

So, dream_arch, how did it go? did you find out about the cartridge type and build volume? thanx

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Originally Posted by ivanana3

So, dream_arch, how did it go? did you find out about the cartridge type and build volume? thanx

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hi Ivana,

the funny thing is that I had more information about coming products than professional staff of TIGAL company (partner of 3D Systems in Austria). They did not know almost nothing about new line of 3D Systems products. So, unfortunately I did not get any new information till now, expect some previews of CubePro, that you could easy find on the web. Concerning CubeJet is still queerly no info on the web, absolutely nothing. It look like we need to wait until final presentation...

Regards, Dima

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Originally Posted by dream_arch

hi Ivana,

the funny thing is that I had more information about coming products than professional staff of TIGAL company (partner of 3D Systems in Austria). They did not know almost nothing about new line of 3D Systems products. So, unfortunately I did not get any new information till now, expect some previews of CubePro, that you could easy find on the web. Concerning CubeJet is still queerly no info on the web, absolutely nothing. It look like we need to wait until final presentation...

Regards, Dima

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Hi Dima,

Thank you for your fast reply. For now, I am ordering Ultimaker 2 with the money I have and will wait for new info on CubeJet :)

Kind regards, Ivana

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Originally Posted by dream_arch

Hello there.

What do you think? Will Cube Jet use expensive Visi Jet PLX cartridge? If yes, it will be quite expensive to use this machine...

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I just Check their site, and thats a Huge yes, they use companys cartridge

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Originally Posted by bshadown

I just Check their site, and thats a Huge yes, they use companys cartridge

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NO!! :mad:

I will never, and I urge everyone to never buy a printer that uses proprietary print filament in cartridges.

I don't say this because I think it's a rip off. I say this because I KNOW it's a rip off. I have worked for both Ricoh and Fuji Xerox and worked on a range of photocopiers and printers, and i'm literally just fresh out of a decade of it.

I saw an independant company worth 26 million dollars skyrocket to 180 million+ and then sell out because of the amount of money they were making off Toner carts, that were of course PROPRIETARY with the same type of chip that Cube3D uses
to monitor filament. You know what they concentrated on? the toner, not the machines. They fixed what was needed and tried to get people to print as much as possible. Sold lower quantity toners so they would only last so long before needing replacement etc.

JUST like filament, printer toner worked in other machines, it was the cartridge that got you. Now, it's a bit more complex with photocopiers as they have developer and toner etc and certain magnetic properties but this even drives my point home even more.

Cube can say they have 'special' filament, but for $150 it better be made of gold.

I checked Ebay, $142 for a cube cartridge ($85 for a no name copy) and it DOES NOT advertise the quantity for a start. I think its about 600gm in each one? please correct me someone if i'm wrong.

As we know, we can buy 1kg of filament for around $20 now. So for $150 you can have 7kg of filament versus 600gms of cube 'special' filament.

Please people, don't let the last 2 decades of bring ripped off by printing companies repeat itself by helping them force customers to purchase proprietary cartridges.

Once one company gets away with it, another does and so on... and before you know it, the only machines that will take a stock roll will be home built ones.

I think this machine is a simpler version of their more expensive machine called OBJECT 500 something...I forgot. Anyway if I understand it right, it will only use 4 Materials, with special ink, or powder that do the coloring. So basically you put the filaments in the machine then it make the whole dyeing in the machine,hence get the color.

$142 for one cartridge? :eek:. All I know for their 50,000 dollar machine one cartridge is in that priceclass, or above! But for normal consumers with that price? Hell no!