Aleph Objects: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 00:45, 18 December 2020

Revision as of 19:01, 7 January 2021

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The company is most well known for its '''LulzBot''' 3D printer product line, which although using some extruded aluminum railing and other mass-production components still remains true to [[RepRap]] principles by having many components 3D printable.<ref>Pîrjan, A., & Petroşanu, D. M. (2013). The impact of 3d printing technology on the society and economy. ''Journal of Information Systems & Operations Management'', 7(2), 360-370.</ref>

Due to its fully [[open source hardware]] and [[open source software]] design, the [https://www.machinerycritic.com/3d-printers/lulzbot-taz-6-review LulzBot Taz 6] has received "Respects Your Freedom" certification from the [[Free Software Foundation]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gay|first1=Joshua|title=Aleph Objects|url=http://www.fsf.org/resources/hw/endorsement/aleph-objects|website=fsf.org|publisher=Free Software Foundation, Inc.|accessdate=2 April 2015|date=29 Apr 2013}}</ref> In addition, the Lulzbot printers are often used in open-source tool chains on open source projects. For example, [[Superior Enzymes]] used a LulzBot TAZ in fabricating an open source photometer for [[nitrate]] testing.<ref>Wittbrodt BT, Squires DA, Walbeck J, Campbell E, Campbell WH, Pearce JM. (2015) [https://www.academia.edu/14702947/Open-Source_Photometric_System_for_Enzymatic_Nitrate_Quantification Open-Source Photometric System for Enzymatic Nitrate Quantification]. ''PLoS ONE'' '''10'''(8): e0134989. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0134989</ref> Similarly, Lulzbot 3D printers are used in projects to create low-cost prosthetic hands.<ref>Zisimatos, A. G., Liarokapis, M. V., Mavrogiannis, C. I., Kontoudis, G. P., & Kyriakopoulos, K. J. How to Create Affordable, Modular, Light-Weight, Underactuated, Compliant Robot Hands. [https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Minas_Liarokapis/publication/270162328_How_to_Create_Affordable_Modular_Light-Weight_Underactuated_Compliant_Robot_Hands/links/54a423d90cf257a636071d45.pdf PDF] </ref>

Due in a large part to relative ease of maintenance and use, Lulzbot printers are one of several desktop 3D printers have been recommended for libraries by reviewers.<ref>Griffey, J. (2014). 3-D Printers for Libraries. ''Library Technology Reports'', 50(5), 1.</reF>

In its 2014 ''Ultimate Guide to 3D Printing'' special issue, [[Make Magazine]] awarded the Lulzbot TAZ "best documentation" of all the hobbyist-grade 3D printers that were tested.<ref>{{cite web|title=MAKE's 3D Printer Testing Results|url=http://makezine.com/magazine/guide-to-3d-printing-2014/3d-printer-overview-how-they-compare/|website=makezine.com|publisher=Maker Media, Inc|accessdate=15 April 2015|date=8 November 2013}}</ref> The TAZ 5 is also rated higher than any other 3D printer on 3D Forged's list of best 3D printers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://3dforged.com/best-3d-printers/|title=The Best 3D Printers for 2016 {{!}} 3D Forged|website=3D Forged|language=en-US|access-date=2016-04-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407140223/http://3dforged.com/best-3d-printers/|archive-date=2016-04-07|url-status=dead}}</ref> On June 15, 2014, a film crew from the Canadian-produced television show ''[[How It's Made]]'' visited the company's headquarters in Loveland, Colorado. There, they filmed a segment featuring the LulzBot TAZ 4 3D printer, which aired in an episode of ''How It's Made'' on [[The Discovery Channel]] in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Krassenstein|first1=Brian|title=Aleph Objects' LulzBot 3D Printers to be Featured on 'How It's Made' TV Show|url=http://3dprint.com/9037/3d-printer-how-its-made/|website=3dprint.com|publisher=3DPrint.com|accessdate=18 April 2015|date=13 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Aleph Objects' Aleph Objects' LulzBot 3D Printers Featured on How It's Made|url=https://www.lulzbot.com/blog/aleph-objects-lulzbot-3d-printers-featured-how-its-made|website=lulzbot.com|publisher=Aleph Objects, Inc.|accessdate=18 April 2015}}</ref>

On May 17, 2016, LulzBot released the TAZ 6, which featured such upgrades as, automated bed-leveling, automated nozzle cleaning, and an enclosed power supply, as well as improved firmware, support for new filament materials, a better heat sink, and more. In 3DForged.com's review of the TAZ 6, Brent Hale called the TAZ 6 "the best overall 3D printer I have ever used."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://3dforged.com/lulzbot-taz-6-review/|title=LulzBot Taz 6 Review {{!}} 3D Forged|date=2016-05-17|website=3D Forged|language=en-US|access-date=2016-05-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160518060647/http://3dforged.com/lulzbot-taz-6-review/|archive-date=2016-05-18|url-status=dead}}</ref> However it was the less expensive model, the LulzBot Mini 2 that was named Best Intermediate Printer of the Year for 2019 by Tom's Guide. The Mediahq agreed, naming the Lulzbot Mini 2 the best 3D printer for enthusiasts in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-3d-printers,review-2236.html|title=Best Home 3D Printers 2019 - Reviews for Beginners and Enthusiasts|date=2019-10-21|website=The Mediahq|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-22}}</ref>

LulzBot expanded its innovation in the field of 3D printing by using [[collagen]], as collagen makes up every single tissue in the human body. In summer 2019, [[Carnegie Mellon University]] created a functional 3D printed human heart tissue utilizing LulzBot's "FRESH" process.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://science.sciencemag.org/content/365/6452/482 |title=3D bioprinting of collagen to rebuild components of the human heart |date=August 2, 2019 |website=sciencemag.org |accessdate=2020-11-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lulzbot.com/learn/announcements/new-bioprinting-advancements-create-functional-heart-tissue |title=New Bioprinting Advancements Create Functional Heart Tissue |website=lulzbot.com |date=August 14, 2019 |accessdate=2020-11-17}}</ref> On November 2020, Carnegie Mellon announced they were able to print a full-sized heart made out of alginate.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lulzbot.com/learn/case-studies/3d-printing-human-heart |title=3D Printing a Human Heart |website=lulzbot.com |date=November 11, 2020 |accessdate=2020-11-17}}</ref>

On October 2019, due to cash flow problems, the company laid off 91 out of its 113 employees.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reporterherald.com/2019/10/11/lovelands-aleph-objects-undergoes-significant-reduction-of-staff/ |title=Loveland's Aleph Objects lays off 80 percent of employees |date=October 11, 2019 |website=reporterherald.com |accessdate=2020-11-17}}</ref>