Models of everything!

There will soon be models of everything, everywhere. [snip] It's a defining moment in a parent's life: Seeing their unborn child's image on an ultrasound for the first time. Now pregnant women could have the chance to hold a life-size model of their unborn baby. Stunning new technology allows parents to hold a life-size model of their unborn child

MakerBot Industries, an open source machine that can (almost, nearly, well, getting closer, one day ...) print itself

Want to make a TinTin rocket?

"One Round Left" by Jessie Sasser, PictureBandit.com

Jessie Saaser explains the process of creating a 3D sculpture: PictureBandit.com

Consumer services are going to explode ...

Shapeways does it again .... 3D printed light sculptures (3D photographs). Watch and love. I need one. I do. I really do.

Inside thinglab.co.uk - skulls, color, face scans and more ...

Must visit these guys. One of the best videos I have seen showing the range of possibilities for 3D printing:

4 hours, 3 hours, 1 hour, less?

How fast will 3D printing need to be? How fast can it be?

Fused deposition modeling

Which 3D printing technology will 'win' in the market, or are different approaches going to find specific uses. Here's one way: fused deposition modeling. Durable, accurate, parts ... from your desktop. Slice the STL files and generate 3D support structure and extrusion paths. Solid material (thermoplastic) in filament form is heated to a less viscous state for extrusion. The model is built layer by layer, from the bottom up. Soluble supports are simply dissolved in a water based solution resulting in a part with smooth surface finish and fine detail in tact.

Inkjet Gurus from HP Scitex = Objet Geometries

Squirting solid stuff (photopolymer cured instantly) is inkjet science stuff. The part is fully ready to be used at end of 3D print. Explains the background to this technology, and describes some of the materials used. 16micron layer allows very small surface on bio-compatible materials. How to produce moving parts .... squirt those air pixels.

Solid color model copying and printing

As this field develops, new terminology will emerge. It's important the concept is 'understood', is an instant. I was struck by the terms used in this excellent video: From a 3D computer file emailed from Australia, to a model in your hand!

Materials innovations for 3D Printing

My guess is, there will be considerable innovation in materials for 3D printing over the next decade. Here is a snip from ZCorp: [snip] Z Corporation today released zp(R)150, a premium composite build material for its ZPrinter(R) 450 and ZPrinter(R) 650 3D printers. zp150 improves the strength and color of 3D printed models for 3D CAD while producing whiter whites for applications such as architectural modeling where true white is the traditional standard. Z Corporation Introduces zp150 Composite Material for Tougher 3D Printed Parts, Rich Colors and Whiter Whites

Jay Leno - 3D Print Old Car Parts - Video and Article

Jay Leno - US TV Host - has a lot of old cars with a lot of obsolete parts. When he needs to replace these parts, he skips the error-prone machinist and goes to his rapid prototyping 3D printer. Simply scan, print and repeat. Read the article, and watch the video. As he says 'Pretty amazing" Jay Leno’s 3D Printer Replaces Rusty Old Parts

Now I'm convinced - print your own 3D Helicopter

3D Printing is going to be big. Why? Take a look at this: Printing a 3D Model Helicopter And it flies!

Is it really this easy? A nice video from Dimension

Everything you ever wanted to know about Dimension 3D Printers: