Earlier this week, Kickstarter introduced the latest project that caught the world's attention, collecting over $1.5 million dollars in less than three days. With the latest discussion of intellectual property lawsuit between 3D System and Formlabs, we will soon have access to a 3D printing pen. Using ABS plastic that almost instantly solidifies from the tip, the 3Doodler opens up a whole new world for engineers, artists, and the concept of rapid prototyping. The technology of 3D printing is a still a very new one, with the "affordable" Form 1 model arriving soon at a costly price of $2300. However, one can spend $50 for a pen you can create outside a machine cube.
What does this mean for the current owners of the 3D printing business, 3D System and Formlabs? Although I'm not certain which specific patents belong to who as of now, 3Doodler will probably have to meet its rivals at court. Even with people's support on Kickstarter and its simple and genius idea, as the world familiarizes itself to the endless possibilities of this market, many will want a piece of what 3Doodler can do.
I saw the 3D pen on Facebook Tuesday this week and all I could think about was that I really wanted it. Similar to expensive ink cartilages, the ABS plastic that will need to be replaced will probably rake in majority of the profits for Kickstarter.
ReplyDelete