Kategorie: Science

  • Dynamism Adds New Ultimaker S5 3D Printer to Extensive Portfolio

    Dynamism Adds New Ultimaker S5 3D Printer to Extensive Portfolio

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    3D printing solutions provider and reseller Dynamism has added the new Ultimaker S5 3D printer to its product range. The company will provide customers with pre-order advice, on-site or web-based installation and training, and quality-assurance for Ultimaker’s new 3D printer.

    Despite rapid advancements, desktop 3D printing is still the new tech on the block. New functions and applications are constantly being discovered and many institutions are interested in incorporating 3D printing into their workflow. However, many of these institutions may not know exactly what kind of printer they require.

    Say a University is interested in incorporating 3D printing into its curriculum. It will likely require a printer that yields high prints per hour for several students and produces reliable end-product quality.

    The desktop 3D printing brand Ultimaker is already popular among schools. Duke University worked with the reseller Dynamism on its deployment of over 100 Ultimaker 3D printers.

    A stellar option is the just announced Ultimaker S5, which is being showcased by Dynamism at the Rapid + TCT Show in Ft. Worth, Texas. The Ultimaker S5 is available for $5,995 in the U.S. Shipping to customers begins May 15th.


    Dynamism Offers Pre-Order Advice, Installation and Training for Ultimaker S5 3D Printer

    The Ultimaker S5 brings several advancements to what is already the gold standard of desktop 3D printing. The printer includes a larger build volume than found on the Ultimaker 3. This allows for more options in printing functional prototypes, manufacturing tools, and end-use parts. Dual extruders allow for simultaneous printing of parts and structures on the Ultimaker S5, ensuring high yield of accurate prints.

    All Ultimaker products include automatic NFC detection of when Ultimaker filament and used. Thanks to Cura’s print profiles, optimal print settings are configured automatically.

    With the Ultimaker S5, the brand brings its Cura Connect platform to mobile with apps available for iOS and Android. Users can connect and manage multiple printers at any time and from any location, such as in and outside of the classroom. In fact, university and high school printing labs can take advantage of the Cura Connect feature found on Ultimaker 3D printers, which allows users to connect and manage multiple printers with plug-and-play ease.


    Ultimaker continues to expand its filament options. The Ultimaker S5 will ship with a new Tough PLA filament. The new material has strength comparable to ABS, but is more flexible than standard PLA and provides a higher-quality matte finish. Tough PLA will be available in sold separately and is also compatible with the Ultimaker 3.

    The manufacturer has just announced a partnership, with leading chemical companies, to standardize material profiles to provide enterprises using Ultimaker printers with access to a wide range of high-level engineering plastics and composites. Members of the alliance program DSM, BASF, Sabic, Dupont, Owens Corning, Mitsubishi, Henkel, and Clariant.

    Measured by the cost of ownership, the Ultimaker S5 offers tremendous value–thanks to its uptime, and printed parts reliability. Purchasing the Ultimaker S5 through Dynamism to receive pre-order advise, on-site or web-based installation and training, to delivery and beyond, ensuring a long life and quality production from the Ultimaker S5 or any Ultimaker 3D printer.

    Dynamism is now taking orders for the Ultimaker S5.


    License: The text of „Dynamism Adds New Ultimaker S5 3D Printer to Extensive Portfolio“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  • Nano-3D Printing Technology Helps Develop Improved Biochips

    Nano-3D Printing Technology Helps Develop Improved Biochips

    Reading Time: 2 minutes

    The nanoprinting method enables printing of multiple molecules without damaging existing molecule layers – a perfect match if you want to fabricate delicate biochips.

    Researchers at the City University of New York’s Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC) and Hunter College have come up with a novel solution to print biochips. They are using a nano-scale 3D printing process which combines gold-plated pyramids, LED light, and photochemical reactions to affix organic materials on top of biochips.

    The process is known as tip-based lithography. It works by covering polymer pyramids in gold and mounting them onto an atomic force microscope. The size of the arrays is 1cm2. They contain thousands of little pyramids which have holes to enable light to pass through. In return, this ensures that light reaches certain surface areas on the chip beneath them.

    Solving the single molecule challenge of tip-based lithography

    The technology can be used in biomedical science to disable certain organic reagents on the chip surface without causing too much damage to them.

    However, in the past, the process has been limited to just a single molecule.

    The team at ASRC now seem to have solved this issue. They used microfluidics to expose the biochips to a combination of chemicals. Subsequently, they shone light through the pyramids and monitored the light’s reaction with the molecules. They found that the molecules adhered to the chip when light was shown on them.

    Traditionally, tip-based lithography systems can overpower a chip and destroy the molecules. However, by using beam-pen lithography which traps and channels the light through small apexes, they were able to avoid this issue. As a result, the researchers could more effortlessly control the light. Furthermore, they were able to protect the organic materials already printed onto the biochip this way.

    According to lead researcher and associate professor at ASRC’s Nanoscience Initiative, Adam Braunschweig, the new method could help scientists understand cells and biological pathways.

    The technology should also ease the study of disease development and help explore issues such as bioterrorism agents.


    Beam-pen lithography in progress. (Image: IEEE Spectrum)

    Source: IEEE Spectrum

    License: The text of „Nano-3D Printing Technology Helps Develop Improved Biochips“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  • Printable Body Tissue with Personalized Bio-Inks Boost Healing Potential

    Printable Body Tissue with Personalized Bio-Inks Boost Healing Potential

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    By embedding platelets into a 3D printed mixture of cells and gel, a team of researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln hope to improve the healing properties of tissue implants and skin grafts with printable body tissue.

    Researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, MIT, and Massachusetts General Hospital have incorporated platelet-rich plasma into a bio-ink —  a 3D printed mixture of cells and gel — that could eventually become the basis of skin grafts and regenerative tissue implants.

    “The ultimate goal is to print functional tissue constructs that can be implanted to replace or repair damaged tissues,” said Nebraska’s Ali Tamayol, assistant professor of mechanical and materials engineering.

    “One of the challenges is to create structures that, when implanted in selected tissues or organs after an injury, will release growth factors that initiate the processes essential for healing and regeneration.”

    Jeremy Ruskin, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, collaborated with colleagues at Massachusetts General Hospital to show that the bio-ink features an optimal concentration of platelet-rich plasma and can dispense its growth factors over several days. When testing the performance of its platelet-rich ink against a platelet-less counterpart in the lab, the team saw some promising results.

    In less than a day, the platelet-rich ink had prompted enough cell migration to cover about 50 percent of an artificial scratch, whereas the platelet-less edition covered just 5 percent. The ink also encouraged more than twice as many mesenchymal stem cells – which can become muscle, cartilage or bone – to migrate toward it during a 24-hour span.

    platelets
    platelets

    Printable Body Tissue as Personalized Therapies

    But these results would mean little if the ink’s gelatinous algae-derived ingredients proved resistant to 3D printing.

    To help it maintain its shape, Tamayol and colleagues initially sprinkled the alginate with calcium chloride to forge bonds among some of the material’s polymer chains. This lends it strength without making it too viscous for a 3D printer.

    After printing the ink into a desired 3D design, they immersed the structure in a calcium chloride solution to further strengthen it. The human body also happens to raise calcium levels at injury sites, says Tamayol, meaning that it could help reinforce the alginate after implantation.

    Once bio-printing technology has matured, he predicts, the alginate could be mixed with a patient’s own cells and platelets to minimize the risk of an immune response.

    “There is a trend toward using personalized therapies in many areas of medicine,” said Negar Faramarzi, the lead author of a new study detailing the bio-ink. “We tried to incorporate the growth factors in a way that keeps us on track for those personalized therapies.”

