Robo 3D

Robo 3D

Robo 3D is a company that focuses on the product development of retail 3D printers located in San Diego, California. According to its CEO, Braydon Moreno, "The company has an ethos built around ease of use, aesthetics, and affordability."[1] The two thermoplastic materials used by the R1, Robo 3D's current printer model, are ABS and PLA.

The R1 utilises an open source ideology and is compatible with a variety of 3D modelling software, such as Solidworks and Google Sketch Up, along with free 3D model sharing websites, such as Thingiverse.[2]

History

In 2012, a group of students from San Diego State University (SDSU), frustrated by the cost of using the school’s only expensive and industrial 3D printer, set out to create their own 3D printer. The motivation behind this printer they would go on to build was to create a cheaper alternative to the current leading 3D printing brands.[3]

Kickstarter

After beginning product development on a dining room table the group went to Kickstarter to seek funding for this printer they envisioned, which would go on to be named R1, and set a funding target of $49,000. Interest for the printer exceeded anyone’s expectations and a total of $649,663 was pledged.[4]

This unexpected windfall of fiscal support from Kickstarter allowed Robo3D to expand and move from the garage they were working in to a new office location in San Diego, California during the Spring of 2013.

On January 16, 2014, Robo3D was mentioned in Time's regarding the CES in Las Vegas for the previous year. It was selected as one of four 3D printer companies that had the best and worst-case scenarios drawn up for them, arguing that it’s appeal was for its affordability and potential to gain mass-market appeal.[5]

The R1

Physical and technical qualities

The physical dimensions of the R1 are 17 by 15 by 18 inches (43 × 38 × 46 cm) allowing it to have a build volume of 10 by 9 by 8 inches (25 × 23 × 20 cm) or 720 cubic inches (11.8 l). The layer resolution is 100 µm on high, 200 µm on medium and 100 µm on low. The filament diameter is 1.75 mm and the nozzle diameter is 0.4 mm.[6] [7]

References

  1. ↑ Braydon Moreno (2013-09-15). "Braydon Moreno, CEO - Robo 3D Printer". Businessinterviews.com. Retrieved 2014-03-13.
  2. ↑ "RoBo 3D Printer by RoBo 3D Printer — Kickstarter". Kickstarter.com. Retrieved 2014-03-13.
  3. ↑ "Braydon Moreno - CEO of Robo 3D Printer |". Ideamensch.com. Retrieved 2014-03-13.
  4. ↑ "3D Printing: Sparking an E-Commerce Revolution | Best of ECT News". E-Commerce Times. Retrieved 2014-03-13.
  5. ↑ Taylor, Ben (2014-01-16). "Best- and Worst-Case Scenarios for Four 3D Printers | TIME.com". Techland.time.com. Retrieved 2014-03-13.
  6. ↑ Stafford, Jesse (2014-10-27). "Robo 3D Printer Specifications, Pros and Cons | 3DPrintingGeeks.com". 3DPrintingGeeks.com. Retrieved 2015-01-20.
  7. ↑ Stafford, Jesse (Unkonwn). "Robo 3D Printer Specifications | Robo3Dprinter". Robo3Dprtiner. Retrieved 2015-01-20. Check date values in: |date= (help)