05-10-2012: Michael Joyce launched a Kickstarter campaign for B9 Creator
It was the world’s first desktop-grade photopolymer 3D printer
On May 10, 2012, a crowdfunding campaign began on Kickstarter for the B9 Creator – a high-resolution 3D printer based on resin printing and powered by a modified and simplified DLP technology. The printer was developed by Michael Joyce, an engineer from South Dakota who, among other things, had worked on producing replicas of the B9 robot from the popular 1960s television show “Lost in Space,” which inspired the name of both the company and its products. Joyce initially applied for $50,000 in funding, but the campaign received such overwhelming interest that it ultimately raised $513,422 from 388 backers.
B9 Creator launched four months before the Formlabs Form 1 and was a true standout compared to the FFF-based projects dominating the desktop 3D printing scene at the time, such as MakerBot Replicator, Ultimaker, and Solidoodle, all rooted in the RepRap movement. The B9 Creator offered high resolution and precision, quickly earning recognition among jewelers, designers, and dental labs, significantly contributing to the development of the affordable DLP 3D printing segment for small businesses and craftsmen.
One of the key elements of B9 Creator's success was its technical architecture, which enabled high-quality prints while avoiding potential patent conflicts with then-dominant companies like 3D Systems and EnvisionTEC. Joyce designed the printer to use a DLP projector as the light source for curing resin, which differed from the proprietary technologies patented by those companies.
For example, EnvisionTEC used specialized projectors and patented technologies, such as an advanced peel-off mechanism, targeting high-end industrial applications. In contrast, the B9 Creator employed standard components, providing a cheaper but slightly less accurate alternative for hobbyists and professionals alike.
Following the success of the campaign, the company evolved into B9Creations, headquartered in Rapid City, South Dakota, and began developing new models of 3D printers and light-curable resins for professional and industrial use. Michael Joyce initially served as the technical lead and CEO of the company but gradually stepped back from day-to-day operations.
Today, B9Creations is led by CEO Shon Anderson, under whose leadership the company continues to expand in the field of high-precision additive technologies. The firm now focuses on sectors such as medical, aerospace, and jewelry manufacturing, offering complete production solutions based on proprietary hardware and materials.
Source: www.kickstarter.com
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