3DExpress: Anker Makes Kickstarter History with $46 Million for eufyMake E1 Printer
When its Kickstarter campaign closed on June 28, Anker made history: with over 17,000 backers and $46 million in pledges, the tech company now holds the record for the most-funded campaign in Kickstarter history—surpassing the previous record of $41.7 million. Learn all about the development in this week’s 3DExpress, along with a look at Firestorn and HP’s new partnership, Hugo Boss’ foray into 3d printed shoes and more!
Anker Raises $46 Million for New eufyMake E1 Printer, Breaking Kickstarter Record
Anker’s campaign focus was the eufyMake E1, Anker’s new 3D texture UV printer. The E1 is designed to bring UV printing capabilities to homes and small studios, offering an all-in-one modular build, a compact design and AI-powered software. It’s being marketed as the first consumer-friendly UV printer capable of adding up to 5 mm of rich, tactile texture on a wide range of materials—over 300 types, including leather, wood, glass, and metal. One notable feature is its roll-to-film attachment, which allows users to print continuously on a 33-foot surface. Useful for art, product customization and more, the E1 promises versatility and convenience. The machine is also self-cleaning, reducing the typically messy and time-consuming post-processing process. With such a high-profile launch, the spotlight is now on Anker to deliver on its promises.
Objects customized with eufyMake E1 (left) and the printer itself (right). (Photo Credits: Anker/eufyMake)
Firestorn and HP Team Up for Remote Site Manufacturing
US-based drone manufacturer Firestorm Labs has signed a strategic agreement with HP to integrate Multi Jet Fusion technology into its xCell manufacturing system. It’s a mobile, containerized “mini-factory” designed to be deployed anywhere in the world. The company has developed this unit, first to manufacture drones, however, also spare parts and other parts needed at critical moments. Firestorm is looking to deploy its units in military bases, disaster zones and remote locations, now using HP’s 3D Printing technology. Ian Muceus, co-founder and CTO of Firestorm states, “For nearly a decade, we’ve trusted HP’s technology to meet high-volume, high-quality demands of polymer additive manufacturing. Now, we’re able to take that capability directly to the edge—military bases, disaster zones, and remote medical outposts—where time and logistics matter most.” XCell can operate with minimal human intervention and is powered by off-grid generators.
Representation of the mobile units that will feature HP’s Multi Jet Fusion technology (Photo Credits: Firestorm Labs)
Hugo Boss Breaks into 3D Fashion with Futuristic Loafers
During Paris Fashion Week, the new 3D printed loafers from Hugo Boss’ Hugo Boss line were unveiled. They are a limited edition in collaboration with the German 3D printed shoe manufacturer Zellerfeld. The loafers are futuristic in style and are manufactured on demand in Hamburg from recycled material. The moccasins debuted on the runway of Taiwanese brand Namesake and some of the colors in which they will be available – red, black, beige, blue and orange – could be seen. The shoes will only be available through Zellerfeld.com and at exclusive Hugo Boss stores in Amsterdam and Milan.
The new Hugo Boss 3D printed moccasin in collaboration with Zellerfeld (Photo Credits: Fashion United)
UltiMaker Launches New Platform for Education
FDM 3D printing expert UltiMaker has announced the development of MakerBot Nebula, a platform powered by artificial intelligence. The platform is designed to support the learning of additive manufacturing in the education sector. Indeed, it has been designed with classrooms and teachers in mind: the aim is to offer learning experiences around 3D printing for students. In this way, the company hopes to provide more effective training and promote the use of technology from an early age. MakerBot Nebula is built around three blocks: Learning Station, Experience Builder and Funding Assistant. Dottie Stewart, VP Sales America & Global Education Strategy at UltiMaker, concludes: “MakerBot has always believed in learning through making. […] As classrooms become more demanding and students’ needs more diverse, tools alone aren’t going to be enough. That’s why we created MakerBot Nebula, a new kind of learning platform that connects technology, pedagogy, and creativity in one seamless experience.”
Photo Credits: MakerBot
Elegoo Presents its Matrix Application
It’s official: Elegoo’s new mobile application is finally available! Called Matrix, it lets you remotely control your 3D printers worldwide. From your smartphone, you can manage your machines and optimize your production workflows. Real-time monitoring is also possible, displaying print temperature, progress and speed, wherever you are. Matrix can also provide print history and analysis to reduce the risk of errors and problems. The application can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play, and is currently compatible with Saturn 4 and Ultra 16K models. Other machines should follow very soon – in the third quarter of this year, according to Elegoo.
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