Christmas at Bits From Bytes

The folks at Bits From Bytes have an interesting giveaway taking place this holiday season: their Advent Calendar 2011. According to Wikipedia, an Advent Calendar is "a special calendar which is used to count or celebrate the days of Advent in anticipation of Christmas". Typically it involves a surprise each day, and BFB is doing just that. 

 

Each day on their web page they will offer a unique printable 3D model for free download. Of course, all have a Christmas theme, but that goes with the territory here. They're pretty, cute, Christmasy and sometimes even useful, particularly the cookie cutters. 

 

Enjoy, and thanks BFB!

 

Via BitsFromBytes and Wikipedia

BFB Updates the Rapman

The venerable Rapman personal 3D printer has had a bit of an update, the first, we believe, since BFB was acquired by 3D Systems. The new version, 3.2, includes a few improvements on an already terrific 3D printer kit for assembly. Here's what we see: 

 

• Touchscreen interface, likely replicated from the Rapman's big brother, the 3DTouch
• USB stick interface to replace the SD card method. This will still require you to wander over to the machine, but at least now you don't have to have a SD card slot on your PC. Again, a carry-over from the 3DTouch
• The Rapman kit is now totally solder-free, meaning assembly is greatly simplified 

The simplification is something all kits can use, since a simpler assembly process likely means more people will get involved in 3D printing.  

 

The price remains at £795 or USD$1250. 

 

Via BFB

More on the 3DTouch 3D Printer

After yesterday's announcement from 3D Systems / BFB on their new 3DTouch printer, we sought additional details. Today we've learned a few more things about this very interesting device, including why it's called the "3DTouch". Check out the much more detailed image above (click for larger view). Here's our latest findings:  

 

The "touch" refers to the method of operating the device. It now has a touch panel conveniently pasted on the top front of the machine. To proceed through menus and controls, you simply touch soft buttons. This is much improved over the 3DTouch's predecessor, the BFB 3000, in which the device is controlled via teeny physical push buttons. Take a look at this control panel above (click for larger view). 

 

The print files generated by BFB's Axon2 software are received on a USB storage device. Previously, an SD card was used. This will be much more convenient since most computers don't have an SD interface. 

 

There's mention of "USB connectivity", but we still don't understand exactly what that is.  We're hoping you can drive the printer directly from a computer via USB, but this might not be the case. 

 

BFB is now mentioning that you can dissolve Clear Translucent PLA in a "sodium hydroxide solution used with a heated ultrasonic tank", but that "care is required with this option." For sure. 

 

"Increased z move speed and accuracy" is mentioned, which should improve print quality.

 

Otherwise the specs we've seen seem to be pretty much the same as the BFB 3000, suggesting that the 3DTouch is really a "BFB 4000". The BFB 3000 was a great machine and the 3DTouch looks even better. 

 

Via BFB

BFB Announces 3DTouch 3D Printer

Just as the TCT conference commences, Bits From Bytes has suddenly announced a new 3D printer for their catalog: the 3DTouch 3D Printer. Details are scarce, and we're seeking more, but for now this printer seems to supersede the very popular BFB 3000 series.  

 

In fact, the 3DTouch appears visually very similar to the BFB 3000, with the major difference being the control box now seems to be inside, rather than dangling from the front of the unit. This is quite interesting because the 3000 operated from an SD card that had to be inserted into the control box. It would be inconvenient to reach inside the unit to insert and remove SD cards, so we now suspect the 3DTouch may operate via USB, at least more than the 3000. This could simplify workflow significantly. 

 

Indeed, the press release from 3D Systems includes a quote from Andy McLaren, BFB's Director of Sales, in which he mentions USB improvements: 

 

The 3DTouch(TM) makes personal manufacturing much easier. Enhanced printability together with a better tablet-like user experience and USB storage makes the 3DTouch(TM) easy to operate and economical to own.

We're hoping to get more details on this printer and associated software soon. But in the meantime, you might consider ordering one from BFB's online store. They're priced ranging from £1,995.00 to £2,495.00 (USD$3,115-3,900) depending on how many print heads you'd prefer. Ship times are "up to 5 weeks", similar to the BFB 3000. 

 

Via BFB

Made In Space: Update

Last week we mentioned Made In Space's achievement of testing two commercial 3D printers in a simulated weightless environment. But we wondered which 3D printers were used, as the material we saw did not specify the printer involved - only that one of the printers originated from 3D Systems.

