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 »
Top 3D Printing Headlines Last Week: POTUS SOTU, stocks, TED, Fashion
A roundup of the top news On 3D Printing brought you from February 11 to February 17:
Wednesday, February 13
- President Obama Calls 3D Printing “Revolutionary” in State of the Union
- Details on the 3D Printing Institute from Obama’s SOTU Address
Sunday, February 17
Video: The Best 7 TED Talks On 3D Printing
The TED conference has been home to some of the leading ideas about 3D printing. In a recent feature, TED has collected some of the best talks on 3D printing in one place.
At TED, we love sharing stories of 3D printing and its rapidly developing power to make new things possible. TED Fellow Bre Pettis’s Makerbot; the Thingiverse database allow makers worldwide to share designs for printers; designers printing artificial limbs; artists re-inventing their process — we can’t wait to see what’s next. In honor of 3D printers here are some TED and TEDx talks on understanding this technology.
Here are the top 7 talks.
Lisa Harouni: A primer on 3D printing
So what exactly is 3D printing? Lisa Harouni breaks it down — from machine to design to product. Learn how it all works in this talk from TEDSalon London Spring 2011.
Klaus Stadlmann: The world’s smallest 3D printer
Klaus Stadlmann built the microprinter, the smallest 3D printer in the world. In this talk from TEDxVienna, he demos this tiny machine that could someday make customized hearing aids — or sculptures smaller than a human hair.
Scott Summit: Beautiful artificial limbs
In his work, prosthetics designer Scott Summit noticed that a lot of people had to hack their own artificial limbs — with socks, bubble wrap, even duct tape — to feel comfortable. In this talk from TEDxCambridge, he describes how he turned to 3D printing to create limbs that not only match a person’s body, but their personality as well.
Anthony Atala: Printing a human kidney
The shortage of organ donations is a crisis in healthcare. A possible solution? Printable organs. In this stirring talk from TED2011, Anthony Atala describes his research into the development of an organ-printing 3D printer, and introduces a recipient of the product of a similar technology — a bladder grown by borrowed cells.
Marc Goodman: A vision of crimes in the future
Sometimes, despite the very best intentions, the things we create aren’t used in the ways we thought they would be. In this talk from TEDGlobal 2012, Marc Goodman draws from his experience in law enforcement to show the dark side of technology — what happens when great tools get into the wrong hands. In his talk, he shows a way 3D printing could be used for harm and cautions us to guard against these potentials.
David F. Flanders: Why I have a 3D printer
David F. Flanders is a 3D printing guru and the host of PIF3D, a collective dedicated to hosting “build parties,” during which 3D printing experts help curious outsiders build personal 3D printers. In this talk from TEDxHamburg, he discusses the development of the technology and the implications of its mass use, including 3D printers’ role in recovery relief, architecture, and the office supply closet.
Via TED.
3D Printed Kimberly Ovitz Jewelry Designs Come to Shapeways
3D printing marketplace Shapeways has partnered with Kimberly Ovitz on a new line of 3D printed jewelry.
The designs are inspired by the sleek look of female comic book crime fighters. Ranging from $35 to $95, the designs are available for sale at Shapeways and can be designed to custom fit the customer.
Ovitz’ new line was inspired by the idea of “natural defense,” which in practice means form-fitting jewelry that, in this case, looks like it was lifted right out of a comic book. The Coelom Bracelet and Squama Ring are similar – both wrap around the pointer finger and hand in a delicate spiral, and come in either stainless steel or flexible nylon. The bracelet extends a little further, wrapping around the hand completely before terminating at the wrist. The Thana Earcuff and Spicules Earhook are worn around the ear, and neither require piercings. The Spicules combined with the Prosoma Necklace look like they’d be a pretty solid duo if you’re planning on making the career jump to masked crime-fighter.
Below is a video featuring Kimberly Ovitz designs.
Make: Where Do We Really Stand On 3D Printing?
Make magazine has published an extensive opinion piece about 3D printing as part of its 3D Thursday series. The article is called 3D Printing Revolution: the Complex Reality.
The main thesis of the post is that while 3D printers are becoming increasingly popular, the reality might not match the hype. For one, designing for manufacturability is hard – from CAD software to industrial design techniques. Another issue is the durability and precision of materials used in 3D printing, such as ABS plastic, may not be engineering-grade.
Concluding, the author states:
One day, a silver bullet solution may materialize; if it does, it will be probably nothing like any of the existing technologies we are experimenting with. Until then, it pays to focus on the process, not on this week’s most-hyped tool.
These points are valid and one has to acknowledge that 3D printing won’t replace all manufacturing processes overnight. But look at the applications that are already commercial, from medical and dentistry to fashion to toys and games. Expect more to follow quickly with the rapid pace of innovation in 3D printing!
Top 10 Countdown: Most Popular 3D Printing Stories in January 2013
Here are the top 10 most popular stories On 3D Printing brought you in January 2013.
10. Nokia’s 3D Printing Kit Lets Customers to Personalize Lumia Phone
9. Video: Stephen Colbert 3D Printed Bust at MakerBot Thingiverse
8. National Gun Control Debate Threatens 3D Printing With Regulation
7. Filabot Reclaimer Turns Recyclable Plastic into 3D Printing Material
6. Our Detailed Guide to CES 2013: Welcome to the Year of 3D Printing!
5. Fashion Week and 3D Printing: Stratasys and Shapeways Hit the Runway
4. RoBo 3D Printer Raises $500K on Kickstarter to Battle MakerBot
3. 3D Printing at CES 2013 Roundup: MakerBot, Stratasys and More
2. 3D Printing Advances Dentistry in London at Daewood & Tanner Practice
1. 3D Printing Company ExOne to Raise $75 Million in IPO on NASDAQ
Thanks for reading in January!
