Autodesk doesn't even intend to make money off it

Dec 3, 2014 09:55 GMT  ·  By

In a surprising turn of events, Autodesk said, back in September, that it didn't intend to actually make money off the new Ember 3D printer, or actually compete with anyone in this segment. The product is finally up for sale though.

The printer hadn't been given the name Ember back in May, when Autodesk introduced its new 3D printing platform, which was only known as “Spark” at the time.

However, time passed as it always does and Autodesk had to provide an update, even if it didn't start selling the 3D printer right away. The Ember was the result.

Autodesk developed it as a means to introduce the Spark platform to the world, hopefully warming people up to the idea.

The Spark 3D printing platform

More than just a 3D printer, the “Spark” platform, of which the Ember 3D printer is a part, is an open-source platform revolving around a free, open-source operating system for 3D printers.

Autodesk believes that it can use that software to eliminate the need for specialized programs and operating systems, since it's just not practical to be over 40 different types of them.

It's not all altruistic though. The company also stands a good chance of becoming the Google of 3D printing technology, so to speak.

Just like Google managed to turn the Android operating system into the common link between all smartphones and tablets, so can Autodesk become a prime name in the 3D printing space by offering them common ground on the same layer.

Autodesk now taking orders for the Ember 3D printer

Ember uses SLA (stereolithography), which means it employs ultraviolet light to cure photosensitive resin according to a virtual 3D model. The object is literally grown out of a tank filled with resin.

Curiously enough, Autodesk has not posted a conventional product page for the Ember, with layer thickness parameters, time of printing, and so on.

Then again, the media began to provide that info as a norm mostly because they did it for FDM printers, where layer thickness really was a problem that could lead to wrinkly spotty prints. SLA doesn't really have this problem.

The Ember costs $5,995 / €5,995, which is in line with the claims that it will target the mid-range market, even though we're pretty sure the price will be considered way too high this time next year.

If the Ember proves that Spark is everything Autodesk said it would be, it may very well become the Android of 3D printing.

Autodesk accepting Ember orders (5 Images)

The Ember 3D printer
The Ember 3D printer, closed viewThe Ember 3D printer inner mechanism
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