Mcor Technologies, a major player in industrial full-color 3D printing, is at CES this week to show off an unusual 3D printer, the ARKe, which is a desktop model capable of printing 3D objects in full color.
Mcor lists several strengths of the ARKe that the company hopes will make full-color 3D printing accessible to a wider range of creative professionals. One is photorealistic color. With a DPI of 4,800 by 2,400, Mcor ARKe offers high-resolution color, transforming desktop 3D printing from a largely monochromatic pursuit to one of full color. Using Mcor's Selective Deposition Lamination technology (which uses paper, instead of plastic or resin, as the print medium), Mcor ARKe should make low-cost, professional-class 3D printing possible. Another pro is the relative affordability of the printer itself, which should launch in the second quarter with a list price of $5,995.
The printing process is safe and eco-friendly, according to Mcor. No harmful particle emissions or toxic chemicals are used during printing, making Mcor ARKe a safe addition to any classroom or office. Further, green processes and recyclable materials are used in operation. The printer itself is customizable and compact, and you can choose from a selection of covers. Its high-resolution touch screen and LED progress task bar makes viewing the status of a build possible from anywhere in a classroom or studio.
"Our mission is to put a 3D printer in every office, classroom, and eventually every home, and Mcor ARKe is a huge step in that direction," says Dr. Conor MacCormack, co-founder and CEO of Mcor Technologies. He continues with a bold prediction. "The launch of Mcor ARKe is a defining moment for Mcor and the 3D printing industry, much like the iPhone was for Apple and the 747 was for Boeing. I believe that this is a disruptive step that will transform this industry, stimulating widespread adoption of 3D printing, particularly in education and among creative professionals. Further, we have already received over 2,500 pre-orders for Mcor ARKe and anticipate unrivalled demand in 2016."
Whether the Mcor ARKe will be the disruptive game-changer that MacCormack claims remains to be seen, but the pre-orders are encouraging, as is the prospect of full-color desktop 3D printing at a price that is considerably less than industrial models.