- Destiny fan Kirby Downey creates awesome 3D printed airsoft Thorn pistol that actually fires (3ders.org)
July 24, 2015
Over the past few months, the Destiny video game has proven to be a huge hit in the 3D printing community, evident by the large number of props that have been recreated with a 3D printer. The link with the game's many awesome guns is evident, as we saw this awesome 3D printed replica of the Bad Juju rifle only a few weeks ago. And now the South African designer Kirby Downey has taken things even further, 3D printing a functional airsoft version of the Thorn rifle from the same game.
- Joerg Torhoff’s $50 Rock Tumbler Amazingly Polishes Metal Composite 3D Printed Objects (3dprint.com)
July 24, 2015
The idea of 3D printing with metal composite filaments is an interesting one. In fact, these metal composites have been all the rage as of late as filament manufacturers try to keep up with the trends while also offering something unique to the market. One of the companies that has really led the way when it comes to these new metallic filaments is ColorFabb. Their line of such materials consists of BrassFill, BronzeFill and CopperFill, all of which bring the possibility of printing objects with metal-like properties to desktop 3D printer users.
- New Firewire PPS 3D Printing Filament from 3DXTech Withstands High Temps & Extreme Chemicals (3dprint.com)
July 23, 2015
3DXTech is well aware that the 3D printing industry is full of myriad and sundry filament choices. While there are the standard choices in ABS and PLA which work fine for a variety of 3D prints and even larger-scale projects, 3DXTech has a new product that is catering to the extreme workout in 3D printing.
- British Royal Navy warship HMS Mersey tests 3D printed drone at sea (3ders.org)
July 23, 2015
While we see quite a lot of 3D printed drones pass by, most of those are just fun toys rather than military machines. And yet the British navy has just shown us that 3D printed drones can definitely be a tremendous military asset. Last Tuesday, British warship HMS Mersey set out off the south coast of England with the express purpose of testing a 3D printed drone. While a simple plastic device you and I could assemble, the British navy are seriously considering incorporating 3D printed drones into the warship arsenal for autonomous flying missions in emergency situations.
- Vaxandi – A Manual 3D Printing Method for Wax Creates Astonishing Works of Art (3dprint.com)
July 23, 2015
When we think of 3D printing in the traditional sense, we typically imagine small to large pieces of machinery following computer code in order to fabricate precisely constructed objects. These machines are capable of printing material in such small layers that they can sometimes almost be impossible to detect with the human eye. The technology is leading to perfectly fabricated prototypes and even end-use products. At the same time, designers and artists are using it to create completely unique works of art.
- German engineers develop 3D printed bionic hand with muscles made from smart wires (3ders.org)
July 23, 2015
While 3D printing has already proved itself in the field of mechanical hand prostheses with very basic or no functions, the field of bionics has proven more challenging. To be sure, there are a number of very promising ongoing projects out there (such as the British Open Bionics), but all reach the same obstacle: how do you make a bionic cheap, functional and lightweight at the same time? Well, it looks like a team of German engineers from Saarland University have come up with an ingenious solution: a bionic hand that relies on a bundle of smart wires and an electric charge instead of bulky motors and electronics.
- 3DNA Printing: Researchers Program DNA to Automatically Fold into 3D Objects (3dprintingindustry.com)
July 22, 2015
If physics is a printer management software and the Universe is the printer, you might say that creation itself is the act of 3D printing. Would that make DNA the gCode with which organisms are created? Perhaps the analogy is a messy one, but the ability to configure DNA into 3D structures could yield fantastic results in the fields of medicine, bioengineering, electronics and more. In a study published in Nature, Björn Högberg and his team outline significant progress in the technique of DNA origami that has sees them able to automatically create 3D structures from DNA.
