Maplin To Sell UK High Street's First 3D Printer

Maplin To Sell UK High Street's First 3D Printer

Maplin will become the first UK retailer to sell 3D printers on the High Street.

The £700 Velleman K8200 device will allow users to 'replicate' digital designs in 3D dimensions, from their own homes.

3D printing itself has been around for more than a decade, but has been making a push into becoming a true 'consumer' gadget for the last several years.

Some 3D printers, such as the £1,800 MakerBot Replicator 2, have become regarded as true 'mainstream' success stories -- despite only selling a relatively small number of units.

The Velleman K8200 (above) on offer by Maplin - which is already out of stock according to its website - is half the price of some rival machines. However the printer does require assembly, making it something of an enthusiast's project than a true entry-level printer.

The kit comes with five metres of plastic tubing, used as the 'ink' for the 3D printer. New cartridges cost £30, and the maximum size of objects - which usually require some finishing after printing - can be 7.8-inches.

Maplin commercial director Oliver Meakin told the Telegraph:

"I hope some children will be using this rather than playing video games."

Maplin might not have the molopoly for long, though - according to PC Pro Tesco is considering selling the machines, though it is making "no promises".

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