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Powder-Based Inkjet Machine Opens New Doors for 3D Printing

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January 30, 2013

Pwdr is an unusual 3D printer in that it functions like a regular desktop printer, rather than some of the other 3D printers that melt plastic or use lasers to cure resin. This open source, inkjet-based 3D printer has the potential to offer a wide range of vivid colors while sparking innovative applications involving powder-based rapid-prototyping. Continue reading Powder-Based Inkjet Machine Opens New Doors for 3D Printing

Robotic Fabricator: Autonomous 3D Printer for Manufacturing

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January 30, 2013

Roomba-maker iRobot has filed a patent for a 3D printer that streamlines the production process by assembling parts without human assistance. The “Robotic Fabricator” would eliminate human error, and the printer would maintain flexibility in what it could produce. The printer would have the ability to “handle connectors, seams, and fasteners that lock parts together,” which is often the source of defective products. Continue reading Robotic Fabricator: Autonomous 3D Printer for Manufacturing

3D Printing Takes a Turn on the Runway at Paris Fashion Week

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January 30, 2013

It seems 3D technology knows no bounds. “At Paris Fashion Week, technology and fashion collided when a model walked down the runway in a striking 3D printed dress,” writes VentureBeat. While the dress itself was a rather simple design, critics were fascinated by the way in which it was made. Will 3D printers soon be creating our clothes? Continue reading 3D Printing Takes a Turn on the Runway at Paris Fashion Week

CES 2013: Razer Edge Takes Top Awards in CNET Best of CES

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January 10, 2013

CNET announced the winners of its official “Best of CES” Awards program on Thursday morning. Hundreds of new products were judged by the CNET editors, while the People’s Voice Award was selected by an online audience. This year, both the Best of Show and People’s Voice Awards went to the $999 Razer Edge, a PC gaming-oriented Windows 8 tablet. Other winners included the Lenovo 27-inch Horizon Table PC, Samsung’s 4K UHDTV and the Android YotaPhone with e-ink display. Continue reading CES 2013: Razer Edge Takes Top Awards in CNET Best of CES

CES 2013: Trends Flying Somewhat Under the Radar

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January 3, 2013

In addition to the highly anticipated array of UHD TVs, new smartphones, Android devices, cloud developments and Internet-connected everything, next week’s CES promises interesting new products and services related to a number of sectors not yet drawing the same amount of press attention. Watch for news involving small flexible displays, green technology, home automation, home projections systems, 3D printing and more. Continue reading CES 2013: Trends Flying Somewhat Under the Radar

New Book Suggests 3D Printing Could Spell Trouble for Toymakers

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December 19, 2012

Former Wired editor Chris Anderson believes current 3D printers are the equivalent of the 1980s dot-matrix printers. And just as we now have sleek full-color inkjets with impeccable resolution, he anticipates 3D printers will dramatically improve in the coming years, potentially spelling trouble for toymakers. In an excerpt from his new novel “Makers,” made available on Business Insider, Anderson tells a story of printing dollhouse furniture for his daughters, who wanted a unique variety like that within the ‘Sims’ video game. Continue reading New Book Suggests 3D Printing Could Spell Trouble for Toymakers

Manufacturing the Future: The Top 10 Trends Expected in 3D Printing

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December 18, 2012

In a report titled “3D Printing and the Future of Manufacturing,” tech business solutions provider CSC outlines the top 10 trends to watch for in 3D printing. “Once considered science fiction, the ability to do 3D printing — to produce objects on demand at relatively low cost — has become a reality,” writes Vivek Srinivasan and Jarrod Bassan in a Forbes guest post. “And the trend is going to pick up steam in 2013. Here’s a look at 10 trends to watch in 3D printing next year and beyond.” Continue reading Manufacturing the Future: The Top 10 Trends Expected in 3D Printing

Copyright Issues: Will 3D Printing Prove to be a Disruptive Technology?

