Our new Printer. The SlantBox

We have started implementation of our own 3D printer, the SlantBox. This 3D printer has been customized for the rigors of production.

The SlantBox is the most rugged and reliable 3D printer in the world. It is meant to be deployed by the thousands inside of future 3D printing farms.

The key capabilities of the printer are is modularity and intelligence. Each printer can be assembled quickly and repaired equally quickly. But most important is the intelligence on-board. Each printer has a full computer on-board which networks with our cloud software so that printers can coordinate production jobs. The printers also have on-board cameras that will soon be used in conjunction with machine learning to monitor and improve print reliability over time.

Regarding reliability. With just the basic design of the SlantBox we have improved print reliability from a traditional 50-60% to over 90%. And we have made each machine self-tending so there is no need for external workers or robots to remove parts from the build platforms. This truly makes the printer viable for production.

The SlantBox and the infrastructure around it is going to fundamentally shift the capabilities of 3D printer farms to produce at scales competitive with processes like injection molding.