3D Printing Stack Exchange?

You may have heard of StackOverflow? It's a very popular question and answer website for computer programming topics. The makers of StackOverflow now permit the same software to be used for question-answer sites on other topics. But which topics get a site? At Area51.StackExhchange.com discussions are held to determine whether a topic warrants a Q/A site in the StackExchange network. 

 

Guess what? There's now a discussion underway to initiate a 3D printing StackExchange site. Check out the link below and you'll see sample questions and other material that may eventually lead to a new QA site for 3D printing.

  

Via Area51

Open3DP Goes Closed3DP?

The folks at the University of Washington who've been doing stellar work researching 3D printing in concrete, ceramics, glass and other unusual materials have gone dark, so to speak. 

 

It appears that the suits at their university have issued new rules regarding participation with outside groups. Specifically, they say:

 

it has become increasingly apparent academic staff are not aware that engaging in outside work with any potential economic benefit triggers the requirement for approval through submission of this form. This includes situations where the economic benefit could arise due to an equity interest in the company for which the work is being performed, or due to potential benefit through intellectual property interests.  It also includes any work where there is an entitlement to compensation, even if that compensation is waived or donated. 

 

While this means Open3DP'rs work silently behind the curtain, it also means the rest of us won't see or benefit from their amazing inventions. We're quite disappointed, as the researchers must be. Hopefully they'll be able to resolve the situation in the future. 

 

Via Open3DP

The Customised Design Event

We've learned of an upcoming event for those in the UK interested in 3D printing: The University of Hertfordshire and the British Library are putting on a seminar on 7 December entitled, "Customised Design". In the three hour event, course leader Mark Bloomfield (founder of Electrobloom) will: 

 

... talk about how customised goods and services are gaining mass appeal and  how technology helps companies in the production of customisable products. Is mass customisation in jeopardy simply because consumers don’t know what they want?

 

There is no charge to attend this event, which takes place at the British Library Business & IP Centre on Euston Road in London, but apparently space is limited so you'd best register as soon as you can. 

 

Via University of Hertfordshire (Hat tip to Ana)

More on the Origo 3D Printer For Kids

We contacted Joris Peels, one of the founders of the Origo 3D printer for Kids and also a long-time friend of Fabbaloo to find out more about this interesting venture. Here's our interview:

 

Fabbaloo: Why kids?

 

Joris Peels: Artur and I both want to let anyone make anything. 

 

Making is an ability but not one that people learn later on in life. Rather, it is something we forget as we grow older. As we acquire more skills and knowledge simultaneously our capacity for uninhibited creation subsides. The ability to look at the world and imagine only what could be, what could become, what could be made. The unbridled curiosity to explore and create. Makers are people that have recovered their involuntary memory for making, and are but a small subset of the population currently.  

 

Kids have not yet lost it. They are still natural makers, and there are many of them. They sketch, draw and dream without limits. They lack only the tools to execute their whimsy. Origo was conceived as that tool to let kids make whatever they want. It is aimed at kids precisely because they are the most likely to be able take advantage of 3D printing.

 

Fabbaloo: But wait, 3D printers are complicated! How can you expect a child to successfully operate one? 

 

Joris Peels: We've currently reduced the complexity of the prototype software and device UI to a level where we feel the final device should be as easy to operate as a DVD player or Wii. 3D printers are mainly complicated because they break all the time. The main challenge for us will be to engineer it in such a way as to increase reliability to such a degree that this will not be a problem for the kids using the machine. 

The fact that we are designing and engineering the device for ten year olds actually aids us in working towards this challenge. By being forced to reduce complexity to a degree so that kids can comfortably operate the machine unsupervised we hope to be forced to make the right choices that lead us to reliability as well as ease of use.     

 

Fabbaloo: When will Origo be available? How much will it cost? 

 

Joris Peels: We currently estimate that it will take us 18 months. But, no plan survives its execution. Also, we have yet to secure financing so this may become a roadblock for us. We estimate that the retail price of a working Origo will be less than $800. We don't expect to be able to make the recycling pod right away.We will have to leave that until we've completed the Origo. 

 

Fabbaloo: Can you tell us a bit more about the technology inside of Origo? 

 

Joris Peels: Currently we are working on a technology that is similar to but distinct from existing Fused Deposition Modeling tech as used by Stratasys and the RepRap. We're evaluating a wide array of materials and other technology choices. A lot can still change though in this area. Especially with regards to safety and certification there are a lot of hurdles for us. 

 

We expect to turn to making the recycling pod once we've completed the Origo. 

Origo, The 3D Printer for Kids

You might think 3D printing is hard. Well, it certainly can be. But now Artur Tchoukanov and Fabbaloo friend Joris Peels' new venture Origo attempts to change all that. They're making Origo - a 3D printer specifically designed for children. Imagine what ten-year olds could do with a 3D printer! 

 

The question we'd immediately ask is if the hardware is usable by kids, what about the complicated software? Where will the children get 3D models to print? The answer showed up in recently-released web-based basic 3D modeling tools, such as 3DTin. These were the catalyst that should permit the Origo to succeed, since you likely can't teach many ten year olds how to use complex 3D modeling software - or afford it either. 

 

We're seeking more information about this cool project and will update Fabbaloo readers soon. 

 

Via Origo

Get a Free 3D Sample Print

3D printing is a new thing; so new that many people simply don't believe you if you describe it to them. Blank looks, disbelief and heavy skepticism are typical reactions to "3D printing". How then can one explain this very different concept to someone? You have to show them something - or even better, have them see and touch it. We frequently short circuit the discussion by pulling a handy 3D print from our pocket and show people on the spot. Then they get it. Well, usually they get it. 

 

That's the concept being used by BotMill to expand their market: increase the understanding of 3D printing by giving anyone who asks a 3D print sample of their own. At no charge they'll send you a small 3D printed object just so you can see and understand what it's all about. 

 

If you've never seen a 3D printed item try the link below to request delivery of your own 3D printed object. If you've seen 3D prints before, this service can show you the quality of print you'll receive from a BotMill printer. And did we say this is completely free of charge? 

 

Don't you always carry a 3D print sample in your pocket? You should!

 

Via BotMill

Shapeways Teaches 3D Design

In an effort to generate more Shapeways designers, Shapeways is offering an in-class evening training class New York City on September 13th. They're hoping to attract people new to 3D modeling who have used some of Shapeways' unique model generators and want more. 

 

The course seems to be pretty basic, focusing on use of Google Sketchup to create a simple design, which can then be printed on Shapeways' service. The cost of the two-hour course is a mere USD$20, and that includes a USD$25 voucher to cover off the cost of printing any model you cook up in the course. 

 

We think this is a great idea: encouraging people to learn how to design their own objects. Not everyone will want to, but we certainly need more people designing printable 3D objects. 

 

Via Shapeways

A Student Prints an Engine Block

A wonderful story by Julie LaChance relates her first encounter with a 3D printer. We love these stories because we can see the awesome and profound revelation people feel when they suddenly "get it" and realize what could be when 3D printing breaks out. 

 

In this story, Julie had a "you have to see this" moment when a student modelled an engine block and then printed it (apparently on the school's ZCorp 3D printer). Julie walks us through the steps from design to curing with Z-Bond. 

 

What a fantastic opportunity!  Drafting classes across the district can print to this printer and while i was in the classroom, I saw a few other student graduation projects that were being printed.  I think this is such a great way to display the works that students have created in a way that is more meaningful to that student as well as students or teachers (like me) that really don't understand the programs they're using in that class.  

Welcome to the 3D world, Julie!

 

Via The eJulez Perspective