Carbon Launches New M3 and M3 Max 3D Printers

Carbon Unveils Next-Generation 3D Printers: M3 and M3 Max

Carbon, a leading innovator in 3D printing, has introduced its latest 3D printing systems, the Carbon M3 and M3 Max. These new printers are designed for advanced prototyping and manufacturing applications and are offered through subscription-based packages, incorporating numerous enhancements over prior models.

Enhanced Print Experience and Capabilities

A key improvement across the new product line is a streamlined printer experience, providing enhanced control over the printing process and minimizing potential failure points. The printers boast an expanded design space, enabling the creation of parts with geometries previously unattainable, and facilitating the production of stronger, more complex components.

Optimized thermal management – encompassing both heating and heat dissipation – allows for faster print speeds. Furthermore, increased resolution delivers smoother parts and greater precision in 3D-printed surface finishes. The systems also demonstrate improved print repeatability, ensuring consistent results across multiple prints.

M3 Max: Expanded Build Volume

The M3 Max printer features a significantly larger build area – double that of the M3 – while maintaining the same pixel size and density. This makes the M3 Max particularly well-suited for producing larger individual parts or a greater quantity of smaller components.

Pricing Strategy

The company is deliberately reserved regarding the pricing of the new printers, likely due to its focus on enterprise-level sales and maximizing revenue potential.

According to Rob L’Heureux, Carbon’s director of product marketing, “Carbon offers industrial-class printers, with the M1 starting around $2,100 monthly, billed annually, with a 36-month commitment.” He emphasizes that pricing is tailored to individual customer needs, stating, “We first assess what our customers aim to achieve and recommend the most appropriate device.” Generally, the cost per part decreases as system size and capability increase.

Investment and Industrial Application

Considering the pricing structure, a three-year commitment to the older-generation printer equates to approximately $75,000. This positions these printers as serious industrial tools, rather than consumer-level devices for hobbyist projects.

Philip DeSimone, Carbon’s chief product officer and chief business development officer, notes that reducing the cost per part expands the total addressable market. However, he acknowledges that 3D printing will not immediately replace injection molding for high-volume, low-cost items. “We won’t compete on price with injection molding for plastic forks, spoons, or K-Cups,” he clarifies.

Ideal Use Cases

These printers are particularly valuable in environments requiring rapid manufacturing, frequent design iterations, or customized products. Examples include the $450 Specialized bike saddles tailored to individual anatomy, and Adidas’ custom 3D-printed “4D” footwear series.

DeSimone highlights the challenges of traditional manufacturing, stating, “Obtaining an injection-molded tool for an electrical connector can cost $500,000 and take six to eight months.” He argues that 3D printing accelerates this process, even if it only shortens the time to production tooling.

Printer Utilization and Efficiency

A primary driver for adopting Carbon’s technology is maximizing printer utilization. An idle printer represents a financial loss.

“We frequently observe additive facilities with underutilized printers,” says DeSimone. “Our goal is to ensure these printers are consistently in use. We currently achieve an industry-leading average of 40+ print hours per week per machine across our entire customer base.” He adds that the new generation of printers, combined with Carbon’s Design Engine software and DLS materials, empowers design teams to create high-quality prototypes with end-use performance more quickly and efficiently.

Evolution of the M-Series

The M-series printers have been available since the launch of the M1 in 2016. While the M1 remains in production, the new M3 offers significant improvements for specific prototyping and production needs.

M3 Enhancements: User Experience and Technology

The M3 features a significantly improved user experience, including a touchscreen interface for enhanced usability. The M3 Max is the first 3D printer to utilize a 4K DLP light engine, nearly doubling the build envelope while maintaining the same resolution and print speed.

“Historically, increasing print size has compromised accuracy, speed, and consistency,” explains DeSimone. “We’re excited to launch printers that overcome these limitations, delivering a larger build area without sacrificing performance.”

Increased Print Speed

The Carbon team is particularly proud of the print speed improvements in the M3 series, achieved through innovative technologies.

DeSimone explains, “The printers are faster due to ‘force feedback’ technology. Previously, print optimization relied on manual scripting. Now, a highly sensitive sensor on the build platform monitors suction forces during the z-axis movement. If increased suction is detected, the printer automatically slows down, creating a closed-loop feedback system for optimal printing speed.”

“A redesigned window technology is the second key feature. Thermal control is crucial for material printing; some materials benefit from cooling, while others require heating to reduce viscosity,” DeSimone continues. “This allows us to optimize the print process in ways previously impossible. The ability to both dissipate and add heat significantly contributes to the speed improvements.”