As has been demonstrated historically, it’s the smart company that chooses honesty and delays over sending out a product that’s not quite ready for public consumption. While schedules and timelines are a necessary evil, much that goes into producing 3D printers and similar technology is an innovative and creative process often requiring more time than was penciled in–even with Kickstarter deadlines and release date hoopla thrown into the mix.
CTC took the high road in holding out a bit longer with the Formaker 4-in-1 3D printer, not only cutting their Kickstarter campaign a month short, but also dismissing their release date for CES Las Vegas in early next January. Instead, they are now planning to roll out the Formaker in September 2016.
“We at Zhuhai CTC Electronic Co., Ltd. issued what was viewed across the industry as a ground-shaking report in early June this year announcing that we were developing China’s first 3D printer based on inkjet technology and that we would unveil it at the CES in Las Vegas next year,” stated the company. “We have decided to delay the release of the inkjet 3D printer until September 2016, rather early 2016 as originally scheduled, due to some unforeseen roadblocks in the product development process.”
This temporary halt does come as a surprise from the Chinese manufacturer that seemed to have good momentum going as we followed them upon the launch of their original Kickstarter campaign in mid-August hoping to raise $50K with the multi-faceted and comprehensive Formaker, the product of CTC Electronic’s US, India, and UK teams.
The Formaker offers:
- Dual-head 3D printer
- CNC laser mill
- Laser PCB
- Laser engraving
Affordably priced at $999, the 3D printer was pulled before anyone could take one home, but what is being promised to consumers when the Formaker is released is a multi-functioning machine that is also capable of producing very high-quality prints, boasting a build size of 225 x 145 x 150 mm and speeds of 120mm/s to 170mm/s, offering the highest quality FDM prints at 0.04mm.
The Formaker is back on Kickstarter now though, with a closing date of November 30th, in hopes of raising £50,00 ($77,153 USD). Pledging amounts vary only slightly from the previous campaign.
While the Formaker won’t officially be released until September, CTC will still be showing off the 3D printer at CES Las Vegas.
“The unveiling at CES will be limited to a test version of the device, in consideration of its positioning as an industrial application. The printer will be officially available in early 2017,” states the CES team.
Reasons were the delay were explained as challenges with materials development and software issues. According to recent press releases, CTC is increasing investment in the program from 8 million yuan (approx. USD $1.25 million) to 12 million yuan (approx. USD $1.9 million).
Let’s hear your thoughts on the relaunching of this Kickstarter project. Discuss in the Formaker Forum thread on 3DPB.com.
