The Mebotics Microfactory

It's billed as "the world's first machine shop in a box", and it very well might be. The Mebotics Microfactory is an enclosed unit that holds not only a CNC cutter but also four (yes, FOUR) extruders on its 3D printing head. 

 

The idea is to produce a portable, safe-for-the-office small manufacturing facility. With the Microfactory you'll be able to not only produce 3D printed objects, but also cut and etch materials, meaning you can make circuit boards, for example. 

 

 

Made by four makers from Massachusetts who wanted to solve the problem of owning making equipment without having a workshop. The Microfactory's strong, enclosed housing enables use of the device almost anywhere you have power. 

 

CNC machines are inherently dangerous; if they can cut material, they can cut you, too. Mebotics recognizes this and has included a variety of features that should make the machine safe to use, such as door lockouts, covered belts, integrated vacuum ports, etc. 

 

The Microfactory's 12"x12"x6" work volume should be sufficient for many projects. While the milling spindle is a healthy 300W, there aren't many specifications for the 3D printing component. We understand they have two heaters, each associated with two extrusion paths. In other words, you can print up to four colors in sequence. One restriction is that because the pairs of extrusion paths share heaters, you must match the material type within each pair. We'd imagine a typical configuration could be Red/Blue PLA in one pair and Black/White ABS in the other, for example.

 

While the initial version of the Microfactory is very capable, they designers have plans to add a variety of additional features in future versions, such as: wireless network connectivity, food extruder options, interactive machine control and even metal 3D printing. 

 

The Microfactory is now available on Kickstarter for USD$4500. 

 

Via Mebotics and Kickstarter

It Does Everything: The FABotum

A new Indiegogo project hopes to develop the FABotum, a multidiscipline manufacturing device. Actually, it's full name is the "FABtotum Multipurpose Desktop Personal Fabricator".

 

Wait, what kind of a machine is that? This machine is actually a combination of several manufacturing processes, including 3D printing. The FABotum also includes CNC (cutting) capability and 3D laser scanning, too. 

 

The 3D printer function appears to be comparable to standalone 3D personal printers: up to 0.1mm layer size; prints PLA and ABS plastic filament and has a 210x240x240mm build volume. 

 

The CNC function includes a spindle that holds a bit for milling, and it can apparently be moved along four axes for excellent access. The spindle motor is only 30 Watts, and therefore can cut only very light materials like foam and balsa wood. Engraving on harder materials is possible, however. 

 

The 3D scanning function involves two processes: laser scanning and touch scanning. The laser function provides limited accuracy scans, while the touch mode involves using the highly accurate Z-axis to raise and lower a fine probe to gather height information on a scanned object. 

 

The FABotum is being developed by a team from Italy, who hope to raise USD$50,000 by October. They're well on the way to achieving that goal. It looks like the target price for a fully assembled FABotum will be USD$1,099, or perhaps higher after their launch. 

 

Interestingly, the FABotum has peculiar licensing terms. The project seems to have intentions of open sourcing as much as possible, yet they have obtained patents on the "FABtotum technologies". They will permit development of third party "heads" for the moving part of the machine, yet provide "full documentations,drawings and the reproduction of FABtotum is allowed and encouraged under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Sharealike 3.0 Unported Licence." 

 

We're not entirely certain what this means. 

 

Regardless, this machine is unique. It combines multiple open source manufacturing technologies into a single, affordable box. We think this is a very challenging project; the software alone will be a complex combination of different approaches. Nevertheless, if they pull it off it could be the beginning of a new product type: personal fabricators. 

 

Via Indiegogo

The iModela IM-01 "3D Printer"

We've been reading a ton of posts from various online services talking about Japan-based Roland's new "iModela 3D Printer". This fully assembled device is able to produce 3D objects upon command and retails for under USD$1000. The iModela IM-01 comes with software to design your objects, a travel case and there's even an online community to discuss your iModela activities. 

 

But we noticed something. 

 

It's not a 3D printer. 

 

It's an inexpensive simplified 3D CNC Mill. It can cut a block of wax, balsa wood or plastic and carve it into arbitrary shapes (so long as the geometry permits the milling process to work). The iModela can accept a wide variety of common milling tools from model shops. 

 

Why isn't it a 3D printer? Well, for one thing it uses "Subtractive Manufacturing", the taking-away of material to reveal the final object, while 3D printing, as it has come to be known, uses "Additive Manufacturing", where material is gradually added to form the final object. 

