01-09-2012: 3D Systems debuted Cube, its first consumer 3D printer

It was the pillar of the Cubify brand

On January 9, 2012, 3D Systems unveiled Cube, its first consumer-oriented 3D printer, marking a significant milestone in the company's history. It was showcased at CES fair in Las Vegas. Priced at $1,299, the Cube aimed to bring 3D printing into homes with a user-friendly, ready-to-print device designed for creativity and accessibility.

Weighing less than 9 pounds (approximately 4 kg), the Cube featured a sleek design and a tablet-like touch interface, making it easy to operate. The build area was 5.5 x 5.5 x 5.5 inches (14 x 14 x 14 cm). It used EZ Load cartridges with filament inside. It is worth mentioning though that the Cube's design—although beautiful and excellent for its time—was heavily inspired by the popular Chinese 3D printer Up! manufactured by Tiertime.

3D Systems also launched Cubify.com, a platform offering 50 free 3D printable designs and tools for creators. Over time, it was expanded with additional features, such as ordering personalized figurines featuring characters from movies (e.g., Star Trek) or sports.

In 2012, 3D Systems was already an established leader in the industrial 3D printing market, known for its pioneering role in stereolithography and other advanced additive technologies. However, the launch of the Cube represented a strategic expansion into the consumer market, signaling the company’s ambition to "democratize" 3D printing. The beginning of this strategic shift emerged as early as the end of 2010, when 3D Systems acquired one of the first two manufacturers of desktop-grade 3D printers, BitsFromBytes (the other being MakerBot, acquired by Stratasys in 2013).

According to Michael Molitch-Hou, and his article from 2015 published on 3D Printing Industry („Hype Hangover: the Rise & Fall of Avi Reichental”):

Cubify and the Cube (...) were pet projects of former CEO Avi Reichental, saying that roughly 75% or more of the company’s resources – including everything from marketing to engineering to R&D – were devoted to the Cube, while the other five technologies – SLA, DMP, SLS, MJP, and CJP, were left with the rest.

This strategy unfortunately failed in the long run, but in January 2012 it seemed as if 3D Systems was once again bringing the rest of the industry to awe…

Source: www.globenewswire.com