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 »
Crafting the Future: Dutch Arts Combine 3D Printing and Textiles [Video]
At the Dutch Electronic Art Festival (DEAF), a workshop was held on 3D printing and textiles, to explore the combination of both techniques. During this 1.5 day workshop participants created many samples of truly integrated ‘fabric 3D prints’.
The Ultimaker team (NL) and the Smart Textiles Design Lab team (SE) were sponsors of this event.
The video below shows the participants crafting the future with 3D printing.
Does HP Need to Make An Acquisition to Compete On 3D Printing?
Hewlett-Packard (NYSE:HPQ) has a $43 billion market cap and is the largest printer manufacturer in the world. But HP has not really embraced 3D printing yet and may need to make an acquisition to truly enter the market.
Seeking Alpha describes the current situation for HP:
In April 2010, HPQ signed a collaboration agreement with one of the 3D printer companies, Stratasys to create a 3D printer called DesignJet 3D. The retail price was over $17,000 when they first came out, and it doesn’t appear that HPQ is making a giant impact with this printer.
HPQ needs to come and buy either SSYS or 3D Systems. HPQ needs to play defense, by going on the offensive. It might not seem like it, but this is the same scenario as Eastman Kodak being the 800-pound gorilla in cameras and then falling behind when the time came for digital cameras. HPQ doesn’t want to miss out on this revolution. 3D printing is within 3-5 years of becoming affordable for the general public. 3D Systems has launched a personal 3D printer for as cheap as $1300. Moore’s Law is working in the 3D printing market as prices have drop 90% in the last 5 years and will continue to drop in the future.
Look at the relative stock price of HPQ vs the current 3D printing leaders (3D Systems, Stratasys, and Proto Labs). HP is down 39% while the 3D printing portfolio is up 112% over the last 12 months.
The market is still early. Will HP make a move this year or wait for the market to mature?
Via Seeking Alpha.
Gorilla photo by poplinre used under Creative Commons license.
The Silver-Ink Challenge: Can 3D Printing Bring Us Renewable Energy?
Could we use 3D printing technology to create paper-thin solar strips that are capable of generating electricity?
That is the challenge presented by Chris Waldo from Kraftwurx in his blog: will we 3D print renewable energy?
Xerox is in the process of developing a special type of silver-ink that melts at a temperature lower than plastic. Silver is one of the key elements to dielectrics, semiconductors, inductors, conductors, and various circuits. With the ability to print silver on to films, fabrics, and plastics, there is a strong potential for paper thin solar strips, adaptable sensors, and a wide variety of circuits — all of which could be printed on to paper thin materials!
“Xerox (NYSE: XRX) has announced its development of special silver inks which have a melting point below that of plastic. Crafted into different versions which can act as conductors, semiconductors, or dielectrics, this silver ink could allow users to print integrated circuits onto plastic, fabric, or film. (source: Aaron Saenz)”
Printing solar strips sounds pretty fascinating, but how would it work? To understand how 3D printing can work within solar energy, one must first understand the process behind photovoltaic (PV) solar energy.
In simple terms, PV solar panels involve a non-reflective layer of film, on top of a semiconductor which is sandwiched by a front and back contact terminal for the electric current to flow through.
Chris continues to describe the photovoltaic process and then concludes:
Theoretically, silver used in conjunction with FDM 3D printing and film could result in damage to the non-reflective film, as the heated silver might melt and warp the film. Currently, silver is not used in FDM printing at all. However, Xerox’s silver can be melted at a temperature lower than plastic and many films. If Xerox’s silver could be printed as a semiconductor, we would very likely be looking at paper thin PV solar strips. This would involve doping of this silver to make two different materials – positively charged silver and a negatively charged silver. This would be the key to 3D printable solar strips.
This is a very innovative idea and the impact could be massive if low-cost solar strips could be printed on demand.
Read the full post at 3dprinter.net.
Solar photovoltaic photo by PNNL – Pacific Northwest National Laboratory used under Creative Commons license.
MakerBot and 3D Systems Execs Square Off in CES Interview [Video]
In the video below, CNET’s Rafe Needleman interviews executives of two 3D printer makers and how they are charting the future of manufacturing.
Bre Pettis from MakerBot emphasizes his company’s focus on open-source innnovation. The Replicator is great for tinkerers.
Cathy Lewis from 3D Systems talks about the range of capabilities from personal 3D printing to mass production via the cloud. The Cubify allows consumers to “color in” designs provided by the 3D Systems marketplace.
Rafe Needleman approaches questions from “How do I print 5000 widgets?” to “Why wouldn’t I just buy this widget at retail?” and more.
Shapeways Friday Finds: da Vinci, Cube Pendant, Snap Bangle
3D printing marketplace Shapeways featured great new designs in its weekly Friday Finds blog series.
Pictured above, a fully functioning machine modeled from drawings by Leonardo da Vinci.
Snap Bangle by Electrobloom making the most of Shapeways colors.
See more at Shapeways blog.
