Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
(Source: GNU General Public License, version 3, RepRap project)
Figure 8.1 The first RepRap design, Marlin, and a recent design, Simpson.
Desktop 3D Printer Explosion
Directly tied to the development done by the RepRap project and community, 3D printing
is here to stay. As an outgrowth of the RepRap work, 3D printer parts and printer manu-
facturers and retailers have formed. Before the rapid expansion of 3D printing, a person or
organization had only a handful of choices available for purchasing a 3D printer and mater-
ials. Now, 3D printers can be purchased from numerous manufacturers around the world.
The cost of 3D printing has also vastly decreased. A fully assembled 3D printer can be
purchased for less than $3000; starter DIY 3D printer kits can be found for as little as
$350. This reduced price now allows people, organizations, and manufacturers that were
previously locked out of the technology because of cost to access 3D printers or high-cost
3D printer services.
3D printer materials have also come down in cost. Before the spread of open source 3D
printers, such materials were generally proprietary and expensive. Because of open source
designs, materials can now generally be used across multiple printer models and sourced
from multiple filament manufacturers. Materials for open source 3D printers can be found
for as little as one-fourth the cost of the proprietary materials.
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