- All Signs Point to AR as Apple Poaches HoloLens Developer (3dprintingindustry.com)
August 31, 2015
A number of tech giants are openly entering the 3D space, transforming 3D printing from its own isolated industry into a subset of the larger 3D ecosystem (called “reality computing” by Autodesk, “blended reality” by HP, and “mixed reality” by Microsoft). And, as they do, there’s always an apple-shaped void waiting to be filled, leaving us to wonder where the makers of the Mac are in this emerging 3D scene. Today, market research firm Piper Jaffray suggests that void may be filled with augmented reality, as Apple has poached a lead Hololens Audio Engineer from Microsoft.
- ZMorph Joins Elite Hardware Club, Precipitates Opening of Office & Showroom in San Francisco (3dprint.com)
August 31, 2015
ZMorph is a dynamic and undeniably unique 3D printing manufacturer, showing not only enormous potential themselves–but also allowing dedicated users to demonstrate theirs, and impressively so, with the bevy of versatile tools that come along with the ZMorph 3D printer and its wide range of tools.
- Cosine Additive 3D Prints These 1,000 Ounce Coca Cola Bottles (3dprint.com)
August 31, 2015
Back at the end of July we covered the launch of a brand new large-scale 3D printer called the AdditiveMachine1. The machine, which was launched by Cosine Additive, a Houston-based startup looking to transform FFF 3D printing on a massive scale, quite literally is capable of printing items as large as 1100 x 850 x 900 mm.
- Pentagon teams up with Apple, Boeing to develop flexible 3D printed wearables (3ders.org)
August 31, 2015
Various institutes affiliated to the US government have been at the forefront of 3D printing innovation for a while now – NASA tested 3D printed rocket engines only last week – but it looks like now even the Pentagon is getting involved. Defense Secretary Ash Carter has just announced a new partnership with a large conglomerate of 96 companies, 42 universities, 14 state and regional organistations and 11 laboratories called FlexTech Alliance to develop the next-generation range of 3D printed wearables. The US government will be providing $75 million in funds for this new round of research.
- 3D Printed Base + 1 Balloon = Portable Light! (3dprint.com)
August 29, 2015
For backpackers and serious campers, the quest to find the perfect, portable light source without adding bulk to your gear is one that is difficult to satisfy. Any number of designers have tried their hand at addressing this issue and the options available range from inflatable solar lanterns to clipping strings of lights to a variety of holders designed to accommodate flashlights.
- Professor uses 3D printed vegemite to power LEDs – could this be the future of edible electronics? (3ders.org)
August 28, 2015
The list of 3D printable materials has gotten very long and diverse over recent years, and only seems to be increasing in length at a very steady rate. But among it are some very surprising (and sometimes even edible) materials, and one Dutch professor at the University of Wollongong in Australia has just added perhaps the strangest: Vegemite. Not only has Marc in het Panhuis successfully 3D printed this material, he has proved that the material is an ideal conductor of electricity. Could this be the future of edible electronics?
- 3D printing helps surgeons successfully complete intracranial aneurysm surgeries for 50-year-old (3ders.org)
August 28, 2015
Medical applications of 3D printing technology seem to be bursting into hospitals everywhere to save lives and deal with complex situations. While some biomedical applications have been succesful, most of these are relatively simple: 3D print an exact replica of the problem area to carefully prepare surgery and increase success rates. What’s more, a surprising number of these solutions seem to take place in China, where neurosurgeons in the Fujian Medical University are even applying this concept to very complex brain surgeries to deal with intracranial aneurysm patients. Since 2014, they have dealt with about 10 patients this way, recently tackling another.
- Texas Instruments Releases New Chipsets for DLP SLA 3D Printing, Offers Superior Resolution, Speed & Affordability (3dprint.com)
August 27, 2015
Powerful. Efficient. These are two adjectives often associated with new products enticing us to buy something new in 3D printing. You may be surprised though–and impressed–to discover that that these qualities are also attached to Texas Instruments, and a 3D printing chip coming down the pike from none other than Texas Instruments. A sleeper within the industry, they have been producing chipsets for DLP technology in SLA 3D printers for a while now. We followed them regarding releases of previous chipsets for 3D printing which were making an impact in the 3D printing industry.
- Why Is The Future All About 3D Printed Super Cars? (3dprint.com)
August 27, 2015
If your next car is a 3D printer-generated automobile, then don’t be surprised for this is the new buzz right now and is taking the automotive industry by storm. Yes, that’s right! So, when Divergent Microfactories came up with their ‘world’s first’ 3D printed super car – Blaze, it was no great surprise. There are more advantages to using 3D printers, or in other words additive manufacturing technology, that had completely transformed the manner in which products have so far been developed, designed, manufactured or distributed. This had led to new innovations that are cleaner, lighter and have lower investment cost. 3D printing had been used only for prototype activities, but that is soon set to change, for now automotive manufacturers aim to use this technology for the production of end-use parts.
- Back to School with Airwolf 3D (airwolf3d.com)
August 27, 2015
With summer coming to an end and the little ones going back to school, what better way to get them excited for the new school year than with these free, fun back to school Airwolf 3D stl. downloads- Bubble Wand, Ruler, Bookmark.
