Staples is the first major US retailer to announce they’ll be selling 3D printers. In June, Staples will begin offering the Cube 3D Printer from 3D Systems in some select stores, but you can order a Cube 3D from Staples online now. They are offering the printers for $1299.99. The printer is “ready to use right out of the box, features Wi-Fi, is compatible with Mac or Windows, and comes with 25 free 3D templates designed by professional artists, with additional templates available online. With its ultra portable design, the Cube® fits easily in the office, classroom or living room, making it the perfect 3D printing device for designers, small businesses, students and kids.” You can read the entire press release here.
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Oh great … now anyone can print out a gun now !! 🙁
@vn33 Anyone who wanted a 3D printer to print a gun and had the $1300 purchase price would just buy the gun.
Janet, I feel the same way. Goodness gracious, we have a 3D printer in our office and if I hear “did you hear about the article of a guy who printed a gun?” one more time I am going to scream. Why on earth would someone try to buy a 3D printed gun from someone rather than just buy one on the street (or steal one)? It would be much easier than trying to find someone who has a 3D printer capable of printing a gun.
BTW, I have a Replicator 2 and it does a very good job for its intended purpose. But I think the one mentioned in your article would be nothing more than a toy in comparison. Interesting though to see how mainstream this technology will get.
I work on small format & wide format printers…have for 30 years. I can see it now….service call comes in for one of these 3d printers.
The problem? I printed a square, and it came out a triangle! LOL.
@Janet ..
The worrying thing is not from US citizens who have easy access to guns already. The fact that the gun can be made from plastic with minimal metal parts, AND can be made by anyone who has the printer & the plan, say any of the international terrorist, IS the concern …
Except the same thing (gun wise) can be done, by anyone with basic metal fabrication capabilities. I can fabricate a “gun” in under an hour with a basic lathe, and welder. A tube that can hold a bullet, fire it, and aim the direction it is pointing. I could build a whole array of things out of every day objects that could maim and kill, the ability to do it, does not imply intent. This is like saying “you have (male genitals) therefor you will rape” It’s a stupid argument.
You can make homemade explosives, pack your laptop full of it. etc etc, the point is, 3d printing will not lead to an army of new terrorists because they can now “print a gun”. Granted the act of terror they commit might use a 3d printed gun, the fact the technology exists does not create the terrorist. That same person would still commit the act. The only change is they would have acquired a AK47, if they can’t get the AK47 they will build a bomb in a backpack, if they can’t do that, they will buy 400lbs of fertilizer and diesel, if that can’t be bought, they will strap dynamite to their chest and walk into the building.