Category: Learning Center

Categories
Learning Center

3D Printer Sales shoot up northwards

3D printer Sales growth

Like most brilliant and revolutionary ideas are first rejected by all but slowly they become a must have in everyone’s life, the same was the story of 3D printers. 3D printers were introduced in the market in the 1980’s to give a new dimension to the manufacturing industry. From being an invention that are targeted to revolutionize the manufacturing industry to an invention that is intervening in apparently all the leading industries of the world, 3D printing has undoubtedly proved its mettle to all. 3D printers have made consumers the creator of objects that they desire for. So that means that consumers can now not only make their homes but also engineer the objects that they need. We are now in the era of personal printing!

The story wasn’t a happy one from the beginning; the story of 3D printers took an adventurous turn in 2007 when the sales of 3D printers for personal use exploded. This change is often compared with the 1990’s personal computing revolution. The inflation of 3D printers and associated items are expected to boom from $74 million in 2014 to $1.2 billion in 2018. The sales of printers that create solid objects has grown more than 35,000% to 23265 in 2011 from 66 five years ago, keeping in mind the cost of these printers were less than $5,000. Overall, the market of 3D printing products and services has grown to $3.07 billion in 2013 which clearly shows the growth of 34.9% from 2012.

The sales figures have changed with leaps and bounds because of the entry of conventional 3D printer companies in the market. The 3D printers have generated a large market base, by diversifying the areas of application. Currently the areas of application are diverse but the usage of these applications at home or office is yet to be done. 3D printing right now focuses on small models for product designs and proto-typing, fixtures for the manufacturing industry and also mass customization of finished goods. 3D printing is on the verge of expanding its wings into areas such as architecture, defense, medical products and jewelry design. The reason for the wide acceptance of this technology in the mainstream industries is that there is a lot of technological advancement in 3D printers, scanners, design tools and materials. The reduction in the cost of printers after the expiration of patents has also been a factor towards the improved sales figures of these printers. With these modifications the demand for 3D printers at the consumer and enterprise level has increased and in turn this has also increased the quality and the performance that is delivered by these machines. The shipments are expected to grow by 75% in 2014 to 98,065 units followed by doubling these figures in 2015.

For this year’s forecast, experts believe that 3D printing spending will increase to 62% that would be $669 million; the various enterprises are expected to spend $536 million whereas the consumers are expected to spend around $133 million!

Image Credit: Chris Potter (Flickr Handle: 86530412@N02)

 

Categories
Learning Center

MoonHouse Project – A 3D Printed House on the moon

MoonHouse Project: 3D printed House on Moon

The space has belonged to a very few for a very long time. Only selected nations have ventured into the space and the rest of us have been sitting here and watching the progress that is being made (more like spectators). The tables are about to turn and the spectators will be the performers! This is no NASA intervention but it is surprisingly an artist from Sweden who is trying to launch his artwork into the space.

Mikael Genberg, has started a project named “the MoonHouse project”, in which Mikael wishes to place a self constructing house on the moon-this is an attempt that is being made by the artist to light up the gloomy environment on the moon.

This project was started by Mikael in 2003 which has got the final shape in 2014, this delay has occurred because of some financial crisis. The artist takes this lag in time to his stride as during this time he made constant efforts to educate people about his passion for the MoonHouse project. The house looks like a contemporary Swedish cottage which will fly to the moon in a shoebox-sized package! This house will be created with the help of 3D printers. The material that is being used to protect the outer wall of the house is a thin sheet of space cloth that would erect the carbon made materials using pressurized gas. It also has the quality of self assembling once it lands on the moon in about 5 to 15 minutes. The measurement of the house is 9 m², which is enough to accommodate one person. The house is only 75% complete. The house will be placed in on the surface of the moon in October 2015 with the help from an American aerospace company Astrobotic. The contribution from people is being encouraged as if you contribute $20 then you can get an access to the blueprint of the MoonHouse and with $50 you could get your named engraved on the house.

To know more about the MoonHouse and how you could contribute to the project visit TheMoonHouse.com.

Image Credit: TheMoonHouse.com

Categories
Learning Center

A new genre of entrepreneurs powered by 3D Printing

3D printing Entrepreneurs

The growth potential of 3D printing is like the sky or in other words it’s limitless. The expansion of this technology can be contributed to the constant efforts that are being made by millions of 3D printing developers, scientists as well as hobbyists. The power of 3D printing has the power to change the way a country or a person does business. There have been instances in many parts of the world where 3D printing has changes the way business is being done as well as introduces a new chain of entrepreneurs into the economy.

