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
Crowdfunding a Retail 3D Printing Store in New Hampshire
Dusty Santos wants to launch her own 3D printing retail store
Inspired by her work in the 3D animation field and experience in selling on Shapeways, Dusty Santos thinks that a physical 3D printing store is a great business move and a way to give back to artists around the world.
To get started, Santos is raising $30,000 in crowdfunding to cover the costs of starting her businesses, buying equipment, and paying her employees. As her prospective business scales, Santos thinks she can fund expansion out of profits.
Visit her Fundable campaign and watch her crowdfunding video pitch here:
We caught up with entrepreneur Dusty Santos for an interview
On 3D Printing: What was your inspiration for this idea?
Dusty Santos: I have to say it was a combination of a few things. Since graduating from ‘The D.A.V.E. School’ in 2006 I worked in the 3D animation field doing freelance. It never brought in enough money though so I used my skills to sell products on Shapeways. So I know what goes into making a 3d printable mesh.
My husband is really into technology and of course 3d printing news. Having him around keeps 3d printing at the forefront of my mind. Also, I had Ashton Kutcher’s teen choice award speech in my mind when my husband, 1 year old, and myself went to the mall.
The whole trip I thought how cool it would be to see 3d printers and 3d printed creations for sale. When we were leaving the store the combination my husbands research and Ashton’s speeach hit me hard. Why not open a store myself?! Why wait, wait for what, someone else to do it? From that moment on I couldn’t get the thought out of my head, that lead me to the research, and to fundable.com and to you!
On 3D Printing: How do you compete with or differentiate from makerspaces and local 3D printing service bureaus?
Dusty Santos: That’s easy, there isn’t any competition. Well, physical store competition anyway, since I’ll be the first physical store (that I know of) where customers can see the 3d printing evolution in person. “3D Print It” will be the only store that you can see a variety of 3d printers working and for sale. With knowledgeable staff that can answer questions and help people understand this new way of selling retail. Like the concept of custom printing and never being out of stock. By the time the copycats get in on it, I’ll have cornered the market with 3d printer companies that will only re-sell with me.
On 3D Printing: What 3D Printers will you be using to start?
Dusty Santos: ’Acuity Design’ has agreed to let me re-sell their Helix 3d printer. It has a print radius of 300mm squared and takes lots of different materials. They will be the first printer I use. I’ll also buy a CubeX Trio to be able to print 3 different colors. I would rather work with companies I re-sell for so we are looking for a 3d printer that can take the place of CubeX Trio. The more variety of printers we can re-sell the better variety of merchandise we will have.
On 3D Printing: How will you market your service?
Dusty Santos: My store will be located in the Pheasant Lane Mall in Nashua NH. That mall has been recently renovated and looks amazing. It is also located close to Massachusetts, this insures that customers will come from multiple states to see my store.
Beside the obvious location traffic I will be attending conventions constantly. Everything from jewelry shows, to craft shows, to art exhibits, to cons, with 3d printing I can advertise in many different industries.
Good luck Dusty. If you like Dusty Santos’ idea, go check out her Fundable crowdfunding page.
Microsoft Launches Free 3D Printing App for Windows 8
Microsoft Continues 3D Printing Initiative with Free Windows 8 App
In June, Microsoft announced that 3D printing would be supported natively in Windows 8.1, promising that 3D printing will be “just as easy and seamless as printing in 2D.”
Today, Microsoft expanded on their support for 3D printing by launching a Windows 8 app called 3D Builder.
“3D Builder has a catalog of objects you can create from ornaments to toys and more,” said Kristina Libby, Global Consumer PR Lead for Microsoft. “The clean, simple user interface lets you scale, rotate and adjust what you want to print. Add multiple objects to a single print – even stack or push objects into one another to create new ones. Printing 3D objects created in other applications or ones that are downloaded from the Internet is really easy with the 3D Builder app and touch as well.”
Related: Watershed Moment: Windows 8.1 Offers Native Support for 3D Printing
Microsoft has been building partnerships in the 3D printing ecosystem. According to Libby, 3D Systems, MakerBot and TierTime will be supporting Windows 8.1 in time for the holiday season. And Microsoft retail stores are currently carrying MakerBot 3D printers.
Below are some screenshots of the new app. Go to the Windows Store to get a copy for yourself.
Artec 3D Scanners Used for Big Bang Theory Cast and the Royal Family
A Look at Artec in the Race for 3D Scanners
The race is on.
MakerBot launched its MakerBot Digitizer desktop 3D scanner earlier this year, selling for $1,400. Radiant Fabrication has an all-in-one 3D scanner and 3D printer. Fuel3D raised $300,000 on Kickstarter for its hand-held 3D scanner. And just this past week, 3D Systems launched a $399 hand-held 3D scanner called Sense.
But there is a veteran in this space: Luxembourg-based Artec Group.
