Three dimensional printing wasn’t able to take America by storm, thanks to its high cost. But the scenario may witness a change next month with the launch of Dreambox, a combination of a 3D printer and a vending machine. A brainchild of David Pastewka, Richard Berwick and Will Drevno, this is a product of realization, wherein the makers understood how the lack of it on their campus, as well as the delay of around one month that students faced during a 3D printing project, made printing such a mammoth task.
It would be an easy to use product as anyone can connect to the Dreambox server to upload their designs along with an online payment. The model joins the list of projects in its database. After the 3D printing has been completed, the final product gets stored in a unit and the customer is alerted by an automatically generated text message bearing the completed status of their printing job. The prototype has been tested where it can be collected within 15 seconds in its particular drawer and in case the user misses the time limit, they have to enter the unlock code for the same.
You can visit the Dreambox to plug in your USB device and upload your model. The uploaded file, be it via an email or delivered in person, gets automatically deleted after a week due to security reasons and privacy issues.
So, how does it differentiate between the queues of tasks it receives? A unique code is generated for each user that has to be entered to unlock the device and get your own completed task. The price of an item will depend on the material as well as size, though the rough estimation can be assumed at $15 per item. Shipping facility is also available with the payment of an additional $9.
In the nascent phase, users can only take printout on a biodegradable plastic material. But talks are on to incorporate printing on other materials like as wood, nylon and metal as well. Targeted primarily at high schools and organizations, the company has been promoting its product beyond UC Berkeley. They are providing a catalogue of different models and the price list accordingly. Online pre-order can be made easily for those willing to buy the device.