The entrepreneurs of this age are very much attracted by this new technology as it gives them an edge above the traditional manufacturing and order taking methods. Traditionally an object was not dispatched or was not made until a commitment of minimum orders was made. This also generated the problem of stock management since products could be created only when orders were placed. This traditional method can be easily done away with the help of this 3D printing technology. Whenever there is a demand of an object it can be made with the help of these printers without the customer waiting for others too to demand for the same object. It is definitely a time saver for both the parties. This issue has been much debated on the largest online community for entrepreneurs globally the “YoungEntrepreneur.com”.

Many small entrepreneurs have already started to use this smart technology for instant development. Like the US based Pixil 3D, which equips small businesses with services such as designing, manufacturing and distribution of 3D printed products in a neat package. They can generate finished products for clients who have walked into the store with just an idea. Pixil 3D uses a MakerBot Replicator as the dream machine of the store. The clients can sell these objects with the help of the online Pixil shop by the name of Etsy.com. As the founder of Pixil 3D, Pedro Ruiz says, “Customization is really what 3D printing is all about. We have a problem and we can literally make the solution in a matter of hours. It makes sense for small companies to invest early on and really embrace it now. There are opportunities to be had.”

Another start up, Archetype Z, which is run by Alia Hasan is working with the help of 3D printers to manufacture jewelry. The benefit that they reap would be from the low production cost as compared to the traditional method and also aims at gaining an upper hand in the business with the ability to instantly customize the product lines. The company is using a business model wherein they focus on designing the product with the help of Shapeways to manufacture the end product.

Apart from these two companies there are several others that have or that are using this technology of 3D printing to improve the way they do business. There is still no full proof methodology to have a wholly sustainable and profitable business but with the use of this technology we can surely see some positive changes in the manufacturing industry as well as some innovative entrepreneurs on the block.

Image Credit: Kay Kim (flicker handle: kaykim)

Categories
Learning Center

3D Printers and Musicians

3D Printing helps Musicians

3D printing has rapidly but firmly evolved from a technology that was of interest to hobbyists to something that has started to dominate the mainstream business and consumer attention. 3D printers are now at the disposal of musicians, with many 3D printing companies that are checking out the possibilities of bringing a digitally designed instrument into the world. For some years now 3D printers have become quite affordable this means that very soon they will become a common household item like mobile phones and computers. This is truly the age of 3D printing revolution. Since the journey of 3D printers has been quite long and exhaustive, it’s time now to check the versatility of this technology by implementing it in the musical industry. Why not 3D print a guitar rather than buying one from a store?

3D printed electric guitars have been there in the market for quite some time now but the very new entry of acoustic guitars has brought about a new buzz in the musical world. 3D printed acoustic guitar is the new in thing. The invention of this new genre of guitars has been developed by a 3D printing company that creates accessories for prosthetic limbs. The printer is priced at $3,000 and is made of Nylon powder, sterling silver and stainless steel.

The other musical instrument that has been 3D printed recently is the violin by the name of F-F-Fiddle which was created by David Perry and Dan Nicholson. They used Fusion 360 CAD software to design it.

IdeaZoo, a 3D printing company plans to bridge the gap between 3D printing and everyday designs. They are helping customers bring their ideas to life. This company makes product proto-types and short production runs with minimum setup cost. IdeaZoo believes that “the future of manufacturing is a direct link between 3D modeling and part creation, with no intermediary steps.”

Apart from IdeaZoo there are several other 3D printing companies which are working hard to bridge the gap between the 3D printing technology and musicians and their musical instruments.

Image Credit: jadepalmer (flickrhandle: jadeashleyphotography)

Categories
Learning Center

Introducing 3D Printing education for students

3D printing education for students

The technology of 3D printing has been there in the market for quite some time now. It has impacted some of the industries in a very positive way. This technology has changed the dynamics if consumer culture by transforming users from being passive consumers to active creators. Even though the technology has been around for a decade now, it has not been able to penetrate into the mainstream market. As an effort to being the 3D printing technology into the mainstream, manufacturers of this technology are targeting the education sector to achieve this ambition of theirs. The inclusion of this technology in the curriculum of schools and colleges will increase the awareness among people about it and also enable them to master this technology right from the childhood.

