According to a recent survey conducted by Robo3D, of current 3D printer owners, the number one aspect of the print process which participants said that they would improve if they could, was the printer’s build volume. 
Most consumer oriented 3D printers, as well as any sub $50,000 business targeted device on the market today, can’t print anything larger that that of a shoe. Having said this, one company called 3DP Unlimited is going against the grain, and has developed a massive 3D printer, called the 3DP1000.
The 3DP1000 printer is enormous. With a build volume of 1m x 1m x 0.5m (39″ x 39″ x 19″), it can print full scale prototypes of large parts, or actual useful real world items. An additional benefit of the large build area is that several parts can be printed at once, saving the user a great deal of time. The specifications of the 3DP1000 are as follows:
- Printer Size 1.42 x 1.67 x 1.52 m
- Printer Weight: 300 lbs
- Print Technology: FFF
- Build Area: 1m x 1m x 0.5m (39″ x 39″ x 19″) – 1.5m diagonal
- Layer Resolution: As low as 70 micron, (.0027″)
- Material Compatibility: PLA, ABS, others
- Filament Diameter: 3mm
- Extruder Nozzle Diameter: 0.4mm
- Print Bed: Heated borosilicate, 5mm thick
The machine is available in two options. The Base printer is mounted on an industrial cart, and retails for $15,999, while the Base-Plus printer is mounted on an enclosed industrial cart, and retails for $16,699. No these are not printers which are going to compete within the sub $2000 market, however for the size, industrial strength of its components, and overall quality of the device, the price seems rather reasonable. The market for such a device will likely be small to medium businesses, of all types.
If anyone is interested in checking out 3DP Unlimited’s 3DP1000, and will be in the New York City area between June 10th and 12th, it will be on display at the Automation Technology Expo East in the Javits Center. The printer will also be on display at Detroit’s RAPID Expo on the same dates. It will certainly be interesting to see how quickly the price of these machines come down, and what type of competition 3DP Unlimited will eventually face. There is one thing for certain though, big is certainly better. Let us know what you think about this 3D printer in the 3PD1000 forum thread at 3DPB.com. Check out the video and some more pictures below, provided by 3DP Unlimited.
