French startup and& is making waves in the world of additive manufacturing with the launch of its first 3D printer, designed to be both affordable and user-friendly. With a mission to democratize 3D printing, the company is targeting a broad audience—from curious beginners to experienced makers—by offering a compact, plug-and-play device that simplifies the entire printing process.
Affordable 3D Printing for Everyone
Founded in 2022 by a team of engineers and designers, and& (pronounced “and and”) aims to remove the barriers that have traditionally kept 3D printing out of reach for many. Their debut product, simply called the and& printer, is priced at €599 and is designed to be as intuitive as possible. The printer is currently available for pre-order, with deliveries expected to begin in September 2024.
Unlike many entry-level 3D printers that require technical know-how and manual calibration, the and& printer is designed to work straight out of the box. It features automatic bed leveling, a touchscreen interface, and a guided setup process that makes it easy for users to get started within minutes. The printer also comes with a curated library of ready-to-print objects, allowing users to begin printing without needing to design their own models.
Design and Technical Specifications
The and& printer is compact and stylish, making it suitable for home, school, or office environments. It uses Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology, the most common 3D printing method, which builds objects layer by layer using thermoplastic filament. The printer supports PLA and PETG filaments, which are both easy to use and environmentally friendly.
Key specifications include:
- Build volume: 180 x 180 x 180 mm
- Layer resolution: 100 microns
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi and USB
- Touchscreen interface
- Automatic bed leveling
In addition to its hardware, and& offers a companion mobile app that allows users to monitor prints remotely, access tutorials, and download new models from the cloud-based library. This ecosystem approach is designed to make 3D printing more accessible and enjoyable for users of all skill levels.
Empowering Creativity Through Additive Manufacturing
and&’s mission goes beyond selling hardware. The startup wants to foster a community of makers, educators, and hobbyists who can share ideas and projects. To that end, the company is developing educational content and workshops aimed at schools and creative professionals. By lowering the cost and complexity of 3D printing, and& hopes to inspire a new generation of creators.
“We believe that 3D printing should be as easy and intuitive as using a smartphone,” said one of the co-founders in a recent interview. “Our goal is to make this technology accessible to everyone, not just engineers or tech enthusiasts.”
The company is also committed to sustainability. The printer’s components are designed for easy repair and recycling, and the packaging is made from recycled materials. and& is exploring partnerships with filament manufacturers to offer eco-friendly material options in the future.
The Growing Market for Desktop 3D Printers
The launch of the and& printer comes at a time when the desktop 3D printing market is experiencing renewed growth. According to market research firm Statista, the global 3D printing market is expected to reach $37.2 billion by 2026, driven by increased adoption in education, prototyping, and small-scale manufacturing.
While established brands like Prusa, Creality, and Bambu Lab dominate the market, there is still room for innovation—especially in the area of user experience. By focusing on simplicity, design, and community, and& is carving out a niche for itself among newcomers and casual users who may have been intimidated by more complex machines.
As the company prepares to ship its first units later this year, it will be interesting to see how the market responds to this fresh take on desktop 3D printing. If successful, and& could help usher in a new era of accessible, creative manufacturing for all.
Source: The Connexion
