Objet has announced that it has worked together with Keter Plastic's d-Vision program to produce an exhibit of 3D-printed art, the proceeds from which will be donated to charitable organizations.
D-Vision is a design internship program for talented young artists. For this exhibit, the artists created 70 pieces using 3D computer-aided design (CAD) software. They then used Objet 3D printers to produce their creations.
"We were delighted to see how our young designers' artistic ideas turned into spectacular reality through the high-quality 3D printing capabilities of Objet," said professor Ezri Tarazi, who heads the d-Vision program.
The art pieces are featured at the Holon Design Museum. They will later be auctioned off at a gala event to raise money for ELEM and Mifalot Chinuch Chevra, both of which are non-profit organizations dedicated to providing assistance for at-risk youths.
This is not the first time Objet 3D printers have been used to create works of art. Earlier this year, artists Neri Oxman and Daniel Hildrup used Objet technology to create works that were featured in exhibits in Paris' Centre Pompidou and as a part of The London Pride Festival of Art and Design.
As 3D printing has become more common and less expensive, industry experts and amateurs alike have increasingly debated the effects the technology is likely to have in the future. While the extent of these effects is unclear, virtually all commentators agree that the implications for 3D printing will likely be significant.
The value of on-demand
This discussion was recently furthered by Extreme Tech's Ray Walters. Like most others, Walters acknowledged that, in its present state, 3D printing is cannot yet compete with the convenience and selection of online retailers such as Amazon. However, this may change, as ready-made designs for 3D printing become more widely available. Already, websites such as Thingiverse feature a number of user-created designs for this purpose, and it is likely that these will become more common in the near future.
However, according to Walters, the true value of 3D printing will take the form of on-demand creations. By printing goods on an as-needed basis, organizations and individuals will not have to worry as much about shipping, packing or planning for the future. As he notes, the U.S. military is already utilizing the technology in this way. Rather than waiting for supply drops, bases around the world can print out the products they need, as they need them. This can easily have similar benefits for companies with multiple locations, or workers scattered throughout the country, and for individuals planning to travel for vacation.
Quick gratification
Writing for The Star, Tyler Hamilton points out another advantage of 3D printing technology: quick gratification. As an example, he suggests that a person having a Skype conversation with a colleague in China may admire the necklace she is wearing. Within minutes, the colleague may be able to scan and email the coding for the necklace, allowing the admirer to print it on her own 3D printer in a few short hours.
Furthermore, the technology for printing such items is already here. Objet 3D printers, for example, are capable of printing a wide array of jewelry, including necklaces and earrings.
At RAPID, the annual trade show dedicated to to additive manufacturing, the events typically focus on technical advancements, such as means of improving production speed. However, sometimes the exhibitors decide to demonstrate the power and possibilities of 3D printing with a more unorthodox presentation.
The most recent RAPID show featured one such presentation: the 3D FABulous Fashion Show, highlighting 3D printing applications in the world of fashion.
The event was hosted by Materialise and, according to SlashGear, lived up to its name: models went onstage to show off a variety of 3D printed fashion accessories. As they walked, the MC announced the designers responsible for the particular attire being displayed, their inspiration for the creation, the company that printed it, which 3D printing process was implemented and what materials were used.
Some of the items were relatively familiar, such as eyeglasses. However, SlashGear reports that one of the more interesting creations was a bikini, created entirely via 3D printing.
While 3D printed bikinis are a new development, the production of fashion accessories with 3D printers is well established. Objet 3D printers, for example, have long been used in the creation of jewelry, including rings and earrings
3D printing has undeniably experienced rapid development in the past few years. A whole host of new applications have emerged. For example, there have been recent reports of individuals and businesses using 3D printers to create electric guitar bodies, action figures and fish tank equipment. However, one of the shortcomings of additive manufacturing has been the limited variety of materials available.
As two recent developments demonstrate, though, 3D printers are increasingly utilizing a range of materials to improve their production capabilities.
A multi-material printer
One of the most notable developments is the launch of a new line of Objet 3D printers. Called the Objet30 Pro, this device, a desktop 3D printer, can create items using up to seven different materials. This is a significant step forward in the world of 3D printing, as it allows creators to design and produce objects with much greater versatility than traditional, single-material 3D printers offer.
