News: computer and electronics retailer Microsoft has become the first US retailer to sell MakerBot’s desktop 3D printers on the shop floor for customers to take home on the same day.
Microsoft has partnered with 3D printing manufacturer MakerBot to offer customers the chance to buy their own MakerBot Replicator 2 Desktop 3D Printer from 18 retail stores across the USA. This move makes Microsoft the first retailer to sell MakerBot’s desktop printers outside of the company’s own New York store. Microsoft store customers will also be able to buy the PLA bioplastic material used by the printer and in-store 3D printing demonstrations will be available.
MakerBot has been testing 3D printing demonstrations at Microsoft stores in Seattle, San Francisco and Palo Alto, offering consumers a firsthand experience of 3D printing.
“We’ve seen tremendous interest and enthusiasm at the three initial ‘MakerBot Experience’ stores,” said MakerBot CEO Bre Pettis. “Rolling the program out to 15 additional Microsoft Stores supercharges our mission to bring 3D printing to more people.”
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