A roundup of the top news On 3D Printing brought you from August 6 to August 12.

Monday, August 6

• Infographic: How 3D Printing Works, Industry Growth, Stocks, and More

Tuesday, August 7

• 3D Printing On the Go: Portable 3D Printer PopFab Fits in a Suitcase
• Finally, an iPhone Case That Does Something Useful (Opens Beers)

Thursday, August 9

• Forbes 3D Printing Interview with Shapeways CEO Peter Weijmarshausen

Friday, August 10

• Open-Source 3D Printer Pwdr Takes on MakerBot, Offers New Materials
• Setting Up and Running a Fab Lab: Primer, History, and Recommendations
  

Every consumer electronic technology starts out large and eventually becomes portable. Computers were once mainframes the size of a large room and now can fit in the palm of your hand. The same trend is being followed for 3D printers.

Two MIT students have designed PopFab: a 3D printer that fits in a suitcase and can be a carry-on piece of luggage.

Described as a multi-tool, perhaps the Swiss Army knife of 3D printers, the video below shows the two students setting up PopFab bit by bit, and is part of a series that will show off the mobile 3D printer’s capabilities.

In just a few moments, the students assembled the printer through attaching the printing head to a fold-out arm. Next, they placed the printing material and connected a computer which is used to relay the design to the machine.

In the video, the printer is used to create a small, three dimensional fish. However, the portable design could potentially be used to perform different functions — change the toolhead, switch the service. For example, the team believe it could also be used to cut vinyl, perform milling or draw programmed designs.

Via SmartPlanet.