To display the possibilities and variety of the Objet30 Pro, Objet created a video featuring 3D animation, highlighting the materials available. These include rigid white, rigid black, rigid blue, rigid gray, clear transparent, high temperature and polypropylene-like materials. Users can utilize any of these materials in the creation of a project without having to replace or alter the printer's settings.
DIY nylon printing
Another step expanding the material options of 3D printing was taken by an individual using do-it-yourself methods. Engadget reports that a user known as Taulman uploaded a video demonstrating his development of a means for printing Nylon 6. This material, according to Engadget, melts at 320 degree celsius, which is about 100 degrees higher than ABS, the more common material. As a result, the nylon creations are capable of a greater degree of flexibility. Additionally, the report notes that gears and bearings made with Nylon 6 do not require lubrication
In yet another demonstration of the range of applications for additive manufacturing, Olaf Diegel has used the technology to create electric guitars.
Diegel, a professor of mechatronics at New Zealand's Massey University, recently printed a series of lattice-bodied guitars adorned with visual flourishes such as spiders and butterflies.
According to World News Australia, the process significantly cuts down on the waste that is typically created in the process of creating a guitar body, in which a solid piece of material must be machined down to achieve the desired shape. With additive manufacturing, the the guitar bodies, once printed, are manually fitted with the other necessary components, including necks, wooden cores, strings and tuning keys.
Diegel plans to offer the guitars for sale online in the near future.
An enthusiastic supporter
In addition to guitars, Diegel also uses several desktop 3D printers to allow his students to work on small-scale engineering prototype projects, the news source reports.
"It's the next big thing in manufacturing, because you can create to order and modify the design to suit specific individual requirements, whether it's for a new set of teeth, a door handle or a piece of jewellery," he said.
He went on to predict that many households will have their own 3D printers within a decade, reducing the need for wasteful mass production methods.
3D printing and music
This is not the first time additive manufacturing has contributed to the creation of musical instruments. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, one of the world's leaders in the field of designing and manufacturing stringed instruments and amplifiers, uses Objet 3D printers to perform in-house rapid prototyping, which saves money and speeds up the process of creating and testing new designs.
This summer, audiences will have a chance to watch the 3D stop-motion film "ParaNorman." A comedy thriller, the movie focuses on a town under siege by ghouls, witches and zombies that can only be stopped by a young boy named Norman, who can speak to the dead.
As several news sources recently reported, in addition to the script, producers, voice actors and other standard components, one of the keys to the creation of this film was 3D printing.
Improved expressions
HitFix reports that "ParaNorman" is not the first movie to use 3D printing, but it has likely used the technology to the greatest effect.
Laika Studios, who, along with Focus Features, produced the film, previously used 3D printing to create their only feature film, 2009's "Coraline." "ParaNorman" represents a significant technical step forward. According to HitFix, the character Coraline was capable of 200,000 facial expressions, while Norman has 290,000.
Brian McClean, director of 3D Rapid Prototyping, noted that this leap forward greatly improves the quality of the film. In earlier stop-motion films, he said, "it was very difficult to sort of get engrossed in the story because the facial animation or the facial performance was always very limited."
To achieve this range of expression, the model for Norman is composed of many parts - 78 in his head alone, according to HifFix, including faceted irises and pupils. This level of detail, and the corresponding coloring, was achieved with the use of 3D printing.
A range of printers
Collider reports that the 3D printers used by Laika Studios cost approximately $50,000 each. Larger, industrial 3D printers for more sophisticated purposes can cost even more than this, while some companies offer small, personal 3D printers for a fraction of the cost. Some Objet 3D printers, for example, are small enough to fit on a user's desk, and cost only a few thousand dollars.
Earlier this year, President Obama announced the creation of the Pilot Institute for Manufacturing Innovation, a first step toward establishing a National Network for Manufacturing Innovation. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Pilot Institute's first focus is additive manufacturing. The institute will receive more than $50 million in initial federal funding, and the National Network is slated to ultimately receive $1 billion from the 2013 fiscal budget to encourage the exploration and development of manufacturing technologies, including additive manufacturing.
