Mattel ThingMaker 3D Printer
Had you been a child in the 1960s, you might remember something called the ThingMaker, a do-it-yourself toy creation kit from Mattel that came out decades before 3D printing would itself become a thing. In that respect, it was an idea well ahead of its time, so Mattel is bringing it back as a reimagined product for the modern era
This time around, the relaunched ThingMaker is a pre-assembled 3D printer that's quick and easy to setup and use. It links by WiFi to the ThingMaker Design app developed by AutoDesk, which is available free of charge for both iOS and Android devices. A simple push of a button exports the files to the printer.
Like many 3D printers, the ThingMaker uses different coloured spools of PLA (Polyactic Acid) filament. When printing, the printer door automatically locks to prevent access. After it's finished printing, the heated print head retracts into a recess where it can not be reached.
Mattel deserves praise for branching out of what might be its comfort zone and entering into the maker movement. It's a category that's growing in popularity, but isn't quite mainstream yet. This tends to scare away big companies from participating. One of the reasons why 3D printing isn't mainstream yet, is because it is not not cheap, 3D printers can run several thousands of pounds.
The ThingMaker is being sold by Amazon.
This time around, the relaunched ThingMaker is a pre-assembled 3D printer that's quick and easy to setup and use. It links by WiFi to the ThingMaker Design app developed by AutoDesk, which is available free of charge for both iOS and Android devices. A simple push of a button exports the files to the printer.
Like many 3D printers, the ThingMaker uses different coloured spools of PLA (Polyactic Acid) filament. When printing, the printer door automatically locks to prevent access. After it's finished printing, the heated print head retracts into a recess where it can not be reached.
Mattel deserves praise for branching out of what might be its comfort zone and entering into the maker movement. It's a category that's growing in popularity, but isn't quite mainstream yet. This tends to scare away big companies from participating. One of the reasons why 3D printing isn't mainstream yet, is because it is not not cheap, 3D printers can run several thousands of pounds.
The ThingMaker is being sold by Amazon.