News Chocolate 3D Printer, Cocoa Press, to Ship this Fall for $1,499. Pre-Orders Start in April.

[Admin]

Instead of outputting in plastic, this printer builds models that you can eat. Pre-orders will start in April.

Chocolate 3D Printer, Cocoa Press, to Ship this Fall for $1,499. Pre-Orders Start in April. : Read more

 

[Endymio]

Not a bad price for the printer itself ... but at $320/lb for the chocolate feedstock, I can't see myself printing many things to eat.

 

[TechieTwo]

I mean seriously why would anyone buy one of these printers? Maybe if it could print the money to pay for itself otherwise it's a bad joke IMO.

 

[USAFRet]

I mean seriously why would anyone buy one of these printers? Maybe if it could print the money to pay for itself otherwise it's a bad joke IMO.

A cake or chocolate shop.

A couple decades ago, I helped a friend set up a Sweet Art printer.
https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2000-03-20-0003200293-story.html

Print near photo quality pics on a cake.
The grocery store paid $4k+, in 1998 dollars.

 

[Endymio]

A cake or chocolate shop.

A couple decades ago, I helped a friend set up a Sweet Art printer...

The edible dyes used in those cakes cost next to nothing. But when the source material for your chocolate creations is this pricey, your market is going to be -extremely- limited. Most shops need a 300-400% markup over the cost of raw materials to turn a profit, and not many customers want to pay $1,000 for a pound of chocolate.

 

[LolaGT]

This is one of the dumbest things ever, but I'm sure we have no shortage of dumb people that will buy a few.

There is no accounting for stupidity.

 

[GreyOmega]

The edible dyes used in those cakes cost next to nothing. But when the source material for your chocolate creations is this pricey, your market is going to be -extremely- limited. Most shops need a 300-400% markup over the cost of raw materials to turn a profit, and not many customers want to pay $1,000 for a pound of chocolate.

The first video in the article at the 2:30 mark covers about the chocolate cores used by the machine, and they said that people can use their own chocolate with the machines, and that they will work to make instructions for people to be able to use their own chocolate. They also commented that for shops that wish to use their own chocolate with the machine, that they will work with them to provide them the information so they can make their own chocolate cores.

 

[Endymio]

The first video in the article at the 2:30 mark covers about the chocolate cores used by the machine, and they said that people can use their own chocolate with the machines, and that they will work to make instructions for people to be able to use their own chocolate. They also commented that for shops that wish to use their own chocolate with the machine, that they will work with them to provide them the information so they can make their own chocolate cores.

Excellent information, thanks. I imagine the chocolate is required to have a specific viscosity at a particular temperature, so a certain degree of blending will normally be required, in addition to forming the core itself.

This is one of the dumbest things ever

You've never eaten chocolate -- or any other food item -- shaped in a specific manner other than an simple amorphous blob? This is a fantastic option for a small confectionary shop ... and if the price drops any further, I'm sure quite a few hobbyist's will consider one for the sheer fun of it.

 

[PEnns]

Well, now I have a solid reason to buy one!!

I could imagine some pastry shops making truly elaborate wedding cakes with it!!

 

[PEnns]

The edible dyes used in those cakes cost next to nothing. But when the source material for your chocolate creations is this pricey, your market is going to be -extremely- limited. Most shops need a 300-400% markup over the cost of raw materials to turn a profit, and not many customers want to pay $1,000 for a pound of chocolate.

Indeed. But there are some fat cats and spoiled rich brats who spend a small a fortune on cakes, especially their wedding cakes.

 

[deNameMo]

This is one of the dumbest things ever, but I'm sure we have no shortage of dumb people that will buy a few.

There is no accounting for stupidity.

If people are willing to spend more than a thousand dollars for a piece of electronics (GPU) then I'm there's a large pool of customers for this...