Fabbaloo

Prepping for 3D Printing

2009-11-08T01:27:00.000-06:00

Shapeways published an excellent article describing several tips for preparing your Blender file for 3D printing, specifically for using the Shapeways printing service.

The article explains how to fix non-manifold vertices, handling overlapping objects and output scaling, and are good tips even if you aren't using Shapeways.

Via Shapeways

More Glass 3D Printing Experiments

2009-11-07T01:24:00.001-06:00

The folks at the University of Washington continue their experiments with 3D printing with glass, and it's looking even better now. Here are some of their latest results:

A glass pot, this time fired at a different heating temperature curve than previous experiments. Notice the glassy sheen. They're getting close!

A test glass puck, post-firing painted with Pebeo paint.

Another test pot, this one accidentally broken - but it does look very much like a glass item.

Via Open3DP

.STL To Be Replaced?

2009-11-06T01:22:00.000-06:00

RapidToday posts an interesting interview with Hod Lipson, chair of the ASTM Committee on Additive Manufacturing Standards's task force on file formats. The topic: .STL.

You ask what's wrong with .STL? Lots, it turns out. The 1987 vintage standard is so old you could legally buy it a beer in most states. As RapidToday points out, an entire industry has emerged simply to fix broken .STL files. Worse, the standard is so deficient that some printer manufacturers have invented their own proprietary standards or extensions. While these proprietary standards might work for an individual equipment manufacturer, it doesn't help the industry as a whole.

There are obvious deficiencies, such as colors, materials, etc., but according to RapidToday, .STL also needs:

Better accuracy in representing curved surfaces

Surface texturing requirements

Buildability verification (leak patching)

Inclusion of metadata (e.g. authorship and copyright information)

The STL file format doesn't just lack these capabilities, it also has a few inherent problems: file size is excessive, file security is limited, and it can't detect or fix errors (especially unintended holes) in the part to be built.

What's going to happen next? The task force is conducting a survey to collect input from all stakeholders. You can participate right here.

Via RapidToday

Desktop Factory - 3D Systems Update

2009-11-05T01:19:00.005-06:00

As readers may recall, Desktop Factory - the startup that attempted to build a sub USD$5,000 3D printer - was recently acquired by 3D Systems, makers of not-sub USD$5,000 3D printers. We've been wondering what has transpired since the acquisition, and this week Desktop Factory's former CEO, Cathy Lewis provided an update. Here's the highlights:

Desktop Factory's equipment, people and prototypes have all been moved to 3D Systems' labs in Valencia, California.
A "technical assessment" of Desktop Factory's prototypes is underway and is expected to take "a few months" to complete. We anticipate seeing announcements of some kind at that point.
Cathy Lewis has become 3D Systems's head of global marketing.

So we'll have to wait a bit longer to see if the vision of commercially available sub USD$5,000 3D printers will come to pass. Clearly it will at some point, but we believed that Desktop Factory would get it done a lot faster.

One more thing: 3D Systems is actually offering a 3D Printer for USD$4,995 right now! Actually, it's a model they no longer manufacture, and thus are simply clearing out existing stock. However, the price may be right for some buyers. It's an InVision LD 3D Printer on sale at 50% off MSRP. Check the details at the link below.

Via 3D Systems

Contraptor!

2009-11-04T01:16:00.001-06:00

Tips flowed in this week regarding "Contraptor", the webchild of Vitaly Mankevich and Riley Porter. According to their About:

Contraptor is a DIY open source construction set for experimental personal fabrication, desktop manufacturing, prototyping and bootstrapping. Various Cartesian robots can be quickly assembled from Contraptor and used as a platform for projects such as XY plotter, mini CNC machine, 3D printer etc.

and

One of the original project goals is manufacturability at home with only basic tools, using inexpensive materials and parts readily available in hardware stores and online, with cost in the range of $400 and without the need for a custom-manufactured kit.

Contraptor is also compatible with the T-Slot standard.

The site currently includes sets for Structural, Basic Linear Motion, Electronics & Motors, Linear Rails & Bearings and Skins (plates & mounting screws). Numerous videos demonstrate how to put the stuff together into a variety of examples. Other examples show how Contraptor parts can be used with Sketchup and Thingiverse to develop more complex devices.

If you're looking for a great way to use standard parts on your project, consider using Contraptor.

Via Contraptor (Hat tip to Thomas)

MCOR Matrix 300

2009-11-03T01:14:00.002-06:00

The Irish MCOR scientists still believe they can print 3D objects on paper - and they are correct! This past week they announced their latest 3D paper printer, the MCOR Matrix 300, pictured above.

The new model apparently provides some interesting advantages over previous models:

Faster turnaround (however, we saw no statistics on this) at similar cost
Sleek design (see image above)
Enhanced software that simplifies the process, including optimized waste removal
Smooth curves and "parts that have a real tactile finish"
Parts with "variable stiffness"

And of course, the MCOR's previous advantages still exist: very inexpensive print media (paper) and ecologically friendly, suitable for use anywhere. The 300 is slated to roll out to UK and Ireland in January.

Via MCOR

Vitraglyphic Prints Still Opaque

2009-11-02T01:18:00.002-06:00

Doctoral student Meghan Trainor describes her experience producing her first Vitraglyphic 3D print. Wait a moment, you ask, "what's a Vitraglyphic 3D print?"

Vitraglyphic printing is a new approach to 3D printing that permits production of glass or ceramic type objects, being pioneered at the University of Washington.

Meghan writes:

This was my first Vitraglyphic printed at the Solheim Lab just a few weeks ago. David Rutten from Grasshopper (a plug-in for Rhino 3D software) was demonstrating how to use it’s parametric modeling capabilities to create designs in Rhino, so in this instance I used the Voronoi diagram mesh. I’ve been exploring themes around man-machine interfaces in my artwork, ranging from the abstracted to the concrete, and this object/sketch is meant to invoke some sort of heart-like organ for a creature somewhere between living and machine.

And

The glass prints are still pretty opaque, but as Mark and the rest of the guys in the lab continue to experiment with firing rates, it’s looking like some level of translucence or transparency is not far off.

That's certainly good news. Clear glass capability would open up a huge range of new possibilities.

Via Open3DP

Earth Cufflinks

2009-10-30T01:16:00.000-05:00

Fluid Forms has executed another example of reality colliding with 3D design. Their new "Earth Cufflinks" product enables you to order silver cufflinks shaped to match the terrain of the earth. Which terrain? That's up to you to select using their easy-to-use google-mapped tool.

You select a place name or post code, and immediately you are in a familiar google map environment where you may scroll and zoom to the desired location. After selection you are presented with a 3D view of the resulting section, as you can see in the view of the Sarajevo area above. The "Stretch height" option gives the shape a bit more oomph.

The price? Only €208, or USD$313, plus shipping. Not bad!

Via Fluid Forms

Gadgetoff 2009

2009-10-29T00:32:00.000-05:00

We noticed MakerBot made an appearance at this year's Gadgetoff in September in New York City. They showed off their amazing Cupcake 3D printer kit, as we've covered before. However, that's not the reason for this post. Instead, we were astonished by all the truly amazing gadgets makers demonstrated at this event. Be sure to watch the videos at the link below. Will that spider-car fit in our garage?

Via DesignVerb and Gadgetoff

Home 3D Printers Not Practical?

2009-10-28T00:29:00.000-05:00

Plastic Pals recommends not using the current generation of 3D printers (such as Fab@Home, RepRap, RapMan, MakerBot, etc.) for printing quality models:

There’s a significant cost:quality/size trade off when dealing with home 3D printers. Even the cheapest commercial-grade printers cost around $15,000 USD. Alternatives such as the aforementioned MakerBot CupCake CNC ($750 + materials), are cheaper but the quality (resolution) of the 3D print may be unsuitable for practical purposes and limited to a relatively small build envelope. The surface of a part may need to be finished with resin or putty to smooth out the lines that form as the part is printed layer by layer; larger parts need to be broken up into smaller pieces for printing; and smaller, fine detail parts may be too thin or flimsy to print properly at all… For these reasons, artists will probably skip the at-home printers for now, but roboticists may want to look into them.

We tend to agree, although there are many reasons to use the current-gen home 3D printers, because there are other purposes where fine detail is not a requirement. For example, printing replacement plastic parts or fixtures. This is not unexpected, because the home 3D printers are still very new. We are certain there will be gradual improvement in their capability over the next few years and at some point those who require finer resolutions or different materials will begin using home 3D printers. After all, the same stream of technology progress occurred with the big commercial vendors years ago. It will happen again, this time at lower prices.

Via Plastic Pals

ZCorp Goes Monochrome!

2009-10-27T01:14:00.001-05:00

If the motion picture industry changed from color to black and white, we'd be concerned. The same would be true for ZCorp if they dropped their color technology and retreated to "monochrome" mode for their line of 3D printers. That's not exactly what's going on here: they've announced a new Monochrome 3D printer. Sounds strange, doesn't it? Most 3D printers today are monochrome - but ZCorp's printers use their proprietary Polyjet technology that permits use of more than one color within the same print operation. We think that point of view alone gives a hint of the current state of 3D printing.

So, on to the announcement. It's the ZCorp 350, billed as an inexpensive way to acquire "high-end functionality". What's "high-end", you ask?

automatic material loading
snap-in binder cartridges
integrated recycling of unused build material
self-monitoring operation
control from both the desktop and printer
0.8 in/hour (20 mm/hour) vertical build speed
8 x 10 x 8 in (203 x 254 x 203 mm) build size
300 x 450 dpi resolution
office-safe build materials, aggressive dust-control, and zero liquid waste

Those are very useful features, particularly in a professional environment, and definite differences from the ultra-inexpensive 3D printer kits making the rounds. But there is a catch. A USD$29,500 catch.

Now that might seem like a high price for hobbyists, and it is. However, this device is not aimed at the hobbyist market. It's for professional users in offices that today cannot afford their own 3D printer. Yes, there are 3D printers in this price range, but they don't have the same features. And in an office environment, those features mean dollars. Without the timesaving features, someone will have to do extra work, and those minutes will add up to big savings in the long term.

Via ZCorp

[UPDATE] Commenter kyphon is correct: ZCorp does not use PolyJet - that's Objet's multi-material technology. We suspect someone left the resin out at the Fabbaloo offices and we must have inhaled deeply. Sigh.

RapMan Goes Pro

2009-10-26T01:12:00.000-05:00

While everyone slept, the guys at RapMan managed to squeeze in yet another new product: the RapMan Pro, pictured above. What's different from their original non-Pro Rapman, other than a price of "just under £2,000" up from the original £750 kit price? From their press release we can see the following:

Pre-built only; not a kit
More rigid chassis made of anodized aluminum - increases printing accuracy slightly
Z-axis uses lead screws for improved performance
Apparently "faster than most 3D printers on the market", perhaps at this price range
Wide choice of polymer print media

We also think it looks cooler, and that's always worth something. Nice work, RapMan!

Via RapMan (Hat tip to Rachel)

Printing Carcasses

2009-10-24T00:27:00.000-05:00

Continuing with the biology-meets-3d-printers theme today, we've run across a dark hobby: printing 3D models of animal carcasses! Designer Harry Allen has scanned and modelled a dead firefly, and then implanted an LED to create an unusual lighting system.

He's also scanned a deceased piglet to create an actual "piggy bank". Perusing his portfolio we also see a 3D human hand, which we presume to be taken from a live model.

Via Harry Allen Design, No Smarties and Boing Boing

3D Printing Services Hurting?

2009-10-23T00:23:00.001-05:00

Long-time 3D print service 3D Art to Part seems to be having some difficulty. According to a statement on their website:

We are currently undergoing some changes in our services, and are unable to do any 3D Printing at this time… We are able to support mesh Fixing for 3rd party printing though. We've been developing and fixing meshes for about 10 years now, and can still use our skills to support your mesh needs.

Further information appears on their FAQ:

What Happened, why aren't you printing models now?
Due to the downturn in the Economy and the drop in prints, we are no longer able to support printing the meshes at the low cost we were offering.

Where can I get my models printed?
We are working on finding both local & global RP Manufactures to help with this, this will also reduce shipping cost for some if we can supply a local Printing provider.

The phrase "downturn in the Economy" twigged our attention, and raised the question whether other 3D print services are experiencing similar issues. We haven't noticed other print services fading, and if they haven't by now they might be able to ride out as the economy recovers. Have readers observed any other services disappearing?

Via 3D Art to Part

BIOS Explores 3D Printing

2009-10-22T00:25:00.000-05:00

The BIOS Collective is a

working group of academic and professional designers exploring the application of biological patterns to architecture.

We've seen a bit of this collision before where natural things inspire designs made real by modern 3D fabrication techniques. In this example, designer Charles Lee is working on a tower study for Ideate Inc., and is using a ZCorp 650 to print samples. The BIOS blog is quite interesting to follow, as it includes numerous examples of natural designs colliding with architecture.

Via BIOS

Robots!

2009-10-21T00:21:00.000-05:00

Timothy Mayer tips us to an example of a robot built by the Cornell Computational Synthesis Laboratory. The robot's structure was fabbed with a Fab@Home 3D printer using KraftCreation's FabEpoxy media. Of course, the electronics weren't printed out, but that will come some time in the future.

Readers might want to peruse some of the Cornell University's Computation Synthesis Lab's other projects, which include some rather spectacular items:

3D Printing

Fabbers: Multi-material 3D printing for automated fabrication of integrated, functional parts
Digital Fabrication: 3D printing physical bits—each with specific materials and function—to enable a physical digital revolution
Fab @ Home: Democratizing 3D printing at the home
Applications
Tissue Engineering: A technology for directly fabricating 3D living tissue

Evolutionary Robotics and Computation

Evolutionary Ornithopters: Flapping, flying robots
Nonaped: Dynamic pneumatic robot
The Golem Project: Physical artificial life
Distilling Free-Form Natural Laws from Experimental Data

Programmable Matter

Dynamically Programmable Fluidic Assembly: Programmable assembly of microscale components on a microfluidic chip
Digital Fabrication: Top-down approach to assembling reconfigurable discrete matter
Jamming Granular Materials: Exploiting the jamming phenomenon for programmable matter
Modular Robotics
Molecubes: An open-source modular robotic system
Self replication: Investigation of physical self-replication phenomena
Stochastic modular robotics: Self-organizing stochastic robotics
Soft Modular Robot: investigating an amorphous modular robot

Design Automation and Human-Computer Interaction

Freeform Mechanical Design: Autonomous design of freeform multi-material functional objects to meet high level goals
Robust Circuits
Kinematic Mechanisms
Machine Metabolism: Implementing properties of biological metabolism in a robotic ecology.
3D sketching: Reconstruction of a 3D object form a single freehand sketch

Dynamical Systems and Artificial Life

Reverse Engineering Dynamical Systems: Symbolic regression of complex systems
Emergent Self-models: Adaptation in embedded robotics

Amorphous Machines

Tensegrity Robots: Lightweight, deployable machines
IcoTens: 20-sided tensegrity robot

Via KraftCreation (Hat tip to Timothy)

A Chameleon Tears Down Barriers

2009-10-20T00:17:00.000-05:00

A1 Technologies, the folks who make the very inexpensive RapMan 3D printer and more recently an inexpensive 3D scanner, now produce an innovative 3D mouse system: the Chameleon 3D. The Chameleon 3D is actually an effective packaging of software and hardware from other developers.

The hardware comes from Novint, whose very unusual Falcon haptic controller seems quite revolutionary:

The Novint Falcon is an entirely new type of game controller. Replacing your mouse or joystick, the Falcon is, essentially, a small robot that lets you experience true virtual touch unlike any controller in history.

The Novint Falcon lets you control a game in three dimensions, and also lets you feel high-fidelity three-dimensional force feedback. The Falcon controller moves right and left, forwards and backwards, like a mouse, but also moves up and down. When you hold the Falcon’s detachable Grip and move your cursor to interact with a virtual object, environment, or character, motors in the device turn on and are updated approximately 1000 times a second, letting you feel texture, shape, weight, dimension, and dynamics. The Falcon lets you control and interact with games in more realistic way, allowing you to develop real physical skill and muscle memory, adding a new dimension to gaming.

Our sense of touch connects us to the world around us and is an integral part of how we experience things, both physically and emotionally. In the past, games have incorporated increasingly sophisticated graphics and sound design, but none have added realistic touch, until now. The award-winning Novint Falcon makes virtual items and experiences feel real. Hold the Falcon’s interchangeable Grip and feel a character’s actions, instead of controlling a game with mouse-clicks and meters. Feel the weight of a basketball as you shoot it towards a hoop -- the momentum and impact as you swing a virtual golf club and strike a ball -- the recoil of a weapon – or the physical characteristics of virtual objects and environments.

Software for the Chameleon 3D comes from Anarkik3D, whose Cloud9 modelling software leverages the hardware capabilities of the Falcon for 3D design. To get a really good feel for how it works, you might want to watch their video demonstration. Their software is:

designed for working in a virtual 3D environment with a sense of touch … Real world interaction with a virtual 3D model or surface leads to an intuitive style of working, much more engaging and creative than conventional means of interfacing with 3D modelling and design programmes.

Now we see A1 Technologies putting these two incredible technologies together in a very inexpensive package: £350 or approximately USD$570. We see this as taking down two of the persistent barriers to widespread 3D technology: simplified creation of models and access to inexpensive equipment. Well done, A1!

Via A1 Technologies, Anarkik3D and Novint (Hat tip to Rachel)

RapMan Goes to School

2009-10-19T01:37:00.000-05:00

We've written about the inexpensive RapMan 3D Printer kit before, and at that time it was focused on the UK market, priced at GB£750. Now we've learned that it's now being marketed to educational institutions by Technology Education Concepts (TEC):

The company provides 3D software and hardware solutions needed to teach today’s young people about the fields of engineering, design, manufacturing and architecture with an emphasis on real-world industrial production and manufacturing.

And did we say it's now called "RapManUSA"?

Available in both kit, assembled and "subassembled" form, RapManUSA includes "all mechanic and electric components, control software, test files" and an "Exclusive on-screen, student-interactive 3D instruction manual". Pricing is USD$1,496 for the unassembled kit, USD$1,895 for a kit with pre-assembled extruder and USD$2,395 for a completely assembled and working model.

Via RapManUSA

Scan That Prison!

2009-10-16T01:35:00.000-05:00

Every year a "Mock Prison Riot" takes place at a decommissioned prison in West Virginia. Corrections professionals arrive once per year to undertake training activities, but in order to properly prepare for the event, they have to know something about the prison. Unfortunately, no proper blueprints exist, and participants had to manually measure as much as possible. This process proved largely unworkable.

This year, however, a new approach was taken, in which the entire prison was scanned and converted into a 3D model, using technology from GKS and Valador. They decided to build a 3D "game" environment and provide that to participants instead of a traditional floor plan. This enabled participants to simulate various prison scenarios and generally improve training effectiveness.

A long-range laser scanner was used to capture the information over only 4 days, as this technology can be used for both indoor and outdoor work. The scans were then converted into usable 3D models, and finally into a solid model. Model conversion took some 2 weeks, after which very realistic textures were added to complete the scene. Be sure to check the video to see the results.

Once completed, participants can then run through the 3D model and gain great familiarity with the layout just as if they were physically there.

So we're wondering whether this approach could be used to capture detailed models of arbitrary buildings. Imagine a library of models of famous historical buildings, for example. Having such models would be a small step towards a world where you could quickly print out your own miniature copy of the Roman Colosseum, for example. Or perhaps you require a life-size replica of a parlor at Versailles and need only extract that portion from a 3D model?

We'll settle for just the solitary confinement cell from the prison.

Via GKS

MakerBeam Makes Beams!

2009-10-15T01:33:00.000-05:00

And a lot more, it turns out. The MakerBeam project intends on providing a massive library of open source hardware connectors, all reusable and designed to interoperate.

Their first big venture is Mini-T, which is a

precisely downscaled model of larger T-slot building systems. It consists of extruded aluminum beams, 1 cm on a side, and various connectors and panels that slot into the sides of the beam, making up the full MakerBeam system.

and

MakerBeam is developing the Mini-T standard for open source hardware. Mini-T is a scaled down form of T-slot, an existing standard in building. T-slot is widely used for prototyping, automation, and enclosure; Mini-T will do all that, and a whole lot more.

The Mini-T design can be scaled up by factors of 2.5, 4 or 6 if necessary.

Be sure to watch the video, as Sam provides a great overview of the project.

MakerBeam is not stopping with T-slots; they have intentions of providing designs for all manner of connectors:

MakerBeam parts will allow for all kinds of dynamic motion as well. Hinges to animate edges, pivots for end-to-end beams, slides for beams to move along each other, and other basic mechanical connectors will be an integral part of the system.

and

we want it to work with every conceivable kind of gadget, widget, doohicky or sprocket out there.

MakerBeam mentions a few other areas they'd like to get into:

Stepper Motors
Servos
Hydraulics
Pneumatics
Microcontrollers
Solar Panels
Sensors
RC car motors
Robotics packages
Other construction systems like "Metal Strips" and "Plastic Blocks"

Ambitious, to be sure! We wish them well, and hope they succeed.

Via MakerBeam and KickStarter (Hat tip to Sam)

BitTorrenting Real Things

2009-10-14T01:26:00.000-05:00

There's a great discussion going on at the Ponoko blog, where Duann posed the question, "What will we do when product design files start hitting these peer to peer networks of sharing. The equivalent of ripping a CD and burning it for a friend?"

We've been contemplating this as well, because it is going to happen. It's probably already happened, as is commonly done today for any digital content: software, photos, movies, music, books are all easily found using various semi-reputable Internet sources. We'll know for certain when The Pirate Bay or MiniNova have separate categories for 3D objects.

We wondered what reaction could counteract this upcoming dilemma, and contrasted against techniques used in the software world. Would they work?

Software License Keys. When you open software, it refuses to work unless you provide a key that must be purchased. Hmm, most printed objects simply aren't smart at all. Usually they just sit motionless on a desk and have no capability for handling license keys. Nope, that won't work at all.

Encryption. Files are scrambled until unlocked. Well, this could be done, but once unencrypted you kinda have the same issue. Not this one.

Unlocking Fob. Software comes with an actual hardware item that contains a key. The fob must be present or the software won't work. Again, this approach won't work with static 3D objects. Also, software users hated the damn fobs and most software companies have abandoned that approach.

Watermark. Images in particular make use of this technique, and it could actually work. By hiding a "Makermark" somewhere within the 3D model, you might be able to: a) determine if an item has been ripped off, and b) deter some portion of the theft.

You're probably coming to the same conclusion that the software guys are coming to: Digital Rights Management (DRM) simply doesn't work. That's why Apple and the Music Mandarins dropped DRM from the iTunes Music Store. More than likely the same will occur when 3D object designs get popular.
Meanwhile, if we see CAD files appearing en masse in pirate networks, it only means that 3D fabbing has become popular.

Via Ponoko Blog (Hat tip to Duann)

Image Credit:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/liako/ / CC BY-SA 2.0

Finish it with Metal

2009-10-13T01:21:00.000-05:00

We ran across an interesting service that provides post-print finishing services, specifically in metal. According to their "about":

3DDC is the first European company to set up a metal coating facility specifically for products that have been produced using rapid prototyping (RP) and rapid manufacturing (RM) technologies. The Metalise™ it… process was developed by AT-3D SQUARED and can now, through the experts at 3DDC, provide customers with the highest quality of plated RP parts available on the market today. The company specialises in metal coating parts for one-off projects or small lot production runs.

Their finishing capability is impressive, as you can see in the image above. Metal finishes include:

High Gloss Copper
Technical Nickel
High Gloss Nickel
Brushed High Gloss Nickel
Black Technical Nickel
Black High Gloss Nickel
Gold
Chrome
Art Copper

Metalised objects are clearly a lot different from the classic translucent plastic blobs that emerged from early 3D printers, simply because the visual and tactile aspects are so important to consumers. We think there will be a growing market for finishing services such as 3DDC's, or at least until printers can do it themselves.

Via 3DDC (Hat tip to Rachel)

EBF3: Electron Beam Freeform Fabrication

2009-10-12T01:23:00.000-05:00

Electron Beam Freeform Fabrication is yet another approach for 3D printing, this time developed by the rocket scientists at NASA. They have good reasons for developing EBF3: to save weight on cargo flights to the International Space Station. You can imagine the hefty pile of spare parts that must be carried up yonder and stored somewhere inside a cardboard box in the attic of the ISS. Why carry and store parts when you could print them whenever you need them?

EBF3 is straightforward to understand. A metal feedstock (aluminum is apparently ideal) is heated and fed to a print head that traverses a rotating build platform. We're wondering about the rotating bit: good for making round objects, not so good for those with straight edges. Perhaps most space station parts are usually round? In any case, EBF3 also can handle two different feedstocks simultaneously, permitting custom alloy printing or having two different materials within the object. One interesting aspect is that EBF3's build chamber is a vacuum. Easy to find at ISS, less so around here.

We suspect EBF3 will eventually be known as one of NASA's spin-offs, where Earth-bound companies take on the technology and produce commercial products with it. Perhaps it may even be used by one of the leading 3D Printer manufacturers?

Via NASA

The Metal Process - Revealed!

2009-10-11T01:19:00.001-05:00

We found a great video from Shapeways that takes you through the entire process of producing a metal object. From initial printing in stainless steel powder (with organic binder), through curing and bronze infusion that leads to the final item, you'll see it all. Missing: the finishing stage. Get out the brushes and start polishing!

Via YouTube

Extreme Redesign 2009

2009-10-10T01:40:00.000-05:00

Dimension Printing has announced their annual "Extreme Redesign" competition for 2009-10. The annual event highlights innovative designs created by students.

As usual, there are several categories of entries:

High School
College Engineering
Art & Architecture

This year Dimension have added a new feature: a US$250 Green Bonus, awarded to a student "whose design best displays innovation in areas such as energy efficiency and environmental sustainability".

To enter students must submit a .STL file containing their model and a complete description, either in text or video. Don't forget the entry form, too. Entries are open until 1 Feb 2010, after which a panel will determine the winning entries. The lucky winners will be announced in April 2010 and receive US$2,500 for first place, US$1,000 for runners-up and US$50 for semi-finalists.

Via Dimension Printing