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.

Open Image Modal

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".