Now, the United States has taken an early step toward establishing the Pilot Institute.
Open for proposals
The U.S. federal government recently announced that it is now soliciting and accepting proposals to establish the pilot Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute, Industrial Laser Solutions reports. Nonprofit organizations and universities are encouraged to submit additive manufacturing proposals. To further assist interested groups, the U.S. government recently held a Proposer's Day in Arlington, Virginia to provide further information and guidance regarding the proposal process.
According to an official announcement from the U.S. Air Force, the government plans to award at least $30 million to the winning applicant.
A growing field
As a new report suggests, the worldwide popularity and applicability of additive manufacturing technology is increasing.
One of the most significant uses for additive manufacturing or 3D printing is rapid prototyping. A new study from Reportstack found that the Global Rapid Prototyping Systems market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 15.6 percent for the period 2011 to 2015. This is largely due to the growing adoption of low-cost systems, as advancements in additive manufacturing have made instances of the technology, such as Objet 3D printers, affordable for both businesses and individuals.
Recently, Digital Trends reported that a Paris-based designer developed a means for creating an earbud-to-headphone adapter using 3D printing technology. The design itself is freely available via website Thingiverse and, discounting the printer, the cost of creating the Ear Adapter is only approximately $35, all of which goes toward purchasing raw material.
Now, another report demonstrates the increasing consumer potential of 3D printing technology. Geek.com's Ray Walters reports that a research scientist in Indiana, Shane Graber, has used his personal 3D printer to create several fish-breeding apparatuses, each of which cost significantly less than the retail value for comparable devices.
According to the news source, Graber was able to create customized brine shrimp hatcheries and sponge filters with his MakerBot printer. The devices cost approximately $3 and $2 each, respectively. If he were to purchase them in a store, the cost would be approximately $15 each, the news source reports.
Additionally, because the items are created based on designs on Graber's computer, he can modify future models as need be without adding any further cost. To order a customized model from a retailer would cost much more, as the manufacturer, using conventional methods, would have to charge a higher rate, or print a large number models to justify the cost of creation.
Of course, as the source notes, Graber was only able to produce these cheap models after purchasing a 3D printer for several hundred or thousand dollars. However, if he creates enough of the items, either for himself or to sell, he will eventually recoup his expenditure and begin to save money, or make a profit.
It often seems that there may be no limit to the types of object that may be created by using 3D printing technology. 3D printers have been used to make hearing aids, industrial parts and jewelry, among many other products.
Now, it is safe to add reproductions of the human brain to that list.
Accurate and edible
The Daily Mail's Rob Waugh reports that Andy Milns, a London-based 3D printing expert, has created, and then eaten, an accurate replica of his own brain.
To create the model, Milns first made a 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of his head. Using 3D imaging programming, experts fed this map of his brain into a computer, creating a 3D image of Milns' brain. This scan was then used to print a palm-sized 3D latex mold of the brain.
Milns filled the model with liquid chocolate and cooled it in a refrigerator. Hours later, Milns consumed the miniature version of his brain.
"I've been involved in some weird 3D projects over the years, but eating my own chocolate brain was one of the most bizarre," said Milns.
3D printing and the human body
While this incident represents one of the more unusual applications of 3D printing, it is far from the first time the technology has been used to create replicas of human body parts. Orchid Design, for example, has used Objet 3D printers to improve its production of orthopedic devices, including a variety of bone models. The better quality and reduced production time offered by 3D printing allowed Orchid to significantly increase its efficiency and capabilities for creating prototypes.
In the past, 3D printing was used almost exclusively in the manufacturing and machining industries, its usefulness limited by the large size and high cost of most 3D printers. In recent years, however, developments in the field have resulted in much greater availability and applicability of the technology. Now, printers for individuals and businesses are more affordable. Some professional-quality Objet 3D printers, for example, cost less than $20,000, and personal MakerBot printers can be found for as little as $1,200.
As 3D printing has become more widespread, its applications have increased. As several recent reports highlighted, users are developing a variety of creative ways to utilize 3D printing technology.
