Desktop Factory Doomed? The Future of Low Cost 3D Printers

by Joseph Flaherty on June 5, 2009

desktop-factory-3d-printer2

Desktop Factory, the company that has been promising a $5000 3D printer for the last two years just sent out an email newsletter alerting people that it is running out of funds. This is a disappointing development for 3D printer enthusiasts. Putting low cost 3D printers in the hands of students and serious hobbyists would be a great achievement.

Even if they do secure funding I think their fate will be much the same as the $100 Laptop/OLPC project. An audacious technological achievement that is tied to a specific dollar value, but ultimately ignored in favor of a slightly higher priced, technically superior offering.

zcorp_logo1

Just like $200-400 netbooks took the steam out of the OLPC, ZCorp’s 3D printing technology could do the same to Desktop Factory. ZCorp utilizes an inkjet system that deposits a glue/ink mixture on a plaster base to create 3D models. They use print heads/ink cartridges manufactured by HP that are very similar to the ones used in millions of desktop printers. If Desktop Factory launches and validates the low cost market, ZCorp could likely engineer a lower cost printer that would possess a simpler mechanical technology, economies of scale in production, higher resolution, and can print larger and colored models. A decent HP printer, that isn’t mechanically very different from a ZCorp, costs ~$60. Even at 100X that cost a low end ZCorp would be extraordinarily competitive.

Desktop Factory would be squeezed from below too. Sub $1,000 3D printers are now a reality thanks to MakerBot. For $750 you can purchase a kit based, 3D printer, that is within reach of serious hobbyists, schools, and tech focused communities. Currently, the MakerBot is more of proof of concept than a pro grade 3D printer, but it is perfect for schools or individuals who just want to play with the technology.

I hope Desktop Factory is able to pull through. A lot of bright people have sacrificed a great deal to bring this project along and their device is a positive development for the mass customization community. Best of luck to the team.

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Tagged as: 3d printing, Hardware, Technology

  • If Desktop Factory launches and validates the low cost market, ZCorp could likely engineer a lower cost printer that would possess a simpler mechanical technology, economies of scale in production, higher resolution, and can print larger and colored models.
  • 3D printers are very good. It is of great use to me.
  • This is really a superb revolution in the printing media this device with help us to get the maximum result in the minimum time..

    Thanks and Regard
  • 3D printers are of great use. I am a Jewellery designer & this printer proved very helpful to me.
  • How can I place the order? I want to purchase this 3D printer.
  • Are you reading the post or just doing some spam, the company is experiencing some financial problem. Hope that Desktop factory will recover from this dilemma
  • Name
    Desktop Factory was poor technology to begin with. This goes to show that hype will only get you so far. At the end of the day a 3D Printer is only as good as the parts it makes at any price. They should have spent their money trying to improve the technology than taking "pre-orders" and trying to get more publicity. Did no one want to tell them the parts it made looked like crap. I never seen so much BS for a product that never actually worked. No one ever saw the machine running -ever.
  • Lexington_Law
    I'm sure that at $5000 this product would save businesses thousands of dollars if not millions per year in design and engineering costs.
  • I hope Desktop Factory is able to pull through. A lot of bright people have sacrificed a great deal to bring this project along and their device is a positive development for the mass customization community. Best of luck to the team.
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