05-19-2014: MakerBot started shipping Replicator Mini
A tiny 3D printer that very few remembers anymore
On May 19, 2014 MakerBot – at that time the undisputed leader of the desktop 3D printer industry in the world, announced the start of shipments of the long-awaited Replicator Mini 3D printers. It was the first strictly consumer 3D printer in the company's history, containing all the most important achievements in FDM technology of that time.
The 3D printer had a closed build chamber, a self-leveling printbed, easy to dismantle "detachable" extruder and a video camera transmitting a view of the device's operation. Additionally, it worked via WiFi and had an automatic notification system about the end of 3D printing or a pause in the event of lack of filament.
On the other hand, the Replicator Mini had no heated bed and only worked with PLA. The build area was extremely small and was only 10 cm x 10 cm x 12.5 cm. However, the price was relatively high at $1,375.
Replicator Mini was part of a major product launch that took place at CES in Las Vegas in January 2014. Together with the tiny 3D printer, the Replicator 5th Generation and Z-18 debuted. Unfortunately, only the latter was positively received by the market, while the rest - in particular the infamous Replicator 5th Generation, first led to a great image crisis of MakerBot, then to pushing Bre Pettis into the shadow (and finally his departure from the company and the 3D printing industry in general), and eventually many years of searching for a new identity in a changing market.
Source: www.3dprint.com