Print your own earbud headphones
One such innovation is a headphone adapter for earbuds. As Digital Trends reports, JC Karich, a Paris-based designer, has developed the Ear Adapter, a basic frame into which users can plug their earbuds. This way, users can switch between earbuds and headphones instantly, depending on the particular situation.
Since users print the headphones themselves, they can customize them to suit their personal color tastes and size preferences. According to Digital Trends, the design for printing Ear Adapters is available for free on the website Thingiverse, so aside from the printer, interested individuals need only purchase approximately $35 worth of parts.
Star Wars memorabilia
On the more commercial side, Forbes reports that Disney World is using 3D printing technology to offer Star Wars fans a unique piece of memorabilia. In honor of Star Wars Weekend, Disney World has created a means of allowing fans to create their own versions of the movie's iconic carbonite statue.
In "Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back," Han Solo is frozen and his body stored in Jabba's palace. Now, Disney World is using 3D imaging and 3D printing to create similar models based on fans' likenesses.
Earlier this month, Pocket-Lint's Stuart Miles reported on a British company that produces personalized super hero action figures. Customers send in photos of themselves that the company then renders using 3D computer-aided design (CAD) technology. Technicians at the company then use 3D printing to create a model of the customer's head, which can then be grafted onto the body of his or her favorite super hero action figure.
Now, Bloomberg Businessweek's Venessa Wong reports that an American company is also using 3D printing to create action figures, albeit with a very different business model.
Wong reports that Herobuilders.com, a company based in Oxford, Connecticut, uses 3D printing to create action figure models of short-term celebrities. Past models include former U.S. Representative Anthony Weiner, cast members from the television show "Jersey Shore" and socialite Michaele Salahi.
Most recently, the company created a doll designed to resemble Patricia Krentcil, the so-called "tanning mom" who recently entered the news cycle after being accused of taking her six-year-old daughter to a tanning salon, which resulted in burns on the child. The doll, called a "Tanorexic Action Figure," sells on the company's website for $29.95.
The company is able to turn a profit from novelty figures of short-lived celebrities due to the rapid production offered by 3D printing. Whereas conventional doll creation requires manufacturers to develop an injection mold and then use plastic injection, which is slow and cost effective only on a large scale, 3D printing has virtually no incremental cost and requires no molds. This means the company can design and print dolls very quickly and to order, allowing the company to capitalize on brief news trends.
Wong reports that, in addition to pre-designed celebrities, the company also offers customized 3D printed creations, made to resemble any individual. These cost $375 for the first doll and $39.95 for subsequent copies.
As this company proves, anyone can take advantage of the customization of 3D printing. Some Objet 3D printers, for example, are small enough to fit on a user's desk{,} and can print a wide range of prototypes or life models.
Recent years have seen tremendous developments in the field of additive manufacturing. Once limited to major industrial projects, advances in 3D printing have significantly increased the accessibility and applicability of the technology. Now, virtually anyone can acquire and use 3D printing to create a range of items.
TJ McCue, writing for Forbes, recently noted that these developments may mean that additive manufacturing can provide a major boost for startups and entrepreneurs.
Typically, startup companies experience serious financial difficulties in their early years. It is extremely costly to start a business, and usually requires the owner or owners to borrow large sums of money. As a result, startups struggle to find sufficient operating capital in their first few years.
That is why additive manufacturing can be such a boon for startups and struggling businesses. Additive manufacturing technology, such as Objet 3D printers, can be acquired for as little as several thousand dollars, and yet are capable of producing a huge range of products. In recent months, reports have surfaced detailing 3D printers used to create furniture, chocolates, customized action figures and much more.
3D printers can also be used for rapid prototyping. Traditionally, creating a prototype of a part was a time-consuming process. The company would have to develop a mold before producing the object, followed by machining and other finishing stages, all of which could take weeks. If a flaw was discovered, the process would need to begin again.
Rapid prototyping allows companies to develop prototypes significantly faster. No molds are needed - rather, the creator uses 3D computer-aided design (CAD) software to design the item. "If you have an existing company, it doesn’t take much to add a rapid prototyping machine into the mix," McCue wrote.
