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 »
Search Results for: 3d printer
The Largest 3D Printing Event Worldwide Coming to NYC in Two Weeks – Get 10% OFF
In less than two weeks, Inside 3D Printing Conference and Expo will take over the Javits Convention Center in New York City for two full days of comprehensive programming, impressive exhibits, 3D printer giveaways, and more. The conference, which is expecting more than 3,000 attendees, will feature a startup competition, exhibits on 3D printing design and business, hands-on workshops, and more.
Session topics will explore the current state of the 3D printing industry, the capabilities of modern technologies, and what’s on the horizon for this exciting field. Comprehensive programming has been scheduled for April 3 and 4, including presentations titled “3D Printing, Past and Future,” “Virtual Surgical Planning in Craniofacial Surgery,” “How Professional Investors are Playing the 3D Printing Boom,” “Using 3D Printing to Eat Healthier,” and more. View the full agenda here.
With 3D printing DIY and design attracting growing interest, the conference has added a separate track of programming geared towards the Maker community. A special section of the exhibit floor has also been dedicated for art, fashion, and creativity within 3D printing. The Maker Summit and Pavilion will explore how even those who are new to 3D printing can use these technologies to craft and create objects.
We’re partnering with Inside 3D Printing NYC to offer 10% OFF full conference passes with code ON3DP. If you register before April 3 you’ll save an extra $300 on on-site prices. Click here to register now.
Inside 3D Printing will be hosting additional conferences this year in Seoul, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Santa Clara, and Milan. Click here to see the full world tour schedule.
3D Print a Meme, Win Much Wow!
Facebooke has just turned tene last monthe. Amaze.
Such much has changed since the very beginning. Wow. Very much so good memes were posted on this social network. Much more wow will be if it will be three dee printed.
Alright, let’s get serious… Yes, Facebook has really turned 10 this month. Yes, it has changed a lot since 2004. It has become a tool for communication between people. It has changed even the way how people interact with each other.
Sharing is caring? Sharing is laughing! Internet memes – that is something that had become big during these 10 years. Of course, you have seen at least one of them online. (Probably, even more than one.) Jackie Chan? Beyonce? Anybody? Yeah, we see that troll face you are making!
Ladies and gentlemen, it is time to see a meme in reality!
Make a 3D printable meme and get so much wow prizes from our sponsors for the best 3D printable model and portfolio. You and your friends will be a part of jury – likes and shares of your model will be counted as points. So, do not forget to share and promote your model online.
This is the latest competition from 3D printable model marketplace CGTrader. The winner will receive:
- Tazz 3 3D printer from Lulzbot
- 200 USD gift card to shop on Sculpteo
- Promotional features of 3D printed design on Mashable
- 100 USD gift card to shop on Protoparadigm
- Filaments from 3D 2Print
- 300 USD from CGTrader
- CGTrader T-shirt
Plus prizes for the runners up. Visit CGTrader to learn more.
How 3D Printing Could Revolutionise Product Packaging
This is a guest post by Jonny Rowntree, whose bio is at the end of this article.
As one of the corporate and creative world’s most booming industries, product packaging and printing is constantly changing its nature, becoming more innovative and diverse with each advancement.
With printing processes such as offset, flexo, and digital printing, manufacturers and businesses are able to design a package print which is durable, protective, and visually appealing for a relatively substantial cost which sees positive results.
But what about experimenting with technologies like 3D printing?
Does this highly sophisticated and versatile development of the printing process have the potential to revolutionise the product packaging world, or at least one stage of the process? Critics may argue that until the technology becomes more mainstream, the method may be a little too mad – at least, cost-wise. But it’s also a technology which could be worth looking at for businesses.
The World of 3D
It’s not just riveting cinema action anymore – 3D has ventured into the homes and businesses of aspiring designers and developers, with some even patenting their own economical version of the printer, and leading national institutions holding their own exhibits on the technology. But how exactly does 3D printing work?
The technique itself is fairly straightforward, creating a solid image by process of accumulation or additive process, whereby differently shaped layers of material are laid down on top of one another. This varies from the subtractive processes of traditional printing methods which rely on cutting or drilling to reduce the material. The 3 main types are extrusion, granular, and light polymerised.