The principle question in all this that exactly how beneficial will 3D printing, be in the education sector. Schools as of now are in the embryonic stage to adapt to this technology but surely 3D printing will surely revolutionize the education sector. It will empower the teachers with a three dimensional model which will act as visual aids that can be used in the class while teaching or illustrating on a topic. This will undoubtedly increase the level of understanding for the student and also increase the grasping power. The attention of the students will be more in the class as the visual aids will make the subject interesting as compared to pictorial representation that is used nowadays. This technology will be very helpful for students belonging to the engineering, architecture and multi media arts as creation of 3D mini models will be possible with the click of a button. All these will bring into the classroom a culture that is very interactive which in turn will make the class interesting. 3D printing for education will undoubtedly add value in teaching a wide range of skills. The amalgamation of 3D printing and education is unique because it brings in the mindset of experimentation and the student becomes very comfortable with this idea in the learning process. It gives students the ability and freedom to design, test an engineer their own projects and also contribute to the digital manufacturing sector. Almost all the subjects can be dealt with the help of 3D printers. Subjects such as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Physics, Design, Art, Law, Ethics, Psychology and Anthropology as well as several other fields which require physical models for illustrating situations 3D printers can be used.

If all these attributes are kept in mind, 3D printing does have some promising and ground breaking innovation that is bound to take the entire teaching and learning experience to a whole new level. This also gives the students a jump start to tomorrow’s challenges. Many countries have started to use this technology as a part of their curriculum. Across Australia and New Zealand depends on cheap and affordable 3d printers. College departments such as Engineering, Computer Science, Architecture and Industrial Design depend heavily on 3D printing. Fields such as engineering require the students to be inspired towards the field in order to do something that is ground breaking. The starting of the engineering education is theory based which makes students detached from the subject so if students are exposed to the breath taking world of 3D printing, they are bound to be engineers who are far sighted, have the capacity to think out of the box and also have a problem solving attitude.

The leading 3D printer manufacturing company MakerBot has developed a 3D student curriculum as a proto-type in the schools of New York. The CEO of MakerBot Bre Pettis wants students to have an invention machine in schools that would turn their imagination into reality and if the idea doesn’t print well in the first attempt the remaking of the same object all over again is the most important and powerful part.

Apart from MakerBot an educational consulting firm based in Texas named Engaging Solutions is escalating its efforts to bring this technology to the education market by the year 2014-2015. The main objective of this firm is to bring in advanced technologies into the classroom. Since the company is basically an education consulting firm, it hope to achieve their dream by collaborating forces with the largest 3D printing company MakerBot and also because MakerBot has focused on markets such as engineering, architecture, designing and a couple of other consumer space. According to the CEO of Engaging Solutions, Erica Stietenroth, “3D printing is the quintessential disruptive technology in education today, revolutionizing the way students create, collaborate, and comprehend, It unleashes the potential of students who can now go from an on-screen concept to a 3D object they can literally hold in their hands and easily modify, refine, and enhance to achieve their desired results. The education market is perfectly suited for 3D print technology as a way to better engage students.” The professional development specialist of Engaging Solution Mary Beth Kreml explained, “This capability takes student engagement into an entirely new dimension, students go far beyond Hear, See, and Do and now take the amazing leap to Create. When students work together to develop an idea and then watch it take form before their eyes, it makes learning real and exciting, and demonstrates what they are capable of achieving.”

The technology has been over priced and so has been out of reach for normal consumers as well as the education market. With the expiry of patents and companies such as MakerBot producing affordable 3D printers such as Replicator desktop 3D printer which range from $1,375 to about $6,499 have made this technology approachable to all. There are also printers such as Airwolf 3D printers that are fast as well as affordable. Students can often see their object materialize an hour before the commencement of their classes. The reduction of the price of 3D printers has made this technology reach classroom in schools and colleges. Slowly but steadily this technology is getting into the mainstream and becoming a must have in every home and official sector.

 

Image Credit: www.audio-luci-store.it (flickrhandle: audiolucistore)

Categories
Learning Center

Photographers find 3D printing very useful

3D printing helps Photographers

Photographs remind us of our fond memories in the past, but treasuring these memories forever is achieved by the professional PHOTOGRAPHERS!

The services that are provided by a professional photographer are typically sky high. The reason behind this would be the cost that are incurred for buying the necessary equipments and also the training that is required to master the use of these equipments in a professional way is quite pricey. To chain down the prices of these steeply priced equipments 3D printers come handy. These additional but necessary equipments are mechanical so 3D printers can handle mechanical. Printing equipments are appreciably low when they are 3D printed than buying. Photographers save considerable amount of money on equipments which allows them to have an extensive range of equipments. So they come at par with the other photographers who have spent a fortune in buying these rigs. Since these next-gen photographers have saved quite some money, they do no levy their clients with pricey services. So the client too ends up saving a lot of money. So, it’s a win-win situation for both the parties. Some examples of such 3D printed attachments are: Kapsones, which are 3D printed lens hood. These are essentially accessories for the camera, which are produced by Ultimakers. Presently there are four styles that available in a wide range of colors. They are usually customized designs so that it fits the requirement of the client.

The other way in which photographers are benefiting from 3D printers is that of printing 3D photographs which from 2D photographs. This is being done by a full service photography and digital imaging studio known as the DTW. The company has decided to brand the products by the name of ‘TOPOGRAFICS’. These are personalized 3D printed photographs that have been converted from traditional photographs. These photographs are printed using high resolution 3D printers.  According to the owner of the store Dave White “We are experimenting with SLA, FDM and Polyjet technology to print these. With these prints, not only are you viewing your favorite memories, but you can feel the texture and see it come to life over and over”. “We are also developing frames with an artificial light source built right in, to back light the print had have many more applications in mind.” says Dave.

This is not the first time that some has tried to bridge the gap between the world of 3D printing and the world of photography. Amanda Ghassaei of Instructables had also created some innovative 3D printed photos. The principle behind Ghassaei’s experiment relies on the concept of image analysis- wherein the algorithm thinks that there is a shadow, additional layers of resin will be produced making it thicker and less translucent by using a backlight to view the 3D printed photographs. This enables the darker areas to have a depth like illusion.

Apart from all this, the Flyer has already gained a lot of popularity among the masses, as it equips anyone to have a camera at a moderate rate of $29 or you could print a pinhole camera for free with STLs from Thingiverse by checking out my photography collection.

These developments that are taking place in the various industries pin point that the 3D printers are the next-gen machines towards bringing revolution into our lives.

Image Credit: Pedro Ribeiro Simões (flickr handle: pedrosimoes7)

Categories
Learning Center

Bigger Stronger Faster: Leapfrog Creatr 3D Printer Review

3D printers have created a market for itself in almost all the major industries in the world. People have somehow overlooked the drawback that come along with these dream machines which is time! The printers might have the potential to revolutionize the way we manufacture things but drawbacks like the consumption of time for making the simplest of things in chaining down the actual potential of these machines.

Leapfrog, one of the most well known 3D printer manufacturers announced the launch of greatest 3D printer of today: The Creatr HS (High Speed). This printer is expected to be a real game changer for entry-level 3D printers. It is undoubtedly the largest 3D printer with a huge volume of 230 x 270 x 210 mm or 13.6 liters! The printer also promises a minimum layer thickness of 0.05mm. All these features combined together make it the largest printer in its class and also the most versatile printer that is available in the market. The printer has a 4-inch color LCS screen, a dual extruder and the ability to print directly via USB connection. Since the machine has dual extruders so it can print either in ABS or PLA and soon to be released PVA as well. In order to switch between materials all that the user has to do is to switch between the options in the software. The other materials that are compatible with the printer are Nylon, Woodplastic, Birckplastic, and more. The price of this product is €1,799.

The specification of the printer is as follows:

  • Outer dimension: (WDH) 500x600x500mm
  • Built size: (WDH) 230x270x210mm
  • Maximum print volume: 13.7 liters
  • Positioning accuracy: 0.05mm
  • Minimum layer thickness: now upgraded to 0.05mm
  • Electrical connection: 100-240 V
  • Material type: ABS, PLA, PVA, HIPS, PET, Nylon,
  • Standard size extruder: 0.35mm
  • Speed: X and Y axis: up to 0.35m/s
  • Extrusion speed: 20mm/min
  • Power consumption: 400W
  • Production cost: $ 0,031/cm³
  • Production speed: 2cm 3/min
  • Dual extruder: Yes, optional recommended

 

Image source: Lpfrg.com

Categories
Learning Center

Mixing Nostalgia with modernity: 3d-Printed Phone Case with a Rotary Dial

3d printed phone case with a rotary-dial

The miracles that can be done with the help of 3D printing is spreading like wild fire. Everyone seems to try their hand on it and come up with something that is innovative as well as appealing.

