In a world that was once a completely uncharted, unknown, and lawless creative frontier, 3D printing is growing into a fiercely competitive field of bells, whistles, and pretty machines.
To get ahead, a new 3D printing manufacturer must still offer strong basics while coupling them with unique features that seize consumer attention and desire. Affordability is also key, as well as longevity, which is often overlooked. No one wants to make an investment that’s going to become obsolete in six months.
The BlackBox 3D printer, coming to market toward the end of 2015, is something to start getting excited about. With the printer retailing from $2000-$2500 USD, the Xoonobe team–headquartered in Poland–is still preparing the BlackBox for final certification, as well as contemplating a crowdfunding campaign.
“I designed several printers and created a few prototypes to get to this stage where I am now,” Łukasz Pająk, creator of the BlackBox 3D printer and founder of Xoonobe, told 3DPrint.com.
With simple improvements to basic needs and a quality 3D printer that is open source, Xoonobe has created a solid new machine meant to simplify while accelerating the creative process through digital design and 3D printing.
“What makes us stand out from the crowd?” asks Pająk. “We believe it is in the simple improvements with the filament sensor, auto-leveling, and heated bed, as well as the openness to the RepRap movement.
”We want ease for business consumers, and freedom of modifications to the printer without losing warranty as with other companies to the makers. This printer is a prelude to other rapid prototyping devices.”
Qualities with the BlackBox, along with promoting “an intelligent approach to work and life” that should interest many, are:
- Large build volume of 250 x 200 x 190 mm (9.84 x 7.88 x 7.48 in), which even allows several models to be printed at once
- Rigid aluminum frame, with the outer casing offering additional reinforcement with HIPS & plexi panels
- Heated bed
- Auto-leveling
- Alerts when filament runs out – the BlackBox actually stops printing until the user is able to change the spool
- Capability to use non-proprietary filament – Xoonobe believes you should be able to 3D print with whatever strikes your fancy in terms of material, and offers you the chance to experiment with and use any commercially available filament in PLA of ABS as long as it is 1.75 mm
Makers are getting spoiled on all levels as so many new innovations emerge. It’s a veritable technological buffet with a constantly changing menu of enticing new goodies. With the BlackBox 3D printer, users can look forward to a ceramic glass build surface with a max temp of 800°C, as well as a hot end temp of 300°C. Layer resolution is 50 – 400 microns (0.05 – 0.4 mm) with nozzle diameter of 0.4 mm.
This relative newcomer to the 3D printing scene in Poland is made up of a team of makers who, with backgrounds in web design and 3D graphics, all share a passion for being there for their customers. Is this a machine you’ll be looking for toward the end of the year? Are these features you have been in need of? Discuss in the Xoonobe BlackBox 3D Printer forum thread over at 3DPB.com.
