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
NASA 3D Printing Initiative to Bring 3D Printers to Space
NASA 3D Printing Initiative
A NASA 3D printing initiative is embracing 3D printers and Maker technologies to prepare them for the future of space travel.
NASA has commissioned a company to build a 3D printer that can go into space. We reported about SpiderFab back in September 2012.
“If you’re going to explore Mars, or work on station, [and] you need to bring your own materials, then you really create a sustainable method of constructing a new habitat.”, said Matthew Reyes, Contractor at NASA Ames Research Center.
“Space Shop is our attempt to take the best practices and lessons learned from what we call the maker community,” said Dave Korsmeyer, the director of engineering at NASA Ames.
Learn more in the CNET video below.
mUVe 3D Printer Meets Funding Goal on Indiegogo
mUVe 3D Printer Raises Over $12,000 on Indiegogo
The mUVe 3D Printer has raised crowdfunding, once again showing that the crowd loves 3D printing.
The project creator’s name is Dean Piper. He started mUVe 3D in January of 2013 with the idea of releasing and selling parts and kits for an open-source stereolithographic 3D printer. Now his Indiegogo project has met the funding goal of $10,000 with less than 24 hours to go!
Dean says, “I have a true passion for 3D printing and hope to show that to all of you. I have worked with and built 3D printers for over 5 years. This entire project was done on in my spare time while working a full-time job, it doesn’t feel much like work though. 3D printing is truly a wonderful technology and it deserves to be in as many hands as possible. It has become a mission of mine to make it affordable for everyone everywhere.”
Well it looks like Dean’s dreams are about to come true via Indiegogo. Watch his pitch video below.
Below is a time-lapsed video of a Gyroid Cube being printed on the mUVe 1 3D printer. The cube was originally 100mm but to save time it was printed at 80% or 80mm.
Practical 3D Printing: 10 Things to Make With a 3D Printer
Practical 3D Printing: 10 Things to Make
Our friends at Internet of things blog Hack Things put together a list of 10 practical things to make with a 3D printer. Here’s the practical 3D printing list.
After digging through Thingiverse, Shapeways and Ponoko, there are plenty of practical, every-day creations to justify the purchase of a 3D printer.
Here are ten practical things to make.
1) iPhone cases
At the Apple store even a bumper is going to cost you $30. With a 3D printer, you could print a new case design every week. And there are a lot of beautiful designs out there.
2) Replacement parts
If you like to fix things, a 3D printer is magic. When a small plastic part breaks, you no longer have to throw the whole product away. This guy’s dishwasher had a broken handle, so he printed a new one.
3) Smartphone accessories
3D printers have come up with innumerable little ways to get more out of your smartphone, various stands, cord wrappers, sound amplifiers and camera attachments like this cheap and effective macro lens.
4) Camera gear
Photographers are willing to spend serious money for the right gear, and manufacturers set prices accordingly. From tripod mounts to lens cap holders, camera buffs can 3D print inexpensive accessories made to fit their kit.
5) Bicycle accessories
Cyclists are already used to tinkering to get their bike perfectly in tune. A 3D printer opens up whole new opportunities. Create clips to attach to the frame, a carrying handle, or even a whole pedal.
6) Science
From a tray for washing microscope slides to custom lens mounts, you can 3D print whatever tools you need to do science. Good for the grad student on a budget, or for family science projects. You can even print this anemometer.
7) Wallets and purses
It turns out you can make a great wallet or an interesting purse out of plastic. Like the iPhone case, this really changes the way you think about these kinds of accessories. If you are making them yourself you can experiment with designs you might not buy in the store.
8) Clocks
A cheap quartz clock movement and a little 3D printing, and you have a beautiful clock. Pick from many styles.
9) Containers
Look around your house and you’ll probably find a lot of small plastic containers. You can print those, and tailor them to their purpose, like this toothbrush holder.
10) Legos
If you are a Lego fan (and if you are reading this, you probably are), imagine printing any shape you want and just plugging it directly into the Lego universe. I guess you could even print a Lego-compatible Yoda head.
Obviously if you want to mass produce something there are more efficient tools than a desktop 3D printer. The same could be said about printing with ink. If you want to publish a bestselling paperback, you don’t do that at home. But no one doubts the value of an inkjet printer.
All the hype aside, for small plastic parts, when you factor in shipping and customization, a home 3D printer actually makes sense today.
Cube 3D Printer on Display at AC Gears NYC Store Special Events
Cube 3D Printer Events
AC Gears is a curated electronics & lifestyle store in the village of New York City with unique, useful, and innovative products from the US and around the world. They also sell 3D printers. In April, they are hosting several 3D printing events in partnership with 3D Systems.
