02-01-2016: Markforged introduced the Mark Two 3D printer

A faster and more efficient successor to the original Mark One

On February 1, 2016, Markforged announced the launch of its new Mark Two 3D printer during the SolidWorks World conference. The new printer offered 40% faster printing with continuous carbon fiber, fiberglass, or Kevlar reinforcement, along with several hardware and software improvements that enhanced its repeatability and reliability. Markforged also introduced the Enterprise package, allowing the use of materials resistant to higher temperatures.

Markforged was founded in 2013 by Greg Mark, an alumnus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Its first 3D printer, the Mark One, was introduced two years earlier on January 27, 2014 (which I covered on Monday). It was the world’s first printer capable of printing with continuous carbon fiber, a breakthrough that set Markforged apart from competitors, as most 3D printers at the time only used carbon fiber in powdered form, which did not provide the same level of strength.

The Mark One quickly gained recognition among professionals in industries requiring high-strength, precision components, such as aerospace, automotive, and robotics. The Mark Two was designed in response to customer demands for an even faster and more reliable printing process.

The build volume of the new Mark Two 3D printer was 320 x 132 x 154 mm, with a minimum layer height of 0.1 mm. Supported materials included nylon (used as the base for all 3D-printed models) and continuous carbon fiber, fiberglass, and Kevlar as reinforcement materials.

The demonstration version of the Mark Two was priced at $5,499. Additionally, with the Enterprise package, the printer could process materials with a heat deflection temperature of 140°C, such as polycarbonate.

Source: www.markforged.com