Adafruit Holiday Gift Guide 2013: 3D Printers

Fueled by the passionate experimentation and research of open source 3D printer builders in the RepRap community, 3D printing hobbyists, and machine, feedstock, and accessories vendors across the world, the field of desktop 3D printing continues to leap forward from month to month.

Recently, we have noticed electronics projects integrated with 3D printed enclosures, brackets, and sculptures, so each Thursday we celebrate and highlight these bold pioneers: every Thursday on the Adafruit blog is #3dthursday! And the Adafruit Learning System has dozens of great tools to get you well on your way to creating incredible works of engineering, interactive art, and design with your 3D printer!

With a better range of affordable desktop 3D printers to choose from this year than ever before, isn’t it time for you to see what this “3D printer revolution” is all about for yourself?


Available at Adafruit


Stratasys MakerBot 2

MakerBot Adafruit Edition: This MakerBot includes a special limited edition MakerBot + Adafruit build plate and a 3d printing for electronics pack! Please note, MakerBot Adafruit edition includes a Raspberry Pi, the “free Pi” with purchase over $350 does not apply to this product. The Replicator 2™ is MakerBot’s fourth generation machine, and represents a tremendous leap forward in ease of use, resolution, and build volume over previous models. With a resolution capability of 100 microns and a massive 410 cubic inch build volume, MakerBot proposes that its Replicator™ 2 Desktop 3D Printer is the “easiest, fastest, and most affordable tool for making professional quality models. We set a new standard with our work, so that you can set a new standard with yours.” Includes a 1 lb spool of Natural PLA filament. (read more)


Digitizer 2

The MakerBot® Digitizer™ Desktop 3D Scanner: The MakerBot® Digitizer™ Desktop 3D Scanner quickly turns the things in your world into 3D models that you can modify, improve, share, and 3D print. There’s no design, 3D modeling, or CAD expertise required to get started, and the MakerBot Digitizer delivers clean, watertight 3D models in approximately 12 minutes. It’s a fast and easy way for anyone to create 3D models! The simple, yet sophisticated software, MakerBot MakerWare for Digitizer, is optimized to work seamlessly with MakerBot Replicator Desktop 3D Printers, and also allows you to share your scans directly with the Thingiverse community. (read more)


Mitutoyo 2

Mitutoyo – Absolute Digimatic Digital Calipers: The most useful tool we’ve ever laid our hands on. These calipers are indestructible and ultra-precise. These digital calipers work by having a capacitive sensor instead of a rack and pinion, so they never go out of alignment even if, say, you accidentally drop them (a few times). One button converts the measurement from millimeters to inches. Perfect for measuring components. We’ve used the same pair multiple times daily for 5 years and never replaced the battery. They are very much treasured and we’re very pleased to be offer them in the store as The Best Calipers On Earth. (read more)


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Aluminum Flex Shaft Coupler – 5mm to 8mm: Connect this to that with a set-screw coupler. These couplers are made of machined aluminum and have a spiral cut that makes them slightly flexible so they can be fit to two shafts even if they are not perfectly co-linear and will help reduce binding effects. The way they’re cut, they’re a little springy in the X Y & Z linear axis but not in the rotational axis. That means that you won’t get increased backlash – so they’re suitable for precision CNC work. We have other flex shaft couplers here as well! (read more)


Available Elsewhere


Make Ultimate 3D Printing 2

Make: Ultimate Guide to 3D Printing 2014: Which 3D printer is right for you? The world of desktop 3D printing is rapidly expanding and new companies and printer models are emerging daily. With so many options to choose from, how do you decide which machine is right for you? The second annual MAKE Ultimate Guide to 3D Printing is here to help, with reviews of 23 printers currently on the market. In this year’s testing, we assembled a diverse team of expert reviewers and put these machines through a battery of tests to determine the standouts. We focused on the printer’s end users and made recommendations based on goals, budget, and usage setting. (read more)


Afinia 2

The Afinia H-Series 3D Printer: The Afinia H-Series 3D Printer provides a true “Out of the Box 3D Printing Experience” as the 3D Printer comes fully assembled with easy to install software for both the PC and Mac. The Afinia H-Series 3D Printer can prototype a part or model that is up to 5 inches cubed in dimensions. The output is accurate to within .15mm (6 thousandths of an inch), and has 30% of the strength of injection molded parts. The 3D Software features an easy-to-use interface for laying out, orienting, duplicating, and scaling parts. Simply use the included utility to calibrate the printhead height, and within minutes you are printing. It easily imports STL files, and the output can be customized in terms of the amount of support material and “raft” (base support) printed. Breakaway support material is simple to remove, and tools for aiding the breakaway are included. Design files for 3D printing can be created using online software, professional software such as SolidWorks™, or by downloading from the extensive online 3D printer community for free. (read more)


PrintrBot Simple 2

Printrbot Simple KIT: The Printrbot Simple is an exercise in 3d printing minimalism. It includes only what is needed to get started in the world of 3D printing. At $299, we think you will agree that it is both tiny…and a really big deal. (read more)


Type A Machines 2

Type A Machines: The Next Generation Series 1 3D Printer: The Next Generation Series 1 3D Printer builds on the award winning original Series 1. Featuring a streamlined aluminum and acrylic body, a glass build surface, and updated electronics, the Series 1 is designed as a modular platform for innovation and is ready for upgrades as new technologies emerge (or as your inspiration takes you), so your 3D printer investment will be as cutting edge tomorrow as it is today. (read more)


Formlabs 2

Formlabs: The Form 1 3D Printer: An end-to-end package. Printer, software, and post-processing kit that just works. Right out of the box. (read more)


SHIPPING DEADLINES

Here are your 2013 shipping deadlines for ordering from Adafruit. Please review our shipping section if you have specific questions on how and where we ship worldwide for this holiday season.

UPS ground (USA orders): Place orders by Friday 11am ET – December 13, 2013 – There is no guarantee that UPS Ground packages will arrive in time for Christmas.

UPS 3-day (USA orders): Place orders by Thursday 11am ET – December 19, 2013 – Arrive on 12/24/2013.

UPS 2-day (USA orders): Place orders by Friday 11am ET – December 20, 2013 – Arrive on 12/24/2013.

UPS overnight (USA orders): Place orders by Monday 11am ET – December 23, 2013 – Arrive on 12/24/2013.

UPS International: Place orders by Monday 11am ET – December 16, 2013. Can take up extra time due to worldwide delays and customs. Should arrive by 12/24/2013 or sooner.

Please note: We do not offer Saturday service for UPS.
Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013, Christmas, no UPS pickup or delivery service.
Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014, New Year’s Day, no UPS pickup or delivery service.

United States Postal Service, First Class and Priority (USA orders): Place orders by Friday – December 13, 2013 – Arrive by 12/24/2013 or sooner.

USPS First class mail international (International orders): Place orders by Friday – November 22, 2013. Can take up to 30 days ore more with worldwide delays and customs. Should arrive by 12/24/2013 or sooner, but not a trackable service cannot be guaranteed to arrive by 12/24/13.

USPS Express mail international(International orders): Place orders by Friday – December 13, 2013. Can take up to 15 days or more with worldwide delays and customs. Should arrive by 12/24/2013 or sooner.

Gift Certificates are always available at any time.

When in doubt contact us!


Halloween season is here!
Halloween season is here! Check out all the posts, gift guides, and more!

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