The new PLA Semi-Matte Black 3D printing filament combines a stylish textured finish for a cleaner, smoother look.
ColorFabb, the 3D printing filament producer, has just launched a brand new filament. The PLA Semi-Matte Black provides a smoother surface finish compared to other PLAs. The filament achieves a high-quality finish because it does not contain fibers.
Conveniently, the new PLA Semi-Matte Black can be used without having to adjust printer settings or parameters. This makes it even easier to give it a try.
ColorFabb also offers two black matte finish filaments – the XT-CF20 and the PA-CF Low Warp. However, these require a hardened steel nozzle for printing.
Meanwhile, the PLA Semi-Matte Black provides improved aesthetics whilst reducing the glossiness seen across most PLA 3D prints. Therefore, surface highlights are less obvious and the final look is cleaner and more luxurious.
The new filament can be printed at the usual PLA temperatures and settings. It is a reliable and easy-to-work-with material similar to other PLA materials.
A spool will set you back roughly $49 or 40 Euro. For more information, head over to ColorFabb and check out the other colors available.
Engineers from Northwestern University have developed a new method to 3D print powerful lenses in a rapid manner. These lenses could be used to turn your iPhone into a microscope for high quality photos or on-the-spot disease diagnosis.
Researchers from Northwestern University have recently developed a groundbreaking method to produced powerful 3D printed lenses. The team of engineers have spent two years devising the technique, and can now 3D print a high-quality customized lens in just four hours time. The lenses are extremely tiny, measuring just 5mm high and 5mm wide.
These lenses could be used for a vast array of optical applications, such as creating personalized contact lenses to correct poor vision. They could also be used to transform your iPhone into a microscope, allowing you to take detailed images or make on-the-spot disease diagnosis. To prove the concept, the researchers used the 3D printed lenses to photograph intricate things like sunset moth’s wing and a spot on a weevil’s elyta (pictured below).
Moreover, the 3D printed lens production technique could offer significant benefits for faster medical diagnosis, especially in remote areas that are hard to reach or where medical equipment is sparse.
“Up until now, we relied heavily on the time-consuming and costly process of polishing lenses. With 3D printing, now you have the freedom to design and customize a lens quickly,” said Cheng Sun, associate professor of mechanical engineering at Northwestern University.
Capabilities of the 3D printed microscope lens attached to an iPhone camera. (Image: Advanced Materials)
Northwestern Researchers Develop 3D Printed Lenses with Clear Optics
The 3D printing process developed at Northwestern involves layering the lens material one layer at a time. During the initial trials, this led to an unwanted stepping effect in the curvature of the layer, which ended up distorting the image. And so, the team of engineers set out to improve their concept.
“We realized that the layers on top of each other created surface roughness. The layer thickness is typically 5 microns, while the wavelength of visible light is around 0.5 micron. This creates an optically rough surface,” adds Sun. “That was the bottleneck. The roughness made the lens incapable of clear optics.”
This issue led the team to develop a technique that would create a smoother surface. This required using a slower 3D printing speed, as well as additional transitional steps. The team ended up using grayscale images to add transitions between steps and then coated the surface with photo-curable resin material.
A similar 3D printed lens has been developed in the past by the German nanotechnology company Nanoscribe. The company uses a high-precision femto-second 3D printer with 150 nanometer precision, but instead of layering, it builds lenses in a point-by-point fashion. According to the Northwestern researchers, Nanoscribe’s 3D printing process takes much longer compared to their own method.
In the near future, the researchers are planning to experiment with creating larger lenses. They also plan to test out how 3D printed lenses can be used with various medical devices, such as an endoscope or optical microscope.
Their research paper, entitled “High-Speed 3D Printing of Millimeter-Size Customized Aspheric Imaging Lenses with Sub 7 nm Surface Roughness”, was recently published in Advanced Materials.
Raise3D has unveiled the Pro2 Series, a line of industrial-grade 3D printers that offer accuracy, reliability, and a wide range of material capabilities. The company has also announced a new vision to “Pathfind Flexible Manufacturing” by providing customized solutions for vertical markets.
Raise3D is aiming to become the “Pathfinder of Flexible Manufacturing” with the new Pro2 Series, the latest line of industrial-grade 3D printers to come from the Chinese manufacturer. The new 3D printer range, which includes the Pro2 and Pro2 Plus, offers dual-extrusion 3D printing, a wide variety of material compatibility, as well as accurate and reliable 3D printing performance.
On the surface, the Pro2 Series 3D printers look quite similar to the company’s N2 Series. However, Raise3D claims that the new product range serves a completely different market than previous machines.
“Even if our N2 printers have been considered among the best for desktop fabrication by Make Magazine and 3D Hubs Community, there was still room for improvement in some features. We carried out a full revision of our N2 series and designed a new printer with the best performance and quality components we could develop or find in the market. Our determination is to have the best possible FFF 3D printer to achieve our vision of Pathfinding for Flexible Manufacturing,” said Diogo Quental, CEO of Raise3D.
According to Raise3D, the Pro Series 3D printers will be one of the fastest in dual extrusion 3D printing. The company also states that printing accuracy is 16 times higher than the market standard, while both usability and reliability is greatly improved.
Raise3D Releases the Pro2 and Pro2 Plus 3D Printers
The company has just unveiled two new 3D printer models; the Pro2 and Pro2 Plus. Raise3D’s Pro2 is the smaller iteration of the duo, featuring a 305 x 305 x 300 mm build volume. This 3D printer also offers a layer height of 0.01 mm, a filament sensor, camera, and filter. Other benefits include the ability to resume printing after a power outage, wide material capabilities, and an intuitive user interface. This Pro2 is priced at $3,999.
Raise3D Pro2 3D printer
Raise3D is also releasing the Pro2 Plus, which has a gargantuan build volume of 305 x 305 x 605 mm. Otherwise, this large-format 3D printer shares many of the same features as the smaller Pro2. The Pro2 Plus costs $5,999.
Both the Pro2 and Pro2 Plus has dual extrusion system that uses electronic driven lifting, which offers 4 times the increased torque performance. The Pro2 Series 3D printers also boast improved calibration, high quality optical endstops, an improved hotend and nozzle, and a new build plate system that prevents warping and distributes an even amount of heat.
Raise3D Pro2 Plus 3D printer
Raise3D Launches New 3D Printers, Campaign to Become “Pathfinder of Flexible Manufacturing”
The range of new 3D printers is more than just an improvement over the N2 Series, but is also a major step towards the industrial market. With the Pro2 Series, Raise3D is striving to be the “Pathfinder of Flexible Manufacturing”. What does this mean exactly? Well, from what we can gather, Raise3D is looking to position itself in between mass production and the customization capabilities of additive manufacturing.