- Why can’t I get 3D Printed Parts to Stick to the Bed (airwolf3d.com)
July 22, 2015
While most desktop 3D printers are only capable of 3D printing in a single material–usually ABS or PLA–most Airwolf 3D printers are capable of printing in over 40 different types of thermoplastic materials. There are many different strategies to improve the bond between the build plate and the 3D printed part. Our unique experience with a wide range of 3D printing filaments has allowed us to emerge as an industry leader in 3D printer adhesion solutions. Whether you are 3D printing with low temperature materials like PLA or high temperature materials like Polycarbonate, here are some things to consider for getting 3D printed parts to stick to the bed.
- MakerBot Focuses on QA with New 3D Printer Factory in Brooklyn (3dprintingindustry.com)
July 22, 2015
MakerBot has been going through a lot of growing pains lately, given the lawsuit against its parent company and low stock numbers. After the closure of the brand’s retail shops and letting go of a fifth of the company’s workforce, MakerBot CEO Jonathan Jaglom is on a mission to regain the public’s trust. And, today, the company has opened up a brand new factory at Industry City in Brooklyn with anticipated growth.
- Designer Uses 3D Printing to Create This Portable R2-D2 Star Wars Themed Playstation 4 (3dprint.com)
July 22, 2015
While the Playstation 4 is a beast of a machine, sometimes the exterior aesthetics can get old, a bit boring, some may say. We’ve all seen the numerous projects where designers rethink the exterior of video game consoles, creating unique new looks as well as changing the system’s functionality altogether by making them portable. Just a quick Google search will bring up a laundry list of awesome modifications made to consoles from the NES to the Playstation 4 and everything in between.
- Francesco Orrù pays tribute to DOOM 4 with amazing 3D printed sculpture of cover monster (3ders.org)
July 24, 2015
While we’ve seen 3D printed tributes to video game franchises before, most are more playful than artistic. However, the monstrous and awesome sculpture visible above, 3D printed by Myminifactory’s Italian designer Francesco Orrù as a tribute to the upcoming DOOM release, certainly fits in the artistic category. Amazingly detailed, the sculpture of this monster was based on the preview art for the upcoming game.
- FMW Fasteners rejects 3D printing as manufacturing technology after survey (3ders.org)
July 24, 2015
With all those promising news items coming from the high-end metal industry, where company after company is adopting metal 3D printers as manufacturing tools, it’s easy to assume that the 3D printing revolution is doing well. Even aviation companies like Airbus have started 3D printing metal parts for planes. But a recent survey suggests that the competition has not been beaten just yet. Just last week, FMW Fasteners rejected 3D printed manufacturing after customers responded negatively in a survey.
- NecroVirus 3D Printed Game Gets the Big Wigs of Gaming on Board (3dprintingindustry.com)
July 23, 2015
Ever since the very first examples of 3D printed board games, and the first videogame developers experimenting with 3D printing, it was started to become clear that 3D printing was going to open up an incredible amount of creative possibilities to game designers. Now, the big guns of gaming are starting to weight in on the… game, as Todd Porter, the former CEO of legendary Texas game studio Ion Storm (which created video games like Deus Ex and has included gaming legends, such as John Romero, Tom Hall, and Warren Spector), is launching BoardCraft, which he defined as an “operating system for 3D printable board games”.
- Polish Pirx3D Shuts Down Due to Inability to Create Full-Color FDM 3D Printer (3dprintingindustry.com)
July 23, 2015
Full color 3D printing in FDM technology is the Holy Grail for 3D printers manufacturers around the globe. Many have tried; unfortunately, none has achieved anything more than a symbolic minute of fame when announcing the start of their work on this matter. We all heard about the infamous botObjects, who tried to convince the 3D printing community that they were capable of 3D print in full color on their machines, while showing models that looked like renders from some 3D modeling software. When their 3D printer eventually entered the market, it turned out that it could print in just a handful of colors separately. botObjects failed completely, but somehow survived ultimate infamy by being bought by 3D Systems in January 2015. A Polish company that tried to create a full-color FDM 3D printer, Pirx3D, didn’t have such luck. In May, the company suspended its manufacturing operations and now focuses only on providing warranty services to their 3D printers sold to date.
