3D Printers

NFire Labs Launches Modular Delta 3D Printer on Kickstarter

With the desktop 3D printer boom seemingly peaking at some point in 2013, one would expect the flood of low-cost manufacturers to have subsided, leaving the market to be dominated by local manufacturers and large brands. However, the NFire 1 now launched on Kickstarter would indicate otherwise.

nfire 1 3d printer

The NFire 1 from UK-based NFire Labs is a delta 3D printer, billing itself as “the worlds first truly modular 3D Printer”, though other manufacturers of modular machines might disagree. What makes it modular, in addition to the ability to swap out the extruder, is the extendable size of the NFire 1. With new aluminum extrusions, the NFire 1 can be doubled in size from the standard build volume of 150mm x 150mm x 150mm to 150mm x 150mm x 300mm.

nfire 1 3d printer 3D print cyclops hotend

Other features of the machine are the use of the E3D V6 Lite hotend that can reach 245°C and can be swapped out for the E3D Cyclops, allowing for dual extrusion. Its modularity also extends into the NFire 1’s aesthetic, with the printer available with acrylic paneling in Black and White, Sapphire Blue, Jade Green, Chilli Red, Saffron Yellow, and Crystal Clear Standard Frosted colors; Slate Grey, Earth Brown, Aurora Violet, Azure Blue, Mandarin Orange, Citrus Yellow, Polar White and Blush Pink Premium Frosted colors; and Neptune Blue, Celestial Blue, Acid Green, Helios Yellow, Lava Orange and Mars Red Fluorescent colors. In the future, the company seeks to add such options as a heated build plate, improved firmware/software, and a 3D scanner built into the device.

nfire 1 3d printer colors

With a lack of now-standard features, such as auto-bed leveling and an all-metal hotend, seen on many second generation 3D printers, it’s hard to see what NFire offers to the community.  The printer does have a relatively low price point, starting in the mid-$300 for super early bird kits and $544 for the standard kit.  What may be most interesting about the NFire 1 is its partnership with Floreon, a large bioplastics company that has recently released its own brand of PLA suggested to be four times stronger than other PLAs.  NFire Labs will be shipping one spool of Floreaon PLA with every printer.

nfire 1 3d printer 3D print

Unless NFire Labs proves their printer to be a phenomenal machine overall, the company’s best market maybe the local one, with UK residents seeing customer service provided just around the bend and supporting locally manufacturers.  And, for this reason, it’s important not to rule the NFire 1 out.