14 DAY TRIAL // Like all products, 3D printers sell solo, although sometimes they may be packaged with a second extruder or some other type of accessory. MakerBot decided there was a market for dual-3D printer bundles though.
MakerBot was one of the biggest names on the 3D printing market well before Stratasys decided to buy the outfit entirely, for the price of $604M / €455M.
Even now, the name continues to gather Steam, and it will probably do so for a long while, if not forever (or however long the 3D printing segment, as we know it, continues to exist).
It's all because the company was among the first to offer a consumer-ready 3D printer, in the Replicator series, and has continued to do so for years.
Right now, the Replicator is in its fifth iteration, which is why it is known as the 5th Generation MakerBot Replicator model. Most of MakerBot's other printers bear the same moniker though, like the Replicator Z18 intended for small and large businesses.
Why did we specify those two precise models, you may ask? Because MakerBot has decided to sell both of them as part of a single package.
You will still be able to buy them separately, but getting the bundle will help you save $400 / €297 - €400, as that is the discount that the company offers for the pair.
Replicator Z18 is actually the biggest of MakerBot's printers, while the 5th Generation Replicator is on the smaller, low-key side, though not to the level of Replicator Mini.
Here is a more precise comparison: the MakerBot Z18 has a build volume of 305 x 305 x 457 mm / 12.0 x 12.0 x 18.0 inches, while the MakerBot Replicator 5th Generation is limited to 252 x 199 x 150 mm / 9.9 x 7.8 x 5.9 inches.
Normally, to get both of them you would have to fork up $9,298 / €6,924, but the new discount will let you buy them for $8,998 / €,701.
Not much use for the common man, but quite convenient for businesses that may want more than one 3D printer, and not necessarily large ones for every office. The similar build quality is an advantage too (1.75 mm filament, 320 x 240 pixels camera , 2.5 micron Z positioning, 11 micron XY positioning).
Unfortunately, the discount offer only lasts until August 31, so if you're a business owner and you were thinking of adding 3D printing to your company's arsenal, now might be a good time to buy a couple or more of these things.