- Stratasys (SSYS) Unveils New Details on Massive Partnership with Kangshuo Group Involving 1000’s Of 3D Printers (3dprint.com)
July 23, 2015
While Stratasys’ (SSYS) stock price is tumbling, the company has been on a role this last week from a future growth perspective. Yesterday they announced the opening of a massive new manufacturing facility in Brooklyn, which will expand their subsidiary MakerBot’s production capacity by 100%, while today they’ve revealed further details on a recent partnership with Beijing’s Kangshuo Group Co.
- New startup Refugee Open Ware establishes fab labs in areas of crisis (3ders.org)
July 23, 2015
Although we’ve become accustomed to hearing about how additive manufacturing is revolutionizing how products are made and procedures are done in controlled labs or manufacturing environments, one of the greatest strengths of additive manufacturing is in its ability to be done nearly anywhere - including refugee camps.
- Chameleon Ink Cartridge System Offers Filament Colorizing for any FDM 3D Printer (3dprint.com)
July 22, 2015
While 3D printing innovators, designers, and artists often share amazing new products with us, we see the bright and shiny results–often in an apparent display of tech-savvy genius and talent that leaves many of wishing we had thought of that first, or simply sitting in awe, as inspiration builds. What we don’t consider often, though, is how hard it may have been for that designer to finally reach the end result.
- United Nations’ Second Meeting of Governmental Experts Discusses Dangers of 3D Printable Firearms (3dprint.com)
July 22, 2015
I’m sure you all know by now that governments across the globe are paying particular attention to the 3D printing space when it comes to the fabrication of undetectable firearms. While politicians in the United States seek to limit the public’s ability to download and share schematics for and to actually 3D print firearms, the concerns are not limited to this nation alone.
- Korean Printer Manufacturer Rokit Preps Launch into Bioprinting (3dprintingindustry.com)
July 22, 2015
Korean 3D printer manufacturer Rokit is already raising a ruckus for their multi-material Edison 3D printer. And their charismatic CEO, Yoo Seok-hwan, has already begun making inroads with the country’s government. Both their multimaterial printing and government relationship have paid off as the company has just been nominated for a $3 million grant to develop an in-situ bioprinting system for skin regeneration.
- 3D model artist Francesco Orrù 3D prints a wearable, full-size Lich King helm (3ders.org)
July 22, 2015
According to World of Warcraft mythology, when Arthas the Lich King awaked from a long sleep, he silenced his own heart, believing that anything that made him at all mortal made him weak. Sounds like a pretty badass guy, right? That’s probably why he is one of the most iconic Warcraft characters, and why 3D artist and Zbrush specialist Francesco Orrù decided to sculpt and 3D print his very own wearable Lich King helmet.
- Francesco Orrù shares amazing design for an intricate 3D printed guitar inspired by lion, shark and eagle (3ders.org)
July 24, 2015
While we’ve seen a few 3D printed instruments pass by over the past year, few have been as inspiring and amazing as the 3D printed guitars by Italian designer Francesco Orrù. Hailing from the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, just over the last month we’ve seen his amazing 3D printed HP lovecraft-inspired guitar and even, just this week, an actually wearable 3D printed Lich King helmet (not an instrument, but very cool nonetheless). But Francesco is already back for more, having just shared the designs for his 3D printed 4theswarm guitar, featuring a gorgeous intricate pattern that has been inspired by nature.
- SKYPEN: The $19 Dual Color 3D Printing Pen, Now on Kickstarter (3dprint.com)
July 23, 2015
I nearly didn’t have time to write this article because I was so busy fantasizing about what I might do with this newest gadget. As a Kickstarter junkie, I was already drawn in by the idea of a 3D printing pen when the 3Doodler launched its campaign for version 2 of the pen and have been happily ensconced doodling odd looking creations ever since. Now, I have learned about the SKYPEN, a dual color 3D pen…that starts at only $19, for early bird backers on the recently launched Kickstarter campaign.
