Motorola Mobility, a Google company, is building a 3D printed modular phone, and has partnered with 3D Systems for commercial fulfillment. More »
The Captured Dimensions pop-up studio was located in the Smithsonian Castle and featured approximately 80 digital cameras all connected to 3D software. More »
Microsoft expanded their support for 3D printing by launching a Windows 8 app called 3D Builder. It includes a library of objects you can edit and 3D print. More »
3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) announced the availability of the Sense 3D scanner, the first 3D scanner designed for the consumer and optimized for 3D printing. More »
With rumors circling that 3D Systems will be purchased by IBM, the stock soars. We look at why IBM might be interested in the 3D printing giant. More »
Yearly Archives: 2012
3D Printing at Top of “Hype Cycle”, Gartner Reports
Leading research firm Gartner published its annual “Hype Cycle” report. 3D printing was among the technologies at the peak of the hype cycle.
Big data, 3D printing, activity streams, Internet TV, Near Field Communication (NFC) payment, cloud computing and media tablets are some of the fastest-moving technologies identified in Gartner Inc.’s 2012 Hype Cycle for Emerging Technologies.
Gartner analysts said that these technologies have moved noticeably along the Hype Cycle since 2011, while consumerization is now expected to reach the Plateau of Productivity in two to five years, down from five to 10 years in 2011. Bring your own device (BYOD), 3D printing and social analytics are some of the technologies identified at the Peak of Inflated Expectations in this year’s Emerging Technologies Hype Cycle.
The Hype Cycle has a predictable path for technologies.
The Hype Cycle graphic has been used by Gartner since 1995 to highlight the common pattern of overenthusiasm, disillusionment and eventual realism that accompanies each new technology and innovation. The Hype Cycle Special Report is updated annually to track technologies along this cycle and provide guidance on when and where organizations should adopt them for maximum impact and value.
This year’s theme was tipping points.
We are at an interesting moment, a time when many of the scenarios we’ve been talking about for a long time are almost becoming reality,” said Hung LeHong, research vice president at Gartner. “The smarter smartphone is a case in point. It’s now possible to look at a smartphone and unlock it via facial recognition, and then talk to it to ask it to find the nearest bank ATM. However, at the same time, we see that the technology is not quite there yet. We might have to remove our glasses for the facial recognition to work, our smartphones don’t always understand us when we speak, and the location-sensing technology sometimes has trouble finding us.”
Read more at Gartner.
Top 3D Printing Headlines Last Week: Beef, Bald Eagles, New Zealand, Australia
A roundup of the top news On 3D Printing brought you from August 14 to August 19.
Tuesday, August 14
- Neil Gershenfeld Speaks With RadioNZ (New Zealand), Talks 3D Printing
- TangiBot has a Kickstarter Project for a Much Cheaper MakerBot
Wednesday, August 15
Thursday, August 16
Friday, August 17
Saturday, August 18
- Video: Beauty and the Beak; a Bald Eagle’s 3D Printing Story
- Shapeways Friday Finds: Cool Shades for the Summer
Sunday, August 19
Bald eagle photo by andrewprice001 used under Creative Commons license.
Fab Lab of the Week: Fab Lab Adelaide in South Australia
This week’s featured Fab Lab is Fab Lab Adelaide in South Australia.
Fab Lab Adelaide is managed by ANAT (Australian Network for Art and Technology). ANAT supports artists and creative practitioners engaging with science and technology.
Fab Lab Adelaide is funded by the South Australian Government’s Department of Further Education, Employment, Science & Technology.
Equipped with both MakerBot and UP! 3D printers, the Fab Lab will launch in October 2012. In the meantime, follow them on Twitter @FabLabAdl.
We are looking forward to seeing more.
Read about all of our featured Fab Labs in our weekly series.
South Australia photo by S.H. Photography used under Creative Commons license.
Shapeways Friday Finds: Cool Shades for the Summer
Fresh from Shapeways’ Friday Finds, here are some sunglasses and shades to try on.
Above: Marcello Specs by Vert Design, a modern hipster meets Elvis Costello.
Next: Cloud Eyewear by Colors of Birch, for the haut-couture aficionado.
Last: Aviator Glasses Ring to get your Top Gun on.
More Friday Finds.
Via Shapeways blog.
Video: Beauty and the Beak; a Bald Eagle’s 3D Printing Story
Here’s a great story. Beauty the Bald Eagle gets a second chance with help from 3D printing technology.
A bald eagle was shot and lost her upper beak. A “bionic beak” was fabricated using software designed for the aerospace industry, then 3D printed and affixed to the bald eagle in an elaborate procedure.
Shot and edited by Keith Bubach for Evening Magazine (KING-TV). 2008 Emmy winner.
Bald eagle photo by andrewprice001 used under Creative Commons license.