    For more details on this research, The team’s findings are reported in the journal Advanced Healthcare Materials.

    printable body tissue
    printable body tissue

    Source: University of Nebraska-Lincoln

    License: The text of „Printable Body Tissue with Personalized Bio-Inks Boost Healing Potential“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  • MIT and Boeing Collaborate on Additive Manufacturing Education

    MIT and Boeing Collaborate on Additive Manufacturing Education

    Reading Time: 2 minutes

    With the expiration of key patents, availability of advanced digital modeling software, and improved hardware, additive manufacturing is on the verge of radically changing how products are designed, made and maintained. But a lack of understanding of its fundamental principles, applications, and business implications is proving to be a barrier to broader adoption.

    To help professionals and organizations realize the potential of 3D printing — and perhaps accelerate its use — the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and aerospace company Boeing are collaborating on a new online course for professionals. It’s called “Additive Manufacturing for Innovative Design and Production”.

    “Our educational collaboration with MIT encourages employees to grow professionally and develop new manufacturing skills,” says Michael Richey, chief learning scientist at Boeing.

    “Through a combination of industry and academic expertise, the additive manufacturing curriculum will equip employees with knowledge of the fundamentals of 3D printing, which has the potential to catalyze widespread change across the manufacturing industry.”

    The nine-week course will teach critical skills that prepare employees to implement AM in their organizations. The course explains leading AM technologies for polymers, metals, and advanced materials; addresses design for AM via both engineering principles and computational design; and includes quantitative models for assessing the cost and value of components made by AM.

    MIT and Boeing Hope to Jumpstart Career Learners in AM Processes

    Mike Vander Wel, a production engineering chief engineer at Boeing, says the company has been involved in AM for nearly three decades. They regularly use it to prototype, test, and manufacture small parts for some aircraft.

    While new graduates are entering the workforce with a basic knowledge of AM technology, more experienced employees have little or no exposure to it. The MIT-Boeing collaboration is designed to jumpstart career learners on AM processes, applications, and analyses.

    Aside from its benefits to business, MIT and Boeing view AM as an opportunity to improve job satisfaction as well.

    “To me, accomplishment equates to job satisfaction,” says Vander Wel. “Upon completion of the course, learners will be able to develop additive applications and work collaboratively to solve problems, which will be deeply gratifying.”

    Also part of the course from MIT and Boeing is a 3D printed kit used to enrich the learning experience. Similar to a textbook, the kit is used as a reference throughout the course. The kit has metal and polymer parts made by industry-relevant 3D printing processes, including stereolithography, multijet fusion, and direct metal laser sintering. The parts interlock to form a model of MIT’s iconic Building 10 dome.

    The Additive Manufacturing for Innovative Design and Production course starts on 30 April, and registration is open now. For more information, visit the course website.

    Website: LINK

  • Open Bionics Releases Incredibly Affordable and Customizable “Hero Arm” Prosthetic

    Open Bionics Releases Incredibly Affordable and Customizable “Hero Arm” Prosthetic

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    The UK-based organization Open Bionics is releasing the Hero Arm, an advanced multi-grip bionic arm that is 3D printed, extremely affordable, and completely customizable for each wearer. The innovative new prosthetic device will be made available in the UK on April 25, 2018. 

    Open Bionics is an inspiring UK-based company that uses 3D printing to create prosthetics, drastically reducing the price of these usually expensive devices. The organization has an uplifting motto: “Turning disabilities into superpowers”, and has previously collaborated with Disney to create themed prosthetics that kids can proudly wear.

    The latest innovative device to come from Open Bionics is the Hero Arm, the world’s first medically certified 3D printed bionic hand that is extremely affordable and customizable. To produce a prosthetic that properly fits the wearer, Open Bionics 3D scans their arm using a tablet, enabling the organization to then 3D print the bespoke hand, socket, and frame.

    Read more: Open Bionics Samantha Payne Helps Disabled Kids Become Superheroes

    The 3D printing and assembly process for the Hero Arm takes around 40 hours before it is delivered as an all-in-one prosthetic device. For the first time ever, this bionic arm is available for upper limb amputees who are as young as eight years old.

    Open Bionics claims that although the prosthetic device is lightweight, it’s also incredibly strong and powerful. However, the most impressive aspect of the Hero Arm is that it cost less than half the price of similar devices. The prosthetic will only cost around £5,000 (~$6,980 USD), which is incredibly affordable compared to exorbitantly priced bionic arms.

    The Hero Arm will be released on April 25th, initially available to amputees living in the UK with “below elbow upper-limb differences, aged eight and above.”


    World’s First Medically Certified 3D Printed Bionic Hand

    In addition to being designed and printed for the perfect fit, the Hero Arm is also fully customizable. Open Bionics has made it possible to choose from a range of swappable covers that fit with different styles and seasons. Additionally, the wearer can also personalize the prosthetic with their own custom designs.

    Open Bionics explain on their website: “It’s comfortable, adjustable and breathable too, which means it’s easy to take on and off while providing you with the best possible fit… Even though the Hero Arm is powered by space grade motors, advanced software and long-lasting batteries, it is lightweight and super sleek. The Hero Arm feels like part of you. And it’s strong too, able to lift up to 8 kilograms”.

    The Hero Arm weighs less than a kilogram and offers feedback with a full suite of tools, such as lights, sounds, and vibrations, all of which provide feedback to the wearer. It also has a posable wrist that is capable of rotating 180 degrees, as well as a posable thumb that allows users to pick up small objects.

    There are also unique features like Proportional Control, which enables users to command the speed of fingers making delicate takes, such as picking up objects like eggs. Freeze Mode allows the wearer to hold the Hero Arm in a static position, helpful for holding a glass of water, for instance.

    Getting to this stage has required Open Bionics to go through hundreds of different prototypes and extensive clinical trials. However, Open Bionics still believes that its software can still be improved upon, and will be making it open source to encourage developers to contribute to the project.

    By offering the customizable and exceptionally affordable Hero Arm to amputees in the UK, Open Bionics is making prosthetic devices more accessible to all, while also helping amputees feel more comfortable and confidant with their condition.

    Visit the Open Bionics dedicated webpage to learn more about the Hero Arm.

    Open Bionics
    Open Bionics

    Source: Open Bionics

    Website: LINK

  • Ultimaker Launches Alliances Program to Improve 3D Printing Material Profiles

    Ultimaker Launches Alliances Program to Improve 3D Printing Material Profiles

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    With the new Ultimaker Alliances Program, users will be able to load preconfigured material profiles and 3D print settings from leading material manufacturers.

    Here’s a second big announcement from Ultimaker; the 3D printing company is embarking on a series of collaborative alliances with a number of global material companies to meet demand for 3D printer engineering materials.

    “High quality 3D prints are the result of an optimized alignment of hardware, software and materials,” said Jos Burger, CEO of Ultimaker.

    “The strategic alliances formed […] open up the use of the most sophisticated engineering plastics on Ultimaker printers. customers of the companies and Ultimaker fully embed 3D printing in their existing workflows. With these alliances, more 3D printing users are getting access to sophisticated materials for all kinds of use cases in different segments and industries.”

    Partners of the alliance program include DSM, BASF, Dupont Transportation & Advanced Polymers, Owens Corning, Mitsubishi, Henkel, Kuraray, Solvay and Clariant.

    Additionally, Ultimaker will offer its software and material knowledge to help partnering companies to generate and maintain their material profiles. In return, this ensures that customers are using reliable materials with their Ultimaker 3D printers.

    Furthermore, the new material profiles let users print automatically and use preconfigured settings available in Ultimaker Cura software. In the future, the partnerships could also help nurture more advanced applications.


