At the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas printer manufacturer 3D Systems has launched the first "consumer" 3D printer that isn't a kit, nor prohibitively expensive.

(Click the images below for full sized images)

3D printing is the process whereby a digital file, a 3D drawing created using a computer, can be created physically using a process that builds the item layer by thin layer with a plastic material. The Cube 3D Printer is expected to go on sale sometime over the next few months for a reported $1299 USD. Plastic refill cartridges, available in 10 colors, will sell for $50 each.

The printer is 14 x 14 x 18 inches, weighs less than nine pounds, and can print approximately 10 to 12 "average size" parts.

The Cube 3D Printer wasn't the only thing launched by 3D Systems at CES, also launched was the beta Cubify.com platform where, using downloadable 3D apps, users can access 3D printable content - libraries of games, puzzles and object collections - that can be downloaded, modified and used to print objects.

Once modified, 3D files can then be printed on the Cube 3D Printer or sent back to Cubify.com for 3D printing and physically shipped back to the user.

Per Cubify.com, "Cubify™ turns your mobile device, tablet or Kinects(R) into a powerful mobile digital canvas to unleash your creativity and bring your ideas to life in 3D."

Cubify is also an ecommerce platform on which designs and printed products can be sold, some Freedom of Creation designs are already available on Cubify. Software developers are also welcome to create and sell 3D apps.

+ 3dsystems.com
+ cubify.com