Arriving at Staples, Will 3D Printers Go Mainstream Now? (Video)

Simple consumer-grade 3D printers seem to become increasingly ubiquitous, signified by Staples.com's announcement that they will start selling the entry-level model 'The Cube', made by 3D-printing heavy-weight 3D Systems. It will hit many retailer brick-and-mortar stores by June.

While these devices are typically used in industrial prototyping, a recent "maker" movement is hoping to slowly popularize the item so that it can be seen at in everyday homes. This becomes much more likely now, since the price for a simple 3D printer recently dipped below $1000. And just like laser printer were once several thousand dollar devices, the prices for 3D printers are dropping fast -- and soon you could actually use a 3D printer to make most of the parts required for many more 3D printers, and any other device actually.

The Cube, like other 3D printers, is a machine that creates physical, three-dimensional objects from plastic. The printer uses a digital design file as a blueprint, then builds the item layer by layer with plastic powder or liquid. Users can print anything they can design, including action figures, iPhone docks and coffee cup holders.

According to their website, the Cube can print items up to five-and-a-half inches tall, wide and long in 16 different colors, and it comes packaged with 25 design templates.

George Young, a partner at 3D Systems shareholder Villere & Co., said the Staples announcement validates 3D Systems' mission, "because they've been saying their technology can cover all ends of the spectrum -- from manufacturing lines to consumers' homes. And a retailer like Staples is obviously cognizant about what their customers want."

However, the company faces several competitors, as 3D printers are not new.

Want to see 3D printing in action? Check out this video, courtesy of YouTube.