Popular Mechanics awarded 3D Systems a 2012 Breakthrough Award for the company's Cube(R) the first 3D printer designed for the consumer. The POPULAR MECHANICS Breakthrough Awards, now in their eighth year, recognize the innovators and products that have dramatically advanced the fields of technology, medicine, space exploration, automotive design, environmental engineering and more. 3D Systems and other winners were honored at an invitation-only conference and gala awards ceremony in New York City on October 4, and will be in the November issue of POPULAR MECHANICS, available on newsstands October 16.
"We are deeply honored to have been selected for this prestigious award. Cube has really captured the imagination of the consumer and we are delighted with the overwhelming response to this exciting 'plug and print' 3D printer for the home," said Abe Reichental, President and CEO of 3D Systems.
The Cube printer is packed with consumer friendly features starting with its contemporary design and tablet like, touch screen ease of use. Consumer print ready and compact, this color 3D printer fits into any room in the house and at less than 9 pounds, is extremely portable. The EZ Load cartridge offers hours of 3D printing enjoyment for consumers,in a rainbow of compelling colors and immediate access to 50 free printable creations. The Cube(R) printer comes with a membership to Cubify.com, the ultimate online 3D destination for consumers, artists and developers.
"We are once again excited to recognize this year's list of incredible honorees for their role in shaping the future," says James B. Meigs, editor-in-chief of POPULAR MECHANICS. "From a featherweight metal to the world's fastest and most electrically efficient supercomputer, this year's winners embody the creative spirit that the Breakthrough Awards were founded upon."
A full list of winners can be found here: www.popularmechanics.com.
Past recipients of the Breakthrough Awards include James Cameron,genomics pioneer J. Craig Venter, efficiency expert Amory Lovins, inventor and FIRST Robotics founder Dean Kamen, and humanitarian engineer Amy Smith.
POPULAR MECHANICS' Breakthrough Awards are given in two categories:
Innovators, whose inventions will make the world smarter, safer and more efficient in the years to come, and products, which are setting benchmarks in design and engineering today.
Follow the 2012 Breakthrough Awards @PopMech, #BTA2012.