Designer Joa Baldwin has cleverly designed an iPhone case cover which has a rotary dial. This dial can actually be used for dialing numbers. This dial has a coil spring which brings back the dial in its original position each time a number is being dialed. The 3D printing of this rotary dial is very intricate so before buying the cover it’s absolutely necessary to read the instructions carefully. The case is fully assembled but there are a few things that are to be kept in mind while using this cover.

·         The wheel has to be pre-rotated by lifting the stopping tab and keep rotating until a bump in the wheel passes under the tab.

·         The screen is to be cleared from all the dust so that the dial functions smoothly. After all the dust is removed then the wheel moves without any obstruction.

The concept is pretty neat as it will refresh some childhood memories of the old landline phones which have gone to the age of dinosaurs. Surprisingly the retro phones have come back into the market with a bang and the 3D printing of these cases is indeed a perfect way to pay a tribute to the old phones. This is also a perfect amalgamation of the old and the new technologies.

Image Source: Shapeways.com

Categories
Learning Center

MakerBot’s massive 3d printer – Replicator Z18 Review

The Brooklyn based company MakerBot has at last launched its much anticipated 3D printer the Replicator Z18. The machine is the largest ever 3D printer that MakerBot has ever created. MakerBot which is a global leader in 3D printers had announced the release of the Z18 at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) had gained a lot of attention from the media and the industry rivals after this declaration.

The machine was in talks lately because of the massive build volume and the best price performance combination in the professional 3D printing category. The unique name of the replicator is derived from the large Z axis because of which the 3D printed objects have a height of 18 inches. This is a gigantesque scale for a 3D printer. Bre Pettis, CEO of MakerBot said “We believe that the MakerBot Replicator Z18 is going to disrupt the industry in that it enables 3D printing of large-scale and complex prototypes and models that were previously out of range for the creative community, many of whom include super-users of 3D printing, the engineers, architects and educators. We are really excited to see what our customers will 3D print with it.”

The machine is ideal for printing industrial models, engine proto-types, movie special effect props and also the gen-next spacecraft. MakerBot is also gifting its customers with a few accessories to go with the printer such as a cart that puts the machine at a height that enables easy movement and also a case that hold XL or XXL spools of PLA filaments so that there is no material shortage while doing a big project.

The price of this awesome machine is $6,499 (USD) and is all set for shipping for customers who have preordered the machine and for those who place the order today will receive the machine within six to eight weeks.

Basic Specifications

Print Technology : Fused Deposition Modeling

Build Volume : 30.5 L x 30.5 W x 45.7 H cm or 2,592 cubic inches

Layer Resolution : 100 microns [0.0039 in]

Filament Diameter : 1.75 mm [0.069 in]

Filament Compatibility : MakerBot PLA Filament Large Spool 0.9 KG [2.0 lb]

Nozzle Diameter : 0.4 mm [0.015 in]

Print File Type : .makerbot

Ambient Operating Temperature : 15-24°C [60-75.2°F]

Storage Temperature : 0-38°C [32-100°F]

Stepper Motors : 1.8° Step Angle with 1/16 Micro-Stepping

XY Positioning Precision : 11 Microns [0.0004 in]

Z Positioning Precision : 2.5 Microns [0.0001 in]

Product Dimensions : 49.3 W x 56.5 D x 85.4 H cm
Product Weight : 41 kg [90 lbs]

Supported File Types : STL, OBJ, Thing, MakerBot

Operating Systems : Windows (7+), Mac OS X (10.7+), Linux (Ubuntu, Fedora)

Power Requirements : 100-240 V; 5.4-2.2 A; 50/60 Hz; 350 W

Other Features

Easier Access – You can control the device from anywhere using makerbot mobile app. You can even send print file via Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB Stick or USB to printer cable.

Better Print –Enclosed and heated build chamber minimizes curling, and a super flat build plate ensures reliability and adhesion

Good Software – Free to download; helps to store, organize, and access 3D design files in your personal cloud-enabled library

Smart Extruder: Easy to swap with a smart capability to filament absence and automatically pauses your print

Onboard Camera – accessible through MakerBot Desktop and MakerBot Mobile apps and helps to monitor printing as well as to take reference pictures, which are saved to cloud library. Camera Resolution: 320X240

Image Source: Makerbot.com