Solido – $2,950 3D Printer

by Joseph Flaherty on February 3, 2010

solido-price

Photo Credit: Andrew Plumb @ClothBot

The Solido SD300 Pro will be the first fully assembled 3D printer to be sold at the sub $5,000 price first promised by the Desktop Factory. The price shown in this trade show graphic is $2,950, but it may be an introductory deal only.

The Solido SD uses Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM) which glues thin sheets of plastic together and cuts out the excess on each layer. The technology is robust, using sturdy spray nozzles and knives rather than failure prone heated elements or chemicals. It is inexpensive, but can produce technically impressive parts. Excess material can be recycled for credit towards your next order. Walls can be as thing as 1mm (for reference the wall of an electronic device will typically be 1-1.5mm). The Solido has some drawbacks, but overall it is a great and attainable 3D printers for schools or dedicated hobbyists.

solido-part-1

The Solido folks use a bit of soft focus in their photos, but this is a realistic depiction of the surface finish you will get with a LOM machine:
solido-exposed

It will be interesting to see how the MakerBot team responds to this. The Solido beats the MakerBot on two critical criteria (though the MakerBot is $2000 less, excluding labor):

Build Size

MakerBot – 100 x 100 x 130 mm
Solido – 160 x 235 x 135 mm

Resolution

MakerBot – 0.3725 mm layer thickness
Solido – 0.168 mm layer thickness

Add to that the plug and play simplicity of the Solido, the need for maintenance on the MakerBot and you wonder how many potential customers will trade up for the simpler and more robust solution. Especially in the educational/institutional realm where there is a track record of heated reaction to exposed breadboards and colored wire.

See images of five Solido capabilities after the break:

The Solido can do quite a few things well:

Fine detail and Organic Shapes:

solido-5

Internal Cavities:

solido-2

Electronic Enclosures:

solido-1

Large Parts:

solido-3

Functional Mechanical Components:

solido-4

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Tagged as: 3d printing, Desktop Factory, Laminated Object Manufacturing, LOM, MakerBot Industries, Plastic

  • will

    So what are the drawbacks? Do you have any info on the price of the materials? Any idea on when it will be available?

  • http://www.replicatorinc.com Joseph Flaherty

    The main drawback is the relative weakness of parts when built in certain configurations. Notice the chipped part on the pawn image. Also, the PVC materials might scare some folks re: use in the home. The price of the material is $360 per bundle, but it is unclear how many models that gets you. As for availability follow @SolidoUSA for more details.

  • acgourley

    So I shouldn't wear those shoes?

  • http://www.replicatorinc.com Joseph Flaherty

    They lack a little in the shear strength department.

  • solidousa

    Actually the parts are extremely strong and flexible. We have thrown them on a concrete floor without damage. You'll also note that we can produce a living hinge with a wall thickness of about 150 microns. Also, as there is no phase change (PVC is not melted) – it stays at room temperature – the process and resulting models are non-toxic.

    In terms of models produced for $360 Kit (10kg role of engineered plastic, glue and anti-glue), we are working on a way to help people quantify. Our thought is to show collections of small, medium and large parts. But, as you know – it is a function of how you optimize each print job – the X-axis is fixed, but your work to slice the part to reduce either Y-axis or Z-axis or both will reduce material needed to create a part.

  • http://hybrid-racing.com/ Will

    So with the $2950 price tag what is the catch? Do we have to purchase X amount of material or commit to X amount over a specified time frame? Or will I be able to place an order for the printer at $2950 and order to kits and call back when I need more?

  • will

    edit: Two*

  • will

    Are comments getting deleted?

  • solidousa

    I've been hanging out waiting for my last response to you to show – thinking the same thing!

  • will

    I read it so I am guessing it was deleted… either way I think what your doing is awesome but It may only appeal to people who are currently using the more expensive version or who will be upgrading. My company does get rapid prototypes but my thought is that if it was here in house we would use it more. I just cant justify spending $12K (or more if you lease) for the possibility that it will add value to our company. Hopefully in the future I can, thanks for your time.

  • http://www.replicatorinc.com Joseph Flaherty

    Hi Will,

    Nothing is being deleted, but Disqus is acting up. Let me know if your comments don't post later. FYI, one of mine has also yet to post yet. Sorry for the trouble!

  • http://www.replicatorinc.com Joseph Flaherty

    I should have been clearer. The parts can delaminate if the design has certain characteristics. For instance the Pawn I referenced was the sample piece provided by 3D Systems and it can “chipped”. I have no doubt that the Solido can produce awesome parts with special features like the living hinge. I think your team has the pole position in the STEM market. Best of luck!

  • DMills

    The Reprap project has, at least recently with Mendel, been aware of the need for additional tools. The addition of a spindle to remove/shape excess material is certainly within the realm of possibility. And since the Mendel is primarily additive, it wouldn't waste nearly as much material as the Solido's subtractive method.

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