MakerBot wins Best Consumer Printer at the London 3D Printshow

It’s been a big week for MakerBot.

Its offer to put discounted 3D printers in classrooms across the country, including $100 versions for Brooklyn teachers, gave a sense of mission and product keeps getting attention from its industry.

The MakerBot® Replicator® 2 Desktop 3D Printer won the “Best Consumer Printer” category at the London 3D Printshow last week, according to their Twitter feed. The company was up for five awards at the show, including Brand Of the Year, Best Consumer Software, Positive Change and Best Online/App-based service.

Perhaps more importantly, CEO Bre Pettis also gave the print show’s opening keynote that morning. His first of two such keynotes.

The day after their win, the team was able to celebrate with its London community at a Thingiverse meetup that they organized at The New Rose pub. Thingiverse is a site where 3D printers can share designs, collaborate and build on each other’s creations.

Members of the MakerBot team are already in Paris for the Paris 3D Printshow. Organized by the same organization, the Paris show appears to be oriented a bit more toward art and fashion. Bre Pettis will give its keynote on Friday and then Brooklyn native and front-end web developer Tristan Hinds will lead a Saturday workshop on the 3D printing ecosystem.