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This year may be known in years to come as the advent of consumer 3D printing, which is why TCT Magazine's sponsorship of the first ever 3D Printing TechZone at International CES 2014 could not have come at a better time.

One company that has enjoyed a successful 2013 on its mission to bring the technology to the general public is Mcor Technologies, the only 3D printing technology manufacturer that flips the 3D printing concept on its head by building with ordinary printer paper.

The last year has been an auspicious one for Mcor, with deals struck with major high street name Staples, as well as a growing international presence that has seen the company wrestle for headline space with the likes of Stratasys and 3D Systems. And the Irish 3D printing player has no plans to rest on its laurels, by pitching up in its indefatigable way at International CES to show the world just how consumer-friendly Mcor technology has made 3D printing.

Demystifying the technology

Mcor has a lot in its favour to relate 3D printing to the masses; firstly, its use of an everyday material such as printer paper which serves to demystify some of the process to users; and secondly, its willingness to engage with the public, be it on Twitter, through blog posts or face to face at the numerous shows and expos its team attend throughout the year.

TCT Magazine spoke to CMO Deidre MacCormack about the company's upcoming presence at International CES 2014 and what's next for the ambitious company and the wider 3D printing industry.

MacCormack admitted that CES is an extremely relevant event to Mcor and the emerging consumer 3D printing sphere. Mcor is already engaging with the consumer marketplace thanks to its relationship with Staples, while the company's philosophy is one of low costs and high quality, which is of "huge importance" to the burgeoning consumer electronics market.

She noted that the dedicated 3D Printing TechZone will play a key part in bringing 3D printing to the front of the public consciousness at the event in January.

"It's one of the things that attracted us to exhibit there - a focused area dedicated to 3D printing. I think it’s an exciting sign of the times and what's been going on in the last six months," she said.

But what can CES delegates expect from Mcor in January? MacCormack revealed there are some exciting announcements due to be made at the event, which will further cement Mcor as one of the most talked-about names in the industry.

"I can tell you our big announcement is going to be focused on the consumer space and another big retailer. I can't tell you any more right now but it is really exciting. CES is so early in the year that we really need to have everything ready for the New Year," she revealed, but remained tight-lipped as to further details.

"We are very focused on the markets and commercial side of 3D printing," MacCormack continued, "and what we are finding is the Iris 3D printer and what it can print is actually of extreme interest to the consumer market and we are focused towards that. CES is a great platform for this and us, I think. Plus, we are still the only company that can offer the full colour, low-cost service and we value high quality. These are things the consumer market needs."

Highly personalised creations

MacCormack revealed a little of what the Mcor stand will look like. Mcor's trade show presence is always one that makes itself known and a massive international event like CES will be no exception. There, Mcor will be showcasing its machines in action and will display items such as 3D-printed photographs and a selection of the myriad items its technology can customise for individuals and companies. In addition, the team will be on-hand to explain Mcor's philosophy and decipher some of the science for newcomers to the technology.

"We'll be talking about how we see the future of 3D printing and consumer 3D printing and how that market is developing more and the applications are expanding. We want to say that it's not about somebody printing off the handle of a pot but a technology for creating highly personalised items that can only be produced on a 3D printer. We are looking at a lot of the different areas of development and we are always doing research and development and there will be more vision papers and software releases in the near future," MacCormack said.

So while MacCormack kept her cards close to her chest about the revelations Mcor has in store for CES, the company is as excited about the major consumer technology event as anybody else. This is a market Mcor has been mindful of in its developments and business deals for some time and the exposure it receives in Las Vegas could be the coming of age of this innovative organisation.