While mass production has improved lives in many facets, the industrialization has forced people to use the same exact products regardless of cultural differences. With 3D printing technology, Raise3D believes we are better able to create products that promote individualism and personalized experiences.
However, with the current inability to shine on the stage of mass production, additive manufacturing has been primarily reserved for prototyping or lower volume batches. To solve this problem, the Chinese 3D printer manufacturer has developed the Pro2 Series for use in Desktop FDM 3D printing factories, or as Raise3D calls it, Flexible Manufacturing.
“Flexible Manufacturing systems allow the creation of affordable (from 50K USD) manufacturing capacity, that can be efficient for batch sizes from 1 till a few thousands, easy to learn, easy to maintain, easy to upgrade and easy to scale-up,” the company states in its latest press release.
The Pro2 Series line will focus on offering high flexibility, especially in regards to materials and colors used, production of different materials, as well as parallel production of different batch sizes. Another benefit of utilizing this Flexible Manufacturing system is that it offers an affordable entry point for companies that are new to additive manufacturing.
At the moment, the details of the Pro2 and Pro2 Plus are sparse, but Raise3D will surely reveal further details and specifications in the near future.
Since its launch in 2013, the Yùn–a small Linux machine and a microcontroller in a small Arduino form factor–found its way into hundreds of thousands of projects and professional applications. Last year, we decided that it was time for a refresh and began working hard to develop a true open-source design, with more compelling features and better overall software support.
The new board, which is expected to hit the market in the second half of April, will include enhanced functionality and compatibility with its predecessor.
Why a New Yùn
The Yùn enjoyed tremendous success; however, it ended up being affected by the internal issues we dealt with over the past couple of years and support has been quite intermittent.
For example, the board was never really an open-source product and the software had some challenges that we wanted to fix, especially from a security point of view.
What’s New in Rev.2
Hardware:
Much better, more robust power supply
New Ethernet connector with a clever mounting solution that enables the use of all possible shields with no risk for accidental short circuits
Horizontal USB connector to save vertical space
Improved USB hub
Software:
Software stack updated to OpenWRT latest version, including all patches
At this year’s Milan design week, a new Spanish brand called Nagami will make its debut with four 3D printed chairs designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, Ross Lovegrove and Daniel Widrig. The collection is named Brave New World.
Each year, thousands of people flock to Italy’s capital of fashion and design for Milan Design Week. The week-long celebration of innovative design is starting up again on April 17, and the new Spanish furniture brand Nagami has a collection that will put visitors on the edge of their seats.
Nagami’s first-ever collection, which will be on display at Milan Design Week, is a set of 3D printed chairs designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, Ross Lovegrove, and Daniel Widrig. The collection is called Brave New World, which is inspired by Aldous Huxley’s classic dystopian novel of the same title.
The prestigious firm Zaha Hadid Architects designed two chairs for the collection; the Bow and the Rise. These sleek and modern furnishings are inspired by marine biology.
The Rise designed by Zaha Hadid Architects
Ross Lovegrove designed a stool called Robotica TM, which focuses on similarities that exist between botany and robotics.
Ross Lovegrove’s Robotica TM stool
The last piece was designed by Daniel Widrig, who used three pieces of PLA to create his “skin-like” Peeler chair. His vision for this seat was to make the seven millimeter thick PLA pieces appear as if they are “peeling off of an invisible joint body.”
Daniel Widrig’s 3D printed Peeler chair
“We design products that until now were just waiting for the right technology to come to life: not only objects that you can hold, but also that you can feel and experience as part of your environment,” announced Nagami founders Manuel Jimenez García, Miki Jimenez García, and Ignacio Viguera Ochoa.
Visiting Milan? Sit Down on the Bow and Rise, Robotica TM, or Peeler Chairs
Although the entire collection is made with 3D printing technology, the four different chairs are all made using different materials and techniques.
For example, the Bow and Rise chairs include bright colors because the designer was influenced by underwater ecosystems. The two aquatically-inspired chairs are produced with PLA, but instead of 3D printing with filament, the team opted to use a pellet extruder and raw plastic particles.
The Bow designed by Zaha Hadid Architects
For the Robotica TM stool, Ross Lovegrove draws comparisons between 3D printing and “natural programming” found throughout nature. To create the stool, he used a continuous rotational process, which fuses together each layer in the midst of the printing process. The stool includes heat-proof silicone inserts, making it ideal for use as a table.
The most simplistic of the four chair designs is Widrig’s Peeler chair. It takes just a few hours to achieve the desired effect of three peeling pieces of PLA. In fact, the designer intended for the chair to be produced in a short amount of time with as little material as possible.
“The chair has been designed to satisfy both the ergonomic constraints of the human body, as well as the ergonomics of the robotic arm that prints it,” said Widrig.
Want to check out the work for yourself? Visit Milan’s Brera Design District where Nagami will be exhibiting the chairs at their pop-up showroom. Or, if you can’t make it out to the Lombardy region for the event, check out the furniture company’s website to learn more about the Brave New World collection.
At Nantes Design Week 2017, a house was 3D printed in a matter of days. The five-room project called Yhnova House is a social housing project. By June this year, residents will move in according to the usual criteria.
Last year, a 3D printing housing project began in Nantes, France. The Yhnova House is a 3D printed home which was built using a patented 3D printing method called BatiPrint3D.
This process was developed by researchers from the University of Nantes. The home was realized as part of the Nantes Design Week 2017. Its final form is impressive, with curved walls and corners.
Last week an “inauguration” happened and the Yhnova house is now ready for life. It will be open to the public until June and, after this month, it’ll be ready to be lived in by a family.
The project is unique in France making it a very special home to live in. However, the five-room home will be made available to a family as per the normal social housing process.
But, those who move in will want for nothing as the 95 m² design is modern and comfortable. The house also has the equipment to analyze certain aspects such as air quality which will help tenants save on energy bills.
Yhnova House is Ready for Life
BatiPrint3D works by using a robotic arm which is guided by a laser. This then deposits liquid materials which quickly harden when exposed to the air. It has an appearance very similar to silly string.
The researchers explain that 3D printing has taught them key lessons about how the technology can improve construction. For example, it removes the need for scaffolding on the site and without builders on site, there is less dependence on the weather.
As usual with 3D printing, the technology reduces the ecological footprint of the site. It reduces waste of raw materials and the printer stays at the site, meaning it doesn’t need to be transported.
