Behold Zeus: fax machine meets 3D printer

Faxing 3D objects? This is one of the things the Zeus will aim to do. It combines 3D printing, scanning and faxing in a way that makes it easy for any non-design or animation student to operate.

Based on what we’ve seen on crowdfunding sites over the last few years, the 3D printing scene has been very popular and extremely competitive. The company, AIO Robotics, was founded by Jens Windau and Kai Chang and will be running a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter which launches 4 September.

Named after the god of all gods, Zeus, this all-in-one machine can scan, fax, copy and print 3D objects. Why would you want to fax a design concept you might ponder? Well, the Zeus wants non-technical users to operate the machine without background knowledge of using 3D design apps or additional PCs. You can simply pop in a Superman action figure, a specific wrench or a piece of Lego. You then scan, fax and send the object to your friends.

It includes a 7-inch touchscreen and has an on-board computer so it’s able to work independently from any connection to a computer. Supposedly, it’s easier to operate than a regular household ink printer.

The Zeus 3D printer is said to be less expensive than MakerBot’s Replicator together with a Digitizer scanner. These Replicators sell for either US$2 200 (R22 000) or US$2 800 (R28 000). Other printers such as the Pirate3D Buccaneer goes for between US$300 (R3 000) and US$400 (R4 000).

Earlier this month, MakerBot announced that its easy-to-use 3D printer, the Replicator 2, will now be sold through Microsoft stores and online together with service plan package options, live in-shop tutorials and forums. This is a step in the right direction – in other words, commercializing 3D printers.