- A Look at Taulman 3D’s Continued Innovation Within the 3D Printing Filament Market (3dprint.com)
August 31, 2015
With the sheer number of 3D printer models now available, one would think, there should certainly be a “best printer”. But as those us who follow 3DPrint.com know, while there are certainly several manufacturers, most of the units within a similar price category are very similar. Of course some do stand out for consistency, quality and performance. And sometimes even from the same manufacturer, a new model usually has either simple upgrades, fixes or a combination of both.
- Zortrax emphasize customization with impressive 3D printed loudspeaker (3ders.org)
August 31, 2015
As 3D printing is becoming increasingly affordable while the quality seems to be constantly rising, it’s hardly surprising that more and more people and businesses are looking into 3D printing technology as a manufacturing technology. And while we here at 3ders.org will be the first to say that 3D printers are not just a prototyping, but can also a production tool, it remains to be seen when and how this can be applied efficiently and cost-effectively. While opinions on the matter are divided, Polish 3D printer manufacturers Zotrax has just vigorously argued that we shouldn’t be looking at 3D printers for mass-production, but always for customization – something emphasized through very cool looking 3D printed loudspeaker.
- This Week Utrecht Hosts 3D Hubs Event at Permanent Future Lab (3dprint.com)
August 31, 2015
Last week 3D Hubs hosted many workshops and meet-ups all over the world, from Dallas to Amsterdam, indicating the company’s vast international reach and the variety of events it sponsors through its hubs. This week the events schedule is much more relaxed, as people’s schedules begin to shift from summer to autumn.
- Reinventing the Printing Press: Man 3D Prints a Working Business Card-Sized Printing Press (3dprint.com)
August 31, 2015
When I was in the 3rd grade, I recall doing a report on a man named Johannes Gutenberg. Gutenberg, for those of you who are unaware, was the inventor of the first moveable-type printing press in early 15th century. While to some, this may not seem like all that big of a deal, Gutenberg’s invention ended up igniting what is sometimes referred to as the “Printing Revolution” in Europe.
- Maker Dad creates son Optimus Prime Transformer birthday cake using 3D printed components (3ders.org)
August 28, 2015
Thanks to 3D printing, a new generation of makers, hackers, tinkerers and the like have been able to take full-control of experiences and add levels of interactivity like never before.
- Man 3D Prints Huge 5 1/2 Foot Long RC Armidale-class Patrol Boat — Larger Models on the Way! (3dprint.com)
August 28, 2015
Back in January, you may recall a story we did about a 3-foot-long 3D printed model depicting the Atlantic Mercy ship. It was created by a student from LeTourneau University, named Hans Nelson, and it grabbed quite a bit of media attention. At the same time, our story inspired one man, named Bernard Dohnt to try and come up with a similar creation of his own.
- North Drinkware used 3D printing to design awesome Mt. Hood Pint Glass, raised over $531K on Kickstarter (3ders.org)
August 28, 2015
Kickstarter and 3D printers: sometimes a fantastic combination, and sometimes one that just doesn’t work. While a sociologist might be more capable of discerning crucial factors than we are, some Kickstarter campaigns involving 3D printing are hugely successful, while others are not. However, you don’t need a degree to see why North Drinkware was so successful earlier this year with extremely cool pint glasses featuring Oregon’s iconic Mount Hood embedded in the bottom, a product realized with the help of 3D printed prototyping.
- Ceramaker’s Innovative Ceramics 3D Printer Set for Euromold (3dprintingindustry.com)
August 27, 2015
It may have passed somewhat under the radar, but the industrial Ceramker 3D printer, by Limoges, France-based, 3DCeram, debuted at the recent Ceramics Expo 2015 and is now set to be displayed at the upcoming Euromold trade show taking place for the first time in Dusseldorf this September.
- Plug-and-play multi-purpose Bocusini 3D food printer scheduled for Feb 2016 release (3ders.org)
August 27, 2015
So far, 2015 has been filled with little hints and sneak peeks of fascinating upcoming food 3D printers, all of which are suggesting that these machines will become commonplace in (professional) kitchens everywhere within just a few years. But perhaps most promising and remarkable among them, was the unveiling of the German-designed Bocusini 3D food printer, for its ability to work with a theoretically endless list of food cartridges. While promises are one thing, we are happy to report that this Bocusini plug-and-play food 3D printer is progressing well, its cartridges seem to work, and it is now scheduled for a release in February 2016. The Bocusini has also opened for preorders.
- 3D printed wheelchair Hand Drive is an affordable replacement to expensive lever-powered wheelchairs (3ders.org)
August 26, 2015
Time and time again, one of the most exciting developments that we’ve been seeing with 3D printing has been in disrupting traditionally manufactured products with products that users are capable of manufacturing on their own for much cheaper than what they would otherwise retail for. Among other reasons, this dramatically brings the cost of goods down since there is little overhead in terms of marketing, shipping and the cost of manufacturing the parts through traditional processes.
