Printing specialist MakerBot announced the order availability for the Replicator Z18 3D Printer, the company’s largest 3D printer to date, which is expected to ship this spring, and the start of shipping for the new fifth-generation Replicator Desktop 3D Printer.
Also available with the Replicator Z18 are the MakerBot Cart for the Replicator Z18 and a MakerBot Filament Case, which are also expected to ship in the spring with the Replicator Z18.
The Cart puts the Replicator Z18 on casters at an ergonomic height that enables easy movement of the 3D printer. The Replicator Z18 has suggested retail price of $6,499. The Cart and Filament Case will each have a suggested retail price of $1,250 and $750.
The Filament Case holds XL or XXL spools of PLA Filament and enables the 3D printing of large prints without worrying about running out of filament. Both of these accessories can be ordered separately or with the Replicator Z18.
“We made the Replicator Z18 for those who think big,” Bre Pettis, CEO of MakerBot, said in a statement. “We believe the MakerBot Replicator Z18 is a game-changer in the world of 3D printers. We consider its massive build volume and its ability to bring professional-quality 3D printing to the user comparable to industrial 3D printers that are tens of thousands of dollars more.”
The Replicator Z18 3D Printer is the first industrial-size 3D printer that the company has produced. It joins the line-up of MakerBot’s other 3D printers in the desktop 3D printing category, including the recently introduced Replicator Desktop 3D Printer and the Replicator Mini Compact 3D Printer, as well as the Replicator 2 Desktop 3D Printer and the Replicator 2X Experimental 3D Printer. The company also markets the MakerBot Digitizer Desktop 3D Scanner.
“We view it as the 3D printer for large industrial models, engine prototypes, movie special effect models and the next generation spacecraft. We are using it in our own factory to make prototypes, jigs and fixtures,” Pettis continued. “This 3D printer is very exciting for us and has already generated a lot of excitement in the industrial 3D printing community.”
The Replicator 3D printers, including the Replicator Mini Compact 3D Printer, which is also available for order and expected to ship this spring, are all powered by the Replicator 3D Printing Platform, which includes an onboard camera, plug-and-play features, app and cloud enabled workflow, and WiFi connectivity.
“Five years of research, hard work and listening to what our customers want in a MakerBot Replicator Desktop 3D Printer have gone into making this product and creating a new MakerBot 3D Printing Platform,” Pettis said. “I have so many proud and excited emotions running through me today as we ship out our very first fifth-generation 3D printers. I want to know what our MakerBot 3D printing community thinks of this giant leap forward in connectivity, speed and reliability for their 3D printing needs. I can’t wait to see what people make.”