As we shared with you in our last newsletter, Desktop Factory will thoroughly test our 3D printer before we begin full commercial launch in late 2007/early 2008. One of the final stages of that testing regimen is external customer beta. It is vitally important to get feedback from your customers every step of the way when developing a new product or technology. While there are many benefits to this type of customer interaction; improved features, accurate positioning, etc., perhaps the most important benefit is a successful product introduction. This is why it is essential to select your early customers with care. It is our good fortune to have Art Center College of Design as our very first beta customer.
Art Center College of Design agreed to participate in the testing of Desktop Factory because they use additive fabrication technologies throughout their curricula. They believe that the ability to augment existing 3D printing and additive fabrication systems with new, low cost technology will further enable undergraduate and graduate students to offer creative solutions to real-world issues. As Dr. A. Michael Berman notes, "At Art Center, we represent the cutting edge of design, and we strive to bring our students the newest and best technology. We're pleased that Desktop Factory has chosen us as a partner to advance 3D printing technology into a new and exciting realm."
The Desktop Factory 3D printer was installed on July 23, 2007 and immediately began to print a part. We look forward to their feedback and suggestions over the next few months.
ABOUT ART CENTER COLLEGE OF DESIGN
Since its founding in 1930, Art Center College of Design (www.artcenter.edu) has been a global leader in art and design education whose graduates have had a profound impact on society and the way we live. Following its design-oriented service to the United Nations and other non-profit agencies, Art Center is also the first design school to receive Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) status. Located in Pasadena, California, Art Center offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in a wide variety of art and design disciplines, as well as public programs for all ages and levels of experience.
RECENT NEWS & UPCOMING EVENTS
We have been very busy and extremely focused since the last newsletter. The media impact from our New York Times article on May 7th continued into June and July, so we have listed a number of the links and write ups for you to peruse.
We did refresh our website — as many of you have continued to ask about our 3D printed output. Some of you have been curious about the types of geometries that can be fabricated with the Desktop Factory 3D printer. Others have been more concerned about surface texture and the ability to finish the 3D objects once rendered. No matter what your interest, please go to our product page and look at the various examples of parts, tools and toys...and don't forget to visit our photo gallery.
We have been preparing a product specification brochure for the Desktop Factory 3D printer. However, we think it will be more powerful and complete with direct customer input. Please bear with us as we postpone this important deliverable until we have 60 to 90 days of solid customer interaction.
In September we have been invited to participate in Wired Magazine's NextFest exhibit. Each year, Wired leverages this venue to unveil exciting new technologies and inventions to the press and the public. It is truly an honor to have been asked to showcase Desktop Factory at NextFest, September 13 through 15 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in downtown LA. For those of you who are local or, if you are in the LA area on business or vacation — we hope to see you at NextFest!
WE ARE GETTING CLOSER!
As I wrap up this newsletter to you I want to thank our many supporters and customers for your ongoing interest and encouragement. As of today we have over 3700 registrants on our website, from all over the globe and every industry imaginable, waiting for information on acquiring or distributing our exciting 3D printing system.
The team is pleased to have achieved this important milestone — the delivery of our first external customer beta printer. But we know that we need to continue to set the right level of expectation for you relative to the general availability of the Desktop Factory 3D printer. We believe that beta testing will expand to additional customers over the next few months. As our printer continues to perform well outside of our lab we can move closer to commercial launch, in late 2007/early 2008.
We have over 275 early orders that we will prioritize for first deliveries and we will begin to accept new orders over the next several weeks. Thanks again for your support of our mission — affordable 3D printing for the masses. If you have questions or comments, please post them to our website and I will continue to respond within 24 hours. I have encountered some issues with spam software and incorrect phone numbers or email addresses — so if you do not receive a response in 36 hours — please send another inquiry or contact us by phone at 626-229-3190.
Cathy Lewis
CEO
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We have been very busy and extremely focused since the last newsletter. The media impact from our New York Times article on May 7th continued into June and July, so we have listed a number of the 
In September we have been invited to participate in Wired Magazine's 
As I wrap up this newsletter to you I want to thank our many supporters and customers for your ongoing interest and encouragement. As of today we have over 3700 registrants on our website, from all over the globe and every industry imaginable, waiting for information on acquiring or distributing our exciting 3D printing system.