The story of Gordon LaPlante may have started out similar to many other maker/tinkerer/Ima-gonna-start-my-own-3d-printer-company types. Tearing apart mechanized contraptions at an early age to determine their inner workings seems the prerequisite foundation–rebuilding, revising and improving on shortcomings to reuse the parts or make it twice as gooder than it was before. The gMax 3D Printer created by Gordon does that mightily, providing a massive 16″ x 16″ x 9″ (2,304 cubic in) build volume at a price you won’t believe.
3D Printer, Get Bigger
Dimensions:
28.5″W x 24″D x 21.5″H
Weight:
Approx. 35lbs
Frame:
Black or Anodized Aluminum 80/20 frame system
Build volume:
16″ x 16″ x 9″ (2,304 cubic in)
Filament Type:
Works with all common 1.75mm PLA or ABS.
Power Supply:
120 VAC 340 Watt (Uses approx. 40 watts)
Nozzle:
0.35mm or 0.5mm diameter nozzle
Resolution:
75 micron (0.075mm / 0.0029″) to 350 micron (0.35mm / 0.0138″) layer thickness depending on nozzle
Working off the standard RepRap designs (Gordon has been printing with his Prusa since 2010), the gMax was designed to be first and foremost an expandable design. Using 1.5″x1.5″ frame system made of 80/20 aluminum, it’s plenty sturdy (no deflection as a result of the size = poor prints) which means that adding extra extruders or yes, even a router, is no problem. This is a common bottleneck for existing machines – and a powerful incentive for hobbyists looking for a machine to start with and add more upon it.
But most amazing is the build area. Within the relatively small 28.5″ x 24″ printer footprint, you can build 16″ x 16″ x 9″ prints. The primary material is specified as PLA, which also allows larger print and reduces cost by dumping the need for a heated print bed.
The gMax Kickstarter campaign has already raced by their $50K goal, so they’re now offering a new stretch goal – the Makeraser (Makeraser.com). The Makeraser is an all-in-one tool that will come with every gMax printer (if they hit $100k – currently at $96K). The sleek steel blade is thin enough that removing prints is no problem. Within the handle is a felt marker containing a mix of acetone and ABS, perfect for smoothing 3D prints as well as ‘stickifying’ the print bed and gluing larger prints together. To top it off, it’s art incarnate! (Blessed be Voronoi filtering algorithms to generate a beautiful organic handle!).
There are nine days left in the Kickstarter campaign. The early bird $1095 specials for the printer are all gone at this point. However, you can snag a mini-planter for $20 or the amazing plus size gMax 3D printer for $1295 and get the Makeraser along with it. Finally, here are a few print samples to show you the gMax capabilities.
