We got wind of a great new venture currently raising funds on Indiegogo. MediumWare seeks to be a database of printer ready parts for engineers, housing things like pumps, bearings, valves, etc. Although they are trying to raise funds, they’re also looking to raise awareness and are looking for beta testers!
Steve Hammond
We had a chance to get an exclusive interview with Steve Hammond, founder of MediumWare. Here’s what he had to say about his company: Continue reading
Stuck in a rut?
In literature it’s called writer’s block, in R&D it’s an empty pipeline, these are both examples of a drought of creativity. I‘m a big believer that while there is an element of natural ability, creativity can also be learned and refined. Like sports or an instrument, practice makes perfect and there are also catalysts out there. It’s amazing how fast we can get into a rut and it takes proactive actions to break free. Here are a few habits that I use to try to keep myself fresh: Continue reading
Rubber ducky you’re the one…
3D printing has been used to help a duck recover from injury by printing a new foot and it even got coverage in USA Today. People love animals, I’ve even seen billboards in Atlanta offering stem cell treatment for dogs, vets sometimes get the best toys as approvals are easier. It’s a sign of things to come for human prosthesis. Speaking of ducks, at Cubify you can even get a 3D printed rubber duck!
Who hasn’t played with an action figure and pretended it was them? As part of a marketing campaign Coke gave customers the opportunity to do just that! This is an awesome use of 3D printing for marketing purposes. and here’s a great article about other figurine applications. Continue reading
Image courtesy of Michal Marcol at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
PLA printer seeks STP file for mutually beneficial relationship.
MakeXYZ (http://www.makexyz.com/) is a great place where you can search for a private contractor to print your 3D file or pick from a catalog and have it printed near you. This is a great way for individuals to list their printers for hire. Also, those who need something printed can have it done locally if you don’t want to purchase a device or have a Staples or other business offering the service. Continue reading
Image courtesy of Salvatore Vuono at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
There’s a great new user interface technology that literally lets you dance to make a 3D design. The technology is called Shape-It-Up and uses a Kinect camera to allow the user to interact with 3D objects. It was created by the Purdue C Design Lab. They’re now collaborating with the company ZeroUI to look at commercial applications. ZeroUI specializes in gesture-based interfaces. Here’s a great video of Shape-It-Up in action.
Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
A University of Washington team created a toilet with a 3D printer. The toilet are made from waste plastic and can be used for composting. The lack of toilets is a huge issue in the developing world where it is estimated 2.5 billion people do not have adequate sanitation. This has been a huge point of emphasis of the Gates Foundation. This is a win-win, a use of waste to help handle a waste problem!
Zeus (used with permission)
I ran across a really cool device on KickStarter called Zeus. Zeus brings a lot of things to mind from the father of the Greek gods “gonna throw a lightning bolt at you if you make me mad” or personally for me a roller coaster of the same name in my home state of Wisconsin. However, in this case it’s a “do everything” 3D device brought to you by AIO Robotics, Inc. According “The first and only device that allows users to 3D Scan, Print, Copy, and Fax objects with a touch of a button from one device.” Scan, print and copy are pretty self explanatory, but fax is a little less obvious. Fax is the ability to send files from one Zeus printer to another. This device really has it all including software with nice “repair” features. Continue reading
Used with permission
We were very excited to see the Extreme Redesign 3D Printing Challenge (http://www.stratasys.com/extremeredesign) by Stratasys. According to the site, “The contest calls upon secondary and post-secondary students around the globe to redesign an existing product or create a new product that improves how a task is accomplished.” Prizes include cash, use of a 3D printer and finalists even get a print of their own entry design! Continue reading
Image courtesy of chanpipat at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Technology is usually neither good nor evil, it’s all in the application. Unfortunately the criminal element is up on 3D printing technology as well. Here’s the latest such infraction with thieves using 3D printers to make ATM card skimmers. Without giving too many suggestions, you don’t have to think long about other illegal applications from key capture and duplication to simple counterfeiting. Just like the internet brought a technological revolution, it also brought the need for new laws and security. I imagine 3D printing/scanning will be no different. Many crimes with a 3D printer will violate existing laws, but no doubt there are gaps we can count on criminal creativity to find for us to fill.
Printing DDD 