3D Systems announced that AC Gears will host a series of 3D printing events featuring the popular Cube 3D printer at their Manhattan store on April 4th and 18th, 2013 from 6pm-8pm. The newest Cube, unveiled at CES in January, will be showcased at the events and adults and children alike are encouraged to play, design and print while enjoying great music.
Awarded “easiest to use” and “most reliable” by Make Magazine, 3D Systems has made its Cube 3D printer even easier to own and simpler to use by offering a Print Pack valued at, $1,500, for just $1,399. This comprehensive value pack includes the Cube 3D printer, 4 cartridges, 25 free prints and Cubify® Invent design software, the only 3D design tool optimized for 3D printing. Cubify.com provides more easy printing options for new users with 3D apps that generate free print files and an entire 3D printing marketplace of items to choose from.
Cube 3D Printer Features
The Cube is available for purchase at the AC Gears store in Manhattan. Product features include:
- Up to 1.5X faster print speed and 2X better accuracy for printed parts up to 5.5” cubed.
- Printing in two materials, compostable PLA and recyclable ABS plastics available in 16 different color cartridges including new glow-in-the dark green and blue and metallic silver colors.
- Cube offers a choice of print mode fill density: lite, medium and solid in both PLA and ABS plastics with optional easy, breakaway supports for the most complex prints. Moisture-lock cartridge ensures extended shelf life and total material usage, improving print quality and sustainability.
- The printer detects material type automatically based on the cartridge, eliminating the need to change print settings.
- Aside from being the only 3D printer on the market to print via WiFi, Cube meets all IEC 60950 Printer Safety Requirements, making it the only consumer 3D printer that is safe for home use by children.
Event Details
Are you in NYC and want to attend? Here are the details:
Who: Cubify and AC Gears
What: Showcasing of Cubify’s Cube printers
When: Thursday, April 4th and 18th, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Where: AC Gears
69 E. 8th Street
New York City, NY 10003
More about AC Gears: The company was founded in 2007 and was selected by Inc Magazine in 2010 as one of America’s fastest growing companies and has appeared on Times, Forbes, Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Wired, among others. AC Gears and its gadgets have appeared on The New York Times, NBC, CBS, The Wall Street Journal, Wired, Rolling Stone, The Jay Leno Show, among others.
More information available on www.3DSystems.com and www.acgears.com.
Photo provided by AC Gears and used with permission.
Sold Out: Play-Doh Kids 3D Printer and iPad App
Kids 3D Printer with Play-Doh
Well, that was quick! The folks over at ThinkGeek have SOLD OUT of the new Play-Doh 3D Printer.
Announced yesterday, April 1st, the innovative kids 3D printer is already unavailable. You can read the product description below.
Why buy things from stores when you can print them yourself? The DIY 3D printer revolution is here, friends, and have we got the entry-level 3D printer for you. It’s the Play-Doh 3D Printer, and it’s loaded with features without a price tag that will set your wallet on fire. Let’s take a quick tour, and then you’ll want to buy one.
First, some quick assembly (of the snap-together variety) and your Play-Doh 3D Printer is almost ready for action. Add 2 C batteries, plug it into your iPad, and launch the free app: iPlay-Doh 3D. Quickly design all sorts of things on the free app and then send them to your Play-Doh 3D Printer. Add up to 3 different colors (they’ll blend like soft serve ice cream) to the top of the Play-Doh 3D Printer and then watch your iPad for directions. The iPlay-Doh 3D app will let you know when the printer is ready for you to start cranking.
There are two different cranks on the Play-Doh 3D Printer: one to drip the Play-Doh down onto the conveyor belt and one to move the conveyor belt back and forth (to make sure the Play-Doh gets in just the right place). Sure, the overall product isn’t as sturdy as an expensive 3D printed object, but it will air-harden and can be painted just like one. With the Play-Doh 3D Printer, you’ll learn basic CAD skills, bow hunting skills (just kidding), and 3D printing skills. It’s time to stop reading and get one now. Go on. Get!
Summary of Specifications
- The most economical and fun entry-level 3D printer on the market.
- Uses Play-Doh as a print medium, so it’s safe for kids and noobies.
- Can print in up to 3 colors at once (blending them like soft serve ice cream).
- Connects to iPad for easy designing with free iPlay-Doh 3D app.
- iPlay-Doh 3D app also lets you share designs with others (and print their designs).
- Build Volume: 5″ cubed.
- Power: 2 C Batteries and you (it’s mostly crank powered).
- Includes: Play-Doh 3D Printer with conveyor belt, cranks, and printing head; plastic knife; 3 2oz cans of Play-Doh; and instructions.
- Dimensions: approx. 15.5″ x 8″ x 19″
Again, this product was only announced yesterday, April 1st, and is already sold out. You can check over at ThinkGeek to see if any more come into stock.
