Want an Ember 3D Printer? Now You Can Build One Yourself!

Autodesk has released the firmware and electronics for their high resolution resin 3D printer, the Ember. 

The Ember, if you recall, is a “reference” 3D printer produced by Autodesk to promote their Spark initiative. Spark is a “Free and open platform for building 3D printing software, hardware, materials and services”. It’s a collection of protocols and definitions that could enable anyone to build elements within a cohesive 3D printing ecosystem – and expect interoperability. 

The Ember is an real 3D printer built using those protocols to demonstrate that the system actually works. It’s a very capable 3D printer, too, able to produce incredibly detailed prints. You can buy one (or two, the maximum they’re permitting per order these days) for USD$5,995. 

If that price is too high for you, there’s now another option: build the Ember yourself! Autodesk has now released not only the mechanical designs for the machine, but now also the firmware and electronics. 

This permits anyone to attempt to build their own Ember – or, more likely modify the firmware or electronics on an existing Ember to develop new performance properties or unusual features. 

We believe Autodesk is open sourcing this material to further grow the Spark ecosystem by encouraging people to get involved and commit to making software and hardware using their standards. It’s a good thing for Autodesk, as it provides another link to their company from users, but it’s also a good thing for users who might be able to make some very interesting hardware and services using the Spark platform. 

Via Autodesk Ember