- Oxford Performance Materials receives FDA clearance for 3D printed spinal implant system (3ders.org)
July 23, 2015
While we’ve seen just how much of an impact additive manufacturing has had on the medical industry - such as creating 1:1 model replicas of anatomical features for medical professionals in advance of a surgical procedure - a new generation of 3D printing materials and technologies are increasingly being approved for implanting into the human body.
- Scriba – the stylus reinvented for comfort and control is brought to life thanks to 3D printing (3ders.org)
July 23, 2015
Although there have been a number of stylus designs on the market geared towards a tablet users for quite a few years now, the options and quality of each have varied dramatically. While more premium stylus designs - such as those designed by Wacom - demand close to $100, many have found success using cheap or free stylus designs that many companies have been giving out for free similar to free pens.
- 3D printed model aids in precision spinal canal stenosis surgery on 81-year-old Chinese man (3ders.org)
July 23, 2015
While 3D printed medical applications are slowly invading hospitals all over the globe, a remarkable number of Chinese surgeons are quickly adopting this fantastic technology. Just last week, we saw how a young Chinese child received a titanium skull implant. But now doctors from the Affiliated Union Hospital of Fujian Medical University remind us that 3D printing isn’t applicable to the young. For earlier this week, they relied on 3D printed surgical models to ensure that an eighty-year-old man successfully underwent a precision spinal canal stenosis surgery in that hospital in Fuzhou.
- Matter and Form to launch Bevel Clip, a mobile 3D scanning attachment on Kickstarter for $49 (3ders.org)
July 23, 2015
Although it hasn’t taken off quite as quickly as 3D printing has, 3D scanning is nonetheless an equally valuable technology when it comes to capturing, preserving and ultimately, replicating the world around us for a multitude of purposes.
- Exclusive Interview With Creator of 3D Systems’ New Infinity Rinse-Away Filament, Marty Johnson (3dprint.com)
July 22, 2015
Recently we reported on a new 3D printing material released by 3D Systems, called “Infinity Rinse-Away Water-Soluble Support Material” (INF). The material is truly the ultimate time saver when it comes to 3D printing objects that require support. Rather than having to spend hours chipping away at stubborn plastic, it can simply be rinsed away with tap water. After covering the story, I thought to myself, “I’d love to sit down with the man who invented this material”. Then a few hours later, my wish actually came true.
- Mapal turns to additive manufacturing to create QTD-series insert drills (3ders.org)
July 22, 2015
When most people think about additive manufacturing methods, they are likely far away from thinking at all about any sort of subtractive manufacturing methods (e.g. reaming, precision drilling, drilling, milling, turning). Yet, as we continue to find new ways of utilizing 3D printing in a number of industries, one of those industries is the tooling industry where custom parts are made for manufacturing other parts.
- Custom 3D printed footwear FOOTPRINT to debut at GDS Fair in Germany next week (3ders.org)
July 22, 2015
A number of 3D printing startups are racing towards the release of the world’s first commercially viable 3D printed shoes, but it is beginning to look like one very promising project by two Philadelphia University is taking the lead. Project FOOTPRINT by Matt Flail and Tim Ganter, which has developed a very impressive system involving 3D scanning, algorithmic shoe development and high quality 3D printing, is ready to make its debut at the GDS Fair in Dusseldorf, Germany.
- Airwolf 3D debuts Wolfbite MEGA adhesive for optimal polycarbonate, PC-ABS and PLA 3D printing (3ders.org)
July 22, 2015
While 3D printing is theoretically fantastic, how many of us have despaired over finished prints that are difficult to safely remove from the printbed, over warping and over failed prints? While many have just accepted it as part of the manufacturing reality, it doesn’t have to be this way. For the Californian 3D printer developer Airwolf 3D has just unveiled the Wolfbite MEGA, a chemical solution that can be applied to your glass or ceramic printbed to ensure easy and warp-free PC and PC-ABS prints. Another comparable product, the Wolfbite NANO, is also available for PLA prints.