LulzBot TAZ 3 3D printer now FSF-certified to respect your freedom, from FSF.org:
BOSTON, Massachusetts, USA — Friday, February 7, 2014 — The Free Software Foundation (FSF) today awarded Respects Your Freedom (RYF) certification to the TAZ 3, the fifth model in the LulzBot line of 3D printers by Aleph Objects, Inc. The RYF certification mark means that the product meets the FSF’s standards in regard to users’ freedom, control over the product, and privacy.
In October 2012, the LulzBot AO-100 3D printer became the first hardware product to be awarded use of the FSF’s RYF certification mark. Since that time, Aleph Objects, Inc. has continued to release new and improved successors to the AO-100 model, including the AO-101, TAZ, TAZ 2, and TAZ 3, each of which have complied with RYF certification mark requirements. The latest model, which can be purchased online, has both hardware and software improvements, including a controller with a graphical LCD interface that allows users to print from an SD card and to perform printer start up, selection, and configuration changes.
“Aleph Objects, Inc. has become a leader in the free software movement, not only in terms of producing hardware products that respect users’ freedom, but also in terms of their engagement with and contributions to the free software community each step of the way,” said Joshua Gay, FSF licensing & compliance manager.
The software reviewed by Gay as part of the certification for the TAZ 3 printer includes the Marlin firmware for the RAMBo electronics board and ATmega chipset; the Python printing host software suite, which includes Pronterface, Pronsole, and Printcore; and a Slic3r, a program used to convert a digital 3D models into printing instructions.
“Aleph Objects, Inc. is honored to receive RYF certification for our latest 3D printer, the TAZ 3. No organization has greater credibility when it comes to user freedom than the Free Software Foundation, which for nearly thirty years has been prescient about technology issues that threaten user freedom. Our goal is to continue to practice these principles as we develop new technology,” said Jeff Moe, president of Aleph Objects, Inc.
In addition to the the LulzBot line of 3D printers, a total of nine products have been awarded use of the RYF certification mark, including: the RAMBo all-in-one 3D printer electronics board used in the LulzBot printers; two USB wireless adapters sold by ThinkPenguin; and the Gluglug X60 laptop….
To learn more about the Respects Your Freedom hardware certification program visit here.
Featured Adafruit Product!
LulzBot TAZ – Open source 3D Printer: The evolution of desktop 3D printing continues with TAZ 3, LulzBot’s top-of-the-line, highest quality printer to date. Merging technical expertise with design sensibilities, TAZ is for inventors, entrepreneurs, design engineers and prototypers — bring your ideas to life with TAZ… (read more)
Every Thursday is #3dthursday here at Adafruit! The DIY 3D printing community has passion and dedication for making solid objects from digital models. Recently, we have noticed electronics projects integrated with 3D printed enclosures, brackets, and sculptures, so each Thursday we celebrate and highlight these bold pioneers!
Have you considered building a 3D project around an Arduino or other microcontroller? How about printing a bracket to mount your Raspberry Pi to the back of your HD monitor? And don’t forget the countless LED projects that are possible when you are modeling your projects in 3D!
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! We also offer the MakerBot Digitizer in our store. If you’ve made a cool project that combines 3D printing and electronics, be sure to let us know, and we’ll feature it here!
