Author: ananya kondiparthy

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SprintRay’s MoonRay DLP Printer raises $100,000 at the first half at Kickstarter

MoonRay UV DLP 3D Printer
MoonRay UV DLP 3D Printer

It’s a no-brainer that Kickstart campaigns have given platform to several Nex-Gen 3D printer makers who promise to be faster and less costly and help them raise money for their campaign. Another group in the block who managed to get the attention on their 3D printer,The SprintRay team, who’ve managed to raise $100,000 dollars, which is half of their targeted goal at the crowdfunding platform, within few hours. Must be an impressive concept.

SprintRay, co-founded by Amir Mansouri and Jasper J Zhang, introduced the MoonRay UV DLP 3D Printer which uses DLP technology to 3D print.

The MoonRay features build volume of 5” x 3.2” x 9”. The UV DLP projector can last for 50,000 hours (continuous).

moonray specs
MoonRay UV DLP 3D Printer Specs

SprintRay team displayed industrial designs, character designs, jewellery… “We worked hard to combine quality and affordability in the MoonRay, using the most advanced technology and highest-quality components. We believe the users of desktop 3D printers should have affordable access to the best technology on the market,” Co-Founder Amir Mansouri said.

Moonray Design

MoonRay Dino
3D printed in MoonRay


“This advanced high-resolution technology is available on a much larger scale and we were determined to bring it to consumers in an affordable desktop model,” said SprintRay Founder and CEO Jasper Jing Zhang. “It contains no consumable parts or hinges, and we have limited the moving parts that are not essential to the printing process,”said MoonRay Chief Design Officer Hossein Bassir.

MoonRay 3D print resinInterested buyers might wanna hurry up if you wish to have a first hand experience of The MoonRay UV DLP 3D printer which starts off at $2499 because the price will rise up to $3500 once the campaign is over. With such high resolution and impressive build, this printer has all it’s needed to become one of the preferred printers which started through a crowdfunding campaign. With 15 years of experience in 3D printing industry the two founders are really hopeful that their campaign is leading to become a successful one.

[Images: Kickstarter.com]

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Water Soluble 3D printing filament by Graphene 3D Labs

Graphene-3D-Lab introduces water-soluble 3D printing filament
Graphene-3D-Lab introduces water-soluble 3D printing filament

It becomes quite necessary for any 3D printing manufacturers, especially the ones who are into 3D printing complicated objects, to be able to remove the support material conveniently or have a water-soluble support material. Graphene 3D Lab Inc. revealed that soon the company is going to share information on a new kind of 3D printing filament that dissolves in water. Graphene 3D Lab’s Chief Operating Officer Elena Polyakova revealed that the announcements will be held at the Canada Manufacturers & Exporters’ forum at Mohawk college, Hamilton, Ontario on April 30th, 2015.

The forum will have announcements and discussions on the new water-soluble 3D printing filament and also on how graphene is effecting 3D printing process.

President and CEO of Graphene, Daniel Stolyarov told “We are very pleased with the performance characteristics that our R&D tean designed into this new industry leading filament. This filament is completely environmentally-friendly, non-toxic, dissolves completely in water in approximately one hour, and leaves no residual material. This filament reflects the 4 core objectives of Graphene 3D. We are creating products that allow innovative designers to do more with 3D printing and are expanding the possibilities within the 3D printing environment.”

water soluble 3D printing filament
A snowflake 3D printed with the water-soluble 3D printing filament

Water soluble filaments go well in 3D printers that features dual extruders – where at one side one put ABS or PLA extruder and on the other one can put the water-soluble filaments. This makes the removing of the support material from the 3D printed object a very convenient process.

Filament dissolved in water
Filament dissolves in water in 1 hour

Graphene 3D Labs consists of efficient  teams who have worked with Noble Prize winner. The company has a very impressive client portfolio which includes Apple, NASA, Ford and IBM among the list. This clears the fact the company is committed in delivering quality and push themselves hard to stay up in the competitive market.

Now you don’t have to worry about 3D printing a complex angular designed object, thanks to this water-soluble filaments coming soon on board.

Previously Graphene 3D Lab’s been in the news for coming up with conductive filaments.

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Low cost 3D printing, Missouri teacher builds 3D printer with $20 !

3D printing in polymer
3D printing in polymer

As much as 3D printing as a technology is flourishing and being embraced by various industries and corporate houses, educational institutions are now way leaving behind. Though there are talk that these teachers might be little skeptical except some of them have opened up to learn about this technology and enjoy the benefits of 3D printing. Some teachers, apparently, are even trying out to make one for themselves. Meanwhile students are guided to learn about the technology.

Dustin Klenke of Union High School, USA, a faculty of robotics, physics and biology, recently learnt the art of micro-stereolithographic (Micro-SLA, one of the methods of 3D printing which uses polymer and/or UV light) printing program at the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) conference. The program happened to teach a full cycle on how to build your own 3D printer.

This process is unique, and might come in handy. Klenke tells how – “The process uses an SLA gel, but instead of a laser to initiate polymerization, an ordinary data projector focused through a $3 magnifying glass displays a 2D image of each layer,” Klenke tells 3DPrint.com. “The images can be created with simple shapes in PowerPoint or slides. This solidifies an entire layer at once which eliminates the need for any moving components in the x and y-direction.”

The project uses just a simple projector to create objects with layers of minuscule 400 nm. The whole project costs you just $20 (except the projector of course). Klenke also tells “The only mechanical piece is the elevator which precisely lowers the build platform after each layer has solidified”.

The full size of the image which is to be 3D printed needs to be broken into several 2D layers. Each of these layers are loaded in PowerPoint slides. After every 2D image of the layer, an “all black” slide is kept.

The process is pretty simple. Fill a beaker with liquid polymer, meanwhile have the PowerPoint Presentations (PPTs) ready on a laptop or Personal Computer. The printing begins: the image on the PowerPoint slide is allowed to be displayed through the projector and reach the “stage” through a magnifying glass and a reflecting mirror. The image is exposed for 5 – 10 secs. After every 5 – 10 secs, an “all black” blank slide appears. Till this black blank slide remains, the stage on which the beaker is kept is lowered and the liquid polymer flows over the structure. This process repeats till the 3D printed object is achieved.

Graphical demo of the printing process
Demo of the 3D printing method

Anyone can create this 3D printer. And you’d need the following:

  • Drawer slide
  • ¼ x 20 threaded rod
  • ¼ x 20 t-nut
  • 2” L-bracket (2)
  • 3” straight bracket
  • Carpenters Square
  • 1” x 6” wood
  • 2” x 4” wood
  • Tape measure
  • Screwdriver
  • Wood screws
  • Saw
  • Hammer
  • Tin snips
  • Aluminum sheet metal
  • Sharpie
  • 8 x 32 threaded rod
  • 8 x 32 nuts
  • Drill (with 9/16 bit)
  • Dremel tool
  • WD-40 (Lubricant)
3D image formed in polymer
3D image formed in polymer
3D printed in polymer
Final specimen 3D printed in Polymer

[image source: University of Illinois]

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3D printed Rubik cube for the visually-impaired

Braille Rubik's Cube
Braille Rubik's Cube

Rubik’s cube can be fun, thrilling and at the same time irritating if you just could not figure out how to match those colours. My friend recently bought one from a local store but ended up breaking that. And I wasn’t totally sure if it was because he got frustrated. But it’s about matching colour, right..? How do you figure the visually-impaired people could solve one?!

Recently an Australian made something similar for his blind friend. A Braille Rubick’s cube!! He used double-sided automative tape, rubbing alcohol (in India you’ll get Isopropyl Alcohol) to clean the cube, 3D printed tiles and a hobby knife.

“…I thought ‘How about I make a Braille Rubik’s Cube for him,’” wrote the thoughtful Australian. “Then he won’t have to miss out on all the frustration, exasperation, annoyance, anger, vexation, irritation, bitterness, resentment, disappointment and discouragement that comes with trying to solve that infernal puzzle.”

You can 3D print those colours with anything that suits you, like he replaced them with Braille numbers. Making it can be a little but exhausting but worth doing for somebody close to you.

think3D is at the forefront of helping visually impaired using 3D printing technology.

Below are some more articles of how 3D printing is helping the blind

Father 3D prints education concepts for his blind daughter

3D printing to help the blind

 

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Present .STL file may be too old now, Microsoft says.

Build logo2
Build logo2

Apparently, the software megacorp Microsoft intimated that the company will be share information with the world on a “new” 3D printing file formats at the Build Conference in San Francisco, held from April 29th to May 1st, 2015. Back in 2013, Microsoft made Windows 8.1 3D printing friendly. But soon they found out that the .STL file format is totally outdated. As hardware is advancing the chunk files created by CAD software are difficult to be read by .STL file. At the Microsoft’s Build Developer Conference Microsoft will be talking about the latest file format developed to smoothly read and 3D printing activity.

Gavin Gear, Senior Program Manager at Microsoft told, “People are unable to access the full potential of 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing because of basic limitations in core technologies used by 3D printing.” The .STL file was made way back in 1989 and the current 3D printing activities with rich colours and intricate designs are becoming difficult to be described. So, basically the file format is not at par with the latest current hardware and 3D printers.

“To empower people, maximize productivity, and unlock the full capabilities of this technology, a new file format is needed,” stated Gear. “It should align CAD software, 3D printing hardware and software on a more information-rich file format, specifically designed to support the needs of modern 3D printing. The file format must support information interchange throughout the entire 3D printing process, from CAD application to printer. The file format must contain a complete definition of the printed model, in a way that allows unambiguous and accurate processing of the model. Finally, the file format must be practical, simple to understand and easy to implement.”

As of now Microsoft has said a 3D printing consortium has been set, where HP is the declared member, and this consortium is going to work for the development of the advanced file format.

Surely it leaves no doubt where tech-giants like Microsoft, HP are investing for various developments in the 3D printing industry. More information is awaited from the Build Conference. Watch out this space for more information.

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German startup claims to resolve major food 3D printing challenges

3D.printed food
3D.printed food

3D printing in food technology  is a slow growing area in 3D printing industry. The reasons for this is that the printers are pretty costly and the budding food entrepreneurs or home chefs are not been able to afford the machines as of now. Whether it’s 3D printing a garnish for cocktail drink, decorating a wedding cake or finding optimized solution for NASA, researchers are already on the path of creating suitable software, 3D printers and edible filaments for the food manufacturing industry.

With 3D printing “food designers” are using their full creativity to decorate food toppings like the way they have always imagined… and maybe more..!! This edgy “marketing trait” (if you see) that a baker might try to give to his wedding cake might come up a bit costly.

But all problems don’t last long, and 3D printing industry is no exception. A Germany-based startup named Print2Taste has a solution in the form of a 3D printer – Bocusini. Bocusini will be a standlone 3D printer. Additionally, Print2Taste will be providing a highly affordable kit for retrofitting someone’s existing 3D printer.

Experts are of the opinion that even though it is a breathrough concept in the 3D printing food industry, the food-based extrudable filaments are going to be the game-changers for Print2Taste. The company claims to have done a lot of research before coming up with this 3D printer. They claim to have worked with “several leading academic and industrial food research and food”.

food filamentSee image above of the different kinds of extrudable food filaments by Print2Taste – Among them are the Fruit Jelly, Chocolate, marzipan and etc.. The process is simple: Make sure you have a design ready. Send the file to Bocusini through WiFi, then load a cartridge as per your taste buds accordingly. then 3D print as the way you want it.

bocusini food print

Bocusini is gearing up for its Kickstarter campaign which is due May, 2015. More updates will be on the way, soon when the Kickstarter campaign begins.

We at think3D defiitely sees this innovation as a cost-minimizing solution for the food 3D printing industry, especially for the ones who already own a 3D printer. Even though it is a little challenging one, especially when it comes to convincing the consumers (the one’s who’ll be consuming the food 3D printed) about the safety, but slowly and eventually we believe 3D food printing has started taking a logical stride. We hope more innovations prove to be more true and believable for consumers.

Bocusini injection-led nozzleThe end point looks like an injection point through which the “extruded” food filaments spews on the bed

 

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Zhang’s 3D printed “FUTURE” wins Silver Award

Zhang's FUTURE
Zhang's FUTURE

The Global Footwear Design competition is organized by Delcam CRISPIN UK, recently had some breath-taking ranges of footwear designs showcased by budding and talented designers from across the globe. Delcam CRIPSIN is  one of the leading British shoe designers and also CAD CAM software suppliers for leading shoemakers in the world.

Among the contestants, a Chinese designer, Zhang Xiaolong seemed to have gained a lot of attention of the jury members with his design “FUTURE”, like Katrien Herdewyn of 3DShoes.Com, Bryan Oknyansky, Founder & Designer of Shoes by Bryan, Natacha Alpert, Consultant, MIRAS 3D, Bill Decker, Director, The 3D Printing Channel, and others.

Independent Footwear design expert Rob said ‘Zhang has great creativity, his thought process and story boards are excellent’.

About Zhang: Zhang, has a degree in Industrial Design, currently working as a junior show designer at Anta Group.

Zhang Xiaolong

Now with 3D printing technology catching up in various industries, including the shoe-making industry, the designing speed has proven to be favourable for Zhang, and the fact now shoe-making can be completed with much less cost and workers.

‘Designers need to balance the emotional and the rational, and look for effectiveness and practicality in their designs. I believe that the development of science and technology can help designers present their ideas quickly.’ Zhang says.

As mentioned earlier, the right technique is the key to a successful design. Zhang points out, ‘In the design of a shoe, the surrounding factors must be taken into consideration. ‘Breathability is the key factor in design when it’s hot, while Isolation is the key factor when it’s cold. Inspired by this, I analysed the environment of basketball players. Taking into consideration of such factors including fever, injury and competitiveness, I created this project by using the latest technology.’

In this current century a lot of us are attracted to fashion, whether it’s the glossy, shiny look or a suave fit-sized Polo and Jeans, we do care about our presentability. But we need comfort, a design that makes sense. Zhang has been saying all about that. However he reveals that there are certain issues with the sole and i can be difficult to wear at the moment.

Zhang silver

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China Aerospace institute 3D prints rocket components

CETC
CETC

Aerospace industry has been one such industry which has been utilizing the 3D printing technology for the purpose of designing integral parts of the aircraft and aerospace components almost everyday. Recently Institute 41 of China, a division of the China Aerospace Science and industry Corporation have incorporated 3D printing technology in to making its own engine ignition device.

The Shell structures, which are used in ignition components, are one of the most difficult parts to build, because, a) they are very costly, b) difficult to design, c) time consuming design. So Institute 41 integrates 3D printing industry with their research.

The institution consulted a local manufacturer for its design of ignition devices, keeping in mind all the design protocols. Around 100 samples were 3D printed for substantial testing.

Institute 41 were impressed by the reduction in cost and overall optimization of the design. Plus, the results of the constant test were successful. The Institute 41, China, are reported to rely more on 3D printing technology for building other parts of the engine and its ignition components.

Chinese engine

Featured Image: CETC website

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Researchers set to prove if aeroplanes existed during Mayan Civilization

researchers-3d-printing-test-ancient-mayan-flew-airplanes-15
researchers-3d-printing-test-ancient-mayan-flew-airplanes-15

Researchers of various disciplines have considered the benefits of additive manufacturing to run tests, experiments and demonstrate on the prototypes before they finally executed in real. Previously we have seen how prototyping helped doctors to operate teenager. 3D printing has been severed by archaeologists to print three dimensional objects of the lost or excavated fragile artifacts and ancient objects to read and understand their specimen better. Attributes of 3D printing are endless.

For decades Historian and archaeologists have spent their lives knowing one of the most mystical civilization of all times – the Mayan Civilization. Another such speculation might just add in as a proof of how advanced the Mayans were at that time. 1000 years old gold pendants were excavated from Mayan ruins. Now researchers in China have used 3D printing technology to help prove the theory. What 3D printing got to do with proving the existence of something thousands years back??! Here’s how:

Shanghai based, Tongji University College of Aerospace Engineering and Applied Mechanics have replicated a thousand year old Mayan relics of gold pendants that looks like flying objects with vertical stabilizer. Now it could be simply some flying animals or insects. But researchers revealed that only aircrafts are the only objects that had vertical stabilizers. If this theory could be proved true then aircrafts seemed to have existed way before Wright Brothers first thought of designing one.

These pendants, measuring 150 mm X 250 mm, looks a lot like modern-day aircrafts

In an attempt to prove that these relics could actually mean that flying objects existed in the Mayan civilization the researchers decided to build the model and testing the feasibility of the object flying. The researchers planned to build the modeled aircrafts using both 3D printing and laser cutting technologies.

 

3D printed relic models.

The plan was such that inner section of the aircraft was divided into different components. Some of the components will be built using laser cutting technology.

The researchers used CAD technique to model the relics, printed them at 10:1 scale in an FFF 3D printer. Finally the components were assembled to make an aeroplane, 25X the size of the pendants, and soon they were able  to test it.

The model has a wingspan [the linear distance between the two end-tips of the wings in an aircraft] of 1.25m. The aircraft has consists for 2 wooden blades used as propellers and powered by 18.5V Lithium batteries.

It turns out to be a successful test !!!! The aircraft,  which is at least 25X the relics, was able to take off, perform stunts and also landed on the ground – all controlled using remote controls.

“The aerodynamic performance analysis shows that this ancient aircraft design has very good aerodynamic performance and stability.” said Shen Haijun, a lead researcher on the project.The purpose of this project was to recreate an ancient aircraft and hopefully reveal its true origin while also showcasing the magic of ancient human civilization and their contribution to aircraft design (translated).”

There can be lot of arguments whether or not these pendants are proofs of aircrafts’ existence in that time or whether these are flying dragons (which again is a mystery, or animals.. Believers will believe. Yet it cannot undertoned how 3D printing technique is flourishing and utilized for unending purposes.