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: iPhones, Fab Labs, Brazil, Manhattan
A roundup of the top news On 3D Printing brought you from September 24 to September 28.
Friday, September 28
MakerBot Store Grand Opening in Manhattan: Photo Tour and Video
MakerBot held the Grand Opening of their new MakerBot store in Manhattan last week. In the store, they have their latest 3D printers – called Replicator 2 – printing away, they sell the special plastic spools to fit the printer, and they sell 3D printed goods. It’s as much of a showcase as it is a store.
The photo above is of a proud Bre Pettis manning the store. See the full photo tour at Engadget.
Fab Lab of the Week: – Fab Lab Portland at U of Oregon
This week’s featured Fab Lab is the Fab Lab Portland at the University of Oregon.
From the fab lab’s website:
The primary function of the lab is to support students and faculty members conducting research in Portland. Access is offered to patrons that are actively enrolled or teaching in the current term. The culture of the lab supports an open atmosphere of learning. Patrons are responsible for safely operating all equipment and tools themselves, and must first complete a basic safety orientation and sign a release waiver before working in the woodshop or spary booth. Patrons may also use equipment in the fabrication lab if they have received technical training and been approved to operate the machines. Workshops and courses are offered each term to provide patrons with opportunities to improve their protoyping skills and fabrication techniques.
Fab Lab Portland has 3D printers and other equipment for use.
The facility supports two laser cutters, a 3D printer, a CNC milling machine, and a CNC router. Prices and specifications for equipment are as follows:
| Laser Cutters: | Universal ILS 9.150D 100 watts 36”x24” $0.50/min |
Universal VLS 4.60 50 watts 24”x18” $0.30/min |
| 3D Printer: | Dimension 1200ES SST ABS plastic (natural) 10”x10”x12” max dimensions $8/cu.in. |
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| CNC Milling Machine: | Roland MDX-540 14”x14”x5” (9”x6”d.) travel dimensions *cost varies with material |
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| CNC Router: | ShopBot BT48 48”x96”x5” travel dimensions *cost varies with material |
3D4D Challenge Announces $100K Finalists – 3D Printing for Global Good
In July we wrote about the 3D4D Challenge, a competition offering a $100K prize to the biggest transformational idea that could leverage 3D printing technologies to deliver real social benefits in the developing world.
Seven finalists have been chosen to go through to the Live Final on October 19th in London!
Boris’s concept is based on the development of a small scale, easy-to-manufacture and assemble robotic greenhouse which will enable local communities to produce good food with ease, even in the most difficult environmental conditions.
Climate Connected Benefit Society, ColaLights - Edmund Bell-King and Cornell Jackson, UK
Ed and Cornell’s project involves the development of Solar lamps created from used plastic Coke bottles using 3D printed ‘bottle caps’ and attachments for the charger, battery and PCB components. These lights will replace expensive and dangerous kerosene ones to use in rural areas throughout India.
EN3D Project - JF Brandon, Canada
JF has developed a simple, 3D printed solar tracker that is more efficient, cheaper and easier to manufacture than existing models, which will provide sustainable solar electricity to local communities.
Fripp Design and Research - Tom Fripp and Steve Roberts, UK
Tom and Steve are working on an idea to use 3D printing technology to enable the developing world to rapidly manufacture soft tissue prosthesis, at minimal expense.
Just 3D Printing - Suchismita, Jayant Pai and Sidhant Pai, India
The Pai family’s project involves providing young entrepreneurs and students access to 3D printers using material recycled from disused plastic bottles, in order to encourage innovation.
Roy Ombatti - University of Nairobi,Kenya
Roy’s idea is based on the need to prevent the problem of foot infections caused by The Jigger Fly, something that is rife in parts of East Africa. Specially designed 3D printed shoes could be produced from recycled plastic to be worn by individuals suffering from foot deformities in order to prevent further deterioration.
Tinkher - Brandon Bowman, Matthew Rogge, Luke Iseman and Bethanu Weeks USA
Tinkher is an amalgamation of two projects submitted to the final with very similar objectives. The project aims to develop an off-grid 3D printing system, which recycles plastic bags to produce tools for local farmers.
The international competition attracted a diverse range of entries from around the world – including entries from North and South America, Europe, Asia, and East and West Africa.
Each of the finalists will receive $1000 and access to expert mentors in order to develop their projects in the run up to the competition final, which will take place at this year’s 3D Print Show on Friday 19th October 2012. Finalists will pre-record short video pitches which will be available to view at the show and online so that the general public can vote for their favourite entries. The contestants will then be invited to give live presentations of their projects to selected guests, after which the judging panel will choose a winner.
Visit the 3D4D Challenge to read more about this noble competition.
Color Blending with Consumer 3D Printers Produces Amazing Results
Consumer 3D printers, like MakerBot and the Cube, cost over $1,300 and can only print in one or two colors. If you want multi-color printing, you need to use a commercial grade 3D printer that costs $20,000 or more.
Well, electrical engineer and hobbyist Richard Home, decided to branch out and design his own method of “color blending”, a technique that turns a basic 3D printer into something much more capable. He started with the open-source RepRap design and developed his own extruder design, which he coined “RichRap.”
As featured in Wired:
Here’s how it works: The RichRap has three extruder motors feeding into one nozzle, or hot end. Each motor spools plastic filament into the hot end where it is melted, then deposited on a build surface. An operator could load a RichRap with red, yellow, and blue plastics and generate green parts by mixing the yellow and blue, or purple by mixing red and blue.
Watch the videos below to see Richard discuss his design and show off some of his color prints.