- BLTouch Coming to Indiegogo Tomorrow – A Bed Leveling Sensor for 3D Printers (3dprint.com)
August 31, 2015
Perhaps the greatest pet peeve I have when it comes to FDM/FFF based 3D printers are those machines which don’t come with automatic bed leveling technology. The printers which require that you manually level your bed, ensuring that the bed is not only perfectly level for straight prints but also that the print nozzle is at the right distance from the print bed in order to successfully print an object, can be quite tricky. The first 3D printer that I purchased did not have any automatic bed leveling system and it literally took me two weeks before I learned how to successfully level my print bed. My next 3D printer had automatic bed leveling technology and this made the printing process so much more simple.
- Animotus, 3D printed GPS-like guidance cube changes shapes to point you in the right direction (3ders.org)
August 31, 2015
3D printers have been used to build fun and new games and game pieces for as long as commercial 3D printers themselves have existed, but we’ve rarely seem something as amazing as what one engineer from Yale University came up with. Adam Spiers has developed a remarkable immersive story-telling game set in the complete darkness of an abandoned London church, in which players can navigate through rooms and events using a 3D printed guidance cube that points them in the right direction. This combination of mechanical engineering, theatre and a fantastic location could be the best game ever, or it could be absolutely creepy.
- The Magic Candy Factory is Unveiled – 3D Print Custom Gummy Candies (3dprint.com)
August 31, 2015
By now, the world has come to the realization that 3D printing is here, and it is here to stay. While certainly there are still those people who ask the question, “What can 3D printing be used for?”, a simple Google search will turn up plenty of answers to that once much more popular inquiry. Today’s innovators are no longer tasked with coming up with a method of fabricating 3D objects, but rather expanding the potential that these printers can provide. While some people believe that the fashion industry is the next big market to reap the benefits of this technology, others would probably say the food industry is next in line. Over the past two years or so, we have seen several 3D printers unveiled which have the capabilities of printing in food. There have also been extruder add-ons that can virtually turn any FDM/FFF based 3D printer into a food printer.
- This 3D Printed Jeep Tank is Controlled by an Android Smartphone (3dprint.com)
August 30, 2015
When I was about 8 years old, I went through a phase where I was obsessed with RC vehicles. As soon as I would get home from school, I would run to my toy box, take out one of my favorites and race it around my backyard. While this provided me with endless entertainment, at the same time I also learned a lot about the mechanics that go into making these vehicles work. From time to time, I would need to purchase replacement parts and fix my vehicles myself.
- Watch this 3D Printed Binary Adding Machine in Action (3dprint.com)
August 28, 2015
The binary number system is what runs almost all modern digital electronics and is used in several schools of higher mathematics. If you are unfamiliar with binary mathematics, it is a simplified version of decimal math that requires the use of only two numbers, a 1 and a 0. Because it is such a straightforward system it is ideal for almost all modern computers and computation devices. While the modern binary number system was developed way back in 1679, it was based on concepts that date all the way back to ancient Egypt and the I Ching number system from 9th century BC China.
- Automobile Manufacturer Audi Discusses Their 3D Printing & 4D Printing Ambitions With Us (3dprint.com)
August 28, 2015
With all the media attention centered recently on companies like Local Motors and Divergent Microfactories, which are both working towards 3D printing road-ready cars, we haven’t heard a tremendous amount about how the current leaders in the automobile industry are using this technology in their manufacturing processes. Besides Ford, most of these companies have been mum when it comes to discussing their manufacturing processes and techniques.
- More fashion designers turn to Ultimaker to bring 3D printed fashion designs to the catwalk (3ders.org)
August 27, 2015
It’s no secret that 3D printing was set to make a splash on the fashion scene, however the size of that splash was - and still is - up for debate. Among other factors, this is based on how well 3D printed materials mix with existing fashions, as well as the familiarity of additive manufacturing processes by the designers themselves, who oftentimes don’t come from 3D printing-focused backgrounds such as product design or engineering.
- 3D Systems introduces new next generation 3DMe Photobooth with enhanced user experience (3ders.org)
August 27, 2015
3D Systems has unveiled today their new generation of 3DMe Photobooth with enhanced user experience, aiming to bring the full 3DMe experience to retail spaces and events. The new photobooths includes an attractive user interface and is fine-tuned for easier point-of-sale, revenue reporting, and user experience.
- NASA successfully tests 3D printed turbopump for rocket propulsion, reaching 90,000 rpms (3ders.org)
August 27, 2015
3D printing is being increasingly used in the aerospace industry for a variety of parts, but few of those projects are as innovative or as intimidating as NASA’s attempts to 3D print rocket engines. However, even here 3D printing turns out to be a very suitable technology, as NASA has just successfully tested a 3D printed turbopump for in a rocket engine at their Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. During the test with liquid hydrogen propellant, the turbopump was able to generate and withstand more than 90,000 revolutions per minute (or rpms).
- Doctors use 3D printing to save boy with severely deformed legs & Porcelain Doll condition (3ders.org)
August 26, 2015
Although we’ve previously seen hundreds of examples of how 3D printing has dramatically revolutionized some surgical processes, doctors are still finding new ways of using additive manufacturing technologies to find solutions with a myriad of surgical procedures.