3D Printing

Pirate3D reveals Buccaneer massmarket 3D printer

View 14 Images
The Buccaneer 3D printer from Pirate3D will come fully assembled out of the box, with a price tag of US$347
Pirate3D's flasgship printer, the Buccaneer, will come fully assembled out of the box with a price tag of only US$347
The Buccaneer uses a standard fused filament fabrication process to print at a resolution as low as 100 micron layers high at a top speed of 50 millimeters per second (approximately 2 inches per second)
Users can stock the cartridge with their own PLA filament, which is much cheaper than purchasing individual cartridges
Pirate3D plans offer the Buccaneer for pre-order later this year and has already applied with Kickstarter to launch a campaign soon
Users can stock the cartridge with their own PLA filament, which is much cheaper than purchasing individual cartridges
Pirate3D is still working on getting its printer to mass production, but it has crafted a sleek-looking prototype built with stamped steel parts to keep manufacturing costs low
The Buccaneer uses a standard fused filament fabrication (FFF) process to print at a resolution as low as 100 micron layers high at a top speed of 50 millimeters per second (approximately 2 in/s)
On a desk, it takes up just a small space of 25 x 25 cm (9.8 x 9.8 in), though it's actual printing area covers 150 x 100 x 120 mm (5.8 x 3.9 x 4.7 in)
On a desk, it takes up just a small space of 25 x 25 cm (9.8 x 9.8 in), though it's actual printing area covers 150 x 100 x 120 mm (5.8 x 3.9 x 4.7 in)
The most striking feature of the Buccaneer though is its top-loading central cartridge, which has been designed especially to make loading and unloading the printing material as simple as possible
The Buccaneer 3D printer from Pirate3D will come fully assembled out of the box, with a price tag of US$347
The Buccaneer 3D printer from Pirate3D will come fully assembled out of the box, with a price tag of US$347
The company is also including its "Smart Objects" software for creating designs, but says STL files created in other programs will also be printable
It doesn't require any cables since it connects via Wi-Fi to mobile devices, but it does have a filter on the back to diminish any odors produced from the printing process
View gallery - 14 images

3D printers continue to hit the mainstream as more accessible models are released at lower prices, some even landing in major retail chains. The MakiBox may currently hold the crown for cheapest 3D printer on the market, but Pirate3D's new desktop box could provide similar quality and affordability with much less hassle. The company's flagship printer, the Buccaneer, will come fully assembled out of the box with a price tag of only US$347.

Pirate3D is still working on getting its printer to mass production, but it has crafted a sleek-looking prototype built with stamped steel parts to keep manufacturing costs low. The designers have said that they took inspiration from Apple's aesthetic principles, which might explain why it resembles a Mac Pro.

The Buccaneer's printing components are secured inside a polished aluminum and acrylic case, with only a single indicator light and no buttons. On a desk, it takes up just a small space of 25 x 25cm (9.8 x 9.8 in), though its actual printing area covers 150 x 100 x 120 mm (5.8 x 3.9 x 4.7 in). It doesn't require any cables since it connects to network devices via Wi-Fi. It is fitted with a filter on the back to diminish any odors produced from the printing process.

The most striking feature of the Buccaneer though is its top-loading central cartridge, which has been designed especially to make loading and unloading the printing material as simple as possible

The most striking feature of the Buccaneer though is its top-loading central cartridge, which has been designed especially to make loading and unloading the printing material as simple as possible. Users can stock the cartridge with their own PLA filament, which is much cheaper than purchasing individual cartridges (the developers are not using ABS right now to avoid any potential noxious fumes). The material just wraps around the interior and fits down a hole in the center, right into the print head.

From there, the Buccaneer uses a standard fused filament fabrication process to print at a resolution as low as 100 micron layers high at a top speed of 50 millimeters per second (approximately 2 in/s). The company is also including its Smart Objects software for creating designs, but says STL files created in other programs will also be printable.

Pirate3D plans offer the Buccaneer for pre-order later this year and has already applied with Kickstarter to launch a campaign soon

With a low price and easy installation, Pirate3D believes its 3D printer could have enough mass market appeal to help turn consumers away from the perception of 3D printers as expensive novelty devices. We'll have to see if the Buccaneer lives up to its expectations, but it could give 3D Systems' Cube some competition in the coming months.

Pirate3D plans offer the Buccaneer for pre-order later this year and has applied to Kickstarter to launch a campaign.

Source: Pirate3D

View gallery - 14 images
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Flipboard
  • LinkedIn
7 comments
Graham HomeMaintenance
what is the cost of the consumables and how long can we expect it to last ?
Gadgeteer
This doesn't look anything like the "cheese grater" Mac Pro. It's obviously inspired by the old G4 Cube Apple sold in 2000.
christopher
Best names for a company and their printer *ever*!!
M. Renee Fulsom
ok so this is cool BUT what about the sourcing of the consumables and is it sustainable, non toxic and environmentally friendly. Can it be recycled just as easily as be made?
Bet Not....
warren52nz
Assuming this takes the marketing path of inkjet printers, the 3D printers will become almost free and the cartridges will cost more than the printers.
牛牛牛牛 牛牛牛牛
@warren52nz the cartridge you can find on the internet for ~ $20/kg, which lasts 1-2 months for regular users.
Not expensive at all
The Hoff
I've been thinking about a much faster, higher priced 3D printer that builds 1/8 " layers using an additive method and then comes back with a router bit to finish the piece in fine detail. The additive layers could be done with heated plastic or with a UV activated type and the light would follow the nozzle around to solidify it right away. Does anybody know if this is already being used?