News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
Pinshape, one of the largest and altogether best 3D printable model sharing marketplace is shutting down, very likely for ever, on March 31st. Usually I try to find a positive aspect to all news concerning 3D printing because I am confident 3D printing is the future of all manufacturing at all levels. However, this time, there is not much to go on.
Do3D Innovations, manufacturers of the Genesis (G1) DLP 3D printer, are introducing the revolutionary MAP™ (Multidirectional Additive Production) technology in their Squarewave prototype DLP-SLA 3D printer. This revolutionary, patent pending approach can improve 3D printing speeds by up to 200% or more by enabling the process to take place on both sides of the build plate at the same time. Multidirectional 3D printing is compatible with powder, liquid resin and even thermopolymer filament based processes.
Desamanera SRL, a 3D Printing Business Directory Featured Company, has signed an exclusi ...
Exactly two years ago, on March 27 2014, in what seems like ancient history in 3D printing evolution time, I wrote an article about videogame industry leader Valve’s desire to release a customizable Steam’s new 3D printable controller for its online gaming platform. Exactly two years later Valve has done just that but the “weird” approach that videogame companies and videogame media take toward 3D printing – in that they seem to want to ignore it as much as possible – has not changed a bit.
Last week, the Open Hardware Platform Wevolver won the prestigious “3-DIY” Interactive Innovation ...
Ever since the low cost 3D printing industry exploded as a consumer phenomenon (because it has, hype or no hype), it became clear that some of the most fascinating and important applications were in the care for small groups of people with specific requirements. In few of these the benefits have been clear than in 3D printing for the blind.
Tech startup Gravity Sketch is finally launching its much awaited Gravity Sketch Ap ...
The use of innovative technologies such as 3D scanning and reverse engineering can play a huge role in the direct production of a classic dream car such as the Berlinetta Effeffe, handcrafted by Officine Fratelli Frigerio. Through the support of leading experts at The 3D Group (Solid Energy for 3D scanning and reverse engineering, Solid World for CAD 3D modeling and Energy Group, for 3D printing) digital manufacturing showed that it can perfectly blend with the Made in Italy style in automotive maufacturing. The Berlinetta Effeffe (www.effeffecars.com) represents a masterpiece of Made in Italy automotive style and engineering. It is inspired by the legendary 50’s Gran Turismo years yet extremely modern, born out of the passion and the experience of Leonardo and Vittorio Frigerio. This dream this is made entirely by hand by the utmost traditional handcraft, while, at the same time, it leverages on a high-quality craftsmanship process, supported by the most modern technologies.
MakeItLeo is a new cloud service that allows people to upload their 3D models, share them, sell them, and control their distribution in a global market. In a world where the most advanced designs are created digitally, the paradox is that the most unique IP (intellectual property) could be reproduced an infinite number of times. Several solutions are in development in order to retain a certain amount of control over the number of 3D prints per design, with Make It Leo being the one that focuses most on the file itself as well as the designers’ needs.
People ask if and when 3D printing will become a method of mass production. As far as plastics go, I don’t know. For metals, though, it is a whole different story: it is already happening. Metal 3D printing technologies are evolving at breakneck speed, constantly increasing their size and velocity capabilities. One of the reasons for this, in my opinion, is the intense competition, both between different technologies and different approaches to the same technology. This is not, however, the only reason.