Late last month, AIO Robotics announced a really ambitious 3D printer called the Zeus. It combined a 3D printer with a 3D scanner and a 3D design fax machine. They promised that the machine would go up on Kickstarter soon and they did not disappoint.

AIO Robotics took to Kickstarter today in an attempt to raise $100,000 to fund the Zeus 3-in-1 3D printer. Last month, they said the price would be comparable to a MakerBot Replicator 2 and Digitizer. Both together would cost a little over $3,000, and the Zeus comes in a little cheaper.

The Zeus will normally cost $2,499, but you can grab one now for the low price of $1,999 if you back AIO Robotics’ Kickstarter campaign. There’s only 30 of the cheap models left, however, and they’ll probably run out before the end of the campaign. After that, the price goes up to $2,499.

Amazingly, the Zeus has already raised almost half of its goal of $100,000. It’s currently at $42,947 and the campaign started this morning. It looks like the Zeus will continue the fine tradition of 3D printers doing incredibly well on crowdfunding platforms.

Speaking of which, another 3-in-1 3D printer – the FABtotum – became an overnight sensation on Indiegogo where it has raised more than double the amount of its initial funding goal. Unlike the Zeus, however, the FABtotum is a 3D printer, a 3D scanner and a CNC milling machine. It may not be able to fax 3D printed designs to other printers, but I would be more inclined to support a machine that let me work with wood and metal materials.

Both the Zeus and FABtotum represent an exciting time for 3D printers. It’s incredible to think that we can now buy a machine that 3D prints and scans for less than $3,000 when such functions just a year ago would require two machines costing over $5,000.

[Image: AIO Robotics/Kickstarter]