 

While we're certain this is a fine hobby mill, we're wondering about the public's understanding of 3D Printing technology. How did so many blogs immediately mistake this mill for a 3D printer? At no point on Roland's web page does it claim to be a 3D printer. Instead, Roland explicitly states in its headline no less, that it's an "Affordable 3D Hobby Mill".

 

Nevertheless, it does produce 3D objects, as do many other technologies. But we're here to talk about 3D printing.  

 

Via Roland

Modular Desktop CNC Machine Needs Your Help

AJ Quick's new Kickstarter project is an inexpensive but highly capable desktop CNC machine. The device was designed by University of Minnesota Mechanical Engineering students specifically for use by home operators or perhaps even light business use. While the original prototype was quite successful, they want to take the concept to the next level. To do so, they've redesigned the machine for home use: it' affordable and will easily fit in your workshop. However, to get it off the ground they need your help. 

 

They're seeking assistance via Kickstarter, the venture-capital-in-the-cloud service that has proven very successful. By contributing to their project, you'll be able to enjoy various levels of awards depending on the amount of your contribution. The highest contribution levels ensure you'll receive a kit so you can build your own desktop CNC. 

 

The device is quite capable, including a cutting area of 18"x12" (46x30cm), a very rigid frame and:

 

... hundreds of dollars worth of shafts, bushings, bearings and professional leadscrews to get it moving! In fact, 80% of the machines’ cost is in these expensive linear motion components. To put it simply, this machine is awesome!

 

As of this writing, they're already over their contribution goal - but if you're interested in supporting them, please take a look before February 15, 2011 when the funding round closes. 

 

Via Kickstarter and QuickCNC (Hat tip to Kris)

StudioMill

It's not a 3D Printer, but it is a very capable 5-axis CNC machine; the StudioMill, sold by A1 Technologies. Directed at academic institutions, the device will enable students to get their hands on serious CNC technology:

 

Studiomill is supplied as a complete educational CAD CAM solution with the purpose built PathingCNC software which is used to simulate and control the modelling process. 

 

The PathingCNC software is intuitive and easy to learn and allows you to view and manipulate your CAD model in a virtual tooling environment and quickly and easily tailor the modelling process to suit your requirements. The software allows the more advanced user to exercise complete control over the modelling process, but also provides a degree of assistance to the novice user.

 

What makes this machine appropriate for educational use, other than the price? There's a number of specific features:

 

• Windows on all sides enable viewing of operations by students
• Easy to use and maintain
• Safety features
• Five-axis function for teaching production machining processes 

 

Studiomill can perform very fine finishing, up to 0.05mm resolution, and is capable of handling a wide variety of materials in its 160x220mm work area. Available now from A1 Technologies, starting prices at £6,000 (USD$9300). 

 

Via A1 Technologies

A1's Subtractive UNIMAT Series

A1 Technology, sellers of a variety of additive 3D equipment including the low-cost BfB 3000 3D printer and RapMan 3D printer has introduced an entirely new line of products: The UNIMAT series, a collection of subtractive manufacturing tools. 

 

The premise is UNIMAT's extremely low pricing and modular design that should enable the technology to get into the hands of many more people, particularly educational institutions. How accessible is it? If you were to purchase the UNIMAT 1 Classic package, which includes a jigsaw, drill press, milling machine (both horizontal and vertical) and a metal lathe - all for only £399 (approx. USD$580). That's accessible!

 

The series includes "PowerLine" system that permits expandability by adding modules to provide different functions. The "MetalLine" package provides precision tools for highly accurate and professional use, and the CNC package is of course, a CNC machine.

 

Pricing in Pounds Sterling is as follows:  

 

• Playmat £99
• Unimat 1 Basic £199
• Unimat 1 Classic £399
• Styrocut 3D £149
• Unimat MetalLine Classic £699
• Unimat Power MetalLine £2,450
• Unimat CNC line £1,990

 

Via A1 Technologies

DIYLILCNC

The DIYLILCNC is a do-it-yourself CNC machine. Much like open source 3D printer designs, this one is instead for a CNC machine. This one can be built for approximately USD$700. From the site:

 

Plans and instructions for building the DIYLILCNC are distributed freely and intended for wide distribution and modification with few restrictions. The plans are formatted to facilitate easy fabrication, especially for beginners. The DIYLILCNC can be built by an individual, a student group, or a class. Besides being immensely fun, building the DIY LIL CNC is a great way to learn about motion control and CAD/CAM/CAE.

 

The 2MB download includes a 65 page detailed manual taking you through all aspects of the machine's assembly and software setup, as well as the design files for all the laser-cut components. We're wondering if Ponoko has this one available on their service?

 

Via DIYLILCNC