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 Silver-Ink Challenge: Can 3D Printing Bring Us Renewable Energy?
Could we use 3D printing technology to create paper-thin solar strips that are capable of generating electricity?
That is the challenge presented by Chris Waldo from Kraftwurx in his blog: will we 3D print renewable energy?
Xerox is in the process of developing a special type of silver-ink that melts at a temperature lower than plastic. Silver is one of the key elements to dielectrics, semiconductors, inductors, conductors, and various circuits. With the ability to print silver on to films, fabrics, and plastics, there is a strong potential for paper thin solar strips, adaptable sensors, and a wide variety of circuits — all of which could be printed on to paper thin materials!
“Xerox (NYSE: XRX) has announced its development of special silver inks which have a melting point below that of plastic. Crafted into different versions which can act as conductors, semiconductors, or dielectrics, this silver ink could allow users to print integrated circuits onto plastic, fabric, or film. (source: Aaron Saenz)”
Printing solar strips sounds pretty fascinating, but how would it work? To understand how 3D printing can work within solar energy, one must first understand the process behind photovoltaic (PV) solar energy.
In simple terms, PV solar panels involve a non-reflective layer of film, on top of a semiconductor which is sandwiched by a front and back contact terminal for the electric current to flow through.
Chris continues to describe the photovoltaic process and then concludes:
Theoretically, silver used in conjunction with FDM 3D printing and film could result in damage to the non-reflective film, as the heated silver might melt and warp the film. Currently, silver is not used in FDM printing at all. However, Xerox’s silver can be melted at a temperature lower than plastic and many films. If Xerox’s silver could be printed as a semiconductor, we would very likely be looking at paper thin PV solar strips. This would involve doping of this silver to make two different materials – positively charged silver and a negatively charged silver. This would be the key to 3D printable solar strips.
This is a very innovative idea and the impact could be massive if low-cost solar strips could be printed on demand.
Read the full post at 3dprinter.net.
Solar photovoltaic photo by PNNL – Pacific Northwest National Laboratory used under Creative Commons license.
MakerBot and 3D Systems Execs Square Off in CES Interview [Video]
In the video below, CNET’s Rafe Needleman interviews executives of two 3D printer makers and how they are charting the future of manufacturing.
Bre Pettis from MakerBot emphasizes his company’s focus on open-source innnovation. The Replicator is great for tinkerers.
Cathy Lewis from 3D Systems talks about the range of capabilities from personal 3D printing to mass production via the cloud. The Cubify allows consumers to “color in” designs provided by the 3D Systems marketplace.
Rafe Needleman approaches questions from “How do I print 5000 widgets?” to “Why wouldn’t I just buy this widget at retail?” and more.
Fujifilm Looking to Break Into 3D Printing Retail Market [Video]
Fujifilm is looking to break into the 3D printing retail market with a new line of consumer devices that could fabricate personalized products like jewelry, toys and other home design items. Some printers would be sold to consumers for home use and others would be sold to businesses as in-store kiosk 3D printers.
Michael Mostyn, Fujifilm Key Account Manager, commented on the company’s new direction:
“Fujifilm is also looking to make 3D Printers available for consumer purchase from retailers in the near future, enabling the family and do-it-yourself enthusiasts to produce low cost, high quality finished parts for their projects at home.
“However, consumer printers would not have the capacity to produce all of the customised 3D products that would be available in-store through kiosks or online.
“Although 3D printing has been around since the 80s, the technology has only recently emerged from speciality prototyping markets.
“The principle of 3D printing is similar to ink-jet printing which uses inks applied as droplets onto paper in thin layers in two dimensions (2D).
“In a retail environment, a customer could use a kiosk to create their customised 3D product from a range of customisable designs or even a photograph, place their order with the retailer and then return to the store at a later time to pick up the product.”
In the video below, FUJIFILM showcases it latest technology in iPhone printing from kiosks to 3D Object printing at The Digital Show in Melbourne 25-27th May 2012.
Via buy-n-shoot.com.
Winners Announced in Reality Redesigned Contest Sponsored by 3D Systems
3D Systems recently sponsored a contest called Reality Redesigned which was produced by Edge Factor.
From the 3D Systems blog:
Reality Redesigned provided an opportunity for students to design part of a mountain bike, learn and win a variety of great prizes – plus recognition. The students were part of the entire process, from ideation to the production of the part. 3D Systems printed the full color prototypes of the finalists designs for display at the announcement event. The winner of the contest was chosen by a panel of expert judges and formally announced at RAPID 2012 in Atlanta, GA. What is really exciting is the winning part will be manufactured and tested by a pro rider. So, not only did the contest engage students in a fun and productive way – it allowed them to use 3D printers!
More from the press release:
“We are thrilled to leverage our full color 3D printing capabilities to inspire innovation and bring student contestants’ creativity and designs to life,” said Cathy Lewis, Vice President, Global Marketing for 3D Systems. “‘Reality Redesign’ is just one more example of 3D Systems’ commitment to education, something we are deeply passionate about as we work to democratize creativity for students at all grade levels and disciplines through access to affordable 3D printers and compelling 3D content.”
Check out all of the winners here.
Below is a video of the 3 top winners.
Below is a video of the grand prize winner Cody with his Thomson to I-beam adapter.
Bukobot Bucks Trend with Over-Subscribed 3D Printing Kickstarter Pitch
Nearly a month ago, we analyzed the funding goals of 3D printing Kickstarter projects. The conclusion?
- Of the 13 projects since October 2009, only 6 have successfully reached their funding goals, or 46%
- The average funding goal of a successful project is $3,842 and the average funds raised is $11,039, or 287%
- The average funding goal of an unsuccessful project is $16,874 and the average funds raised is $1,105, or 7%
- The average number of backers for a successful project is 55 with each backer pledging $164
- The average number of backers for an unsuccessful project is 21 with each backer pledging only $38
- There was no geographic concentration of successful projects
Now Bukobot is bucking the trend and has been oversubscribed based on its misson to deliver an affordable 3D printer with no compromises.
From an interview with VentureBeat, Bukobot founder Diego Porqueras explained his motivation:
Porqueras promises that the Bukobot (named after his “tough” dog, Buko, who he rescued from the streets), will be the most inexpensive 3D printer on the market to date.
“Compared to a MakerBot [and other similar companies], my design is a lot more efficient and simplified while still keeping the rigidity of a box,” Porqueras told VentureBeat. “I wanted to think outside the box (literally) for the design because this would allow a lot more flexibility for expansion and modifications to the feature without having to redesign or build a whole new frame.”
Most of Porqueras’ models are under $1,000, which is a deal when compared to MakerBot’s Replicator, which costs nearly $1,800.
Below is the video of the Kickstarter pitch that attracted 400% of its target funding level.
Via VentureBeat.
Bukobot photo by JuniorMonkey used under Creative Commons license.