    Alliances Program to Benefit Rapid Protoyping Stages

    Global spending on 3D printing technologies is forecast to reach almost $12 billion by 2018, according to research company IDC. With 3D printers popular with enterprise businesses, there’s a higher demand for materials usable throughout the product development process.

    For example, a car manufacturer may use a certain plastic to develop most of their parts. At the same time, they could use the materials to print 3D prototypes or end user parts.

    The Ultimaker 3D printers have been a key part of Decathlon’s Add Lab, which has been trying to make sports more accessible through improving production and lower prices. Julien Guillen, Leader Additive Manufacturing at the company explained that the Ultimaker S5 allows them to print footwear and helmets.

    “Due to the open filament system, we can print […] objects with the materials we prefer – we can test, fail, and improve,” he said.

    “We can change the way we prototype, the way we create. This allows us to speed up innovation and evaluate new concepts in an earlier stage, which reduces time and costs. The Ultimaker S5, combined with Ultimaker Cura software, seamlessly fits in our development chain. usability the Decathlon Add Lab’s team deliver the right products for our users, at the right time.”


    Source: Press Release

    License: The text of „Ultimaker Launches Alliances Program to Improve 3D Printing Material Profiles“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  • MakerGear Brings M3 Independent Dual Extruder 3D Printer to RAPID + TCT

    MakerGear Brings M3 Independent Dual Extruder 3D Printer to RAPID + TCT

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    At the Rapid + TCT Event in Fort Worth this week, 3D printing manufacturer MakerGear are launching their new M3 Independent Dual 3D Printer and MakerGear Cloud Software.

    The 3D printing company MakerGear is cutting the ribbon on a new Independent Dual Extrusion (IDEX) system for their flagship M3 desktop 3D printer at the Rapid + TCT Event 2018 in Fort Worth, Texas.

    Officially called the M3-ID, the device has two separate print heads which are completely modular and controlled independently from the other. The immediate benefit is the ability to mix and match engineering-grade thermoplastics, elastomers, and composite materials to achieve the ideal balance of mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties.

    Sample use cases might be to design and build using soluble PVA and HIPS support materials. Or to combine soft, flexible, and rigid segments of a model to achieve preferred mechanical properties. Or simpy to print multicolor models right out-of-the-box.

    There also a pair of additional features not seen on a standard M3 called  “True Leveling + Auto Leveling”. All new M3-ID printers will feature a touch probe that improves the print bed leveling process by providing simple instructions to the user if needed.

    In addition, the probe also checks the print surface to generate a mesh from 9 data points, so it can compensate for any unavoidable variations in the flatness of the print bed.

    Also announced is a MakerGear Enclosure,  available as an optional extra. This new 3D printer enclosure helps maintain proper temperature of the print environment, reduces operating noise, and allows venting of printing-related odors.

    makergear m3-id
    makergear m3-id

    MakerGear Also Launching MakerGear Cloud Software

    Attendees at the RAPID + TCT Conference and Trade show will have the opportunity to see the new M3-ID with enclosure first-hand. The show gets underway on Tuesday 24 April at the Fort Worth Convention Center, Texas and continues until Thursday 26 April.

    “Building on the success of our popular M3 3D printer, we’re excited to premiere the new M3-ID Rev. 1 at RAPID this week,” says Rick Pollack, MakerGear CEO.

    “Our new features improve on an already world-class printer, which provides our customers with the tools to accomplish the most advanced prototyping and production jobs with an unparalleled degree of precision and reliability.”

    MakerGear will also be demonstrating their new MakerGear Cloud software, which is designed to maximize the productivity of a 3D printer fleet through printer cluster mapping and cluster-based print queuing, while protecting users’ IP through advanced administrative control.

    The M3-ID is already in stock and ready to ship, with a recommended retail price of $3,299. Made in the USA, all printers in the M3 range boast wifi connectivity, wireless control, an integrated user interface, and high-temperature V4 hot ends that can handle a wide variety of materials.

    For more details, visit the MakerGear website.

    makergear
    makergear

    Source: Press Release

    License: The text of „MakerGear Brings M3 Independent Dual Extruder 3D Printer to RAPID + TCT“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  • M3D Launches Full-Color Palette 3D Printer “Crane Quad”

    M3D Launches Full-Color Palette 3D Printer “Crane Quad”

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    M3D, the American 3D printer manufacturer, is launching a new desktop printer called Crane Quad for under $500. It offers more than 50,000 colors with its full-color palette. This is one of three 3D printers in the new Crane series.

    Touted as a world first, M3D is launching a full-color 3D printer which they also claim brings a “new era of color 3D printing.” The Crane Quad 3D printer is a new desktop machine from US-based manufacturer, M3D.

    It promises 50,000 colors, a build volume of 214 x 214 x 230mm, and a full-color palette. Therefore, it is a multi-material 3D printer which can also produce multi-colored objects. To make the printer even more desirable, the starting price is $399.

    The new printer offers a “QuadFusion” 3D print head, enabling it to print and blend four filaments of most colors and material types, so long as they’re 1.75mm. The direct-drive extruder has four motors, three fans, and a 0.35 mm mixing nozzle.

    Another feature to note is the open-source controller board which was co-designed in partnership with Duet3D. As a result, M3D call it the “Duet 2 Maestro”. It features five-axis motion control with 256 micro-step resolution, Ethernet connectivity, 120 MHz Atmel/Microchip ARM processor, as well as micro USB and micro SD card ports.

    “Our new Crane Quad desktop 3D color printer is a real breakthrough in 3D printing capability and affordability… Its ability to print multiple colors and multiple materials simultaneously is a first, and it takes us one step closer to 3D printers being able to produce real-world objects that outperform traditional manufacturing, both in cost and performance,” said Michael Armani, co-founder and CEO of M3D.

    Crane Quad
    Crane Quad

    Crane Quad is Just One in a New Series of Three Printers

    By mixing four colors, you can cover most of the color specturm. But, to do this, M3D explains that the base colors needed are CMYK. This is, cyan, magenta and yellow with black, white or transparent as keys.

    However, it’s also possible to print using just one color too. Filaments with different physical characteristics can be fused into a single object with new properties.

    “Just as M3D started the home 3D printing revolution in 2014, today we continue to drive the evolution of consumer color 3D printing with the introduction of Crane Quad… For M3D, this launch is not just about introducing groundbreaking innovation – it represents our company’s commitment to the full-color 3D printing movement, and our dedication to providing consumers with the tools to get closer to the widespread on-demand use of 3D printed products that we know is the future,” said Armani.

    As well as Crane Quad, there are another two new printers available called the “Crane Dual” and the “Crane Bowden”. The series pricing starts at $199, with Bowden being the base model. Crane Dual can mix filament colors or materials and has many of the same features as Crane Quad.

    M3D points out that every Crane 3D color printer is tested, shipped fully assembled and has a six-month warranty. Find out more about the specifications of the Crane series on the M3D website.

    Source: Press Release

    Crane Quad
    Crane Quad

    License: The text of „M3D Launches Full-Color Palette 3D Printer “Crane Quad”“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  • Proterra Partners With Carbon to 3D Print Emission-Friendly Bus Fleet

    Proterra Partners With Carbon to 3D Print Emission-Friendly Bus Fleet

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    By working with 3D printing technologies, Proterra has been able to save costs and speed up the production of its zero-emission battery-powered buses.

    Proterra is looking to speed up its zero-emission bus mission by working with 3D printed parts. The Silicon Valley start-up focuses on solving public transport by developing electric buses that run without fossil fuels. The buses are also cheaper to maintain and operate.

    In order to streamline production, Proterra has now partnered with Carbon, the 3D printing manufacturing company.

    Manufacture of parts thus dropped 90-95%: The company was able to deploy its vehicles within just two weeks. Previously, it took three months to wait for the injection-molded parts to be ready.

