Printrbot Metal Plus 3D Printer Gets a Dual Extruder Upgrade

Source: http://3dprintingindustry.com/

Printrbot is an foundational member of the desktop 3D printing industry, releasing the very first low-cost printer on the market. The start-up has kept up with the growing industry, shifting from its plywood, laser-cut models to elegant, metal-frame machines, which maintain affordable prices due to their mass-manufactured nature. Printrbot has just announced the latest upgrade to their line of metal printers: a dual extruderfor the Printrbot Metal Plus 3D printer, giving the sturdy Plus the ability to 3D print with two materials or colors.

The new printhead features an aluminum extruder with a 1.75mm Ubis cermaic hot end, as well as the Extrudrboard and all of the other hardware. Plus, the dual head has an autoleveling probe, necessary for a user-friendly 3D printing experience. You will need, however, an ATX power supply to ensure that your Plus can handle this added feature. Providing a helpful guide on how to add the new printhead to the Plus, Printrbot warns, “Double the pleasure, double the fun! …and frustration. Dual extruder printing is for EXPERTS ONLY. If you are just getting into 3d printing, save yourself a significant amount of grief and stick with the single print head for now. We are serious. If you are not a master 3d printer, do not order this product.”

Due to its open source nature, lovable CEO, and grassroots community, Printrbot continues to be one of my favorite manufacturers in the desktop industry and it makes me extremely happy that they’ve been able to keep up with their competitors as the field continues to change. I’m excited to see how their next big product reinforces their position in this ever-transforming marketplace.