Betty the Makerbot at SFD Wellington

Software Freedom Day Wellington has a very special guest this year: Betty.

BETTY is a 3D printer, a fine example of a batch 13 “Cupcake” CNC 3D Printer, actually.

Basically, 3D printers turn virtual (computer) models of things into real, physical objects. There are all sorts of different ways to do this. BETTY does it by squeezing out a strand of hot plastic, and building up lots of thin layers. In this way, you can create any object you can imagine and construct in 3D..

Cupcake CNC printers have a usuable print area about 100mm square, by about 130mm high. The name comes from the fact that this is roughly the size of a cupcake. Hence, BETTY make “cupcakes”. To date, BETTY hasnt printed an actual cupcake, but that’s not to say it can’t be done.

BETTY will be demonstrating opensource 3D printing live at SFD Wellington!

For a limited number of SFD attendees, we will be able to 3D print files they supply. These very special people will be able to leave with their original Makerprint print on the day!

Anyone interested will need to supply contact details, and an STL file of their object to: requests@bettymakescupcakes.com

Visit bettymakescupcakes.com for some background info, and tips for printing.