    Joshua Stewart, the Director of Customer Engineering at Proterra explained that using Carbon’s Digital Light Synthesis technology has overcome “the injection-molding tooling requirements when volumes are low”.


    3D printed dash plate part. (Image: Carbon)

    3D printing reduces costs and streamlines the process

    At an average of four thousand different parts, each Proterra vehicle requires a series of different materials and manufacturing technologies. Additionally, orders for vehicles can vary depending on the customer.

    A large number are injection-molded plastic parts. Costs for such parts range from $25,000 for small ones to $400,000 for large and complex ones.

    If a customer makes a small order of five or 10 buses, injection-molding is more expensive. Instead, Carbon helps to overcome this problem by printing the parts using its M Series 3D printers and polyurethane material.


    Another problem for the start-up was that its tool markers and material suppliers were separate entities. This can lead to lack of coordination and compromised part designs.

    On the other hand, Carbon offers everything needed: the material, the 3D printers, and the software.

    Trey Underwood, an engineer at Proterra added that final 3D printed parts “looked better than any injection-molded part I have previously seen for comparable dash plates.”


    Lifetime cost savings of Proterra vehicle. (Image: Proterra)

    Source: Carbon

    License: The text of „Proterra Partners With Carbon to 3D Print Emission-Friendly Bus Fleet“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  • Weekend Project: Celebrate Earth Day with This 3D Printed Greenhouse Dome

    Weekend Project: Celebrate Earth Day with This 3D Printed Greenhouse Dome

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    With Earth Day coming up this weekend, why not celebrate by 3D printing a DIY greenhouse dome for your garden? Polish up that green thumb, it’s time to use those maker skills for a Mother Nature-approved project.  

    Nature is filled with majestic plants, vibrant flowers, and ripe fruits, all of which tend to tickle the sentimental side of human beings. While it’s always nice to hike through areas that are rich with green, you can also bring the beauty of the earth into your own backyard.

    No matter what type of climate you reside in, a greenhouse can create the ideal environment for your favorite plants. You don’t need to create a gigantic greenhouse, you can also 3D print your miniaturized version on your own!

    Designed by Thingiverse user “graph”, this 3D printable Greenhouse Dome is a great way to show your appreciation for the environment and celebrate Earth Day 2018. On top of that, you’ll be able to start sprouting seeds in a warm and nurturing greenhouse.

    It’s not too often we see a 3D printing project that will end with some beautiful plants or flowers, so let’s take a quick look at this special Earth Day-edition Weekend Project!


    3D Printed Greenhouse Dome: What Do You Need?

    To build your own 3D printed Greenhouse Dome, you’ll need to do a lot of 3D printing. Depending on the size you want to make, the models consist of numerous tiny pieces that need to be assembled together. For just one mini Greenhouse Dome, you’ll need to print over 130 parts. Luckily, most of the individual pieces are small and can be grouped together.


    You can find the STL files for the Mini Greenhouse Dome here, along with the quantity for each model. If you want to print the larger model, you can also find the STL files on Thingiverse. The unique part about the miniaturized version is that it comes with its own 3D printed plant pot. For the larger dome, you’ll need to buy one separately.

    Other than your 3D printer, PLA filament, and a whole lotta patience, you’ll also need to purchase some greenhouse plastic film to wrap around the dome. Add some soil and your plant of choice and you should be good to grow!

    For more information on this environmentally sound project, check out the Thingiverse post.


    License: The text of „Weekend Project: Celebrate Earth Day with This 3D Printed Greenhouse Dome“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  • Open Heritage Project by CyArk and Google Helps Preserve Monuments in 3D

    Open Heritage Project by CyArk and Google Helps Preserve Monuments in 3D

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    The Open Heritage initiative is a joint project between Google Arts and Culture and nonprofit CyArk to preserve monuments around the world in 3D and make them available to the public.

    Many people’s dream is to travel the world and see its wonders. But, this dream may never be realized, especially if some of these wonders are ruined by earthquakes, uncontrollable tourism or even religion-motivated vandalism.

    CyArk is a nonprofit organization which was founded by Ben Kacyra in 2003 to preserves endangered sites around the world in 3D. He explains that he was inspired to start the nonprofit after seeing the destruction of Buddhist statues in Afghanistan by the Taliban in 2001.

    To capture at-risk monuments, Kacyra and his team use detailed 3D images using methods such as laser scanning, drone imaging, and photogrammetry.

    Now, Google has partnered with CyArk to help the nonprofit in their mission. Their joint initiative is called the Open Heritage project.

    It uses CyArk’s technology to capture the 3D data, then this information is made available online for the public to explore, whether using a mobile or a virtual reality headset.

    “With modern technology, we can capture these monuments in fuller detail than ever before, including the color and texture of surfaces alongside the geometry captured by the laser scanners with millimeter precision in 3D. These detailed scans can also be used to identify areas of damage and assist restoration efforts,” Chance Coughenour, a digital archaeologist and program manager with the Google Arts and Culture division, said in a press release.

    Explore the World from your Living Room

    Google Arts & Culture is a platform which aims to help preserve art but also make it accessible in all its forms.

    “Over the past seven years, we’ve partnered with 1,500 museums from over 70 countries to bring their collections online and put more of the world’s culture at your fingertips. This project marks a new chapter for Google Arts & Culture, as it is the first time we’re putting 3D heritage sites on the platform,” Coughenour adds.

    Right now, Google and CyArk are working on mapping the Ananda Ok Kyaung temple in Bagan, Myanmar which suffered damage from an earthquake in 2016.

    In total, the Open Heritage project currently has 25 locations from 18 countries around the world to explore. The hope is that by making this data publicly available, people around the world will come up with interesting ways to use it.

    Would you 3D print Bagan temples or explore Wat Phra Si San Phet using an Oculus Rift? If you’d like to download CyArk’s data, you’ll need to apply to do so using a form which can be found on Google’s Open Heritage page.

    Source: The Verge

    Open Heritage
    Open Heritage

    License: The text of „Open Heritage Project by CyArk and Google Helps Preserve Monuments in 3D“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  • Weekend Project: How to 3D Print Watertight and Airtight Containers

    Weekend Project: How to 3D Print Watertight and Airtight Containers

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    A new Instructables post from user mikey77 shows how you can adjust your 3D printing slicer settings to make watertight and airtight containers, cups, tanks, and more.  

    There are tons of useful and unique objects that you can create with your desktop 3D printer, but there are certain factors that prevent makers from properly producing food-safe and watertight items. Generally speaking, the layering of FDM prints lead to micro spaces that allow bacteria to build up, water to leak, and air to seep out.

    But a new Instructables post from user mikey77 claims that with just a few tweaks to your 3D printing slicer settings, you can 3D print containers, cups, and tanks that are watertight and airtight. The concept is simple. All you need to do adjust your slicer to prompt over-extrusion of your filament.

    That’s it? Well, pretty much. You’ll have to manually change a number of slicer settings, and, if you’re planning to print something for the kitchen, make sure you’re using a food-safe filament, a clean extruder, and the right nozzle.

    Let’s take a closer look at the maker’s methodology, slicer settings, and impressive results.


    3D Printed Watertight and Airtight Containers: How to Make it

    Aside from your 3D printer, all you’ll need here is a reliable slicing software and PLA filament, preferably one that is considered to be food-safe.

    To achieve over-extrusion, you’ll need to slow down your print speed and increase the extrusion multiplier. By doing so, the extrusion will be wider and overlap side by side layers. There are a number of slicer settings you’ll need to adjust, and thankfully, mikey77 shares all of the specifics on his Instructables post. He uses the MatterControl slicer in his example, but the settings should be able to transcend into any slicing software.

    These setting adjustments will lead to 3D prints that are more solid, making it easier to clean and keep bacteria out. The maker claims that storing and measuring dry food should be fine with most types of PLA. But when it comes to holding liquid, you’ll want to use a filament that doesn’t have additives and is rated food-safe.


    You’ll also want to utilize a clean extruder for all food-safe 3D prints. This is because previously used filaments can leave residue in the extruder, and could end up being infused into your food-safe filament.

    Lastly, to be on the safe side, you should also use stainless steel or another lead-free nozzle to print food-safe items, rather than the commonly used brass nozzle. Some brass nozzles are alloys that include lead, which could seep out and come in contact with food.

    Mikey77 also claims that his slicer settings could also be used to produce airtight objects like air pressure tanks and artificial muscles. In his Instructables post, he also includes STL files for a glass and beaker, allowing you to experiment with this innovative concept.


    License: The text of „Weekend Project: How to 3D Print Watertight and Airtight Containers“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  • 3D Printed RoboToads Help Explain Mating Habits

    3D Printed RoboToads Help Explain Mating Habits

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    A team of behavioral ecologists out of the University of Windsor, Canada, studies the mating habits of color-changing toads in Costa Rica using RoboToads — 3D printed, motorized replicas.

    As most of us know, attracting a mate is no simple task. How do you bring attention to yourself without being too obvious? A species of toad in Central America has it figured out: Just change color!

    Daniel Mennill and Stéphanie Doucet, behavioral ecologists out of the University of Windsor, first came upon the amphibians many years ago while studying birds in Costa Rica. Completely by accident, they noticed that some of the toads were changing color, from brown to yellow, and only for one day.

    The husband-and-wife duo later determined that only the males change during the species’ one-day breeding “season”. In order to learn more about these peculiar mating habits, their research team recently developed RoboToads, which are 3D printed, motorized replicas.

    The objective of the project is to answer the question, How do you pick a good lemon? To be (slightly) more academic, how do female toads select a partner from a seemingly uniform sea of yellow?

    The process of creating the RoboToads is actually quite complex. Early efforts were little more than a creative outlet, as explained by Lincoln Savi, Mennill’s and Doucet’s graduate student:

    “They’re like so cool, the yellow toads, that I kind of wanted to have one, but can’t. So I made my own, and once I had a super realistic model it was like, ‘Hey we could actually do science with that.’”

    How to Fool a Toad

    The first replicas, made of plasticine and clay, just didn’t cut it, so the team turned to 3D modeling and printing. Savi began with photogrammetry, a method of generating 3D models by stitching together multiple 2D photos. Easier said than done, unfortunately:

    “I only got 11 photos before he moved,” says Savi. “I couldn’t get any photos of his underside and he was in some leaves, so there was some geometry hidden by leaves.”

    Savi sculpts hidden aspects after the rest of the toad is 3D printed, with painting and robotics to follow. In fact, adding the mechanics is the easiest part. Savi elaborates:

    “I used some programmable microprocessors and some servos and just made a simple program that chooses a random angle and makes the toad move there.”

    Soon Savi’s knot of toads — yes, knot is the proper term — will be put into action. The window for testing is small, as the living counterparts only mate at the very start of Central America’s six-month rainy period. Thus the team is already in Costa Rica, waiting for the first drops to fall.

    Sources: CBC News, Science

    Mennill and Savi show off the RoboToads
    Mennill and Savi show off the RoboToads
    Mennill and Savi show off the RoboToads

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  • Scientists Accidentally Create Mutant Enzyme that Eats Plastic

    Scientists Accidentally Create Mutant Enzyme that Eats Plastic

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    In what could be a major ecological breakthrough, scientists have accidentally invented a mutant enzyme that likes to feast on PET plastic.

    We love 3D printing, but it’s sometimes hard to reconcile the joy of fabricating a 3D object with the plastic waste that is generated. Trial and error is the nature of the hobby — at least in the early stages — and the bin soon fills up with broken bits of ABS, PLA and PET.

    Take heart then, in a new study published in the Proceedings of of the National Academy of Sciences. A team of international scientists announce they have accidentally created a new type of enzyme capable of breaking down plastic bottles.

    Yes, that’s right, they did it by accident.

    The origins of the new study are tied to the 2016 discovery of a bacterium in a Japanese waste dump that had evolved to use PET (polyethylene terephthalate) as an energy source. PET is commonly used in the production of 1 million soft drink bottles sold every minute around the world.

    The team of scientists originally began tests to see how the bacterium, Ideonella sakaiensis, managed to produce an enzyme capable of degrading PET.  But then an unexpected surprise took place; those tests inadvertently made the enzyme even more effective at degrading PET.

    The resulting mutant enzyme, called PETase, now takes just a few days to break down PET, compared to the 450 years it requires for it to degrade naturally.

    mutant enzyme
    mutant enzyme
    Electron microscope photos of enzyme/substrate interactions. Bryon Donohoe, Nic Rorrer and Gregg Beckham are co-authors of a paper on plastic (PET) eating enzymes, “Characterization and Engineering of a Plastic-Degrading Aromatic Polyesterase” being published PNAS. (Photo by Dennis Schroeder / NREL)

    Mutant Enzyme to Augment Plastic Recycling Efforts

    This new development could finally allow us to fully recycle plastic bottles for the first time; it won’t put a stop to plastic pollution, but it should certainly slow down the rate at which it’s piling up in our landfills and oceans.

    “Serendipity often plays a significant role in fundamental scientific research and our discovery here is no exception,” said Professor John McGeehan, at the University of Portsmouth, UK, who led the research.

    “Although the improvement is modest, this unanticipated discovery suggests that there is room to further improve these enzymes, moving us closer to a recycling solution for the ever-growing mountain of discarded plastics.”

    The researchers are now working on improving the enzyme further to allow it to be used industrially to break down plastics in a fraction of the time.

    “The engineering process is much the same as for enzymes currently being used in bio-washing detergents and in the manufacture of biofuels,” explains Professor McGeehan.

    “Rhe technology exists and it’s well within the possibility that in the coming years we will see an industrially viable process to turn PET and potentially other substrates like PEF, PLA, and PBS, back into their original building blocks so that they can be sustainably recycled.”

    And with this exciting development, 3D printing enthusiasts have one more reason to feel good about their hobby.

    Source: University of Portsmouth News

    License: The text of „Scientists Accidentally Create Mutant Enzyme that Eats Plastic“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  • NASA’s Orion Deep Space Capsule to Feature Over 100 3D Printed Parts

    NASA’s Orion Deep Space Capsule to Feature Over 100 3D Printed Parts

    Reading Time: 2 minutes

    NASA’s next venture into deep-space capsule will feature additive manufacturing in a big way. The agency’s new Orion capsule will incorporate more than 100 3D printed parts, which will be produced by Stratasys in collaboration with Lockheed Martin and PADT.

    Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1) is Orion’s — NASA’s new deep-space capsule — next test flight, launching in 2019. The spacecraft will fly to the Moon (not quite infinity) and beyond. EM-1 will be the capsule’s first text launching atop the Space Launch System — thought to be the world’s most powerful rocket. This flight will be un-crewed.

    If this flight goes to plan, then EM-2 will follow, this time with astronauts on board. It will be the first manned flight near the Moon  since 1972, and serves as a preparation for more complex missions in deep space.

    A key component in the construction of Orion is more than 100 3D printed parts, including critical components that sit outside the capsule’s docking hatch. These elements, referred to as “next-generation 3D printed parts” in a release, could mark a step change in additive manufacturing for aerospace.

    The joint effort by 3D printing specialist Stratasys, defense contractor Lockheed Martin and engineering firm PADT demonstrates a crucial factor in spaceflight engineering — repeatability. This is achieved for the Orion capsule with Stratasys’ Antero and ULTEM 9085™ materials.

