Solido 3D Ltd. has launched the new SD300 Pro desktop, three-dimensional printer, as well as three accompanying modeling packages that range from 2,950 euros ($4,088) to 5,840 euros ($8,093).
“We believe our new product and pricing concept redefines the competitive landscape of the additive manufacturing industry,” said Itzik Marchand, CEO of Rosh Ha´ayn, Israel-based Solido 3D.
“Our unique bundle of 3-D printer and modeling kits significantly reduces total cost of ownership, breaks entry barriers and will attract new customers to the 3-D arena,” he said.
SD300 Pro equips its modeling kits with a prepaid, pre-addressed recycling package, enabling designers and engineers to easily send PVC waste to the company for free recycling. While the materials are made at Solido's headquarters in Israel, the printers are made in a factory in China and also come with support technical innovations such as “living hinges,” Marchand said.
Eldad Sayada, Solido's senior vice president of worldwide distribution and channels, cited the Gartner Inc. consultancy's prediction that the number of 3-D printers in homes and businesses will grow a hundredfold through 2011 over 2006 levels, with printers priced at under $10,000 opening up the personal and hobbyist markets. He also referred to Gartner research director Pete Basiliere as having told BusinessWeek there will be 300,000 3-D printers on the market by 2011.
President Terry Wohlers of Wohlers Associates Inc., a rapid prototyping consultant in Fort Collins, Colo., also attended a Solido briefing at Euromold 2009 in Frankfurt. He said that with 78 percent of rapid prototyping systems installed in 2008 being 3-D printers, there was continued growth of 5.8 percent in 2008 after 21 percent in 2007 and 21.7 percent in 2007.
Solido Chairman and majority owner Jason Barzilay, a founder of Packard Bell, said, “At the end of the day, I think we will sell millions of our printers in homes, so that children can start using” computer-aided-design/manufacturing.”
Referring to the use of PVC and adhesive as non-hazardous materials today, Marchand revealed Solido plans to introduce at least one new material by the end of 2010, and already has started on ABS/PVC and PET. While the material comes in blue, red, white and transparent, Marchand said Solido is also working on ideas to color during printing.
Solido board member Vic Leventhal showed a corresponding part and said, “You can screw into the material.” Marchand added that although build height is presently limited to 13.5 centimeters, “you can use glue to make larger parts.”
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