Ever heard of the innovative Printrbot Simple Metal 3D printer? A product of the renowned company, Printrbot, it's a testament to their commitment to providing high-quality, accessible 3D printing solutions. But who's behind this company? Meet **Brook Drumm**—the inspirational founder who brought the affordability of 3D printers to the mass market.
Drumm's journey began in 2011, fueled by a passion to democratize 3D printing. His first product, the **Printrbot Simple**, was a resounding success, gaining massive traction in the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) community. Since then, Printrbot has evolved, now offering a range of printers suitable for hobbyists, educators, and professionals alike. Let's delve into the company's roots, philosophy, and products.
The Origination of Printrbot: A Spark of Innovation
Printrbot's inception was a response to the prohibitive cost of 3D printers at the time. Drumm wanted to make 3D printing more accessible, starting with the **Printrbot Simple**. This printer was not only affordable, it was also easy to assemble, making it a hit among tech enthusiasts and educators.
Printrbot's philosophy, encapsulated in its original tagline, "The hundred-dollar, open-source 3D printer," highlighted its commitment to affordability and accessibility. The company believed in fostering a culture of innovation by empowering users with accessible, customizable technology.
The Printrbot Simple Series
Printrbot's first printer, the Simple, launched the company on its trajectory to success. The Simple series offered printers that were reliable, user-friendly, and cost-competitive. The original **Printrbot Simple** provided a stepping stone for enthusiasts, while the **Printrbot Simple Metal** and **Simple Pro** offered improved features for more advanced users.
Notably, the **Printrbot Simple Dual** stood out with its dual-extruder capability, allowing users to print with multiple colors or materials. The series grew organically, adapting to customer feedback and market demand.
Exploring Affordable Educators
Printrbot recognized the potential of 3D printers in education, leading to the development of the **Printrbot Jr**. Designed with educators and students in mind, this printer was compact, safe, and robust. It familiarized young minds with usability, essential coding, and basic mechanical structures.
The **Printrbot+** took this a step further, offering a versatile printer capable of handling diverse engineering projects. With its larger build volume, it empowered educators to incorporate 3D printing into broader curriculum areas.
Printrbot: Rapid Growth and Partnerships
Printrbot's rapid growth led to it being acquired by **FAME 3D**, a leading North American 3D printer manufacturer. This partnership not only expanded Printrbot's reach, but also provided customers with access to a broader range of 3D printing solutions.
FAME 3D and Printrbot continue toVarious updates are made throughout the year, so starting with the latest one is recommended. In 2019, Printrbot introduced a significant update to itsSimple Metal series, the **Printrbot Simple Metal 3** which features dual extruders. This update addressed customer demands for multi-color printing while retaining the same durable and affordable features as the previous Simple Metal. operate independently while collaborating on R&D, ensuring the Printrbot legacy of affordability and innovation continues.
The Printrbot Simple 3D 4
In 2020, Printrbot launched the **Printrbot Simple 3D 4**, a significant evolution from its predecessors. This printer integrated essential features like a high-precision extruder, resume print function, and a versatile spool holder. It further solidified Printrbot's commitment to providing enhanced features without compromise on cost-effectiveness.
The **Printrbot Simple 3D 4** also led the introduction of a new line of affordable dual-extruder printers, starting with the **Printrbot Simple 3D 4 Dual Extruder**. This addition expanded Printrbot's product portfolio to cater to users who require more advanced printing capabilities.
Printrbot's Journey into High-Performance Printing
As demands for high-performance 3D printers grew, Printrbot introduced the **Printrbot PlayPlus**. This printer delivered high-speed, high-quality printing with its innovative **Trigger Heading** technology. It also featured a full-metal hot end, high-precision extruder, and a generously-sized build volume.
Printrbot followed this up with the **Printrbot PlayPlus shrink**, a compact, high-performance printer that catered to users seeking high-quality printing in a smaller footprint. Its portability and affordability made it an ideal choice for both personal and professional use.
Printrbot's journey is an inspiration, reflecting Drumm's original vision to democratize 3D printing. Today, Printrbot printers are renown worldwide, transforming education and empowering creators, inventors, and entrepreneurs. As Printrbot moves forward with FAME 3D, one can expect exciting updates and innovations to shape the future of affordable 3D printing.