Makerbot: 3D Printers and CNC

*Print real objects at home  *Affordable  *Fun  *Learn a skill

Makerbot Industries:  Power to the masses!  Create your own plastic parts on an affordable “3D Printer” at home by downloading CAD objects, scanning (replicating) existing parts, or 3D modeling your own creations.  Made in Brooklyn, NY.  Instead of printing on one plane of paper, as most printers do, the Makerbot uses ABS plastic spool filament in various colors to print layer upon layer of accurately melted plastic until a real 3D object appears.  Be sure to accommodate for wall thickness so that you can have an efficiently-made part.
Several models are available from consumer level to build-your-own kits, to fully built kits for $1750.  A pretty awesome price really!  Vibrant community, and models are made from individuals and companies all over the world.  “It’s like getting a superpower”, says founder Bre Pettis.
http://www.makerbot.com/
If you want to explore 3D laser scanners so you can replicate those plastic parts that seem to break all the time in the real world, word on the street is you can pick up a quality imported one from NextEngine.com for $2,995.  Let us know if an American scanner is available.

3D models available at
http://www.the3dstudio.com/

And the downloadable TRON cycle kit comes from http://www.thingiverse.com/ 

Nice review here: http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/162/bre-pettis-makerbot
Need to research country of origin of ABS filament.