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 »
Fujifilm Looking to Break Into 3D Printing Retail Market [Video]
Fujifilm is looking to break into the 3D printing retail market with a new line of consumer devices that could fabricate personalized products like jewelry, toys and other home design items. Some printers would be sold to consumers for home use and others would be sold to businesses as in-store kiosk 3D printers.
Michael Mostyn, Fujifilm Key Account Manager, commented on the company’s new direction:
“Fujifilm is also looking to make 3D Printers available for consumer purchase from retailers in the near future, enabling the family and do-it-yourself enthusiasts to produce low cost, high quality finished parts for their projects at home.
“However, consumer printers would not have the capacity to produce all of the customised 3D products that would be available in-store through kiosks or online.
“Although 3D printing has been around since the 80s, the technology has only recently emerged from speciality prototyping markets.
“The principle of 3D printing is similar to ink-jet printing which uses inks applied as droplets onto paper in thin layers in two dimensions (2D).
“In a retail environment, a customer could use a kiosk to create their customised 3D product from a range of customisable designs or even a photograph, place their order with the retailer and then return to the store at a later time to pick up the product.”
In the video below, FUJIFILM showcases it latest technology in iPhone printing from kiosks to 3D Object printing at The Digital Show in Melbourne 25-27th May 2012.
Via buy-n-shoot.com.
Objet 3D Printing: 16 Micron Puzzle Piece for RAPID 2012 Attendees
At the RAPID 2012 show in Atlanta, attendees were given a 3D printed puzzle piece from Objet. Once fit together, the puzzle pieces formed a solid cube.
Objet featured this design on their blog:
For those new to 3D printing, there are 2 things about the Objet model that make it truly unique: ONE is that it features various opaque 3D printed objects suspended within a clear, smooth 3D printed transparent body – yet the entire part is printed in a single step. This is the only technology in the world capable of jetting and segregating different materials within a homogenously grown part.
And TWO is the incredible fine detail resolution achieved!! Check out that micro-scaled skeletal hand, spring coil and Eiffel Tower in relation to the size of the lines on my fingers…
This 3D print was achieved on a Objet Connex using a combination of 16 micron resolution and simultaneous multiple material jetting.
Via Objet blog.
Winners Announced in Reality Redesigned Contest Sponsored by 3D Systems
3D Systems recently sponsored a contest called Reality Redesigned which was produced by Edge Factor.
From the 3D Systems blog:
Reality Redesigned provided an opportunity for students to design part of a mountain bike, learn and win a variety of great prizes – plus recognition. The students were part of the entire process, from ideation to the production of the part. 3D Systems printed the full color prototypes of the finalists designs for display at the announcement event. The winner of the contest was chosen by a panel of expert judges and formally announced at RAPID 2012 in Atlanta, GA. What is really exciting is the winning part will be manufactured and tested by a pro rider. So, not only did the contest engage students in a fun and productive way – it allowed them to use 3D printers!
More from the press release:
“We are thrilled to leverage our full color 3D printing capabilities to inspire innovation and bring student contestants’ creativity and designs to life,” said Cathy Lewis, Vice President, Global Marketing for 3D Systems. “‘Reality Redesign’ is just one more example of 3D Systems’ commitment to education, something we are deeply passionate about as we work to democratize creativity for students at all grade levels and disciplines through access to affordable 3D printers and compelling 3D content.”
Check out all of the winners here.
Below is a video of the 3 top winners.
Below is a video of the grand prize winner Cody with his Thomson to I-beam adapter.
Bukobot Bucks Trend with Over-Subscribed 3D Printing Kickstarter Pitch
Nearly a month ago, we analyzed the funding goals of 3D printing Kickstarter projects. The conclusion?
- Of the 13 projects since October 2009, only 6 have successfully reached their funding goals, or 46%
- The average funding goal of a successful project is $3,842 and the average funds raised is $11,039, or 287%
- The average funding goal of an unsuccessful project is $16,874 and the average funds raised is $1,105, or 7%
- The average number of backers for a successful project is 55 with each backer pledging $164
- The average number of backers for an unsuccessful project is 21 with each backer pledging only $38
- There was no geographic concentration of successful projects
Now Bukobot is bucking the trend and has been oversubscribed based on its misson to deliver an affordable 3D printer with no compromises.
From an interview with VentureBeat, Bukobot founder Diego Porqueras explained his motivation:
Porqueras promises that the Bukobot (named after his “tough” dog, Buko, who he rescued from the streets), will be the most inexpensive 3D printer on the market to date.
“Compared to a MakerBot [and other similar companies], my design is a lot more efficient and simplified while still keeping the rigidity of a box,” Porqueras told VentureBeat. “I wanted to think outside the box (literally) for the design because this would allow a lot more flexibility for expansion and modifications to the feature without having to redesign or build a whole new frame.”
Most of Porqueras’ models are under $1,000, which is a deal when compared to MakerBot’s Replicator, which costs nearly $1,800.
Below is the video of the Kickstarter pitch that attracted 400% of its target funding level.
Via VentureBeat.
Bukobot photo by JuniorMonkey used under Creative Commons license.
Co-Founder and CTO of Shapeways Robert Schouwenburg Moving On
Robert Schouwenburg, CTO and co-founder of Shapeways, has announced he is leaving the company after 5 years. The announcement came on his blog:
We achieved so much. The company has grown from an idea to multinational with 4 offices worldwide and over 50 employees. Shapeways has closed two rounds of funding and is the market leader in her segment.
I can still remember in the early days while building up the upload-to-print systems and testing 3D printing, we had serious challenges to find and create good test sets of 3D models. 3D models which were fit for 3D printing and at the same time posed some challenges for 3D printers and the 3D printing process. Now Shapeways has printed over 750,000 3D models in 2011 alone. It is a staggering number.
The Shapeways team responded on their own blog with well wishes:
Robert, you’ve been an integral part of the Shapeways team since the beginning, and we’re really sad to see you go. We wish you all the best in your next adventure!
We have featured both Mr. Schouwenburg and Shapeways and we wish them each continued success in moving the 3D printing world forward.