    “Working with PADT, Stratasys, and NASA has enabled us to achieve highly consistent builds that move beyond the realm of prototyping and into production… We’re not just creating parts, we’re reshaping our production strategy to make spacecraft more affordable and faster to produce,” said Brian Kaplun, Manager of Additive Manufacturing at Lockheed Martin Space.

    Not Just a Prototype

    Instead of simply using the technology for prototyping, the three companies are using the machines to create scale production parts. The technology’s benefits are that it can produce high-performance lightweight prints both quickly and cheaply.

    With Stratasys 3D printers and materials producing the parts at Lockheed Martin’s Additive Manufacturing Lab, the result is precision parts with high performance mechanical, chemical, and thermal properties.

    “The demands of space travel require extremely high performance materials and the most rigorous manufacturing processes in the industry. Part integrity and repeatability are essential and must pass NASA’s demanding testing and validation process. Based on decades of experience delivering strong and lightweight additive manufacturing solutions for leaders across the aerospace industry, Stratasys technology is ideally suited to match the high-reliability manufacturing processes required for production parts in space exploration,” said Scott Sevcik, Vice President of Manufacturing at Stratasys.

    Find about more about the NASA’s deep space exploration systems on its website.

    Source: Stratasys

    (Top image: Business Wire)

    License: The text of „NASA’s Orion Deep Space Capsule to Feature Over 100 3D Printed Parts“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  • WASP Creates Hub Network Across the World

    WASP Creates Hub Network Across the World

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    WASP, the Italian 3D printer manufacturer, has created the WASP Hub network and is expanding in Italy and across the world to cities including, Barcelona, London, Madrid, Paris, Umea, Jersey City and Beirut.

    There has been a lot of moving (and shaking) from WASP, the Italian 3D printing company WASP (short for “World’s Advanced Saving Project”), lately.

    For example, the company, which was founded in 2012 and is responsible for the largest Delta printer in the world, recently announced that its Shamballa Technology Park had moved.

    But, that’s not all as the company is now announcing its expansion of what it’s calling the Hub Network, across the globe. WASP explains in a press release that it created a Hub Network after acquiring a new large office.

    This space is equipped with service for large 3D printing and is the new location for the Shamballa Technology Park. Read more about the move, here.

    So far, ten hubs have been opened. Their locations include Macerata, Mantua, and Venice in Italy. But also, Barcelona, London, Madrid, Paris, Umea, Jersey City and Beirut. Soon to come are hubs in Milan and Berlin.

    The idea is that a hub is a business unit which “create innovation by sharing discoveries, projects, processes, materials and job opportunities,” the company explains in a press release.

    WASP
    WASP

    What is a WASP Hub?

    At a WASP Hub, you’ll be able to find a workspace decked out with digital fabrication machines. Such equipment includes a Delta WASP 2040 TURBO2, a Delta WASP 4070 INDUSTRIAL, a Delta WASP 3MT INDUSTRIAL and a Clay Kit 2.0 with LDM Wasp Extruder.

    The company aim is for these spaces to be used as “a laboratory for the creation of objects that can be used in the different research fields identified by WASP as basic human needs: food, health, home, energy, digital fabrication, art, and culture.”

    Hubs are started by locals and their current resources. When people with technical skills begin planning a project for “collective wellness”, WASP provides digital manufacturing tools for services and projects.

    The company adds in their press release that the overall goal is to generate well-being and economic development, who doesn’t want that? They also hope that their technologies can be used to improve the world and serve mankind. Visit the WASP website for more information.

    Source: Press Release

    Large 3D Printer #28: The DeltaWASP 3MT
    Large 3D Printer #28: The DeltaWASP 3MT

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  • Thermoplastic Carbon Fiber 3D Printed Prosthetic Sockets May Be Strongest Yet

    Thermoplastic Carbon Fiber 3D Printed Prosthetic Sockets May Be Strongest Yet

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    BASF and Essentium have collaborated to bring to market 3D printed prosthetic sockets that promise to be more durable.

    Chemicals company BASF and 3D industrial solutions provider Essentium, have partnered to launch 3D printed thermoplastic carbon fiber prosthetic sockets. Clinicians can easily customize the sockets to provide an even more comfortable fit for patients.

    Using BASF’s Ultramid polyamide with short carbon fiber, the 3D printed prosthetics are both lightweight, yet tough. At the same time, they are more flexible than traditional carbon fiber.

    The thermoplastic material also makes it easier to make small adjustments of 2-3mm to accommodate physical changes of patients.

    “It’s a rewarding process to develop the formulation in the lab with Essentium and then turn that resin into a real material, knowing it can impact prosthetic patients in a positive way,” said Oleksandra Korotchuk, New Market Development Scout, Performance Materials at BASF. “It’s a true validation of the partnership. [We] will continue to uncover new materials and techniques that will unlock advanced design and speed capabilities.”

    The sockets have been tested with clinicians and patients at Anew Life Prosthetics and Orthotics, (ALPO) a US-based clinic. ALPO validated the technology and provided real patient feedback on the TriFusion 3D printed sockets. According to Chris Casteel, owner of ALPO:

    “Just like anything else, it’s one thing to hear about a product like this. [It’s] another thing to actually feel and touch it. We received extremely positive feedback from patients on the 3D printed test sockets. [It] is incredible to see and feel how well they fit. This is a huge success for the prosthetic industry and I look forward to seeing what comes next.”


    TriFusion prosthetic. (Image: TriFusion)

    3D printing significantly speeds up prosthetic development

    Although the FDA does not yet officially regulate 3D printed prosthetics, Essentium and BASF chose to adhere to strict standards set out in the regulatory body’s guidelines for Additive Manufacturing (December 2017). The guide provides a 30-step manufacturing process and devices are hand-inspected before being shipped.

    Traditionally, clinicians take three days to mold and cast the carbon fiber sockets. 3D printing has significantly sped up that process to just 24 hours. In addition, the development minimizes fit errors and parts rarely require adjustment. Blake Teipel, president and co-founder of Essentium added:

    “The materials used in these definitive sockets have the power to open up people’s lives to more mobility and more freedom. As we propel 3D printing of functional parts, we’re proud to make a prosthetic that’s more customized, lightweight, affordable and comfortable for the patient, and make the production process easier and more efficient for the clinician.”

    In the future, the two companies are looking to produce 3D printed prosthetics that include rigid and flexible TPU elements. This may increase comfort and is expected to launch in 2018.

    Source: BASF

    License: The text of „Thermoplastic Carbon Fiber 3D Printed Prosthetic Sockets May Be Strongest Yet“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  • Zortrax Unveils New Add-On Air Filters for its 3D Printers

    Zortrax Unveils New Add-On Air Filters for its 3D Printers

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    In an effort to curb the emissions from 3D printing, Zortrax has unveiled air filtration covers for its M200 and M200+ 3D printers. Packing both HEPA and carbon filters, the device is said to tackle both the UFPs and from materials like ABS.

    While the direct effects of 3D printing and the hazards it presents are subject to much research currently, the long-term health effects of operating desktop 3D printers is still a little foggy, given the tech’s nascense in the home.

    However, there’s no denying that FDM printing does result in the release of ultra fine particles (UFPs) into the air.

    Regardless of whether home 3D printing releases enough to be harmful, any is still worse than none. We’ve seen desktop 3D printers outfitted with air filters to combat this, but their adoption is not nearly as commonplace as one would hope.

    Zortrax, the Polish manufacturer of a couple of 3D printers designed to print materials like ABS better than most, is going some way to remedy this, and has just unveiled a HEPA filter addon for its M200 and M200+ 3D printers.

