The 3D Scanner Has Arrived

As I have written in the past, the 3D Printer is a potential game changer for the consumer products industry.  At the right price, under $500, this piece of equipment can turn anyone’s family room or bedroom into a mini-factory.  The end user receives the product without benefit of container ships, trucks or warehouses.  Rather, a consumer just downloads a program that allows them to print out a product made out of resin (titanium too if you are willing to pay the price).

Now, a new product has arrived:  The 3D Scanner.  It seems that Brooklyn based Makerbot Industries, creator of the Replicator 2, has introduced the MakerBot Digitizer Desktop 3D Scanner.  Brian Heater, in his engadget article quotes Bret Pettis, the company’s CEO as describing the new piece of office equipment this way: "With the MakerBot Digitizer, now everyone will be able to scan a physical item, digitize it and print it in 3D -- with little or no design experience."

He goes on to describe its benefits, describing it as a “… great tool for archiving, prototyping, replicating, and digitizing prototypes, models, parts, artifacts, artwork, sculptures, clay figures, jewelry, etc."

Pettis and his company are participating in what some call “The New Industrial Revolution” in which, among other things, production will be in the hands of the consumer.  If you want to be a member of this new wave, you can do so by checking out the MakerBot Digitizer Desktop 3D Scanner.  You can’t buy it yet but you can sign up to get one by going to: http://store.makerbot.com/digitizer.html

Here is a nice video from the Verge's Thomas Houston explaining this important new development:

 

 

 

Comments

[Jenn Choi]

Thank you! Will be sharing this on my site's FB page! My son is also taking his first 3D printing class. I am so excited!

[Pete Gasca]

I know what's on my 2013 Christmas list.