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November 16, 2011
  • 3D printers can reproduce objects by spraying layers of plastic, metal or ceramics into shapes based on photos or designs. Some models already cost less than a computer did in 1999.
  • The technology allows users to copy vases, board game pieces, protective covers for phones and even pieces of furniture. Imagine eventually being able to “print” parts for cars, bicycles, computers, cameras and much more.
  • “Call it the Industrial Revolution 2.0,” suggest The New York Times. “Not only will it change the nature of manufacturing, but it will further challenge our concept of ownership and copyright. Suppose you covet a lovely new mug at a friend’s house. So you snap a few pictures of it. Software renders those photos into designs that you use to print copies of the mug on your home 3D printer.”
  • “Copyright doesn’t necessarily protect useful things,” said Michael Weinberg, a senior staff attorney with Public Knowledge, a Washington digital advocacy group. “If an object is purely aesthetic it will be protected by copyright, but if the object does something, it is not the kind of thing that can be protected.”

3D Printing May Lead to Lighter Components and More Efficient Aircraft

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September 20, 2011
  • ETCentric has been following a number of interesting developments in the 3D printing space, the latest of which involves printing mechanical components with metal powder that results in durable, lighter parts ideal for aircraft.
  • MIT’s Technology Review reports that EADS Innovation Works in England is using 3D printer technology to create jet components that weigh as much as half that of their conventionally manufactured counterparts.
  • EADS, which owns Airbus, hopes to transform manufacturing by creating strong, durable parts via 3D printers that are lighter and will make aircraft more efficient by burning less fuel.
  • Chris Turner, an engineer at EADS, is using machines that can create “intricate forms out of high-grade metal, an advance that has allowed researchers to apply the design possibilities of 3D printing to mechanical parts,” explains the article.
  • “The printers use software that works out where the parts need to bear loads and places material just in those areas, halving the weight of the complete part without sacrificing strength. That saves energy, metal, and money,” reports Technology Review. “The complex, curving forms that result couldn’t be cast in a mold or carved out of a larger block even with the most advanced computer-controlled tools, but they can be printed in a succession of layers tens of micrometers thick.”
  • The company hopes to eventually create mechanical parts as well as large aircraft components such as wing spars.

Next for 3D Printing Technology: Custom Chocolate

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July 7, 2011
  • UK researchers led by the University of Exeter have created a prototype 3D printing technology that creates custom objects in chocolate.
  • Similar to how plastic and metal models are created with 3D printing, the research team hopes that consumers will soon be able to create custom designs on their computers and then “print” the designs in “three dimensional chocolatey form.”
  • The biggest challenge has been finding a way to successfully manage accurate heating and cooling cycles required to work with the delicate substance.
  • “By combining developments in engineering with the commercial potential of the digital economy we can see a glimpse into the future of new markets – creating new jobs and, in this case, sweet business opportunities,” explains ESPRC’s chief exec Professor Dave Delpy (ESPRC is managing the project).

3D Printing Technology Opens Potentially Thorny Legal Issues

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July 6, 2011
  • Paramount Pictures recently issued a cease and desist order to a 3D replicator of “Super 8” cubes.
  • Todd Blatt, an engineer from Baltimore, replicates interesting devices and props he sees in movies (such as the cubes from Paramount’s “Super 8”), sends the digital models to 3D printer Shapeways, and then sometimes sells the resulting metal or plastic models to fans online.
  • New fronts in copyright law are developing as digital tools increasingly encroach on the physical world. Emergence of low-cost 3D printers and software will continue to push these issues.
  • From a copyright viewpoint, this case illustrates how 3D printers will possibly impact product licensing the way the MP3 codec impacted the music industry.
  • This may raise some interesting near future questions regarding how film props will need to be legally classified (especially in terms of patent, copyright and fair use laws).

DIY Revolution: Beginner’s Guide to 3D Printing

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June 28, 2011
  • Digital Trends offers this thorough introduction/overview to 3D printing for those interested in bringing “rapid prototyping from the factory floor to your desktop.”
  • Whether you are a hobbyist or professional designer, learn the various cost-effective approaches to producing physical models with today’s 3D printers.
  • The article includes details regarding an array of recommended software and hardware choices, coverage of the latest trends, a quick video demo, helpful links and more.
  • “In 20-30 years, it may even be possible to print just about any custom object – your own toothbrush, a new faucet for the kitchen sink, or a new dashboard for your Buick. We’re in the same phase with 3D printing that Steve Jobs was in when he designed the basic components of the Apple computer in his garage.”

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