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
Retailer Asda Launches 3D Printed Portrait Service in the UK
For years, retail shops have operated portrait studios, where families or individuals can come get professional-looking photos taken at a reasonable price.
Well, UK-based Asda is taking this concept to a new dimension. Asda has become the first supermarket in the UK to offer customers the ability to get a 3D printed miniature of themselves right in the store.
“We’re trialling an exciting new service — offering you the chance to pick up a detailed 3D printed miniature version of you and your family while you’re doing your weekly shop!” said Asda in an announcement. “The technology produces highly realistic ‘mini me’ figurines at whatever scale you like!”
Starting this week, Asda is pioneering its 3D printing offering in its York store.
How to get a 3D printed portrait at Asda
Asda has setup a small studio in its store where a customer stands motionless and a store employee 3D scans the customer with a handheld scanner. From the scan a model is built and Asda then 3D prints the model in ceramic offsite.
3D printed miniatures cost £40 and up, and can be printed in white, bronze, or full color.
Asda is inviting customers to scan anything, including people, pets and even cars. “Good luck scanning pets…” wrote one customer on an Asda forum. To get the scan, a subject does need to remain still for a few minutes which might make capturing pets and children a challenge.
Watch this video to see a woman being 3D scanned and her likeness created on a 3D printer.
ESA Announces The AMAZE Project to Bring Metal 3D Printing to Space
The European Space Agency (ESA) is making a major push into metal 3D printing
Today, at the London Science Museum, the ESA is showcasing complex 3D printed parts made of metal that can withstand temperatures at 1000°C – fit for space and the most demanding applications on Earth.
Moving from plastic to metal
3D printers are great from rapid prototyping or creating industrial objects out of plastic, but what about metal?
The ESA and the EU, together with industrial and educational partners, are developing the first large-scale production methods to 3D print with metal. This technology would allow the creation of complex objects in space — imagine full-scale systems like reactors or rockets.
“We want to build the best quality metal products ever made. Objects you can’t possibly manufacture any other way,” said David Jarvis, ESA Head of New Materials and Energy Research, in an interview with BBC.
Above: a titanium 3D printed structure
This novel technology offers many advantages. 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, can create complex shapes that are impossible to manufacture with traditional casting and machining techniques. Little to no material is wasted and cutting the number of steps in a manufacturing chain offers enormous cost benefits.
The AMAZE project – Additive Manufacturing Aiming Towards Zero Waste & Efficient Production of High-Tech Metal Products – began in January and factory sites are being set up in France, Germany, Italy, Norway and the UK to develop the industrial supply chain.
Below is a video produced by the ESA.
3D Printing Week: VJET, ClickBank, Shapeways Bronze, Artec 3D Scanners
3D Printing News
Here is a roundup of the top 3D printing news from October 7 to 13.
voxeljet is the latest 3D printing company to go public. The German company priced it’s $91 million IPO and chose the ticker VJET on the NYSE.
It seems like new materials are coming to market for 3D printers all the time. Last week, Shapeways announced they can now 3D print in bronze.
In a sign of further market adoption, ClickBank, an affiliate marketing platform, created a new 3D printing category.
We also profiled Artec 3D scanners and the London Science Museum.
Wednesday, October 9
- Inventor of 3D Printing Chuck Hull Receives Award
- voxeljet Plans $91 Million IPO (VJET) to Compete with DDD SSYS XONE
Thursday, October 10
Friday, October 11
Saturday, October 12
Sunday, October 13
Inventor of 3D Printing Chuck Hull Receives Award
“From the get go, I imagined that 3D printing would significantly change design and manufacturing as we know it, but I could not have anticipated the profound impact the technology would have on everything in our lives. It is both humbling and exhilarating to be apart of this incredible transformation.” — Chuck Hull
Chuck Hull, the inventor of 3D printing and founder of 3D Systems, was honored with the George R. Stibitz Computer and Communications Award by Montana State University on October 3, 2013, in Bozeman, MT.
Hull invented the original 3D printing technology, Stereolithography (SLA), and led the development of the .stl file format, which continues to be the gold standard in ultra high-definition 3D printing and CAD connectivity to this day. Hull set to develop additive layer manufacturing to help an ailing automotive industry regain competitive advantage. After years of failed attempts Hull’s perseverance and inventiveness paid off when he successfully printed a teacup on March 9, 1983, and went on to file a patent for what he called Stereolithography and found 3D Systems in 1986.
Photo: Chuck Hull speaks on the “Pioneers” panel at the Inside 3D Printing San Jose conference
Hull continues to lead the 3D printing revolution as 3D Systems’ Chief Technology Officer, celebrating 30 years of continuous 3D printing innovation and presiding over 7 different 3D print technologies, over 100 materials and 1,200 patents.
The award program was established in 1997 by George Keremedjiev, founder and director of the American Computer and Robotics Museum in Bozeman, MT. Hull is being honored along side the late Walt Disney and John Holland, an expert in complex adaptive systems. MSU will also be honoring primatologist Frans de Waal and 3M executive Jean B. Sweeney with the Edward O. Wilson Biodiversity Technology Pioneer Award.
Photo: Chuck Hull receives his Cube 3D printer
“Seemingly a week cannot pass by without the mention of 3D printing for advanced manufacturing in both the general and technical media,” Keremedjiev said. “It is, bar none, the ‘hottest’ technology for modern and future manufacturing in the world. In fact, much of President Obama’s and the Congress’ manufacturing initiatives center themselves around the proliferation of Mr. Hull’s invention (3D printing).”
“I am deeply honored to receive the distinguished Stibitz Award alongside innovators who have changed the world and improved the human condition in unimagined and powerful ways,” said Chuck Hull, Founder and Chief Technology Officer, 3D Systems. “From the get go, I imagined that 3D printing would significantly change design and manufacturing as we know it, but I could not have anticipated the profound impact the technology would have on everything in our lives. It is both humbling and exhilarating to be apart of this incredible transformation.”
3D Printing Week: Viral Toothbrush, Crowdfunding, Staples Challenge
3D Printing News
Here is a roundup of the top 3D printing news from September 30 to October 6.
We get a view into the distribution of 3D printers courtesy of 3D Hubs; MakerBot and Ultimaker are top of the list.
A lot of action in crowdfunding this past week. FABtotum is a 3D printer, CNC machine and 3D scanner in one. The Open Hand Project looks to close the gap to build its 3D printed robotic prosthetic.
Staples partners with CGTrader for a 3D printing design challenge, specifically for the Mcor paper 3D printers.
And a 3D printed toothbrush goes viral!
Tuesday, October 1
Wednesday, October 2
Thursday, October 3
Friday, October 4
Saturday, October 5
