About this project
Gigabot 3D Printing: This is Huge!
$250,474
270
BIG thanks to Ben Malouf who has graciously allowed us to feature his stunning vases found at thingiverse.com/benitosanduchi!
Stretch Goal: $200K! You did it!!!!
We will be integrating an LCD display into each and every Gigabot shipped to our Kickstarters. Of course, we appreciate EVERY one of our backers, so each backer of the $5 level or more will allow you and a guest VIP entry to the Giga-Thanks Party during the weekend of the New York World Maker Faire, as we celebrate the kickoff of our shipping phase and plan for the future together as a community. Learn more on Update #7
Our Vision
At re:3D, we believe that the biggest problems in our world are solved by taking a bigger view. That’s why our project is aimed at designing the first large-format 3D printer... that you can take home with you. It’s not only about taking the amazing technology of 3D printing and amplifying it. If we’re successful, we can envision entire markets opening up to use this technology. Markets which have struggled to maintain the status quo, let alone use some of the cutting-edge technology that for the rest of the world is an overnight delivery away. We believe that by making a production-quality model of our 3D printer, and putting it in the hands of small businesses anywhere on the planet, will give them the flexibility to sustain their community, their business, and ultimately, the world we live in.
Our Company
re:3D is one of Austin’s newest start-ups, committed to trailblazing new frontiers in 3D printing. Our flagship technology, large format 3D printers, maximize output volumes with respect to size, speed, and quantity of objects printed during a single production run. re:3D is also at the forefront of material science, developing novel printer feedstock including cost-efficient recyclables and enriched composites. With a global online marketplace and a localized presence in Latin America, re:3D is reaching untapped emerging markets worldwide. Our diverse team looks forward to an active presence in the international entrepreneurial community.
Community Focused
We love people and 3D printing! By working with the educators and the open source community we hope to spread 3D printing to emerging markets worldwide. We hope this campaign and our large format 3D printing forum is just the beginning of our public presence as we re:magine the possibilities of large format 3D printing for new markets. In January, we unveiled Gigabot at the Houston Mini MakerFaire. While there, we asked attendees to re:magine the possibilities they saw for our new device. Custom train sets, large quantities of specialized brackets, children’s museum displays, novel packaging materials, rockets, rapid prosthetic prototyping- the opportunities are endless. More importantly, we see Gigabot as a platform for future developments in 3D printing. The size and design lend itself to adaptation and personalization. We can’t wait to see what the community will print and how they will customize our bot!!
Our Product
"The Gigabot 3D Lets You Print Things That Are Bigger Than A Few Breadboxes" - TechCrunch
20mm Calibration Cube available on Thingaverse.com
"A new larger-than-life 3D printer " - Geeky Gadgets
Special thanks those who shared their awesome prints for us to test!
Top to bottom left to right:
Scan of a mandible in the Museo de Historia Natural de Chile
Toy Boat
Human Inner Ear
Bench Model
Hobby Clamps
Working 75 mm Ratchet Wrench
110mm Calibration Piece
Cross Tweezers
Chrysler Building
- 30X the print volume compared to leading desktop 3D printer!!!!
- 600mm x 600mm x 600mm build envelope (24” x 24” x 24”)
- Rigid aluminum extrusion frame
- 100 micron layer resolution capability
- Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) using 1.75 or 3mm filament
- Efficient footprint to build envelope ratio
- Azteeg X3 Printer Controller
- Open construction provides easy access to prints
- Mechanics optimized for reliability
- Utilizes an open source software work flow
"The Gigabot has a build volume of 600mm x 600mm x 600mm which is unheard of among desktop 3D printers." - Web Pro News
Thanks to the makers who shared the Sword & South America Map Puzzle prints on Thingaverse.com!
Our Team
- Nearly 40 years combined experience in manufacturing & engineering
- Lifetime makers
- Successful entreprenuerial track records
- Patent holder
- Broad knowledge in product development and design
- Extensive experience in multiple industries including aerospace, defense, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, finance, design, academia, energy, environmental sciences and education
Read more about our full team at re3d.org!
Why Kickstarter?
Our team is passionate about relationships and community. For this reason we are huge fans of Kickstarter! Our project draws inspiration from the many makers and creatives who went before us, and have successfully launched their own projects in Kickstarter including:
- PAUL BANKS & THE CAROUSELS' New Record featured in our campaign
- MakerSlide Open Source Linear Bearing System used extensively in the Gigabot frame
- We are also incredibly grateful Ben Malouf who has so graciously allowed us to feature his stunning vases!
In order to set up manufacturing and will be delivering as soon as possible, we need you, your friends and your community's help! Your feedback, Gigabot hacks, and large format products will help re:volutionize 3D printing! We look forward to connecting with you and the first Gigabot owners. You guys are awesome!
Reward Summary
To show our appreciation for your generous support, we have several awards we hope you will enjoy:
- Thanks, Recognition, Gratitude- every pledge of $5 or more will receive a mention on our website with a link to a website you'd like to share with our community.
- SWAG- We will be offering limited edition T shirts and stickers and personalized printed objects to show your support for Gigabot
- Discounted Printers- All Kickstarter supporters receive discounted pricing and shipping preference. No warranty is expressed or implied.
- Limited Edition Printer- Exclusive opportunities to customize your Gigabot. No warranty is expressed or implied.
- re: 3D experiences- workshops and exclusive opportunities to interact with our team and community
Thank You for visiting our page!
Risks and challenges
A protoplanetary army of rabid extraterrestrials could kidnap Chief Hacker and commandeer his Houston workshop as headquarters for an intergalactic invasion.
Gigabot could come to life with an insatiable appetite for all things resin. The bad news is -- he'd probably eat through every plastic bottle, lego, and video game controller in your home. Good news is, you'll have so much fun printing massive objects with Gigabot, you'll no longer care about that stuff. And you'll have more of those rad re:3D vases than you ever dreamed possible.
In a more likely scenario... prize deliveries could be delayed. To avoid potential of production delays due to unexpected part shortage or late supplier delivery, we are currently procuring inventories of all parts in advance of Kickstarter campaign. In addition, as a beta stage prototype, Gigabot's functionality and design will be continually improved and iterated over the course of the next several months. As such, we can't be certain as to final printer performance metrics and specifications. Finally, the utility of Gigabot's printable output is inherently dependent on the structural properties of the plastic input filament material. Thus, it may not be suitable for all intended uses. re:3D is currently working on improving the versatility and structural integrity of input materials, so stay tuned for future product innovations.
We commit to you consistent, open dialogue, and an ever-ready dedication to innovation and technological improvements -- made possible through the cooperation and support of the Kickstarter community!
Learn about accountability on KickstarterFAQ
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Great question! We are not currently offering a heated bed with Gigabot. However, we recognize that 3D printing with ABS is really best with a heated bed. The Gigabot is optimized for PLA for large parts but will also print small parts in ABS. The future development of a heated bed will greatly increase Gigabot's ability to print in ABS. In its current state, Gigabot is highly customizable and compatible with 3mm PLA, and ABS for some models (due to the lack of a heated bed). Printing faster, with larger extrusion widths, and different filament types will be a result of our technical team and community working together to push the limits of this platform in the coming months. Prioritizing features of the shipped Gigabot will be a primary focus of the community interaction - both communities in Chile via Samantha, and worldwide via comments and email.
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Assembly time will vary with level of experience in building. We can assemble the flat pack version in about 2 hours. Full assembly will generally take several times this long because we are very interested in alignment and accuracy. Tools needed include a set of standard Allen wrenches, a 5/16" open ended wrench and an accurate 90 degree square. No soldering is required.
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The extruder we prefer is an open source design in the family of the Greg's Wade accessible extruder. Similar to this one on Thingiverse: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:8252
The motors are stepper motors capable of printing at greater than 90mm/sec and rapid travel greater than 200mm/sec. The Z-axis motors can lift the bed with more than 30lbs of additional weight.
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Electric power is switchable from 110v or 220v. The power unit has a full enclosure, has a mains switch and is fused as well!
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The assembly and instruction manual are currently being assembled while the campaign is running. We understand how important clear and helpful instructions are- we're makers too!
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We have experienced almost Zero curling with PLA printed on blue painter's tape. We have printed the large vases and other long rectangular objects with great adhesion to the bed. We have found the J-head hot-end to be very reliable. We have completed several 24 hour prints straight through with no jamming. We chose the current hot head from personal experience and by surveying the community at large who highly recommended the J-Head hot end.
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We are using mainly off-the-shelf firmware of the Marlin branch. There are a few settings inside Marlin that need to be made specifically for the machine. The slicing software can be your choice. Personally, we use Slic3r. Friends of ours have good luck with Kiss Slicer and others prefer Cura. Great news is that there are many choices!
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You guys rock!! Thanks to some much needed guidance from the Kickstarter community we've been able to identify more affordable shipping options for future Gigabot owners around the world. If you live outside the continental US, simply provide us with your mailing address and we'll work together to determine the lowest amount needed to add to your pledge level to cover shipping. For those outside the US who may have already purchased a Gigabot, we'll happily refund any difference Thanks again for helping Kickstart an international large format adventure!
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The footprint is currently 34" wide and deep and greater than 36" tall with the filament spool. We are currently working to reduce the footprint by at least several inches without reducing the build volume or impacting the rigidity of the machine.
The largest individual pieces are the side panels and they are 34" x 34". The frame members are 34" long and the aluminum honeycomb bed is 24" x 24"
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To complete the system you will need to buy:
1) power supply
2) printer controller circuit board
3) motors
4) extruder and hot end
5) wiring, fuses, switches, fans, enclosure for the electronics,The frame kit for $2000 includes a custom precision machined frame, brackets, belts, pulleys, drive screws, bearings, wheels and all the nuts and bolts to assemble it.
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Funding period
- (60 days)