Electronics

License to mill: Mebotics' Microfactory combines 3D printer and milling machine

License to mill: Mebotics' Microfactory combines 3D printer and milling machine
Microfactory goes where other milling machines daren't
Microfactory goes where other milling machines daren't
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Mebotics' Microfactory from the front
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Mebotics' Microfactory from the front
Mebotics' Microfactory
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Mebotics' Microfactory
Microfactory goes where other milling machines daren't
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Microfactory goes where other milling machines daren't
Microfactory 3D prints a key fob
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Microfactory 3D prints a key fob
Microfactory in the lab
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Microfactory in the lab
Microfactory etching a circuit board
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Microfactory etching a circuit board
Microfactory gets its mill on with some bamboo
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Microfactory gets its mill on with some bamboo
Microfactory: A machine of many (well, several) talents
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Microfactory: A machine of many (well, several) talents
You'll need an electrical generator to take Microfactory out and about, mind
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You'll need an electrical generator to take Microfactory out and about, mind
Variations on the theme
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Variations on the theme
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Not content with the quality of parts made from 3D printers, and frustrated by the noise and mess created by milling machines, startup Mebotics has designed and built a machine that is both a 3D printer and computer-controlled milling machine at once. And because it's enclosed and can be connected to a vacuum cleaner, the company claims that mess is put to bed, too. Mebotics has turned to crowd-funding to bring the Microfactory (for that's its name) to market.

Though it's tempting to characterize this as a compromised product, that may yet prove unfair. On the 3D printing side of things, the Microfactory is equipped with four print heads and two independent heaters, allowing it to print in four different colors or in two completely different materials.

And because the machine is entirely enclosed, mess should be contained, so Microfactory can walk fearlessly where other etching and milling machines fear to tread (such as in the office, or laboratory, where the resulting dust could be … problematic). Though it's doubtless relatively compact compared to other milling machines, claims that it is "relatively portable" should be taken with a pinch of salt and a polite nod, as plenty of things become "relatively portable" if you have a sizable electrical generator to hand (which this would require to take it on the road).

But the vacuum cleaner connection and closing door are nice touches. Opening the latter automatically halts fabrication, and closing it apparently has the advantage of reducing noise by 10 dB (cutting noise by 90 percent), though clearly turning on your chunking industrial vacuum cleaner will undo the good work. Still, the door has obvious safety benefits too.

Significantly, Mebotics says the Microfactory has an onboard computer (running LinuxCNC), so although fabrication is computer-controlled, you don't need to connect a computer to use it. The machine is networkable so that it can be both controlled and monitored remotely (from a smartphone, you'll be flabbergasted to hear, once the necessary apps have been developed).

The team self-funded five development prototypes, so it sounds as though the design is now finalized and ready for production. A fully-specced Microfactory costs rather more than entry-level domestic 3D printers, with a Kickstarter donation of US$4,495 necessary to secure a unit, though a simplified version which 3D prints in only a single color or material can be had for $3,915.

Though I sometimes wince at Kickstarter campaigns which aim for a six-figure sum when a five-figure sum would surely have been viable, such a sum would seem justified for such an involved machine. Unfortunately, Mebotics has gone all-out for seven figures, asking for a cool $1 million which, with only $37,000 raised with 13 days to go, it seems unlikely to reach.

Yet Microfactory has come an awful long way, and something tells me we haven't seen the last of Mebotics' machine. And miracles do happen, once in a while.

Scroll down for the campaign video.

Sources: Mebotics, Kickstarter

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4 comments
4 comments
Purclewan
From the video, I wonder what the difference is between, and here I quote "With it's four colour printing system can create some very unique parts ".
That would be as opposed to unique parts (Oxford dictionary definition adjective: being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else:
Duh!
The Skud
Purclewan - You are quibbling. Unique can also be translated as "never before seen" but I know what you mean. Hey! Combine this machine with a just on the market 3D scanning and copy machine and you'd be all set!
MSDT
More functions for a fourth of the price! And it's past it's funding goal! http://www.gizmag.com/3d-print-mill-scan-fabrication-machine-fabtotum/28848/
dave be
fabtotum is interesting, and hopefully going to actually be made now they got to their goal and way beyond. It is however not in the same class as this one. This is 4.5 x the price, but it is also clearly meant for more serious and larger projects. FT does have a 3d scanner, but those are easy enough to throw together that other then the probe version its not worth that much in all. You also have 4x the print heads as the Fabtotum with 2x the color possibilities. In the sea of 3d printers out there its hard to compare these 2 directly.