New Matter MOD-t 3D Printer Review: Low Cost, User-Friendly Creation

3D printers have come a long way since our first round-up review in 2012. This exciting technology has created everything from toys to running shoes, to prostheses for amputees. Is 3D printing, however, practical in a home office or in a classroom use case? The New Matter MOD-t 3D printer claims to be the most user-friendly printer ever and is supposedly “designed for 3D printing beginners and enthusiasts alike.” Is this device, however, something that truly belongs in your home office or a teacher’s classroom? Naturally, that's what we're here to find out.

First, what is 3D printing and how is it accomplished? 3D printing or “additive manufacturing” is the process of making three dimensional objects from digital files. In an “additive process,” an object is created by laying down successive layers of material using thinly sliced horizontal cross-sections of the computer generated model, creating a physical replica.

New Matter MOD-t 3D Printer Specifications & Features

Size	383 x 340 x 295 mm
Weight	12.5 lbs (5 kg)
Power Consumption	No more than 80 Watts (100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz)
Build Envelope	150 x 100 x 125mm
Nozzle Diameter	0.4 mm
Print Material	1.75mm-thick PLA filament
Ethernet	N/A
Wireless Connectivity	Wireless-AC
Operating Systems	OS X 10.7+, Windows 7+
File Compatibility	.STL and .OBJ
Pricing	$399 USD - Find it at Amazon

---

Not all 3D printers use the same technology. Some printers soften or melt materials in order to produce layers. Others cure a photo-reactive resin with a UV laser or a similar power source one layer at a time. Overall there are at least seven different types of 3D printing processes, according to the American Society for Testing and Materials and the Standard Terminology for Additive Manufacturing Technologies.

Here's a quick video of the Mod-t in action.... 


The New Matter MOD-t 3D printer was originally funded through Indiegogo. It was a collaboration between New Matter, a 3D printer startup from Pasadena, California, and frog, a global design and strategy firm. The project raised $683,804 USD or 182% of the campaign’s original request by July 2014. The printer is currently available for $399 USD at a number of stores including, Staples, Best Buy, Kohl’s, Toys R’ Us, and several other retailers, as well as Amazon.

Let's dive in for a closer look at the MOD-t 3D printer...