MakerBot Prints Future of Manufacturing

Bre Pettis used to be a school teacher in Seattle. Then he began doing weekend projects and podcasting about them for Make: magazine. But when he found 3-D printing he found a home and turned that passion into a company, where he is bringing science fiction-style replicators a step closer to reality.

Now he is democratizing manufacturing by turning a digital model into a physical object, using computer aided design software originally built for the architecture industry.

While moving from 2-D blueprints for buildings to the 3-d models plastic is the medium of choice for the MakerBot for now. Those days of conjuring up a four-course meal with a voice command while cruising through interstellar space are a long, long way off. But 3-D printing is making big strides. A few years ago only engineering departments at universities and a few medical researchers had clunky oversized printers that could make ceramic or plastic models.

Now 3-D printing is moving to the real world, where it has the possibility of turning consumers into creators. The first company called MakerBot Industries began just over two years ago. Now over 5,000 Thing-O-Matics are out in the world, making…well, things.

From shower curtain rings to plastic paperweights and piggybanks, the 3-D printer is turning manufacturing on its head.

For about $1,300 anyone can purchase a Thing-O-Matic, a funky, scruffy-looking box that you assemble. It may not look like much but it might change the way we build everything.

Pettis says, “My mission in life is to provide infrastructure that gives rise to creativity in humans.”

In August, the New York-based company secured $10 million in venture capital to grow the business and create the next generation micro-manufacturing unit.

Those 5,200 Thing-O-Matic owners gather at Thingiverse.com to compare notes, share ideas and show their wares.