DocAndersen
Around three years ago, I implemented a rule on my technology posts, that I would not talk about a product that was projected to ship. I would only discuss and review products that existed or were already shipping. The reason for that is two-fold. The first part is the reality of the high rate of failure on the site Indigogo. The second was that the review was speculative at best. Based on that, I want to bend the rule a little, in that I want to talk about a product Snapmaker, that isn’t currently shipping their 2.0 version. They are, however, currently and have been shipping the Snapmaker 1.0 version for the past year. Snapmaker is an interesting product in that it covers more than one product area.
The first thing Snapmaker provides is a good 3d printer. 3d printers use plastic, wood, metal, or other materials to produce a mapped 3d print of something from your computer. Three-dimensional objects are plotted on the X, Y and Z access in the software you use. Snapmaker includes software with their printer and it works very well. The cover picture is of a Laborador being printed on the 3d printer. The printer takes the image and 3d plots, and then using Micro-Layers of plastic begins to recreate the image in plastic. Or, extrudable wood or metals. Extrudable means both that the 3d printers head can melt the material and that it can be extruded or pushed out of the printer consistently.
The thing that makes the Snapmaker products unique at this point is the additions they have. By simply unplugging the 3d plastic print module, you can swap in one of the other two options. The first is a laser engraving system. You can take a 2d image or picture and etch that into any surface (within reason). You can create custom phone cases (you should never etch on the phone itself that voids any warranty). Imagine giving all your friends a personalized phone case for the Holidays. (This is BOB’s phone!). But the other attachment is the CNC carving tool, that lets you carve images into wood. Where the laser engraving system burns in the image, CNC carving creates a carved version of a 3d image.
Overall this is a wonderful product and Snapmaker 2.0 is beginning to ship this month!
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Question of
Have you ever seen a laser engraving?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
Have you ever seen a CNC carved object?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
most people won’t have a 3d printer, would you?
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Yes
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No
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This is something I see for the first time
they are an amazing company, the first all metal 3d printer!
Q: HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A LASER ENGRAVING?
Yes (4 votes) – 50%
No (4 votes) – 50%
Q: HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A CNC CARVED OBJECT?
Yes (3 votes) – 43%
No (4 votes) – 57%
Q: MOST PEOPLE WON’T HAVE A 3D PRINTER, WOULD YOU?
Yes (5 votes) – 63%
No (3 votes) – 38%
that is so damn cool! you can fabricate furniture now
they also have concrete 3d printers. You can print a house!
I am geeking out over here
So when I get the new snapmaker (late Jan) we should do a project, taking one of your works and etching it on something fun!
hell yes we will! keep an eye out for pieces you think would work
i actually will do that – this will be fun!!!
I will have to think about where I put the new printer in Jan when it comes. I may have to add lights to the room. 🙂
you were spoiling to do it regardless, now you have an excuse
My LF is a legitimate illness. I have a note from Epstein’s mother saying so!
sounds legit to me. no need for fact checking!
I don’t need it at the moment, so probably I won’t have one soon. It’s cool technology though.
that’s cool 🙂 it is useful if you need to etch things! or are a geek like me!
I would like to see this done but probably would never purchase a 3D printer. Amazing technology.
I can understand that. I published an article 4 years ago where i thought everyone would have a 3d printer at home, i don’t think that anymore!
For me, this is a whole new thing, dear friend ….. and I will never use it … but for people who use this post
it is truly an interesting thing! The laser engraving is really nice. I have made some custom designs for family and friends!
There is a lot that can be done with these lasers
it is amazing, i made bright green napkin holders, my wife couldn’t give them away fast enough!
Really interesting … this is also one great innovation …. lasers are already widely used in healthcare
yes they are, but what this devices gives you is the ability to print and etch objects!
I hear it all for the first time and I haven’t seen it yet. Seems very useful to anyone who deals with this.
I have the 1.0 printer and have used it (the picture is from the printer making a dog)!
At an exhibition in 1974 I saw an engraving/cutting laser plotter. Then I was 7 and the company representative cut out a frog and gave it to me 🙂
This one literally costs less than most 3d printers and does 3 in one duty!!!
I don;t have this technology yet
the product is very well built and shockingly prices are very good.