South Africa’s First 3D Printer, The Netram Nano is Unveiled

The wave of 3D printing is sweeping the globe. Manufacturers are now based in dozens of countries, selling 3D printers built on a number of different technologies. One area which has been relatively quiet within the space, is the continent of Africa. This, however, has all just changed.

A Cape Town, South African company, Netram Technologies, has just unveiled their very own desktop 3D printer, called the Nano. The company, which sells 3D printer filament, parts for 3D printers themselves, as well as various components for all sorts of DIY electronics projects, announced the news on their website last evening. As far as we know, it is the only 3D printer which has been completely developed, designed and assembled in South Africa.

Below are some of the general specifications of this new machine.

• Printer Technology: Fused Filament Fabrication
• Build Envelope: 200 x 200 x 200 mm +/- 5mm
• Nozzle Diameter: 0.4mm
• Filament Diameter: 1.75 mm
• Printer Size: 343 x 334 x 387mm
• Layer Height: Down to 0.1mm
• Connectivity: USB and SD Card Printing
• Supported Filaments: ABS, PLA, Flexible, Nylon

Additionally, this Nano 3D printer comes with a heated build platform to prevent the warping of objects as they print. To contain the heat, and print as uniformly as possible, the build chamber is enclosed via transparent doors which can be clipped on or taken off within seconds. The aesthetics of the machine are a site to be seen, but the capabilities are what really make the Nano a worthwhile purchase, especially for those within South Africa. The printer is available to be ordered on the Netram website immediately, with a 3 week lead time. Priced at R11,999.95 in South Africa, or $1100 for outside the country, the supplies will be limited.

Let us know your thoughts on this new South African 3D printer, and what this could mean for this technology within the continent of Africa. Discuss in the Netram Nano forum thread on 3DPB.com.