Makerbot Desktop 3D Scanner Goes On Sale 89
dryriver writes with this excerpt from the BBC about the latest device from Makerbot: "A desktop device that can quickly scan objects so they can be replicated using a 3D printer has gone on sale. The Makerbot Digitizer, which costs $1,400 (£900), will be shipped to the first buyers in October. Demand for the machine appeared to overload the company's store when it went on sale on Thursday evening. The Digitizer is the latest product looking to bring 3D printing to mainstream technology users — but experts are sceptical. The machine is designed to allow the replication of objects without any need for the user to learn any 3D modelling software or have any other special expertise. The time it takes to scan an object varies, but one demonstration involving a small gnome was said to take around 12 minutes. "The MakerBot Digitizer is for early adopters, experimenters, and visionaries who want to be pioneers in Desktop 3D Scanning," the company says. "This includes, but is not limited to, architects, designers, creative hobbyists, educators, and artists.""
Re:$1400 + $150 for warranty. (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Closed Hardware? (Score:0, Insightful)
They did this because their printers were being cloned and cheaply/shoddily made by others. They still contribute, just not nearly as much as they would if they were open source.
They've done a lot for the 3d printing world. I think it's time to stop beating them up so much over protecting their interests and product.