If you live near Nantes, the Yhnova house is open to the public on April 7th. After this, it will be used by the Regional House of Architecture for 6 weeks between April and June to teach pupils from local schools about architecture.
Finally, after these projects end, the house will be allocated to a family. But, there’s no chance of buying or cheating the system as the website makes clear that it will be “allocated to a family according to the usual criteria of social housing”.
Find out more information about Yhnova by visiting the BatiPrint3D website.
CTC stands for Creative Technologies in the Classroom, an initiative from Arduino Education aimed at helping teachers get up to speed with 21st century skills in the context of STEAM. We have been working with CTC since 2013, with our first experience in Castilla La Mancha, Spain. During a varying period of time, teachers are introduced to project-based learning as they run a full course with their students. At the end, teachers and students meet with their partners at a technology faire to show the result of an open-ended innovation process.
In this article series, I present projects made by students and exhibited at CTC faires. At those events, students come and pitch their experiments in front of hundreds of thousands of their peers from schools spanning all across their region. I select some of these projects and reinterpret them as a way to inspire other groups of students and their teachers in making new, interesting, user-centric, and thrilling projects.
What is CTC Catalunya and what makes it different? CTC Catalunya is the longest of Arduino’s CTC projects, having had faires since 2015. Thanks to the generosity of the EduCaixa Foundation and the help from Cesire, Catalunya’s government department, we have reached out to as many as 200 public schools at the time of writing.
In order to achieve this, we designed a plan where the educators of different regions of Catalunya were trained in becoming trainers themselves, so that they could constitute their own regional support teams as a way to make the project sustainable over time. You can imagine that, after four years, there are many familiar faces. People have grown to like this project, and the CTC faire has become part of the educational landscape to the point that many teachers plan for it within their annual agendas.
What about the project I chose for this blog post
One of my favorite projects of all-time is a system that enables you to look for books on the shelf by means of a laser pointer. Imagine you want to find that one novel; how many times have you had to browse through hundreds of your books and were unable to locate it for a while? Even if you have a database of all of your books, you would still have to make sure you place them in a certain location and need to go looking for it.
Two students at the CTC Catalunya Faire 2015 conceived the idea of a database of books that connected to an Arduino-controlled laser, which would point to a particular book on the shelf.
Schematic diagram: lasers, servo motors, and some code As many years have passed since the project was presented, I don’t have documentation on how it was built. This is going to be a bit of the topic in this series. I am not looking at being super precise in replicating these projects; rather, my aim is provide some guidelines on how this could be made and inspire others to get the idea and improve it. If you want to see how I make things for real, I invite you to follow my livecast sessions every Thursday at 7pm CET. I’ll be implementing one project from scratch each month.
When it comes to my understanding on how this project was built, it is clear that the students used an Arduino Uno board, a Processing sketch, two standard servo motors, and a laser pointer. I have prepared a schematic for you to see how it could work, as well as a diagram that explains the basic interactions between the Processing code and the Arduino one.
(Here is where I have to apologize because of the diagram. I didn’t have a lot of time to enhance its appearance, but CC0 clipart images are your friend and let me make things quickly.)
An idea of how it works Take a look at the flow chart above, which explains more about the project. The user will interact with the Processing sketch whenever he or she wants to search for a book. It is very likely the project that the students made had everything hardcoded in the program. In other words, the system was not letting you easily add new books to the database, but were stored in a text file that the Processing sketch would load upon boot. The books were presented in the form of a dropdown list for you to choose from. Once you selected one of the items in the list, the Processing sketch would send the coordinates to the servo motors. Those coordinates also had to be stored in the same text file as the names of the books. With the coordinates, that had to be the angles for each one of the servos, the pointer would be directed towards the shelves, highlighting the location of the book. Since this had to be shown at a faire where thousands of people would come by over a four-hour period, the students couldn’t prepare a much more complex presentation. This is why I have to make some assumptions about how far they went in their building. I also assume that they had to think through the ways to calibrate everything, since they didn’t have a lot of time to set up. The project worked flawlessly for the entire faire.
This is why I like it so much
At home we like books, we always have. When I was a kid, my parents had books in the living room, the dining room, mine and my brother’s room. As an adult, I have bought thousands of books and read every week. We own a 7m long bookshelf where books are sorted by color. When we discuss a project or think about possible ideas for what to build next, we look through our books. After a while, finding books is a time-consuming activity. I need one of these book-finding robots in my home!
Other projects with lasers?
You’ve likely seen at least one of the servo-controlled laser pointer projects for entertaining your cats here,here, or even here. Those are just one example of the fun things you can do with Arduino and lasers. In the context of CTC, there is actually a whole series of projects using laser diodes for creating music instruments. But that is an entirely different story, If you want to read about it, stay tuned for more adventures in CTC at the Arduino blog!
The CTC Caire was supported by Cesire at the Generalitat de Catalunya and the EduCaixa foundation.
Researchers from the University of Manchester have developed an extremely affordable 3D printed robotic prosthetic hand. The assistive device enables groundbreaking functionality for amputees, and can be fully customized for the user via an Android app.
A team of designers from the University of Manchester have recently created a robotic hand prosthetic with 3D printing technology. The development could potentially slash production costs for assistive devices, offering a more affordable alternative for amputees.
This new prosthetic can be seen as more than just a cheap alternative, but also as a functional improvement over traditional devices. The joints of the prosthetic hand are fully posable, meaning that each individual finger and thumb can be moved independently. In the real world, the 3D printed hand would provide amputees with an opportunity to handle everyday tasks such as picking up items, using a knife and fork, clicking a mouse, or even playing rock-paper-scissors.
Usually, these expanded functionalities do not come without a hefty price. However, that’s where the prototype really stands out as a groundbreaking device. The engineers from University of Manchester built the hand for just around £307 ($433 USD). On top of that, the creators firmly believe that the production cost can be reduced further. To give you some context, advanced prosthetics like this one usually come with exorbitant price tags, costing anywhere in the range of £25,000 ($35,000 USD) to £60,000 ($85,000).
3D Printing Helps Researchers Develop Prosthetic Hand that is Functional and Fresh
The team 3D printed the robotic prosthetic using stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing. The technique uses resin material, which is solidified into a 3D model using a high-powered laser. The researchers also plan to test out Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing, which could bring the price down even lower.
The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) estimates that there are around 6,000 limb amputations carried out each year in the country. Furthermore, whilst non-robotic limbs are available for cosmetic purpose, robotic ones have the power to transform lives and restore functionality to the user.
But the University of Manchester researchers want to combine functionality and aesthetics, producing a prosthetic that amputees can wear proudly.