Beginning with virtual blueprints in STL, PLY, VRML or WRL file formats, which are created with software such as computer aided design (CAD) or animation modelling software, the images are divided into cross-sections and the machine binds these successive layers together on a build bed or platform. These are laid down using liquid, powder, paper or sheet material components which are then fused together to create the desired shape and size (determined by printer and X-Y resolution in dpi – dots per inch – or micrometers).
The time taken to print the model can range from hours to days, dependent on the project, with addictive systems resulting in greater versatility and quickest production time vs. injection moulding which provides a more economical method. During the final stages, sometimes additive processes are combined with subtractive processes which remove additional material creating a higher level of accuracy.
Due its incredibly adaptable nature and capability to print not only various shapes and sizes but print several colour combinations at once, 3D printing is quickly becoming the new alternative for businesses across the globe, commonly used for prototyping and distributed manufacturing in:
- Architecture and construction (AEC)
- Industrial design
- Art and sculpture
- Automotive and mechanics
- Aerospace
- Military
- Engineering (most specifically civil)
- Medical industries
- Biotech
- Education
- Geographic information
- Food industry
- Fashion, footwear, and jewellery as well as several others.
With increasing accessibility to 3D printers and the freedom of open source 3D printing, more customers are able to effectively reduce costs in their business due to saving money on not using other printing techniques which may require several different machines and processes to produce one type of object, as well as the ability to print out solid objects which would otherwise be expensive to purchase.
Re-energizing the Art of Packaging
Inevitably, 3D printing provides the perfect venue for the creation of packaging, particularly flexible packaging. This field alone hails a large number of companies which specialise in developing software toolkits for businesses that use flexible packaging blueprints, modules and templates. A business can benefit from not having to combine traditional printing techniques, maintaining machines, or contracting printers, as well as saving on labour and resulting in a quicker turnaround time and more profit.
Businesses might question the quality of the product, asking whether the product will be safe and durable, as well as aesthetically appealing and marketable. These demands are met by customising 3D printers themselves as well as incorporating the concerns of a 3D printer into the initial design process.
There is a massive selection on the market which specialises in 3D printing machines, ranging from entry-level basic functionality to high-end, state of the art technology, catered to industry leaders and designers with new prototypes frequently developed. Though initially high in price, supply and demand is bringing it down gradually and as more packaging design is integrated into its function, more improvements will be made and will become accessible to businesses of varying sizes. In fact, this technology could eventually replace flexographic and offset printing in the future, if not make a considerable impact in the competition.
Eco-friendly? Getting there.
Like much of the new technology which is making waves across the packaging industry, 3D printing is becoming one of the more sustainable practices by reducing carbon footprint and using recycled materials and components which are treated carefully and meet regulation standard. By being able to produce an entire package, it saves the amount of resources which would typically go into the traditional printing techniques due to its ability to replicate other material, as well as eliminating the need to acquire and transfer materials between two different printing styles.
Most impressively, it also places considerably more capabilities into the hands of small businesses, who can produce their own packaging and in turn make a profit – a viable investment for years to come.
About the author: Jonny Rowntree is a freelance writer based in the North of England working with worldwide printing partner, Elanders UK.
Latest 3D Bioprinting Technique Inspired by Chinese Woodblock Printing
This is a guest post by Abdul Rehman, whose bio is at the end of the article.
Throughout history, the simplest, most mundane things have inspired great scientific breakthroughs.
Isaac Newton saw an apple falling to the ground and put forward his theory of gravity. Albert Einstein imagined a man falling off a building and formed his theory of relativity.
Perhaps the latest bioprinting technique called “Block Cell Printing” falls into the same category as it is inspired by centuries’ old Chinese woodblock printing.
Block-Cell Printing
Developed by researchers in Houston, “block-cell printing” or “BloC printing” is a technique for making single layered patterns of living cells. It uses microfluidic physics to guide living cells into small hook-like traps. Cells flow down columns in a mold and assume definite positions according to predefined criteria. When the mold is lifted, the cells remain behind on a substrate retaining the same predefined pattern.
This technique is quite similar to the Chinese woodblock printing technique through which they printed text, images or patterns using wooden blocks and ink. Lidong Qin, the head of the research team, says: “It’s essentially the same as the ancient woodblock printing.”
So, in block cell printing, the mold is the wooden block, the cells form the ink and the substrate is the paper.
Comparison with Contemporary Techniques
Presently, bioprinting companies like Organovo, use a technique called inkjet printing. When compared to it, block cell printing:
- Keeps More Cells Alive: One problem with the inkjet technique is that many cells (20-50%) die during the process. In contrast, in block cell printing, almost all the cells survive. Qin says: “A survival rate of 50 to 80 percent is typical as cells exit the inkjet nozzles. By comparison, we are seeing close to 100 percent of cells in BloC-Printing survive the printing process.”
- Is More Economical: Another big advantage that block cell printing enjoys over the traditional techniques is that it is far more affordable. Each BloC mold costs around $1 to produce. In comparison, an inkjet printer costs anywhere from $10,000 to $200,000. So, research companies can cut down their costs by utilizing block cell printing.
- Is Unable to Produce Three-Dimensional Structures Yet: Although it is revolutionary in many aspects, till now, block cell printing hasn’t been able to produce three-dimensional structures like tissues and organs. This is what the researchers are focusing on next.
Possible Uses of BloC Printing
Qin says that this technique is especially useful for two purposes:
Cancer Diagnosis and Research
The first is cancer diagnosis and research. By studying the behavior and characteristics of cells of cancer patients in the mold, such as how they move in the columns of the mold, BloC printing can be used to diagnose the stage of the cancer. This can then be used for treatment and research purposes.
Neuron Research
Another thing for which block cell printing is especially useful is neuron research. This technique can print neurons as close as 5 micrometers. So, it can be used to study their interactions with one another. Qin states: “Such work could be helpful in understanding Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.”
Old Technique, New Technology
3D bioprinting has recently become popular as it has the capability to revolutionize the drug and organ industries. It provides a ray of hope for many patients with terminal diseases. However, many concerns have been raised because of its high cost and complexity. Block cell printing has changed that concept and proven that bioprinting can be achieved economically and simply. Once it is able to form 3D tissues, perhaps this millennia-old technique will become the latest and greatest technology!
About the author: Abdul Rehman is a medical student with a keen interest in all things technology. Computers, graphic cards, mobiles, tablets, 3d printing and tissue engineering are just a few of the things he’s been following for years. A regular author at 3dprinthq.com for a year, he’s written on dozens of 3D printing topics from aviation to fashion.
3D Systems Buys 3D Printed Dollhouse Maker for Cubify Business
3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) has continued its acquisition path with the purchase of Digital PlaySpace (DPS), a proprietary, innovative and immersive digital play platform that connects brands, retailers and consumers to 3D printable play activities.
Through its two leading digital play properties, DigitalDollhouse.com and Dreamhouse Designer Facebook app, the DPS platform combines home design, gaming, and community sharing to deliver a vivid 3D create-and-make experience for children and their parents. Compelling content creation, capture and customization features make it quick, easy and fun to personalize and 3D print incredible creations at home on a Cube® 3D printer, or have them cloud printed using 3DS’ fulfillment service, available on its consumer destination site Cubify™.
Jesyca Durchin, DPS founder and CEO said, “We are thrilled to integrate our virtual and actual play experiences directly into the 3DS Cubify platform. Our vision is to deliver a ‘3D PlaySpace’ for everyone. The immersiveness and fun of our PlaySpace experience enhances brand recall and loyalty, enabling brands and retailers to connect with consumers in a whole new way. We designed Digital PlaySpace from the bottom-up for publishing flexibility and scalability, and 3DS is the perfect home for our growth.”
“We are excited to have Jesyca and her entire Digital PlaySpace team join our Cubify platform, enabling millions of new users to connect with family, friends and favorite brands in more immersive and socially creative ways,” said Cathy Lewis, Chief Marketing Officer, 3DS. “Digital PlaySpace’s ability to customize and rapidly publish mobile and web 3D printable content provides a differentiated value proposition for brands and consumers alike.”
Durchin is a leading developer of interactive and filmed entertainment for girls since 1994. She is an award-winning producer of both interactive and 3D animated films for Mattel, and has been a key advisor to Disney Theme Parks regarding brand-sponsored exhibitions targeting women. As a producer, Jesyca has created and produced games, films and rides for leading brands such as Mattel Entertainment, Buena Vista Games, Walt Disney Imagineering, Walt Disney Home Video, and Mattel Interactive.
Learn more about the 3D printed lifestyle at 3DS’ consumer destination Cubify.
