Jake Lodwick’s Blog

A few days ago, I added that I invested in “a robot startup” to jakoblodwick.com. Today, the site launches. Introducing MakerBot Industries.

What does the name mean?
A printer prints things, a maker makes things. MakerBot makes robots that make things.

How does it ‘make things’?
It has an “extruder” which is like a precision glue gun. It has a platform that moves in three dimensions. You feed it 3d models from your computer and it builds a physical object for you.

Give me an example.
You could make a dodecahedron, a replacement knob for a dishwasher, a keepsake box that looks like a spinning star, gears, a mug… if it can be represented in a 3d modeling program, if it’s small, and if it’s made of plastic, you can make it yourself.

How much does it cost?
A kit for model above, called the Cupcake, is $750 on MakerBot.com. You have to assemble it yourself, which should take about a day. The previous models were harder to assemble; in the future, we will sell fully assembled kits.

Where can I see it in action?
Go to MakerBot.com and watch the video.

This reminds me of RepRap.
MakerBot is a spinoff of the RepRap project — an open-source endeavor to create a 3d printer built from parts created by a 3d printer. That is, a low-cost, self-replicating machine that makes things. MakerBot Industries is a commercialization of that project, but it remains open-source. So the project is always evolving, and if you are a customer, you can contribute to the project.

Why did you invest in this project?
Because it fascinates me; because I think low-cost fabrication is a revolutionary industry; because they were already profitably selling kits of components for earlier models.

Why is the first model (pictured above) called Cupcake?
We wanted something small enough to print the icing on a cupcake. We even created a “frostruder” - an extruder that uses frosting instead of plastic (not a joke).

Who would actually buy this thing?
Anyone who likes the idea of an inexpensive machine that sits on your desk and creates physical objects.

Are you at SXSW?
Founder Bre Pettis is there, follow MakerBot on Twitter to see the Cupcake in action.