For many years now, 3D printing has helped manufacturers and designers develop parts and machines for the industrial sector. In recent times, however, the technology has become significantly more scalable, affordable and easy to use. Consequently, the applications for 3D printing have expanded greatly. By using Objet 3D printers and other related technology, companies in a wide-range of sectors, including chemistry, consumer goods and medicine, can improve their prototyping and production capabilities.
Now, the applicability and availability of 3D printing is on the verge of expanding even further, according to Opinno's Cal Pierce.
3D printing and small outfits
According to Pierce, the advent of personal 3D printer technology allows amateurs and small outfits to design and produce innovative creations.
This trend can best be seen in the rise of open source-based 3D printing communities, Pierce reports. One website, thingverse.com, operates as a forum and archive for blueprints for 3D models. Users can develop and share their own designs, comment on each others and overall improve the available pool of 3D printing models. The success of this website and other communities significantly enhances the potential value of personal 3D printers, which will likely contribute to their continued rise to prominence.
3D printing, self-replication and printed circuits
Further emphasizing the role of community and small outfits in 3D printing is the group RepRap.org. This group's purpose is to create a self-replicating manufacturing machine. To achieve that end, the group welcomes anyone to contribute to its website, offering insight and recommendations.
As a part of this effort, the group has experimented with, and achieved some success, printing circuit boards. This and other efforts demonstrate the increasing availability of 3D printing and related technology.
By using 3D printing, a U.K. company can now offer customers the chance to see themselves as their favorite superheroes.
The company, Firebox, is a retailer specializing in novelty toys and gadgets. According to Pocket-Lint, the firm can create action figures of Batman, Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Batgirl or Superman, with one key twist: a customer can replace his chosen superhero's face with his own.
Becoming a super hero
To create these personalized action figures, Firebox asks customers to send in two photos of themselves, one in profile, one direct. The company then uses 3D imaging software to create a 3D model of the customer, including facial shape, eye color, skin tone and hair style. The head is then produced using 3D printers.
Lastly, the head is shipped to the customer, along with a traditional action figure. According to Pocket-Lint, it is a simple process to remove the pre-existing head and replace it with one's own.
The customized action figures retail for £80.
3D printing and customized toys
3D printing is the key to Firebox's personalized action figures. Traditionally, toys such as these are created using large-scale injection mold technology. While cheap in large quantities, this process is cost prohibitive when it comes to small batches or individual items.
3D printing, however, is extremely scalable. Rather than creating an entirely new mold, every new model simply requires an adjustment of the 3D design programming.
While Firebox may be the first company offering personalized superhero action figures, 3D printed toys are not new. Designworks Windsor, for example, has used Objet 3D printers to create accurate, detailed models of classic science-fiction figures, such as the Cybermen from the television program, "Dr. Who."
At the most basic level, 3D printing technology offers two primary advantages: reduced costs and a greater degree of customization. There are many other benefits, but none as pronounced or significant as these two.
These aspects of 3D printing were recently highlighted by Ashlee Vance of Bloomberg Businessweek, who profiled Scott Summit and his custom prosthetic creations.
3D printed prosthetic limbs: a cheaper solution
By using 3D computer-aided design software and 3D printing, Summit is able to create inexpensive, customized prosthetic legs, feet and shins. The limbs, made of sturdy yet flexible plastic, cost significantly less than traditional prosthetics - about $6,500, whereas conventional models can cost as much as $75,000.
Despite the lower price tag, Vance notes that the 3D printed limbs include all of the features of traditionally-crafted models, such as flexible ankle joints.
Personalized creations
Perhaps even more significant than the 3D printed limbs affordability is their degree of personalization. Because the limbs are created individually with 3D imaging software and a 3D printer, rather than on a large-scale with injection molding or vacuum forming, the prosthesis can be customized more easily than conventional models. For example, Summit notes that he recently worked on a leg designed to incorporate the aesthetics of a Porsche 911, as per the client's request.
3D printing and medicine
In recent years, 3D printers have been increasingly used for medical-related purposes, due largely to the precision, speed and customization the devices offer. Orchid Design, for example, recently began using SolidWorks CAD software and Objet 3D printers to rapidly prototype orthopedic devices. By speeding up the prototyping process by approximately 2,000 percent, Orchid Design is able to experiment with a greater range of devices, improving the overall quality of the items produced.