Petting zoo

BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- MakerBot Industries has become one of the most high-profile players in the increasingly crowded 3D printing space, and its new mass-market-oriented Replicator is one of the reasons why.

At the company's offices, dozens of Replicators are humming at any given moment, churning out all kinds of 3D printed objects. Many are simply test objects to make sure the devices are properly aligned and ready to be sent off to a buyer. But right now, the company is also slowly turning out the parts for its first-ever "Robot Petting Zoo," a display that will make its debut at Maker Faire in San Mateo, Calif., next month.

On a shelf at the company's Brooklyn offices, workers have stored a number of 3D printed robots, each of which is awaiting the thrill -- if robots can have such emotions -- of delighting kids and adults alike at Maker Faire.