On 3D Printing

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

Well… In Late Night News, Now You Can 3D Print Adult Toys at Home

December 14, 2012 News

This news is a little different, but just goes to show that 3D printing is truly here to stay.

MakerLove.com provides free downloadable designs for people who have 3D printers so that they can privately make adult toys and other embarrassing items at home. From the company’s website:

12 years ago we developed our corporate vision: ”Technology Overcomes Embarrassment.” One technology that I think is going to change life is the Maker. We have one now, a Makerbot Replicator and think it is amazing. We also can see that the price of 3D printers will continue to drop and soon they will be affordable enough for most people to own. People will have the ability to make items they want, instantly, without anyone else being involved. That’s quite a bit of freedom.

I believe that one thing that will be popular to make with your Maker is [adult] toys. Why? Because we’ll all be free to make them privately. That is quite an enabler.

We aren’t showing any of the designs here but you can click over to MakerLove.com if you are interested in learning more.

Heart photo by by Creative Tools used under Creative Commons license.

US Patent Office to Hold 3D Printing Partnership Meeting in January

December 13, 2012 News

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will host an Additive Manufacturing Partnership Meeting on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at the Alexandria campus. Additive manufacturing, sometimes called “3D printing,” refers to a group of new technologies that create objects from 3D computer models, usually by joining thin materials, layer upon layer. In addition to serving as a forum for users sharing ideas, experiences, and insights in the emerging field, the meeting will elicit discussions on how the USPTO can improve and expand its relationship with individual users.

Additive manufacturing is used in the fields of jewelry, footwear, architecture, engineering and construction, automotive, aerospace, dental and medical industries, education, geographic information systems, civil engineering, and many others. Representatives from 3D Systems, Sratasys and MakerBot will also be on site to provide an overview of the application of additive manufacturing in different technologies and demonstrations of 3D printers.

What: Additive Manufacturing Partnership Meeting

When: January 23, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. EDT

Where:

USPTO Campus, Madison North Auditorium
600 Dulany Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

Space is limited and registration will be done on a first-come first-served basis. Please RSVP by e-mail to jill.warden@uspto.gov or maria.ewald@uspto.gov, or by telephone to Jill Warden at (571) 272-1267 or Veronica Ewald at (571) 272-8519 to confirm your attendance.

Via USPTO.gov.

Video: Think You Can Solve Rubik’s Cube? Try 3D Printed X-Cube

December 11, 2012 Video

Dane Christianson, a student at the Illinois Institute of Technology, used CAD and 3D printing to create X-Cube, a version of Rubik’s Cube for serious puzzle experts. Dane comments on his creation.

I created this using CAD and 3D printing. It’s a Rubik’s type puzzle with fully functional additional layers on four of the faces of a typical Rubik’s Cube.

This project was completed through the Idea Shop at the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Watch the video below to see the mega-puzzle in motion.