Lost your key? Now you can just print a new one

By Margaret.

It has long been touted that 3D printers will cause a manufacturing revolution, a device that could be a mini-factory within your home. That day may be closer after a suite of affordable new devices were unveiled yesterday that can “print” objects – large and small.

Makerbot, the New York-based maker of 3D printers, released three new models, including a machine that is able to print items the size of someone’s head.

Bre Pettis, chief executive of Makerbot, said the Replicator Z18, could print objects that were six times larger than previous versions of its machine. “If you’ve been hampered with how big you can make things, then no more,” said Mr Pettis.

For many consumers, the device will still prove expensive, costing $6,499 (£4,000). However, the machine is far more affordable and smaller that many other 3D printers. Commercial machines can take up entire rooms and cost between $10,000 (£6,400) to more than $1 million for a device capable of making sophisticated production parts.

Mr Pettis also revealed two smaller devices, including the Replicator ($2,899) and the Replicator Mini ($1399). He said the machines, which have already been purchased by tens of thousands of customers, were targeting more price-conscious consumers.

“It’s not, are you going to get a 3D printer?” he said. “It’s which Makerbot printer are you going to get?”

All three machines will be able to access the Makerbot 3D printing platform, which allows people to create their own designs, and a new online store that gives people access to designs by professionals.

The replicators can build objects such replacement keys and spare parts. The machine builds up the object in plastic, layer by layer. But 3D printers have also gained adverse attention in recent times, causing controversy when the world’s first fully 3D printed gun was been created last May.

Makerbot was sold last year to Stratasys, an Israel-based maker of professional 3D printers, in a deal worth $403 million. The company has opened a store in New York and has also begun a project building prosthetic limbs for children. Mr Pettis said MakerBot has shipped 40,000 plus 3D printers around the world so far, while the company’s online platform, dubbed the “Thingiverse” has spawned more than 218,000 designs.