This past week I ran across a site for a new 3d printer that uses standard office paper as its consumable media. How cool is that? The resolution looks pretty good, and given that they are advertising the cost of consumables (paper, cutting blades) at 40 times less expensive than other 3d printers, this could be revolutionary. The basic premise is simple. Like other fabrication technologies, the MCOR Matrix software slices the model into layers which, in this case, are the thickness of 20lb. office paper. It then cuts the profile of each layer out of the paper and uses a PVA-based adhesive to bond the layers together. From reading the FAQ, it sounds like the adhesive is applied much like an inkjet printer.
While this printer is still in development, it appears that it is close to coming to the market, unlike some other alternative fabricating technologies.
We have tried to break the current trend of system manufactures that follow the 2D printer market who on the one hand offer machines with ever reducing capital cost while on the other making 40-50% revenue on materials. The core material for the Mcor Matrix is paper (which is purchased by the end user) with the blade and adhesive supplied by Mcor Technologies at a volume discounted prices. The total cost of ownership, factoring in the consumables makes our system the best value for money in real costs.
