MakerBot introduces platform for engineers to experiment with 3D printing features

MakerBot introduces MakerBot Labs, an experimental platform for engineers and developers to create, build, customize, and collaborate on MakerBot 3D printing solutions.

MakerBot Labs offers the freedom to experiment with advanced 3D printing features and materials.

Photo: Business Wire

This gives designers and engineers a powerful sandbox to push the limits of 3D printing, while still retaining the option to fall back on extensively tested MakerBot solutions. Tested reliability when you need it, and the freedom to experiment and innovate.

“This release marks another stage of MakerBot’s growth and 3D printing leadership,” explains MakerBot CEO Nadav Goshen. “MakerBot built some of the industry’s first desktop 3D printers, then the first fully connected 3D printers, and most recently launched solutions for Educators and Professionals that go much wider than our hardware offering. Focusing on these customers’ needs, we learned that the main barrier to wider 3D printing adoption was the lack of a reliable and easy to use solution.”

The platform is more open as a direct response to users calling for greater freedom with materials and software.

Here are the first products to be released under the new MakerBot Labs, available now on MakerBot.com:

New Experimental Extruder

The MakerBot Labs Experimental Extruder is a customizable extruder with a modifiable design and four interchangeable nozzles, designed for the advanced user looking to push the limits of what’s possible with MakerBot 3D printers. The easily swappable extruder gives users the freedom to quickly switch from reliable production to sandbox experimentation. Large diameter draft nozzles enable “draft” printing at higher speeds, while a harder stainless steel nozzle enables printing in abrasive materials like metal composites.

New Custom Print Modes in MakerBot Print

MakerBot Print now features the ability to import and export different custom print setting configurations, perfect for different materials and varied printing objectives. Users can define and improve on their own modes, or test modes available from the new MakerBot Labs Community. Once you’ve found the perfect setting for your chosen material or print mode, save a custom Print Mode and share it with the community.

New MakerBot Labs Community on Thingiverse

Browse, collaborate, discuss, and download. The new MakerBot Labs Community on Thingiverse is the single resource hub for user submissions and collaborations like custom Material Print Modes, custom hardware mods, new apps and software APIs, and discussion of advanced techniques and applications.

New MakerBot Labs API

Developers can now access software and hardware APIs to interface with and expand the capabilities of MakerBot 3D printers.

makerbot.com