NEA 3D Printer Launches on Indiegogo — Affordably Priced in 3 Different Sizes

Back in January at CES I was able to meet the team behind a company called NEA, who were working on a new series of stylish and affordable 3D printers. Immediately my attention was drawn to the sleek, stylish design and several size options that the company had made available. Although these machines were not being offered to the public at the time, the Toronto-based company assured us that they would be launching a crowdfunding campaign later in the year.

Well, that time has seemingly arrived as NEA has just launched an Indiegogo campaign for all three of their new 3D printers, the NEA Pro Mini, NEA Pro, and NEA Pro+. Via this Flexible Funding Campaign the company is seeking to raise $75,000 so that they may launch full-scale production of their printers.

NEA has set out from the start to make 3D printing as affordable, simple, and available as possible, while designing three machines that have some of the highest build-volume-to-footprint ratios we have ever seen. While the typical FDM/FFF 3D printer may have a build volume anywhere from 26-45% of its total size, the NEA machines all come in at around 62%, meaning you will be able to print large items without using up that valuable desktop real estate.

By producing three different printers, NEA is able to target makers, businesses, and 3D printing enthusiasts from all walks of life. Below we detail the key specifications and possible uses for all three of these new machines.

NEA Pro Mini:

• Suitable for the beginner, those with limited space, or someone who is on a set budget
• Build Envelope: 6″ x 6″ x 7″
• Print Resolution: 25-300 microns
• Print Speed: 150mm/s
• Printer Height & Diameter: 18″ H x 10.5″ diameter
• Key Features:LED lighting, vibration dampening technology, WiFi enabled, dual cooling fans
• Early Bird Price: $495

NEA Pro:

• Suitable for students, designers, and protoypers
• Build Envelope: 10″ x 10″ x 11″
• Print Resolution: 25-300 microns
• Print Speed: 150mm/s
• Printer Height & Diameter: 22″ H x 14.5″ diameter
• Key Features: Heated build platform, LED lighting, vibration dampening technology, WiFi enabled, dual cooling fans
• Early Bird Price: $845

NEA Pro+:

• Suitable for maker spaces, prototypers, and educators
• Build Envelope: 14″ x 14″ x 15″
• Print Resolution: 25-300 microns
• Print Speed: 150mm/s
• Printer Height & Diameter: 26″ H x 18.5″ diameter
• Key Features: Heated build platform, LED lighting, vibration dampening technology, WiFi enabled, dual cooling fans
• Early Bird Price: $1095

The modularity of these machines is incredibly important to the company, especially as they set out to create some of the simplest to use 3D printers on the market. Any major mechanical component can simply be snapped out via the modular system and replaced, not only making repairs a breeze but enabling quick and easy future upgrades.

When it comes to crowdfunding, the most successful projects tend to be those that are innovative and have mangers who think outside the box. NEA’s Indiegogo campaign seems like such a project. If all goes as planned, the company expects to begin shipping the very first units to backers by October of this year.

As an added bonus to the 3D printing community NEA has also announced that for every NEA Pro and Pro+ printer pre-ordered via Indiegogo, the company will be donating $25 to $30 to the Enable Community Foundation.

Let us know if you’ve backed this project and what your thoughts are on all three of these new printers. Discuss in the NEA forum thread on 3DPB.com. Check out the company’s Indiegogo pitch video below: