In more evidence that the “Makers” revolution is coming, Staples now sells the Cube 3D Printer and associated cartridges and accesories in-store through a partnership with 3DSystems.
You recall Staples teaming up with MCor Technologies for in-house 3D printing. Now, they partner with 3D Systems to bring the 2nd generation Cube 3D Printer to consumers. The printer is available in all of its five fashionable colors–silver, blue, white, magenta and green–at Staples.com with a list price of $1299 USD each. You can, of course, pick up the PLA or ABS print cartridges for $49.99 a pop. It’s no discount off the regular price of the printer at cubify.com and they don’t sell the discounted cartridge packs (yet), but it’s handy if you’re already getting your office supplies, coffee and paper delivered from the store.
I’m not sure what the typical office would have use for a 3D Printer, other than the gimmickry of it. Some environments tho, particularly engineering houses, would probably love the flexibility of putting one of these on every Mechanical Engineer’s desk for less than the cost of a workstation, and allowing them to rapid prototype parts for demonstration.
via SolidSmack.com – The Cube 3D Printer, Now Available at Staples..
The 8-track tape player of the 21st century
You are so wrong. It is the forerunner of the Star Trek replicator of the next century.
Not the 3D printer, this particular model. I use 3D printing a regular basis. I was using the 8 track analogy with regards to the faddish nature of these particular units. Perhaps Fondue Pot, or Pet Rock would have been more understandable
And the forerunner of the Replicator came out years ago. I know, I used them too.