3D printer that’s been 3D printed [Crowdfunding of the Week]

The gMax 3D printer is seeking funding through Kickstarter now, for a printer kit that prints up to 16″ x 16″ x 9″, calling it one of the largest and most affordable 3D printers available.

As its creator Gordon LaPlante said in the video below: “[This] entire printer is designed for easy future modifications and customizations, not just the extruder. All of the colored parts are 3D printed so you can easily prove the usefulness to your friends/family/colleagues by showing them that the printer was made with parts made on another printer.”

[kickstarter url=http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1683546801/the-gmax-3d-printer-print-bigger width=640]

Features:

• Huge 16’’ x 16’’ x 9’’ (2,304 cu. in.) build volume
• As low as 75 micron layer height (with 0.35mm nozzle)
• An LED light illuminates what the nozzle prints while it’s printing
• Prints more quietly than other 3D printers
• Works with most open source software

Brooklyn is getting to be the place for makers. This DIY, customizable platform will be a welcome addition to that scene.

LaPlante promises to continue to build on upgrading the gMax and making it easier to customize. The gMax encourages its uses to take control of the device from the very beginning, by requiring assembly by the end user. All you need to put it together, though, is a screwdriver.

It’s not clear what the price will when the printer goes on sale, but the Kickstarter rewards started giving printers out at $1,095. Though all the levels are limited and the five available at the lowest price are already gone. The fully featured printer is available at $1,295, and those are still available.

MakerBot’s largest printer, the Replicator 2X, sells for $2,799, with a much smaller build area and lower resolution. Another Kickstarter team, in Texas, successfully funded a similar printer called the Gigabot with an even larger build area. It doesn’t seem to be available for retail sale yet, but their first reward level to give out printers was $2000.

The funding period for gMax 3D ends October 10th, and reward deliveries are estimated for October 2013.