Eventually this led to a couple companies closing shop before their crowdfunding campaigns had even ended, despite them reaching their goals. In the business world, it is often advised that one should always ‘under promise and over achieve.’ Earlier last year the exact opposite was happening, and hence there were many disappointed individuals.
Here we are in a new year and it now appears that this race to the bottom has continued. This time, thanks to a man named Jeremiah Clifft, and his company Cobblebot Inc., a 3D printer is being made available for just $199 on Kickstarter. If you recall, Clifft launched a wildly successful Kickstarter campaign for the Cobblebot 3D Printer back in July of last year. With a goal set of $100,000, he received over $370,000 within a month. Now Clifft is back at it, announcing the Cobblebot Little Monster 3D Printer.
This new machine is incredibly simplistic, but is able to still pack several valuable features into its tiny frame. Below you will find the full specifications of the Cobblebot Little Monster:
- Printer Size: 12″ x 12″ x 12″ (304 x 304 x 304 mm)
- Printer Weight: about 10 lb (7.7 kg)
- Build Envelope: 6″ x 6″ x 6″ (152 x 152 x 152 mm); Upgradeable to a max of 10″ x 10″ x 10″ (254 x 254 x 254 mm) in 1″ increments.
- Layer Height: 100-300 micron
- Printer Speed: 30-60mm/sec
- Compatibility: Windows, Mac, or Linux
- Connectivity: USB & SD Card
- Materials supported: ABS, PLA (No Upgrades); + Nylon, Polycarbonate, Flexible Filament, LayWood, PVA, HDPE (Upgraded)
- Nozzle Size: .4mm
- Filament Size: 1.75mm
It’s important to note that the printer, which comes in kit form, will not be shipping with a power supply. Cobblebot recommends customers purchase a 12V 30A supply for about $24 on Amazon. The company promises to provide instructions on how to install it.
The company is looking raise a total of $100,000 by February 12 in order to send this machine into production. They have also stated that they intend to launch as many as six new machines this year alone, including a laser cutter, engraving machine, CNC mill, and a 3D scanner. It will be interesting to watch as Cobblebot sets out on their plan for rapid expansion. If everything goes as planned the very first units of the Cobblebot Little Monster will commence shipping sometime between April and June, with total Kickstarter fulfillment completed by the end of 2015.
Clifft and Cobblebot certainly have the experience to run this campaign. The fact that he has launched a printer on Kickstarter in the past bodes well for those interested in this machine. Despite this, when margins are this slim, there is always a risk that fulfillment will not be possible, so as with any Kickstarter campaign, buyer beware.
Let us know your thoughts on this new 3D printer. Have you backed their Kickstarter campaign? Discuss in the Cobblebot Little Monster forum thread on 3DPB.com.