Cobblebot, Large Build Volume 3D Printer, Launches on Kickstarter for $299

This has been another big week for consumers within the 3D Printing space. Printer qualities continue to improve as prices drop substantially. Earlier this week we saw the the launch of a Kickstarter campaign for the MOTA 3D printer, in which the first 50 backers could purchase the printer for a mere $99, after which the price went up gradually as new backers came in to help fund the project.

Last night an impressive new Kickstarter campaign launched for a 3D printer called the Cobblebot. The printer, which will come in an easy to assemble kit form, is the brainchild of Jeremiah Clifft and Cobblebot LLC, based in Houston Texas. There are several features which make this 3D printer different from the dozens of others we have seen come to market over the last year or two. The main selling point for this machine, however, is the fact that it prints at a staggering 15″ in every direction, yet is priced like that of a much smaller 3D printer, at just $299.

In order to get an idea about how awesome this price is, you need to consider that on average, a printer of this size within today’s market (+/- 3″ all axes) will run you approximately $3,716.57. Yes, that’s right, the Cobbebot undercuts the competition by a staggering 92%.

The CobbleBot also has a unique print method, in that the print bed is 100% stationary. This means that the extruder moves along three axes, without the need to move the print bed up or down like the majority FDM based 3D printers on the market today. Below are some of the key specifications of this machine.

• Printer Size: 24″ x 20″ x 20″ (609mm x 508mm x 508mm)
• Printer Weight: roughly 17 lb (7.7 kg).
• Build Envelope: 15″ x 15″ x 15″ (381mm x 381mm x 381mm) (3,375 cubic inches)
• Printer Speed: Current Max for High Quality prints – 150mm / sec; Absolute Max – 250mm / Sec
• Layer Height: 50-350 micron
• Compatibility: Windows, Mac, or Linux.
• Materials supported: ABS, PLA, Nylon, Polycarbonate, Flexible Filament, LayWood, PVA, HDPE.
• Hotend: All Metal. User Chooses Nozzle Size: .35mm, .4mm (recommended), or .5mm; User chooses Filament Size: 1.75 mm or 3.0 mm
• Stepper Motors (x5): 76 oz. Nema 17’s
• LCD: 6″ Included, incl. SD Card slot

Not too shabby for a printer which will cost you less than an Xbox One. The Kickstarter project will run until August 7th, and they are seeking to raise $100,000 for the company. Cobblebot also has several stretch goals in which they will add features to the final product. Because of typical economies of scale, the more units they are able to pre-sell via Kickstarter, the more leeway they will have to add in additional features. If they sell enough printers to reach the following goals, the subsequent features will be included in the printer kits

• $250,000 – Upgraded stepper drivers in all kits A4988 to DRV8825
• $500,000 – All kits will include a fully enclosed case with fan and filter setup
• $1,000,000 – All kits to include a heated bed
• $2,500,000 – Dual extruders included in all kits

If everything goes as planned, the very first Cobblebot printers will begin shipping to backers in October of this year, with all backers receiving their printers by February of 2015. Have you backed this 3D printer? Let us know in the Cobblebot 3D printer forum thread on 3DPB.com. Check out the Kickstarter pitch video below.