“Not only do we want to make it affordable, we want people to actually like the look of it and not be ashamed or embarrassed of using or wearing it. Some traditional prosthetics can both look and feel cumbersome or, those that don’t, are extremely expensive. We think our design really can make a difference and we will be looking to commercialise the project in the future,” said Alex Agboola-Dobson, a Mechanical Engineering Master at the University of Manchester.
And, if that isn’t interesting enough, the prototype also includes a Bluetooth connection and also comes with its own Android app. This enables wearers to control the robotics via muscle sensors on the arm. Additionally, the extent of the prosthetic hand’s functionality is fully customizable through the Android app.
The project was led by mechanical engineer Alex Agboola-Dobson, who received assistance from lead electrical engineer Sebastian Preston-Jensen, lead software engineer Panagiotis Papathanasiou, as well as mechanical and software engineers Maximillian Rimmer and Shao Hian Liew.
Sounds like Sci-fi: Berkeley Scientists 3D printed entirely liquid materials that are flexible, stretchable, and could power electronics. They also could be used for chemical synthesis.
Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have figured out a way to print 3D structures that are made entirely of liquids. They used a modified version of the Qidi X-one low-cost 3D printer to inject water into silicone oil within a tube.
The researchers say the technique has potential applications for liquid electronics. Therefore, they could potentially power flexible and stretchable devices in the future.
Additionally, developers could use the tubes to separate molecules or deliver nanoparticles more effectively.
The 3D printed threads of water range between 10 microns to 1 mm in diameter. Tom Russell, a visiting faculty scientist in Berkeley Lab’s Materials Sciences Division, explained that the new materials essentially reconfigure themselves. As a result, it makes them suitable for many tasks “from chemical synthesis to ion transport to catalysis”.
Schematic of oil in water using supersoap. (Image: Berkeley Labs)
Developing the Material
The material essentially consists of a liquid tube inside another liquid. They achieved this by locking water into place using gold nanoparticles. These act as a surfactant which stabilizes the flow of the water and keeps the tube from breaking. Thus, the team dubbed the surfactant ‘supersoap’.
The supersoap also contains polymer ligands in oil. The polymer and gold particles attract each other, while the water and oil repel each other. This creates a powerful interface between oil and water that locks the two liquids in place.
“This stability means we can stretch water into a tube, and it remains a tube. Or we can shape water into an ellipsoid, and it remains an ellipsoid,” explained Russell. “We’ve used these nanoparticle supersoaps to print tubes of water that last for several months.”
The modified 3D printer
The researchers modified a Qidi X-one 3D printer by removing the parts that are traditionally designed to print plastic. Furthermore, they replaced them with a syringe pump and needle that extrudes liquid. Subsequently, the team reprogrammed the printer to inject oil and water.
“We can squeeze liquid from a needle, and place threads of water anywhere we want in three dimensions,” said Joe Forth, a postdoctoral researcher in the Materials Sciences Division. “We can also ping the material with an external force, which momentarily breaks the supersoap’s stability and changes the shape of the water threads. The structures are endlessly reconfigurable.”
Shipping from the company’s China warehouse, we image there to be some form of customs charge once it does reach you. But, with a hefty 56% off — it might just be worth it.
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Additive manufacturing of metals grew rapidly between 2016 to 2017, driven by improved technologies and processing.
The sale of metal additive manufacturing systems increased by 80% in 2017 compared to 2016. Specifically, around 1,768 metal 3D print systems were sold in 2017 compared to 983 systems in 2016. These are the findings of the new annual report by Wohlers Associates Inc, the company offering strategic advice on additive manufacturing.
Among the factors driving the growth in metal 3D printing systems are improved process monitoring and better quality assurance procedures. The Wohlers Report 2018 also noted that manufacturers are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of metal 3D printing.
Meanwhile, the number of companies now producing industrial-grade additive manufacturing systems – i.e. those that cost more than $5,000 – increased from 97 in 2016 to 135 companies in 2017.
It appears that new system manufacturers are joining the 3D printing market at a rapid pace. Furthermore, machines are now accompanied by improved material platforms, carry lower costs and provide faster printing speeds.
The final report comprises of the data findings from across 32 countries written by six co-authors.
Increase in metal 3D printing system sales over the years. (Image: Wohlers Associates)
From aerospace to medical industries – 3D printing of metals is on the rise
A similar report by IDTechEx estimates the worldwide market for metal 3D printing to grow to a $12 billion value by 2028.
Metal additive manufacturing to reach $12 billion in revenue by 2028. (Image: IDTechEx)
A wide variety of industries employ additive manufacturing of metals. These include aerospace engineering, automotive as well as the medical market.
Metals usually come in the form of powders and filaments for use in 3D printing. Currently, titanium and nickel are the dominant metals used in 3D printing systems, according to a report by Grand View Research. At the same time, steel is considered to be a cheaper alternative and given its wide availability may become a more dominantly used metal in the future for additive manufacturing.
The US currently leads in terms of market share with a CAGR of 30% in revenues. Meanwhile, Asia Pacific countries noted a significant growth of the metal 3D printing market.
Sources: Wohlers Associates, IDTechEx, Gran View Research
pedalSHIELD MEGA is a programmable guitar pedal for your Arduino
Arduino Team — March 27th, 2018
If you want to create new guitar sounds without having to redo your pedal wiring every single time, the pedalSHIELD MEGA from ElectroSmash could be just what you’re looking for.
The pedalSHIELD MEGA takes input from a guitar via a standard ¼-inch cable, and uses an Arduino Mega to process the sounds to your liking. This new sound is then output using two PWM pins for a 16-bit resolution.
The device, which is available in kit form or as a PCB, sits on top of the Mega as an amazing looking shield. In addition to a 3PDT true bypass footswitch, a toggle switch, and two pushbuttons, the pedalSHIELD MEGA features an OLED display for visual feedback. Once assembled, all you need to do for an entirely unique sound is program your own effects in the Arduino IDE!
This shield that is placed on top of an Arduino Mega has three parts:
• Analog Input Stage: The weak guitar signal is amplified and filtered, making it ready for the Arduino Mega ADC (Analog to Digital Converter).
• Arduino Mega Board: It takes the digitalized waveform from the ADC and does all the DSP (Digital Signal Processing) creating effects (distortion, fuzz, volume, delay, etc).
• Output Stage: Once the new effected waveform is created inside the Arduino Mega board, this last stage takes it and using two combined PWMs generates the analog output signal.
Following one series from conception to completion, learn how the Funko POP! series of vinyl figures are created using 3D modeling and 3D printing. It’s a veritable Saga, to be sure.
The Funko POP! toys have made popular culture into a serious business. The American company manufactures licensed vinyl figures and bobble-heads, and they’re wildly popular. The most recent set are based on the smash-hit comic book series Saga by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples.
Writing for GeekWire, journalist Daniel Rasmus paid a visit to the new Funko HQ in Everett, Washington. There, he interviewed key personnel about the design process behind their mega-selling figurines. Naturally, 3D modeling and 3D printing play a big part.
Once an idea is agreed upon, one of the earliest stages is concept approval. Funko and licensors collaborate to approve the look of the prototype sculpt for the final vinyl figure. Designers will then incorporate feedback into later revisions of the sculpt.
Experienced digital sculptors use the ZBrush app by Pixologic to create the final design for rapid prototyping. Detailed sculpts can take a day to a day-and-a-half for an artist to complete.
For the initial prototype, Funko sends a ZBrush file in ZTL format to their manufacturing partners in China and Vietnam. They use this file to 3D print a prototype.
For the figure approval stage, detailed digital images are sent to ensure that the prototypes match the design. In special cases like new form factors, manufacturers will ship figures to Funko for review.
The Saga of Making a Funko POP! Figurine
The Funko team generally approves the final sculpts for production. The exception to this step is a partner, such as a major studio, where Funko may output the prototype locally and spend time going over the designs with the combined teams in a physical meeting. Otherwise, the process is completely virtual and turnaround is speedy.
The manufacturing partner then converts the final design ZBrush output into a production mold, using a 3D print as the foundation. A definitive version of the unpainted figure then requires final approval.
In the meantime, elements like packaging and print are pulled together. Funko takes about 30 to 45 days to collect all the branding elements required from the licensor for the packaging.
Overall, the production line appears to operate like well-oiled machine, despite spanning several continents and time-zones. And when selecting the next subject for a series, nothing is too obscure for the Funko pop culture juggernaut. Or is it?
VP of Creative Ben Butcher is still hoping to get a Hudson Hawk figure made. “That’s my white whale,” he says of the 1991 Bruce Willis film. “I keep trying to find someone else who loves that movie.”
MIT’s computer science and AI lab (CSAIL) has developed a soft robotic fish, called SoFi for short, using 3D printing and built-in cameras so it blends in with life underwater, making it easier to learn about secretive shoals.
Blue Plant II brought some impressive aquatic animals to our screens using a number of ingenious methods. However, to help spy on sea life further, researchers from MIT’s computer science and AI Lab (CSAIL) have now developed a soft robotic fish.
The fish is nicknamed SoFi and has built-in cameras. It looks and moves just like a fish meaning it can swim amongst sea creatures without scaring them, all while capturing their natural behavior on camera.
Although there are many ways in which humans capture shy fish on camera, SoFi it notable for its use of 3D printing. The technology enables researchers to quickly and easily produce a soft robot fish.
“It’s elegant and beautiful to watch in motion. We were excited to see that our fish could swim side by side with real fish, and they didn’t swim away. This is quite different to when a human diver approaches,” said Daniela Rus, Director of CSAIL.
Bringing SoFi to Life with 3D Printing
The fish neatly slots together making it relatively easy to assemble and replace broken parts. Its housing is made from 3D printed plastic and molded parts. From tail to nose, it is 18.5 inches long. SoFi can swim underwater for around 40 minutes and dive to an impressive 60 feet.
To make the robot work, the head is full of electronics including a Linux PC. The tail is made from silicone elastomer and moved around by a hydraulic pump. This pump is quiet, making it easy for the fake fish to blend in.
The middle of the fish is made from urethane foam to keep it buoyant. However, there is also a buoyancy tank full of compressed air built-in which enables the researchers to adjust the depth of the fish and enabling it to stay in one place.
The researchers built a remote module – using an old SNES joypad – to control the fish underwater. The “miniaturized acoustic communication module” can control speed, turning angle and dynamic vertical diving. But, the fish can swim semi-autonomously – unless a researcher changes her route, SoFi will swim in one direction.
“It could be an extraordinary tool for studying marine biology. To find out about the secret lives of animals that live underwater, we need to collect more data. This could help,” said Rus.
Already the CSAIL team are planning many upgrades to improve SoFi. Currently, a human has to be with the robot to operate it, however, they think this could be changed with the addition of live-stream video.
They also hope to create more SoFi robots in future to help learn more about underwater life. “There are just so many mysterious underwater phenomena we have yet to witness,” adds Rus.
Tastebugs is a 3D printed modular kitchen utensil to teach children about the benefits of eating insects. We may squirm now, but it’s likely that bugs will make it to our plates very soon.
Would you feed your children bugs? With consumers becoming more conscious of the impact of eating unsustainable food, it’s believed that we’ll soon begin turning to insects.
However, there is still a long way to go in terms of normalizing eating bugs. But one student from Northumbria University in the UK is using 3D printing to get the next generation on side.
Student Jay Cockrell entered his modular kitchen utensil, called Tastebugs, for the 3D Hubs Student Grant. The utensil’s purpose is to get children familiar with handling, preparing and eating insects. It’s also toy-like and easy for kids to use.
Still wondering why you should try eating bugs? As well as being far more sustainable than beef (due to requiring less water and energy), insect powder is full of omega and amino acids, low in sugar and also up to 65%+ protein.
Cockrell’s first step in creating Tastebugs was to work out how the utensil could be fun. He chose to go with a modular design, making the utensil stackable. 3D printing was used to create the design as it was affordable but also the best way to get the right geometries and final material finishes.
TasteBugs for Breakfast…?
Each component has a specific use for preparing bugs. For example, Cockrell designed dicer and mill to cut the insects, a funnel to get them in position, a compactor to make bug bars, and an infuser to create insect stock.
Components can all be detached or attached, making it possible to dice your bugs then turn them into a bar. Or funnel them into position before milling them down.
To create each module, Cockrell used a mixture of SLA and FDM printers. By using 3D printing it’s possible to make parts on demand. Better yet, Cockrell relied on 3D Hubs to source his parts and received 25% student discount.
Each module’s main housing is made from Formlabs standard resin. This gives a smooth surface finish. The windows are made using DSM Somos Watershed. The final look has that of a tree, this was done using wood-look vinyl.
The small accessories and handles were made using PLA filament. Finally, the 3D printed parts are assembled using internal metal components.
Future plans for Tastebugs are to introduce the kit to schools and educate children about the benefits of eating bugs. Insects could be a staple on menus a lot sooner than we might expect.
Blow Molding (also: Blow moulding) and the molding process of polymers is one of the pillars of industrial manufacturing. Without this technology, we wouldn’t have access to cheap glass or plastic bottles or mass-manufactured hollow containers.
Blow molding allows industry players to produce parts and containers fast and cheap in high quantities. But how does this process work and what has 3D printing to do with it? This article will give you all the answers in a nutshell.
What is Blow Molding?
Blow molding started in the glass blowing industry where a liquid glass pulp is enclosed in a two-piece mold and then expanded by blowing into to the pulp. This causes the glass retains the contour of the mold and form a hollow area on the inside.
With the invention of polymeric thermoplastics, this technology started to rev up in the plastic bottle industry. Starting in 1977, the number of plastic containers rose from zero to 10 billion plastic bottles in 1999 due to the soft drink companies in the USA. The outcome isn’t exactly good for the environment, but if you use biodegradable materials or recycle thermoplastic bottles made from PET, things look a bit better.
Blow Molding versus Injection Molding
So, what’s the difference between parts made by injection molding and parts made by a blow molding machine? Injection molding creates solid parts, while blow molding creates hollow parts. If you are looking for something that needs only one rigid wall, injection molding is the right process. Think of bottle caps, cases, combs, and housings for computers and televisions. If you need a flexible, structural piece that even can hold fluid, you’re best off with blow molding. No wonder that billions of water bottles stand for the blow molding technology.
How Plastic Bottles are Made
Producing plastic bottles does not greatly differ from the glass blowing process. The technology used by the bottle forming process is called Injection Blow Molding (IBM). This requires a so-called preform which is much smaller than the actual bottle. The preform can be transported easily and if variants do not differ in weight it can be used uniformly. Like in the glass manufacturing process, the preform is heated up, put into the mold and inflated. Due to the preform, the material expands equally, resulting in a better flow control, surface quality and transparency. After the blow molding process, the bottle heads have to be threaded and the excess material cut off.
What are the Advantages of Blow Molding?
Blow molding scores especially at mass producing at a low price. Depending on the quality of the mold, it can produce more than over 1 million pieces before it has to be replaced. The production is also very fast compared to other molding processes, ejecting a finished product every few seconds. Thin walls and water-cooled molds also reduce cycle time. In addition, once the machine parameters are calibrated, the outputs quality is constant. This is achieved because factoring parameters are stable and controllable. The process of blow molding is also perfect for automation, reducing the need for workers working in a monotone environment.
What are the Limitations of Blow Molding?
Purchasing a molding machine may seem like the biggest investment of a company to start producing. However, before you start producing, you will need a mold. The biggest disadvantage of blow molding lies with the problem of all molding processes. For each type of product you want to produce, you need a new type of mold and this comes with a very steep price. The molds have to be machine milled and produced with a very high surface quality. The molds also have cannulas running through the walls to transport cooling fluids. In addition, the mold often has to be hardened to increase its lifespan. This high cost of molds often reduces a company’s incentive of producing prototypes, especially for low piece numbers.
How does 3D Printing Affect the Blow Molding Process?
This is where 3D printing comes in. With additive factoring, prototypes of molds can be produced faster and at a much lower cost. Unfortunately, 3D printed molds are way behind in durability than their machined counterparts. Still, it is not the goal to create a finished mold, but a prototype or a mold used only for small batches. In addition, it is less difficult and in extreme cases finally possible to create complex internal cooling pipes with 3D printing. The molds are made of metal with laser sintering or durable plastic with the Polyjet technology. The 3D printers of EOS or Stratasys are already helping to enhance the development of molds in all applications.
Which Businesses offer Blow Molding Technology?
If you are interested in acquiring a blow moulding machine or use a blow molding service, you have a choice of over 300 companies. Here are the most successful ones (according to Plastic News)
1. Amcor Rigid Plastics
Company profile: Amcor Rigid Plastics is one of the leading manufacturing companies, developing and producing high-quality packaging for food, beverage, pharmaceutical, medical devices, personal care and other products. Blow molding is an integral part of the company. Amcor is currently offering its service in 200 production sites in 43 countries. 68 percent of the production are flexibles, 32 percent rigid products.
Company profile: What started in 1970 with a simple motor oil container, has become one of the most important companies in blow moulding business. The company offers bottles and containers for food, beverage, household, auto/chem, personal and healthcare businesses. Graham Packaging was early in PET technology and still innovating it today. Also, Graham is one of the world’s largest suppliers of bottle-grade recycled plastics.
Company profile: With total annual sales of $2.7 billion, and more than 40.1 billion containers manufactured per year, Plastipak is one of the big players in blow molding. Founded in 1967, Plastipak started out providing plastic packaging to deliver water for the Young family’s water delivery company. Today, Plastipak now operates more than 60 production sites located in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Company profile: The Auto Inergy Division is a subdivision of Plastic Omnium. They are manufacturing plastic fuel tank systems. The materials offer a combination of safety, cost, and weight performance (a 30% to 40% weight improvement compared with steel technologies), which are also usable in hybrid vehicles. Plastic Omnium offers solutions adapted for all kinds of engines.
Company profile: Austria-based ALPLA Werke had a turnover of €3.4 billion in 2017 with 176 production facilities and 45 countries.. They are offering plastic packaging of all sorts, including packaging systems, bottles, closures, injection-molded parts, pre-forms, and tubes. Founded in 1955, Alpla claims to be “a family company steeped in tradition, always looking towards the future”.
In March, Montreal-based Dyze Design launched the Tungsten Carbide nozzle on Kickstarter. A state of the art 3D printing accessory, the nozzle offers high wear resistance and performance for almost any 3D printer. Fully funded and then some, it’s not too late to get in on Early Bird pledges.
In March, Montreal-based company Dyze Design, a dedicated and passionate team working on the development of high performance 3D printer parts, launched the Tungsten Carbide Nozzle on Kickstarter: a state of the art nozzle that offers high wear resistance and performance for almost any 3D printer, such as Ultimaker, Raise3d, Prusa, Makerbot, Robo, LulzBot, Flashforge and many more.
Ending April 4th 2018, the project’s initial funding goal was $15,000 CAD.
The campaign will help the team ensure that they can measure performances in extrusion, flow and oozing, make improvements on the different molds, manufacture more nozzle sizes and perform high-temperature tests.
Dyze Design wanted to create a high performance, yet affordable product. For that reason, rewards start at $56 CAD for Early Bird, which includes one nozzle available in a choice of 0.4mm, 0.6mm, 0.9mm or 1.2mm sizes. For $115 CAD, you can get a double pack, or the triple pack for $172. For interested bulk buyers, there are also the Super Early Bird 4 pack, 6 pack, 10 pack, 25 pack and even 50 pack rewards.
Find out more on the Dyze Design Tungsten Carbide Nozzle Kickstarter page here.
Why Should I Use the Tungsten Carbide Nozzle?
With plain plastics like PLA, any common metal nozzle can easily hold up against the flow. Unfortunately, once we start using filaments reinforced with hard fibers such as carbon and glass, things start to get complicated; these reinforcement materials will scratch the inner wall of your nozzle orifice as they pass.
Prusa i3 MK2 with Tungsten Carbide nozzle using Colorfabb XT-CF20 filament
Both glass and carbon are known to be very hard – a lot harder than many metals – and the resulting nozzle scratching and distortion from them is what is known as abrasion.
“Tungsten carbide, not to be confused with tungsten alloy, which is metal, is the ceramic of choice when it comes to wear and abrasion resistance. Cutting tools for steel are made from tungsten carbide. It is also used extensively in the mining industry as a button insert for crushing rocks”, says Philippe Carrier, Dyze Design’s Chief Research Officer. “Moreover, the high thermal performance of tungsten carbide keeps the nozzle tip hot, thus allowing faster printing speeds without sacrificing the quality.”
In fact, the thermal conductivity ensures that heat is able to travel up to the tip of your nozzle, keeping your molten plastic at the right temperature. Having a bad heat conductor may lead to colder extrusion, thus poor layer bonding and greater flow fluctuation. For these reasons, any kinds of steel and ruby nozzles will lead to lower extrusion flow.
Tungsten Carbide nozzle performance versus other nozzle materials
Comparing a reference brass nozzle from Ultimaker, the tungsten carbide nozzle is much easier to extrude. In fact, the output flow can be increased by around 80% while giving the same result.
Ultra wear resistant: The high hardness of tungsten carbide will provide a carefree extrusion experience. Its unparalleled wear resistance will ensure that both the nozzle diameter and flat will keep the same dimension, and so will your printed parts.
Low pushing force: The high thermal conductivity of both the nozzle tip and body will pump all the required heat to maintain an even temperature while extruding. Viscosity highly depends on the plastic temperature for a constant shear rate. The flow pressure will be constant resulting in excellent results and stability. The ease of pushing the filament will give an extra margin for your extruder safety.
Faster speed: Due to the high thermal performance of the nozzle in general, the printing speed can be pushed even further without sacrificing the quality. The special shape inside the nozzle — made possible by Dyze Design’s machining and manufacturing techniques — improves the flow where the diameter tapers, thus allowing a faster flow rate.
Low friction: The whole nozzle is electroless nickel plated for enhanced slippery properties. Plastic will slide on the nozzle instead of sticking to it. This results in cleaner parts and fewer issues from drag.
Any material: From printing PLA to carbon fiber reinforced plastics, this nozzle can handle anything. The low friction coating greatly helps with flexible filaments, allowing them to slide through the nozzle. A single nozzle will offer quality prints, wear resistance, and high flow, meaning there is no need to invest in heaps of different nozzles for specific purposes. This single nozzle offers the best of all worlds.
Unbeatable price/performance: Tungsten carbide is easier to produce than corundum (Sapphire, Ruby, etc) while the performance is very similar for abrasion and much more performant for thermal conductivity. The use of steel makes it very easy to manufacture and offers amazing thermal performance. In all the whole package is a win-win situation in terms of performance and price.
Materials Science and Engineering researchers at North Carolina State University recently detailed their method to produce large amounts of metallic glass alloys using 3D printing. The development could lead to better efficiency in electric motors and tougher materials and structures.
Researchers at the Material Science and Engineering department at North Carolina State University have turned to 3D printing to create a means to produce bulk amounts of metallic glass alloys. Typically produced in small amounts, the material (also known as amorphous metals) is notoriously tricky to produce in any large amount.
Unlike most other metals, metallic glass alloys lack a crystalline structure. With an amorphous structure instead, they boast “exceptionally desirable properties”, says Zyanab Mahbooba, a Ph.D student at the department and first author of the research’s paper.
To create metallic glass alloys requires the rapid cooling of the metal as it’s produced. Because of this, traditional efforts to create it can only yield casts of the amorphous alloy only millimeters thick (up to a size known as the alloy’s critical casting thickness).
A diagram that better visualizes what the researchers have achieved.
Casting Metallic Glass Alloys in Bulk with 3D Printing
The notion of using additive manufacturing technologies to create amorphous metal alloys is not a new one. Kicking around the weeds for some tens of years, Mahbooba claims this is the first published work to prove the concept. She adds: “We were able to produce an amorphous iron alloy on a scale 15 times larger than its critical casting thickness.”
Though it is not specified which machine was used, a press release describes the process of Direct Metal Laser Sintering. A bed of metal powder (in this instance, iron-based alloy) is melted by a laser. After each pass of the laser is complete the whole bed descends 20 microns and a new layer of powder is deposited on top. The laser makes another pass, sintering the metal on top of the previous layer, building up the model bit by bit.
For the metal to form with non-crystalline properties, it is crucial that it is cooled extremely quickly. The concept proven here is that the melting of the powder is in such small quantities and area at any one time, the material can cool sufficiently fast enough to contain the desired amorphous structure.
Ola Harryson, Edward P. Fitts Distinguished Professor of Industrial Systems and Engineers at NC State and corresponding author of the paper adds “… there is no reason this technique could not be used to produce any amorphous alloy. One of the limiting factors at this point is going to be producing or obtaining metal powders of whatever alloy composition you are looking for.”
And even if you did get your hands on the metal powders you’re looking for, desirable results may require some experimentation. “It will take some trial and error to find the alloy compositions that have the best combination of properties for any given application”, Mahbooba continues.
Reebok is debuting the Liquid Floatride Run shoe made using the same technology it introduced two years ago which essentially works using a 3D drawing process. The shoe is designed for distance running, cardio workouts, and comfort.
If you’re looking for a new pair of running shoes and can afford to pay $180, you may be interested in the latest 3D printed shoe from athletic footwear and apparel company, Reebok.
Two years ago, the company launched its Liquid Factory. This is its 3D printing factory in Rhode Island which uses 3D printing to manufacturing shoes rather than molds.
The latest shoe from Reebok’s Liquid Factory is the Liquid Floatride Run running shoe. The shoe mixes the company’s existing and popular Floatride Run sneaker with the Liquid Factory 3D printing technology.
It has both liquid elements and “Flexweave” material to make it comfortable to wear. Reebok explains that Flexweave Technology involves an innovative figure eight woven structure – this is used for the upper of the shoe.
“Last year we launched the Liquid Factory concept with the Liquid Speed shoe. It was definitely a striking silhouette, as we aimed to showcase the way that the 3D drawing process could change the way shoes are made… What we’re excited to highlight with Liquid Floatride is how we can apply the Liquid Factory process to any of our existing products, to make great shoes even better,” explains Bill McInnis, Head of Reebok Future.
Improving on the Original Floatride Run with 3D Printing
The improved shoe is 20% lighter than the original and has a few new features including liquid laces. This means the laces are 3D printed directly onto the shoe solving the problem of having to pause your run to re-tie your laces. If you’re an early morning runner, there’s no excuse to be lazy as the shoes slip right onto your feet and are held in place at key pressure points.
Another feature of the shoe is the liquid grip. This is a 3D printed aspect which helps to improve traction. It involves 3D printed stripes at the bottom of the shoe in the places where they’re needed. This also helps to reduce weight thanks to the use of liquid.
However, there are a few features which remain the same. For example, the Floatride cushioning midsole which is a reason the shoe is a popular choice amongst runners.
“The next generation of Liquid Factory products will be even more innovative, as we can create the entire shoe using the Liquid Factory process – outsole, cushioning and upper fit systems – the whole shoe. We are looking forward to bringing many more products to market that incorporate the ground-breaking Liquid Factory process,” McInnis added.
If you’re interested in buying the Liquid Floatride Run, a pair costs $180 – make sure to visit the Reebok website soon. The shoe is limited edition, so snatch it up while you can.
If you thought plot clocks that write on a tiny whiteboard were cool, this project takes things to the next level, jotting down the time not with a dry-erase marker, but with a UV LED on a glow-in-the-dark sticker.
The device itself uses an Arduino Uno for control, along with a RTC module for timekeeping, and a pair of servos that move the LED with custom linkages.
In addition to an awesome looking glow-surface, the clock has been upgraded with a full 3D-printed enclosure. For a quick overview of the project, you can check it out on Imgur. If you’d like to build your own, all the Arduino code and print files are available on Thingiverse.
Researchers from the UK developed a revolutionary 3D printed brain scanner which is effective even when a patient is moving — whether the movement is as simple as nodding their head or as active as playing ping-pong.
Having your brain scanned is time-consuming and unpleasant to say the least. For them to work properly, you have to stay completely still. Current magnetoencephalography (MEG) scanners require a patient to move as little as 5mm.
You certainly couldn’t drink a cup of tea or play a round of ping-pong while undergoing a MEG scan. Or could you?
The lightweight 3D printed brain scanner looks a lot like a helmet which also covers your face. This MEG scanner even claims to be more sensitive than current available systems.
“This has the potential to revolutionise the brain imaging field, and transform the scientific and clinical questions that can be addressed with human brain imaging,” said Professor Gareth Barnes, who leads the project at the UCL Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging.
Have a Nice Cup of Tea and a Sit Down Wearing MEG Brain Scanner
Although it would be great to be able to have your brain scan not disrupt your morning coffee with friends, the real reason for the development of MEG was for patients who can’t use traditional scanners.
For example, patients with neurodegenerative disorders, children with epilepsy, or babies. To ensure an accurate scan, the researchers can create a custom helmet to fit any patient.
“Importantly, we will now be able to study brain function in many people who, up until now, have been extremely difficult to scan – including young children and patients with movement disorders,” continues Barnes.
“This will help us better understand healthy brain development in children, as well as the management of neurological and mental health disorders.”
There are many clever enhancements in the new MEG scanner. For example, current MEG scanners need to cooling to -269C. The researchers scaled down the technology and designed the helmet to use ‘quantum’ sensors.
These can be mounted to a 3D printed helmet as they are lightweight and can work at room temperature. As the helmet is very close to the brain, the sensors also can pick up a better signal.
As well as this, current scanners are used in a special room to shield them from the Earth’s magnetic field. However, the researchers use electromagnetic coils to reduce the effects of the field on the scanner by a factor of around 50,000.
Find out more about how the scanner works in the paper published in the journal Nature.
Morehshin Allahyari is an Iranian artist and activist. For her latest exhibition, she is using ancient illustrations of Middle Eastern dark goddesses to create sculptures using 3D modeling, scanning, and printing. Her aim is to fight against “digital colonialism” with the display called She Who Sees the Unknown.
Digital colonialism, artist and activist Morehshin Allahyari explains, is when a company goes to a Middle Eastern cultural site and begins a reconstruction project which then isn’t made public. She adds that corporations are even using traditional mythologies and cultural artefacts to make a profit.
However, Allahyari is countering this by using 3D modeling, scanning, and printing to redistribute forgotten cultural artefacts. By using modern technologies to create 12 sculptures, she is archiving dark female figures worth remembering.
Her source material is ancient illustrations of Middle Eastern dark goddesses. The interesting results are her way of reclaiming ownership of traditional mythologies.
The work, called She Who Sees The Unknown, is now on display at The Armory in New York City. The display explores the “forgotten histories and narratives” of female figures in North Africa and the Middle East.
“It’s a meaningful archive that’s focused on these kinds of dark female figures in the Middle East. We don’t have that archive at all,” Allahyari explains.
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She Who Sees the Unknown Made Using Ancient Sources and Modern Technology
Allahyari explains that she is not a sculptor and that she wouldn’t know where to begin. But 3D modeling and printing is something which she knows how to do well.
“The first time that I saw an object getting 3D printed, I was really fascinated by this idea of seeing a digital file, a digital model from a platform becoming a physical object. It blew my mind actually watching that process,” Allahyari said.
To create She Who Sees the Unknown, Allahyari began by researching Middle Eastern ancient texts. She wanted to make sure her prints were as accurate as possible.
Next, she created a scan of each sculpture and 3D printed it. To print, Allahyari used resin and the Stratasys J750 printer at New York University’s LaGuardia Studio. Each sculpture takes between fifteen and twenty-five hours to print. Allahyari then sands down and paints the resulting prints.
Finally, to ensure the information is clear and available to the public, Allahyari has included a video essay or storytelling component with each of the sculptures. The stories link each goddess to a modern source of oppression.
As well as the sculpture, She Who Sees the Unknown will include Ha’m-Neshini or “intimate public performances”. These involve Allahyari sitting together with other activists, artists and even scientists from the Middle East.
“In this whole body of work, these figures and retelling their stories is the idea about what it means to embrace monstrosities and to take this power that these jinns have and use it against the powers that oppress,” Allahyari says.
Find out more about each of Allahyari’s figures and their meanings along with her own story on her website.
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