Fab at Home
Open-source multi-material syringe-based 3D printer platform enabling direct fabrication of functional objects like batteries, sensors, and bioprinted materials on a desktop.
- CEO / Founder
- Hod Lipson (co-creator)
- Team Size
- 1-10
- Stage
- Defunct
Technology & Products
Key Products
Fab@Home Model 1 printer; Fab@Home Model 2 printer; Fab@Home Model 3 printer; Fab@School variant; Fab@Home software/control application
Technological Advantage
Open-source platform (no proprietary patents) allowed rapid adoption and modification, accelerating the consumer 3D printing revolution; syringe-based method provided material versatility unmatched by early proprietary printers.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Democratizes 3D printing by providing a low-cost, hackable, open-source platform that accelerates innovation and migration into consumer/small-scale applications.
How They Differentiate
Multi-material syringe-based deposition vs. single-material extrusion (MakerBot/Ultimaker) or limited-material RepRap; open-source vs. proprietary early competitors; focused on functional/novel material printing vs. plastic prototyping.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Academic researchers, hobbyists, and educators in the Maker/DIY community
Industry Verticals
Education; Research; Consumer/DIY
Competitors
RepRap; MakerBot; Ultimaker
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Project closed in 2012 after achieving goal of democratizing 3D printing; was one of the first two open-source DIY 3D printers in the world; credited with sparking the consumer 3D printing revolution; influenced first MakerBot Replicator design in 2009
Major Milestones
2006: Launch of Fab@Home Model 1, first open-source multi-material 3D printer; 2009: Influenced first MakerBot Replicator design; 2012: Project closed after achieving goal of democratizing 3D printing
Notable Customers
Academic researchers (e.g., Cornell, Columbia); Hobbyists/DIY community members