Sister site Mallyable has released a couple of interesting printable 3D models that have an astronomical theme.
The Big Dipper Pendant and Constellation Pegasus Pendant both have pinholes in the same configuration as the actual stellar patterns. Adding simple string or chain of your choice makes the pendant wearable.
These are not the first astronomical products at Mallyable; the Orion Pot (and lid) displays, of course, the constellation Orion on its side.
After CES it now seems we have a two-horse race for the lead in personal 3D printing: MakerBot and 3D Systems. Both announced new printers (the MakerBot Replicator and the Cube), while 3D Systems added a comprehensive 3D community/store/service to compete with MakerBot's Thingiverse.
But that's about where the similarities end. MakerBot's philosophy revolves around the idea of personal making and open source, whereas 3D Systems is more focused on consumers less capable of making - and their approach is less open source and has more capitalism involved. Thingiverse's repository is full of items free for the taking, while 3D Systems' Cubify store requires varying levels of payment for the 3D models. Different approaches for different audiences.
Which approach will win? In the short term we think both, simply because the 3D printing market is basically wide open. The number of personal 3D printers sold to date is only in the low tens of thousands, while literally billions of people have never even heard about it, let alone use one. In the long term it may be that 3D Systems' approach may overtake MakerBot's simply because there are far more "non-makers" in the world.
Regardless of who's winning, it will be an interesting race to watch in 2012.
A provocative article on Construction Digital discusses the idea of matching 3D printing with modern construction. As anyone who wanders through big cities these days knows, the design of buildings is increasingly radical and complex. These amazing designs are wonderful to look at and work within, but they are becoming more difficult for engineers and construction crews to build.
Enter 3D printing, specifically the work being done by the University of Loughborough in the UK on concrete 3D printing. That is, they've developed techniques for extruding concrete thru a moving spigot on a large scale, just as one might do with a small 3D printer. The results are impressive and kinda heavy.
The embedded video shows the concrete extrusion process, which at first glance has not particularly fine resolution - but on the other hand it the building component is 50 meters in the air you won't notice the coarseness at all.
There are huge benefits from concrete printing beyond the ability to create shapes unattainable with conventional concrete pours: you can design building components that include embedded features for cabling and piping and significantly save on construction costs.
If you happen to be in London before February 25th, you might want to drop by The Aram Gallery in Covent Garden to see their "Send to Print / Print to Send" exhibition. The exhibition features works by designers exploring the medium of 3D printing, including some folks whom we've written about such as Freedom of Creation and Unfold.be.
The full list of participants also includes:
Assa Ashuach
Riccardo Bovo
Michael Eden
FAT, Jump Studios
Markus Kayser
Dirk vander Kooij
Chau Har Lee
PearsonLloyd
Chloe McCormick & Nicholas O’Donnell-Hoare
Serie
Superfusionlab
Silvia Weidenbach
These designers represent a cross section of fields including "architecture, industrial design, fashion, and product design." The exhibition attempts to introduce people to the concept of 3D printing as a design medium by seeing such works as Serie's Mumbai Facade (image above, click for larger image). It should be quite interesting.
Having unfortunately missed this year's Consumer Electronics Show, we've been wondering what other conferences and trade shows exist that might include 3D printing content. Searches reveal what we think might be a fairly comprehensive list of major events involving 3D printing. We've not included numerous local events such as local Maker Faires.
There is no shortage of 3D printer kits recently, as it seems everyone is now jumping on the RepRap model to develop improvements of one kind or another. We noticed yet another one today: The Galileo 3D Printer, featured on Instructables and designed by the KentStrapper team.
While the Galileo is essentially a RepRap Prusa model, the improvements focus on "substantial changes" to the XYZ axes that permit both a larger print area and lowered implementation cost. Full instructions and parts lists are available at the Instructables link.
There's more: on their website, the designers say (in Italian) they're now starting yet another 3D printer project called "Project Vertigo".
Stratasys' annual Extreme Redesign Contest for students is open - but only until the deadline of February 2. If you've been thinking about entering, think no longer because you'd better fill out the forms straight away.
The contest enables students in grade school as well as university to enter a design (product, enhancement, art or architecture) for evaluation. Winners will receive scholarships and have their design actually printed.
It's fun printing 3D objects with a 3D printer, but typically the problem is they are fixed, unmoving static objects that sit patiently on your desk. What if you could print objects that literally come alive and move around? What if you printed tiny beings that could walk?
Sounds ridiculous, we know. But it's almost true. Just watch the video above and you'll be blown away by what's been made.
What is it, exactly? It's a 3D physical Zoetrope, a device invented almost two centuries ago that, according to Wikipedia, "produces an illusion of action from a rapid succession of static pictures". Light is flashed on pictures in sequence and your eye (and brain) transforms these still images into motion.
The 3D printed Zoetrope does exactly the same thing, except that instead of flat 2D images being illuminated we have have 3D objects illuminated. And your eye changes strobed views of the objects into motion, just like a 2D Zoetrope would do. The results are beyond stunning. It's as if those little fellows are alive.
How can you see this yourself? Simply go to Shapeways and purchase the 3D printed Zoetrope wheel (currently priced at USD$65.19) and then spin it with a strobe light that flashes in sync with the rotation as pictured above. Then you'll see the magic.
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Sister site Mallyable has released a couple of interesting printable 3D models that have an astronomical theme. 
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