First Truly Consumer 3D Printer, The Micro Launches on Kickstarter

BETHESDA, Maryland, April 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

M3D hopes to raise $50,000 to bring 3D printing to widespread consumer market 

Today The Micro launches on crowd-funding site Kickstarter. Starting from $199 for the early bird special, The Micro is the first truly consumer 3D printer; compact and accessible, seamlessly designed, and incredibly intuitive.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1160119448/1265992004?token=0ff6b5a4

The Micro is the affordable 3D printer that comes ready to use out of the box. Ideal for everyday users and experts alike, it's designed for anyone to bring their ideas to life. Whether running a business, educating, learning, or simply having fun, The Micro can be used to create anything from toys, and jewellery, to real engineering prototypes. To start 3D printing you simply plug in the printer, download or create models, hit print, and watch your creations become a reality right before your very eyes.

Michael Armani, Founder at M3D, explains: "The mainstream consumer is eager to try 3D printing, patiently waiting for a truly affordable printer that comes with intuitive software. We've designed The Micro to be easily accessible with a compact, portable size that can rest on any table-top. For the first time, consumers, designers, and engineers alike can experiment with new ideas. They can customize and fix things around the house, print artistic models shared by others, and make technical prototypes.  After years of developing this printer to provide an enjoyable user experience, we can't wait to share it with the Kickstarter community and have them help nurture this unique technology with us".

While The Micro can use open source software for experienced users, it also offers the option to use the M3D software to provide a seamless, modern, user-friendly experience. The 3D printer software is designed to be as fun and as futuristic as the printer itself, meaning that navigating the designs is as enjoyable as playing a game. The touchscreen capable and simple to use interface means you can search and browse countless objects online, organize 3D models you've downloaded into an easy to view library, and enjoy the process of 3D printing from start to finish.  

"The Micro is space efficient, compact and lightweight. Similarly it's very power efficient, using as much power as a tablet would use." explains Founder David Jones; "These are some of the ways we've made the 3D printer ultra-affordable while keeping reliability, consistency, and accessibility in mind. 3D printing has the potential to revolutionize the way we build, innovate and create, and we're excited to be a part of that 3D printing revolution with The Micro".

Specs: 

• The Micro Supports many different materials: ABS, PLA, nylon, chameleon, as well as M3D's micro filament spools or standard 1.75 mm filament spools available on the market.
• Compatible with Mac and PC and Linux through a direct USB-connection. Advanced users can use the expert settings, as well as other software such as open-source slicers.  
• Micro Motion Technology is a sensor and feedback system built into the print head, providing auto-leveling and auto-calibration.  This means that every time you run the printer it works well, even after thousands of hours of use.
• The Micro 3D Printer can print objects as tall as 4.6 inches or 116 mm.
• 50-350 micron layer resolution, 15 micron X and Y positioning accuracy.  
• Dimensions: Print height: 116mm (4.6"). Base Print Area: 109mm x 113mm.  Print Area Above 74mm: 91mm x 84mm.  
• Removable ABS-bonding Print Bed.
• Printer Dimensions: 185mm³ / Printer weight: 1kg (2.2 lbs).  

You can back The Micro on their Kickstarter page now; starting at $199 for the Super Early Bird adopters. The Micro is designed for assembly and production in the USA.

Editor's notes: 

High-resolution screenshots, logos and headshots can be found here.

For more information, please visit The Micro's website here and M3D's website here.

About M3D:

M3D is a tech startup based right outside the nation's capital in Bethesda, Maryland. Founders Michael Armani, bioengineer Ph.D. and co-founder David Jones, with a degree in computer science, lead the team. As passionate entrepreneurs with over a decade of experience in materials science, product manufacturing, software, and robotics, they joined forced with a vision to redefine the world of desktop 3D printing. They wanted to make a 3D printers with great consideration for simplicity and the full user experience. With a laundry list of innovations they wanted to make, the two entrepreneurs got to work, building the first 3D printer that could be widely adopted by the consumer market.

PR Contact:  

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SOURCE themicro3d.com