Artec 3D scanners are used today by commercial customers like Hyundai Motor Europe. Hyundai employs Artec 3D scanners to create 3D models of automobile seats for new cars. These models can then be tested and modified for maximum safety and comfort.
In fact, there is a wide range of applications where Artec 3D scanners are being used – everything from the film World War Z to the Brazil football team to fashion design.
And now celebrities.
The Big Bang Theory
Last season on the Big Bang Theory, the nerds got excited about 3D scanning and 3D printing. In Season 6, Episode 14 (called the “Cooper/Kripke Inversion”), Howard and Raj order customized figurines of themselves online.
When the toys arrive, they are quickly disappointed at how poorly the dolls resemblance is. Raj suggests buying a 3D printer to make their own. In the show, they 3D scan themselves as well as Bernadette with a Kinect sensor and 3D print perfect replicas in color.
It turns out that the real scanning was done with an Artec Eva scanner, not a Kinect sensor. The resolution of the Kinect scans was not high enough for a quality, color 3D printed figurine. Instead Artec was selected and Chris Strong from Rapid Scan, an Artec authorized reseller, was invited to the set for the 3D scanning.
Here are 3D models of Bernadette and Howard.
The Royal Family
On a tour of Elstree Film and Television Studios, Britain’s Prince Andrew asked if he himself could be 3D scanned. The Lifecast/Life3D studio team quickly scanned him with an Artec Eva hand-held scanner.
One minute later, a life-like, 3D digital copy was staring back at Prince Andrew from the computer screen.
Learn more about Artec at www.artec3d.com.
3D Printing Week: McDonalds, 3D Systems Sense, IBM M&A Rumor, More
3D Printing News
Here is a roundup of the top 3D printing news from last week.
Fast food giant McDonald’s said it was exploring using 3D printing to personalize toys for Happy Meals.
3D Systems launched a hand-held 3D scanner for its Cubify line. The scanner is called Sense and sells for $399.
In other 3D Systems news, rumors that IBM might acquire DDD drove the stock price up 6%.
And MyMiniFactory, a company by iMakr, launched a Christmas 3D Printing contest, offering an Ultimaker 3D Printer to the winner.
Tuesday, November 5
Wednesday, November 6
Thursday, November 7
Friday, November 8
3D Systems Launches $399 Consumer 3D Scanner; Your Move, MakerBot
3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) announced today the availability of the Sense 3D scanner, the first 3D scanner designed for the consumer and optimized for 3D printing.
“The Sense is the only 3D scanner to deliver precise instant physical photography, so everyone can capture his or her scanable moments,” said 3D Systems in an announcement.
Sense has flexible scan size and can capture everything from a picture-perfect cupcake to a full-body selfie, processing data in seconds for an instantly 3D printable file. Sense comes with an intuitive user interface with easy and automated zoom, track, focus, crop, enhance and share tools. Sense printables can be sent to the Cube and CubeX 3D printers, or directly uploaded to Cubify.com for cloud printing in a range of materials, including Ceramix, Aluminix and Clear.
3D Systems has priced this new device at $399 and it is available for sale on Cubify.com. The Sense will also be sold on Staples.com and in hundreds of Staples retail stores nationwide starting November 18, 2013.
“The Sense is the first ever 3D content camera for everyone, making it possible to capture people, objects and places on the go,” said Rajeev Kulkarni, Vice President and General Manager, Consumer Products, 3D Systems. “I anticipate that the Sense’s intuitive nature, portability, range, unmatched quality and powerful user interface and user experience will spur a new social movement around 3D sharable and printable physical photography.”
How Does the MakerBot Digitzer Compare?
The MakerBot Digitizer, launched earlier this year, is a desktop 3D scanner that sells for $1400.
In comparison, the Sense from 3D Systems is a hand-held 3D scanner that is 1/3 of the price.
Related: 3D Scanning for 3D Printing: How Kickstarter is Changing the Game
A Deeper Dive with the Sense
Mobility: The Sense is a hand-held mobile scanner which allows you to scan spontaneously, everywhere you go.
Range: The Sense can scan small and large objects, people and scenes. From something as small as a book to large as a motorcycle. The 3D scanner also has automatic object recognition to detect targets out of a busy background.
Easy to learn: Sense software is intuitive, fast, accurate and easy to use. Scans process in seconds and can be cropped, enhanced and solidified for printables in just minutes. No design experience is necessary.
New software: Scans can be merged in Cubify Sculpt, consumer software for editing STLs, mash-ups and organic modeling. Full integration between the Sense and Cubify Sculpt gives you the creative freedom to import your scans and combine them with other favorite designs.
Sense is powered by 3D Systems’ proprietary Geomagic software, making the Sense unmatched in quality, scan speed and easy editing capabilities for consumers. Sense is the only consumer scanner in its class that delivers professional performance at an affordable consumer price and guarantees an awesome user experience.
Watch the video and learn more at Cubfiy.com/Sense.