 

Today we see a press release from 3D Systems that says: 

 

3D Systems Corporation (NYSE:DDD) announced today that its affordable BfB™ 3000 3D printer successfully completed two zero-gravity test flights in partnership with MADE IN SPACE, a start-up dedicated to providing solutions for manufacturing in outer space.

 

So, the mystery 3D printer was the very solid BFB 3000! 3D Systems' VP of marketing, Cathy Lewis said: 

 

We are pleased that our Bits From Bytes 3D Printer performed well in zero gravity conditions.

 

Apparently Made In Space will continue weightless testing and even plans "suborbital testing over the next few months". We think that means strapping the BFB the top of a rocket and boosting it up to orbital altitudes - but without the speed to achieve orbit. 

 

This would provide a much longer period of weightlessness for testing, since the zero-gravity flight method provides only a minute or so of weightless time. We're wondering whether this can provide comprehensive testing, because most 3D prints take quite a bit of time. Eventually we'll see these printers in orbit where they can print larger test objects. 

 

Via 3D Systems

The BFB 3000 Plus

BFB's already-assembled inexpensive 3D printer has now become the BFB 3000 Plus. The new version is very similar to the original BFB 3000, but has several enhancements. 

 

Our understanding is that the Plus's improvements focus on two aspects: simplifying ease of use and machine quality. The machine's print bed is easier to adjust and numerous mechanicals have been upgraded to ensure a more reliable device.

 

The other improvement is software, namely a significantly upgraded Axon 2. Currently in beta test, the still-Windows-only software focuses on streamlining your printing workflow by bringing forward the most commonly used functions and hiding those less used. We're hoping to test Axon 2 soon and report more details.  

 

Via 3DSystems

3D Printing on CNN

CNN Money's page today had a front-page article dedicated to 3D printing, featuring an interview with 3D System's Rajeev Kulkarni, who spoke about their newly acquired BFB line of inexpensive 3D printers. He said: 

 

This is our attempt now to get at the consumer level, where we make 3-D printing accessible to the mass market.

 

Now we know the real reason 3D Systems acquired BFB! Ok, we knew that already, but they've said it here in black and white. 

 

We've observed interest in 3D printing from stock brokers recently, perhaps causing the run-up of Stratasys and 3D Systems' stock prices earlier this year, so an article from CNN seems appropriate. 

 

CNN interviewed several industry players and focused on the future, suggesting that things will take of in ten years or so. We think it could be a lot sooner than that, based on the hardware we've seen. In fact, we think the big barrier now is perhaps not so much the hardware, but the software. 

 

Via CNN Money

BFB at PDM

We had the opportunity to spend some time with the BFB gang at London's Plastics Design and Moulding show. They were demonstrating their flagship product, the BFB 3000 3D printer, as well as a 3D Systems V-Flash from their parent company. 

 

We spoke at length with BFB CTO and Founder Ian Adkins (above), who says "we can't make them fast enough", when asked how successful BFB's 3D printers have been recently. This was quite evident as there was always a very large crowd around the BFB booth, many of whom had never seen or heard of 3D printers. 

 

We thought this was quite interesting, because one might think low-end 3D printers would be exclusively used by consumers or educational markets. Not so, as visitors to this industrial trade show were definitely interested in an ultra-low-priced rapid prototyping machine on which they could produce "rough drafts" of items before proceeding to more expensive options. 

 

BFB's display booth contained a many very impressive sample prints, including several very large items such as a massive copy of the Gothic Cathedral Play Set from Thingiverse, Istanbul's Hagia Sofia and this amazing human jaw section, shown here with supports and with supports removed. This is truly a very challenging item to print that was successfully done on BFB's equipment (note - the minor discoloration was apparently due to slightly misaligned print heads and should not normally appear). All of these items require significant time to print, and while our testing thus far has managed no-fault seven hour runs, Ian explained that the longest they've attempted is a staggering 46 hour print. 

 

As for BFB's activities, we understand they're spending much time focusing on improving the user experience of 3D printing. This includes not only improvements and simplifications in their hardware (particularly unboxing, assembly and operation), but also in their software. They've been working diligently on a new version of their driver software, Axon 2, that should be available very soon.