    The company’s new solution to air quality control is a two-filter system, sealing the print chamber in tandem with its printer’s sidewalls and channeling the chamber airflow through both a carbon fan and HEPA filter.

    In addition to eliminating the odor emitted by materials such as ABS (which they excel at and is primarily pitched for) and removing UFPs, the company claims the system will improve print quality by reducing the likelihood of warping. From our standpoint that makes sense – materials like ABS are rather temperature sensitive when printing, and sealing the chamber will keep the temperature around the print consistent.


    HEPA HEPA Hurray

    In a detailed post explaining the science behind UPFs and their capture, Zortrax’s Hardware Development Manager, Robert Klaczński, explains:

    “Recent studies have shown that a working 3D printer emits varying quantities of ultra fine particles (UFP). Precisely, peak emissions for 3D printing with ABS-based materials consist of particles in the 14 nm to 49 nm size range.”

    A filter meets HEPA designation when it can effectively filter minimum percentage of UFPs measuring 300 microns — however, the composition and arrangement of the filtering inside a HEPA filter means that particle of a variety of sizes are effectively captured, including those smaller than the 100 micron range.

    How it captures these smaller particles (that are commonly found to be released by 3D printers), relies on the Brownian-esque motion they follow — basically, these particular particles are so small that they are subject to constant buffeting by the particles they pass by as they fly through the air. Instead of traveling in smooth straight lines as larger particles might, they erratically zig-zag.

    This predictably unpredictable motion mean that almost all of the smaller than 100-micron particles come into contact with the filter’s fibers and are captured.

    The HEPA takes care of the UFPs, but that alone won’t eliminate the stench of ABS and its smelly compatriots. It’s nice to see Zortrax take this air filtration another step further with the inclusion of a carbon filter, which does capture the odorous nasties released when printing.

    We suspect this system has derived from Zortrax’s work on its Inventure 3D printing system, so there’s some degree of pedigree behind it.

    This new add-on is currently only compatible with the company’s M200 and recently announced M200+ 3D printers. No word on yet on when it will ship, or if a supersized version will be made available for the company’s larger M300 printer.

    Source: Zortrax


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  • U.S. Army Develops 3D Printed Soft Robotics Inspired by Invertebrates

    U.S. Army Develops 3D Printed Soft Robotics Inspired by Invertebrates

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    After studying the mechanisms of invertebrates in nature, U.S. Army researchers have developed 3D printed soft robotics that can traverse difficult landscapes and squeeze into crowded spaces. 

    A joint project between the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and the University of Minnesota (UMN) is exploring 3D printed soft robotics that can squeeze into tight spaces and travel around obstacles, essentially acting like invertebrates.

    Previously, the U.S Army has had to settle for rigid and inflexible robots, making it difficult to maneuver in crowded places and congested environments.

    The current limitations of military robots include a lack of dynamic flexibility, which is due to their rigid components. Additionally, these robots also require the U.S. Army to activate complex mechanisms and electrical circuits.

    And so, the ARL and UMN are using tunable materials to develop the first soft robotic prototypes. The team is also able to modify the structural flexibility, morphology, and dynamic actuation of the 3D printed robot.

    The final 3D printed prototype is the first of its kind, able to perform bending motions and squeeze into tight spaces.

    “Successful stealthy maneuvering requires high structural flexibility and distributive control to sneak into confined or restricted spaces, operate for extended periods and emulate biological morphologies and adaptability,” explained Dr. Ed Habtour, an ARL researcher who studies nonlinear structural dynamics.


    (a) Schematic of a soft actuator device (left) and exploded view of the device and constituent material layers. (b) Schematic of depositing (3D printing) hydrogel on the surface of a silicone layer after surface treatment and under UV light exposure. (c) Printing of the ionic hydrogel on the passive layer after surface treatment, final 3D printed DEA, and microstructure image of the device cross-section. (Source: US Army)

    Using Nature to Advance 3D Printed Soft Robotics

    During the first phase of research, the UMN team observed different methods that would allow them to “emulate the locomotion of invertebrates”. By doing so, they gained insight into soft distributed actuation circuitries that can perform high bending motions without skeletal support.

    After looking at mechanisms in nature boast flexible abilities, the team developed a customized 3D printing platform and mathematical model to study and predict these optimal actuation mechanisms. UMN then 3D printed the first actuation circuitries using soft and stretchable materials that have mechanical features inspired by nature.

    “The research findings represent an important stepping stone towards providing the Solider an autonomous freeform fabrication platform – next-generation 3-D printer, which can print functional materials and devices – to generate soft actuators and potentially tetherless soft robots on demand, on the fly and at the point of need,” Habtour said.

    Not only are the 3D printed actuators incredibly flexible, they can also be manufactured without post-processing and are extremely easy to use. In the next phase of the project, the team plans to focus on the interplay of internal interfaces and interaction kinetics observed in biological systems.

    The current research has been published in Extreme Mechanics Letters.


    Dr. Ed Habtour at ARL.

    Source: U.S. Army

    License: The text of „U.S. Army Develops 3D Printed Soft Robotics Inspired by Invertebrates“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  • Shapeways Raises $30 Million to Boost 3D Printing Creator Services And Tools

    Shapeways Raises $30 Million to Boost 3D Printing Creator Services And Tools

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    The 3D printing creator community on Shapeways will benefit from tools to boost product creation, marketing, and brand development.

    Shapeways, the platform for product creation using 3D printing technologies, has just raised $30 million in a Series E funding round. The round was led by Lux Capital with participation from previous investors Union Square Ventures, INKEF Capital, and Andreessen Horowitz.

    The company will use the capital to boost its growth and launch other services that can accelerate its overall vision. In a telephone call with Shapeways CEO Greg Kress, he stated: “We want creators to become millionaires.” Shapeways plans to become an end-to-end platform for creators to design, make and sell their products: “Our mission is to bring ideas to life.”

    The company currently has a community of more than one million creators and 10 million products available for 3D printing. By joining the platform, creators receive design tools and services as well as access to more advanced production technologies. Indeed, Shapeways now offers printing facilities across New York, the Netherlands and global partners.

    As part of the expansion, it is launching Design With Shapeways, a programme that provides one-on-one support for creators throughout the 3D modeling process. Creators can seek out support for all the technical 3D modeling pain points, even if they have no experience in it.

    “Millions of people have brought their product ideas to life with Shapeways thanks to the company’s unparalleled 3D printing expertise, scale, and capability,” explained Zack Schildhorn, partner at Lux Capital. “The plan is to put this product creation engine in the hands of millions more, though more approachable and expansive services. Life-changing businesses will be built on this platform.”


    Simplified 3D printing workflow on Shapeways. (Image: Shapeways)

    Customizable collections and end-to-end service coming soon

    In addition, the company is planning to launch Spring & Wonder, a customized jewelry collection which users can modify and personalize. Specifically, the look, materials, and designs are all customizable.

    This is a showcase on what can be done with the right tools: The collection is essentially a demonstration of the company’s 3D modeling and printing capabilities.

    Throughout the year, the company expects to launch many more showcase brands.

    Furthermore, the Shapeways team is looking to roll out an end-to-end service that lets creators scale into a small business. By taking advantage of the platform’s experience, users can develop their brand, website, marketing support, merchandise and customer service.

    Right now, a few select clients are beta testing the management system for their outdoor recreational products.

    The company will announce the full project details over the coming months.

    “We’ve just hit our 10 millionth product printed but we are just getting started, there is so much more to do,” added Greg Kress, CEO of Shapeways. “We want to enable more creators to reach success and this will include supporting them through design services, manufacturing beyond just 3D printing and helping them create small businesses.”


    Shapeways offers a wide range of materials to choose from. (Image: Shapeways)

    License: The text of „Shapeways Raises $30 Million to Boost 3D Printing Creator Services And Tools“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  • Ultimaker and Prusa Vie for Dominance in 3D Hubs Trend Report

    Ultimaker and Prusa Vie for Dominance in 3D Hubs Trend Report

    Reading Time: 5 minutes

    Ultimaker! HP! Prusa Research! New York City! Some fascinating insights into the 3D printing industry, courtesy of the latest 3D Hubs Trend Report.

    It’s the beginning of a new business quarter, and for 3D printing fanatics that means only one thing. It’s time for another 3D Hubs Trend Report.

    The 3D Hubs Trend Report is put together every three months using data from 6,000 active international service providers. Between them, they fabricate more than 200,000 3D printed parts every quarter. In turn, customers will routinely rate and review the quality of the prints they have received.

    The scale of this activity is truly unique; studying the data provides an extensive overview of the latest trends in both consumer and industrial 3D printing. Without further ado, let’s dive into the latest findings from Q2 2018 spanning January to March.

    3D Hubs Trend Report: Highest Rated Desktop 3D Printers

    trend report
    trend report

    These are the top rated 3D printers out of 700 printer models listed on the 3D Hubs platform, based on print quality ratings from customer review data. Only printers with more than 140 reviews in the quarter are included in these stats.

    As can be seen in the chart above, there are two clear winners in this segment. Prusa Research and Ultimaker take 6 of the 10 spots with their range of fused deposition modeling (FDM) machines, leaving barely any room for other companies to make their mark. The only anomaly is the Form 2 from Formlabs, bravely flying the flag for stereolithographic (SLA) 3D printing.

    With market share increases for both Prusa Research and Ultimaker from previous trend reports, it’s clear that the battle for market-leader is settling into a two-horse race. But the reassuring thing is that both companies remain committed to open source hardware and software; the customer wins either way.

    3D Hubs Trend Report: Most Used Desktop 3D Printers

    3d hubs trend report
    3d hubs trend report

    These are the 10 most productive desktop 3D printers out of 700 printer models listed on 3D Hubs. The data is based on the quantity of customer prints from the previous quarter, which amounted to 67,516 items.

    The Prusa Research MK2 is now the most used on the platform, creating 15,087 parts. According to our source at 3D Hubs, many suppliers on the platform are using multiples of this machine to set up print farms for bulk production.

    The Form 2 isn’t too far behind, however, with 14,211 parts. Being the only reputable SLA solution on the service — as per the previous chart — means that pretty much every print job of this nature is being fabricated on a Form 2. It has all the makings of a virtuous circle.

    One strange detail is the presence of the Fusion3 F400-S. This is technically an industrial 3D printer, and it’s substantially more expensive and sophisticated than an ordinary desktop machine. It doesn’t really belong on this chart.

    3D Hubs Trend Report: Most Used Industrial 3D Printers

    trend report
    trend report

    Technology giant HP is firing on all cylinders in the industrial 3D printer space, if this activity on 3D Hubs is any indication. Their Jet Fusion 4200 machine has doubled its output from 2,500 parts made in Q1 to 5,087 in Q2. This is also nearly twice as much as their nearest rival, the Formiga P110. They’re doing similarly well in the Highest Rated Industrial Printer category, nabbing the second spot after the Formiga P100.

    3D Hubs Trend Report: Most Used Materials

    trend report
    trend report

    The most popular technology on 3D Hubs continues to be FDM, with 68% market share. Essentially, it remains the most affordable way for users to develop a first prototype of their models.

    Digging even further, the chart above shows the Most Used Materials on 3D Hubs, with at least half of the top ten specific to desktop FDM machines. This data shows the breakdown in revenue as a percentage for each material.

    Standard PLA remains number one, despite a drop of 4% since the previous quarter. Standard ABS is number two with a share of 17%, which is still some distance from the top. PETG, TPU and PLA/HPA take up the fifth, sixth and seventh spots, respectively.

    For the third and fourth spots, there’s a dual between SLS and SLA/DLP technologies on a material level. PA 12 is the most popular SLS material, and with 12% share has overtaken the popular SLA/SLP Standard Resin at 8% share. However, SLA/DLP makes up some ground with Transparent and Tough Resins entering the chart for the first time at eighth and ninth, respectively.

    3D Hubs Trend Report: Top Print City

    trend report
    trend report

    The data displayed here shows the number of prints ordered last quarter per city as a percentage of the total. Overall, the US nabs 6 of the 10 spots, while London, Amsterdam, Paris and Berlin represent Europe.

    New York has retained its crown as the Top Print City from the previous quarter, with 2.7%. But London has gained 0.5% market share to climb up to 2.4%. The speculation from our sources at 3D Hubs is that the rise is because of students creating prototypes for their end of January assessments.

    You can read the full 3D Hubs Trend Report for all these insights and more, while reports from previous quarters can be found here. Check back in three months for the next exciting update.

    License: The text of „Ultimaker and Prusa Vie for Dominance in 3D Hubs Trend Report“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  • Project of the Week: 3D Print Your Own Articulating LED Lamp

    Project of the Week: 3D Print Your Own Articulating LED Lamp

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    Engineer and maker Igor Albuquerque has created a 3D printed articulating LED lamp that you can mount on your desk and configure to fit your work or study environment. 

    Studying or working late tonight? Well, you’ll need good lighting at your desk to keep your eyes comfortable and healthy. Why not use your 3D printer to create a flexible LED lamp?

    Today’s project is an Articulating LED Lamp designed by Brazilian engineer and maker Igor Albuquerque. This 3D printed desk accessory is extremely versatile and doesn’t get in the way while you’re busy at work. The designer provides three different sized arms, allowing you to extend the reach of the lamp however you see fit.

    Albuquerque modeled his lamp after the 3D printable articulating phone mount designed by Kenneth Haynie. Thanks to the adaptable design, you’ll be able to configure the desk lamp to your needs.

    Previously featured on our list of 3D printable back to school supplies, this DIY lamp is the perfect addition to your desk. Want to build your own? Let’s shine a light on the 3D printed Articulating LED Lamp!


    3D Printed Articulating LED Lamp: What Do You Need?

    In order to create your own 3D printed Articulating LED Lamp, here’s what you’ll need:

    You can download the STL files for the model from Thingiverse.

    Although this project isn’t too difficult to 3D print and assemble, Albuquerque does caution us to be careful when working with electricity.

    “Make sure there is no short circuit and just try to connect to the electrical power plug after making sure that all components are properly connected and double insulated. If you don’t have enough experience working with electricity, ask for others help,” he states on his Instructables post.

    You should also be careful not to touch any exposed wires or the metal part of the LED lamp once it’s turned on. If the wiring is exposed, keep it out of reach from children and pets.


    3D Printed Articulating LED Lamp: Putting it all Together

    The lamp is comprised of eight individual parts, all of which need to be 3D printed once, aside from the nut.stl (you’ll need to print this part four times). Albuquerque suggests using 0.2mm resolution and 20 percent infill. Additionally, only the lamp holder.stl requires support structures.

    Once you’ve 3D printed the various parts that make up the Articulating LED Lamp, it’s time to put everything together. First, you’ll start with the wall mount, threading the bolt through the wall mount and the wall joint parts. Next, attach the female arm to the wall joint using a knob, followed by connecting the male arm to the female arm. Then, attach the lamp holder to the other end of the male arm and pass the LED spotlight through the lamp holder.

    Here’s a great picture showcasing the full assembly process:


    Finally, mount the Articulating LED Lamp to your desk area and plug it in. You should have a working light to guide you through your studies or work.

    If you want to view the full assembly instructions, check out Albuquerque’s Instructables post. Happy making!

    License: The text of „Project of the Week: 3D Print Your Own Articulating LED Lamp“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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