MakerBot unveils the Replicator Mini and Z-18, its biggest and smallest 3D printers yet

[Reefa]

This is the fifth year Makerbot has been to CES, and they have moved from a 10 by 10 booth to a jam packed press conference in the Mandalay Bay. The company has now sold more than 44,000 units and users have downloaded more than 48 million digital designs from its website, Thingiverse. It has opened three retail stores in New York, Boston, and Greenwich, Connecticut. Today it announced a new model, the Makerbot Replicator Mini, a smaller, cheaper unit which CEO Bre Pettis called the "point and shoot" model of the Makerbot family. "It's basically one touch, set up for speed. It's the point and shoot of 3D printers."

The device has a connected camera to monitor progress and make it easy to share images to social networks. It connects through Wi-fF and will have cloud enabled apps. It has a magnetic extruder that is easy to detach. Pettis says it will retail for $1,375 and be available in the spring of 2014.

The company also rolled out the Replicator Z-18, it's biggest unit to date. It can produce 12 x 12 x 18-inch units. Pettis showed off a full sized storm trooper helmet he made with the Z-18 which actually fits over his head. It has an enclosed build chamber to help the larger objects being printed stay stable. It will be shipping in the spring of 2014 for $6,499.

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