As we previously reported Next Dynamics announced they would be demonstrating their multi-material 3D printer in response to questions raised by Kickstarter backers.
Today Kickstarter pledges stand at €516,595 and 3D Printing Industry visited the company for a live demonstration. However, Next Dynamics did not have a 3D printer available.
Mounting red flags
A recent recruit to Next Dynamics, who had not seen an operational version of the 3D printer was surprised to learn that the company had a demonstration planned. This was despite the announcement by the company last week.
Furthermore, promises of sample prints and a streaming demo requested by backers on Kickstarter have not materialized. The red flags are increasingly growing around this project.
After failing to show up to demonstrate their 3D printer, I called a key member of the Next Dynamics to learn more. Alexander Straub is one of the directors of Next Dynamics and over the phone he explained that a demonstration will be rescheduled for later this week. This news is unlikely to please Kickstarter backers of the project who must take a decision about whether to fund the project by Thursday.
Kickstarter backers begin to get cold feet
The Kickstarter fund raising venture now has less than 4 days to run. A number of investors have already removed their backing from the project, citing a lack of transparency and concerns over the validity of Next Dynamics’ claims as reasons.
Straub tells me that the CEO of Make Magazine has witnessed a working version of the multi-material and PCB 3D printer. He says also that funding on Kickstarter has come entirely from people unconnected with the project.
At 3D Printing Industry we are keen to see the NexD1 in action as the claims for the 3D printer are substantial and it may yet be revealed that the company are using Kickstarter as a marketing platform to raise their profile. However, we are also aware that the promise of delivering a multi-material, full color, printed-circuit-board manufacturing inkjet based 3D printer is something that multinational enterprises are still struggling with.
We will bring you more news about Next Dynamics as we have it.
Featured image shows the space at Barclays Eagle Labs earlier today. The empty room where a day of events and live demonstrations of the machine was supposed to take place. Photo by Michael Petch.
