Polaroid Will Debut New 3D Printer Models and 3D Printing Pens at CES 2017

I was looking through some old memory boxes last month, and came across a stack of old, slightly discolored Polaroid photos from my 14th birthday party, and a wave of nostalgia hit me like a ton of bricks. Not only did it make me fondly remember my teenage years, I also remember how excited I always was to take pictures with the old Polaroid camera, and feeling like it would take FOREVER to get the picture to show up. I’d carefully shake it and put the picture on our kitchen counter and watch for the image to slowly appear, like magic, from the black photo square. Of course, at the time I couldn’t have known that in less than a decade, I’d be living in an age where tiny cell phones could offer instant photo gratification, with a much higher picture quality than those old Polaroid pictures ever did. By now, you probably know that Polaroid declared bankruptcy in the late 2000s, and soon after reformed as a new corporation, using the same globally recognized name. They entered the 3D printing ring last year at CES 2016, with the launch of their first 3D printer, the desktop ModelSmart 250S.

ModelSmart 250S

CES 2017, America’s biggest tech show of the year, kicks off in Las Vegas tomorrow, and Polaroid has announced that they will be debuting several new products there. The three separate 3D printer models and two 3D pens they’re launching are focused on making this technology more accessible and user-friendly for the general public.

Scott W. Hardy, president and CEO of Polaroid, says, “Creativity has always been at the heart of our brand. For 80 years, we have given consumers the ability to express themselves and explore their own creativity, with the medium of instant photography top of mind. We could not be more excited to now offer another dimension with our new line of 3D printers and pens. Whether it be artwork, prototypes, jewelry, or models, we’re eagerly awaiting what our customers will create and just where their imaginations will take them.”

Polaroid is launching three models, which vary in size and price, but each of the 3D printer units is compact enough to be manageable in a small office or home environment. According to Polaroid, users will be able to track printing progress and control their Polaroid 3D printer using an iOS or Android app. The printing layer resolution on each of the models is 100 microns, and they use 1.75 mm filament; the printers also have a child safety lock. The new 3D printer models are:

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• Polaroid PLN1: smallest of the three models, with a print size of 4.7″ x 4.7″ x 4.7″. Available in pink, black, blue, and white.
• Polaroid PLG1: for the more advanced user, with a print size of 8.6″ x 8.6″ x 8.6″. Available in matte black. Includes built-in camera so users can view printing progress and send images to their devices to be shared on social media.
• Polaroid PLG1Pro: includes all the features of the PLG1, and is also specially configured with a dual printing head to allow for dual color printed models.

The three new printers have an expected retail price between $499 and $799, and should be available this July.

Polaroid’s line of ergonomically designed 3D pens will let users comfortably create detailed 3D models with ease. They’re perfect for family craft projects, and are able to utilize both PLA and ABS filament. The pens feature a built-in LCD display that indicates both the temperature and the filament mode of the pen. According to the website, the 3D pens feature an “anti-jamming system with auto eject and variable speeds” for better precision and control. The 3D pen models are the Polaroid DRW100 and the wireless Polaroid DRW101, which features a built-in battery and charging stand. Both 3D pens include 10m of starter filament, and are available in five fun colors. The two 3D pens are expected to cost between $129 and $149, and should be available in March.

Wireless Polaroid DRW101 3D pen with charging stand

Polaroid is also selling a line of filament kits, starting in March, so 3D printer and pen users will be able to make all sorts of colorful creations. The five-color combination kits are available in both PLA and ABS, and offer professional, universally compatible filament that can be used in most 3D printers and 3D pens. The available kit sizes are 0.5 kg and 1 kg, and they offer over 60 colors all together. Polaroid suggests that “the 1.75 mm filament is ideal for creating detailed 3D models.”

The 50th annual CES show opens tomorrow at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas. Stop by Booth #16614 in the Central Hall to visit Polaroid’s booth: they will have their full line of 3D printers, 3D pens, and filament on display there. 3DPrint.com is also at CES 2017, so stay tuned for all of the exciting news that will be coming in over the next few days! Discuss in the Polaroid forum at 3DPB.com.