Lulzbot
= RepRap printers "committed to Free Software, Libre Innovation, and Open Source Hardware".
URL = https://www.lulzbot.com/
Description
DIDIY:
"The Lulzbot printers are developed by the small company Aleph Objects, Inc. which is committed to Free Software, Libre Innovation, and Open Source Hardware. Although the printers include some extruded aluminium railing and other mass-production components it still remains true to RepRap principles by having many components 3D printable. Due to its fully Open Source Hardware and Free Software design, the LulzBot has received the "Respects Your Freedom" certification from the Free Software Foundation. In addition, the Lulzbot printers are often used in open-source tool chains on open source projects." (http://www.didiy.eu/public/deliverables/didiy-d6.3-1.0-pub.pdf)
Characteristics
DIDIY:
Community
The development, assembly and use of the Lulzbot machines is facilitated by an online community forum, a project development platform (Phabricator). There is also the Open Hardware Assembly Instructions.
Licensing
“Aleph Objects, Inc. – Committed to Free Software, Libre Innovation, and Open Source Hardware LulzBot® and the LulzBot logo are registered trademarks of Aleph Objects, Inc. All site content, unless otherwise noted, is licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 International by Aleph Objects, Inc.”.
Some of the hardware designs are under the GNU GPLv3, while others are under a CC BY-SA license, all respecting the four freedoms.
The Lulzbot TAZ 6 3D printer is recognised by the Free Software Foundation with the “Respects Your Freedom” certification, the 10th product by Aleph Objects to receive this certification
The company encourages cloning: “For those wanting to use our hardware designs and/or software packages, Aleph Objects requires you to:
• Label the product as a clone. It must be clear that it is not a product from our factory.
• Note that "LulzBot is a registered trademark of Aleph Objects, Inc."
• Host your own copy of the source files on your own server or similar, even if they are unmodified. Do not just point to our existing source."
(http://www.didiy.eu/public/deliverables/didiy-d6.3-1.0-pub.pdf)
Business models
DIDIY:
Revenue models
• Sale of physical products built from the Open Source Hardware designs, spare parts, accessories and filament through their online store and a global network of distributors.
• Educational programme, exclusive bundle options, and more.
Modes of production
Aleph Objects produces a large part of their machines inhouse (intrafirm), buying some of the components on the market – such as the mass produced aluminium rails. R&D is led by the company, following a Libre Innovation model, where advances are both shared with and contributed by the wider Open Source Hardware and Free Software community." (http://www.didiy.eu/public/deliverables/didiy-d6.3-1.0-pub.pdf)
Indicators of impact
• Aleph Objects, Inc. ranked No. 122 on Inc. Magazine's 35th annual Inc. 500, a ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States. Aleph Objects achieved 2,782 percent three-year sales growth
• Google Incoming Links (lulzbot.com): 408.000.
• Alexa Global Rank (lulzbot.com): 105.551.
(http://www.didiy.eu/public/deliverables/didiy-d6.3-1.0-pub.pdf)
Governance models
DIDIY:
• The project is owned by the company Aleph Objects Inc., founded in 2011.
• All digital works produced by the project, as well as the underlying online platforms, are under free licenses and replication is actively encouraged."
(http://www.didiy.eu/public/deliverables/didiy-d6.3-1.0-pub.pdf)
More Information
- let us know about your project! Email information to