Two new videos have been posted Vimeo page or our video page:
A simple example of shelling:
Two basic mesh repairs examples:
Also check out the updated status page on MeshUp's progress.
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Future power plant = plants
Posted by: cherie | Comment (0)Tagged in: technology, digital revolution, bioprinting, 3D printing
Photosynthesis. A relatively simple but highly efficient process of plants using sunlight to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen, which produces electrons and creates sugars for the plants growth and reproduction. Plants have evolved this process to a near 100% efficiency -- every photon of sunlight is converted to an equal number of electrons.
To date, even though the sun is the most abundant source of energy on the planet, humans harvest only a small fraction and convert it into energy. Researchers at the University of Georgia have found a way to tap into the plants photosynthesis process and capture the electrons before the plant can convert them into sugars. While this work is still in its infancy they do predict that in the near future it could be possible to power remote sensors or other lower powered portable electronic equipment.
But if we imagine beyond this -- what about man made objects that have the intelligence and ability for photosynthesis, such as the vision of the artist Vivien Muller below. Pretty cool, but let's go another step beyond this. One of the areas where there is much R&D in the 3D printing industry is in material science. And not just to produce better plastics, powered metals and even glass,but to use 3D printers with natural materials and for the creation of meta materials. Regenerative medicine is certainly pushing the boundaries here, and will stand to make massive changes to in the human existence. Some researchers are even using 3D printers to produce synthetic meat. In addition, imagine using this same technology to print synthetic wood, even synthetic trees and plants - a forest. It will could look exactly like a natural forest (this would be up to the designer of course), with the addition of electrical plugs.
Far fetched? Less so then you might think.
The possibility of this future is partially what inspired Uformia to develop our new geometric kernel and subsequent tools. In fact if anyone has seen Turlif speak during the last few years, you have heard these ideas before.
So, why all the fuss over the 3D printed gun when we have things like this to discuss?
Via Slashdot
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The first Maker Faire in southern Germany is taking place on the 20th/21st April in Munich. Like all other maker faires, the idea is A two-day, family-friendly festival of invention, creativity and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker movement.
Our friends at i.materialise will be there as well, with a booth and delivering lectures on both days.
If you are in the area, we highly recommend checking it out.
Via: i.materialise
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This was one of Think Geek's April Fool's joke products, but who wouldn't love this printer! Hoping this inspires someone to develop it - in fact what a great Kickstarter project.
Via: Think Geek
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Tuan TranPham Infographics and Predictions
Posted by: cherie | Comment (0)Tagged in: 3d scanning, 3D printing
Tuan TranPham, 3D printing evangelist from Stratasys, has a new set of infographics and predictions for 2013.
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Via: Tuan TranPham
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Mcor and Staples Team Up To Offer 3D Printing Service
Posted by: cherie | Comment (0)Tagged in: news, 3D printing
We are very excited to see Mcor and Staples team up to offer a new 3D printing service, which is a huge stride in bringing 3D printing to the masses. Mcor is of course the perfect 3D printing company for Staples print division to partner with, as Mcor printers are the only ones which use standard office paper as the build material. This service, "Staples Easy 3D", will allow people to upload their models to the Staples website and have their object either mailed to them or picked up at a Staples location. The initial rollout is set for early 2013 in Belgium and the Netherlands, with other countries to follow.
This service will have access to Mcor's new full color IRIS printer, which if you have not already seen, is printing some impressive objects such as this skull.
Via: Mcor
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Uformia is pleased to announce our involvement with an upcoming company, IN3D, who installed their first 3D printer, the EnvisionTEC Ultra in Furuflaten. We think this might be the most northern commercial grade printer in the world @ 69.44140, 20.15407.
The soon to be launched company is a new collaboration with Frode Eldevik @ Eldevik Industridesign, where Frode covers the hardware side of 3D printing needs, and IN3D provides the 3D printing services to our own industrial area, as well as to the north of Norway, and beyond. IN3D will offer engineering, industrial design and 3D printing services, specifically skilled in using Uformia's software.
Everyone involved would like to thank the following companies for their generous support of this project:
Sametinget, Lyngen Kommune, Intek Lyngen, and many of the local industrial companies in Furuflaten: Ecotech, Haplast, Alu-Plast, Furstål, Akva-Ren, and ArcticPlast.
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One of the first build jobs in action. |
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Finansavisen's article on Uformia
Posted by: cherie | Comment (0)Tagged in: press, news, events, 3D printing
Andreas Klemsdal at Finansavisen (one of the top business newspapers in Norway) recently wrote a follow-up article on Uformia (the original was posted in October 2010). What follows is an excerpt and a rough translation.
The Economist predicts that industrial production will slowly move back to the western world as any business can produce goods by using a three-dimensional printer. Forbes magazine says that the U.S. will be self-sufficient in goods such as clothing and shoes within five years. The sale of 3D printers has tripled in the past year.
In the small northern Norwegian village of Furuflaten sits Americans Cherie Stamm and Turlif Vilbrandt, with the mighty Lyngen Alps directly outside their office. They came here to climb mountains, but spend all their time trying to climb to the top of an industry that is now emerging. The two founders are working around the clock to spread their software that will improve opportunities for designing three-dimensional elements.
Tradeshow in London
The 3D printing industry will have its first big trade show in England's capital.
- It is the first major show bringing together designers, students, industry, artists, anyone interested in 3D printing.
"For us it is a perfect way to introduce ourselves," says Cherie Stamm.
- "Among other events, there will be a fashion show with clothes made of 3D printers and exhibitions of 3D printed art," says Turlif Vilbrandt.
25 years of research
Uformia has developed software for anyone who works with 3D design on a computer, especially those wanting to take these designs out to a 3D printer. According to the founders, Uformia's platform is mathematically perfect and therefore can describe all three dimensional forms without limitations.
-"Our software understands the whole object," say a committed Vilbrandt. Uformia is based on 25 years of research, but until now computers have not been fast enough to take advantage of this knowledge. Today our programmers reside in Australia, UK, Russia, Japan and the United States and they all work to further develop Uformia's products."
Northern Norway vs New York
- How long can you hold out in Furuflaten/Tromso?
- "We will probably look at the possibility of having two bases. As we grow, it will be necessary to recruit talent and we must look at the possibility of having an office in London, New York or California. But we will always have a base in northern Norway", said Stamm.
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3D Printing Matrix
Posted by: cherie | Comment (0)Tagged in: technology, digital revolution, 3D printing
Tuan Tranpham created this matrix showing the current 3D printing world (scanning, software, service bureau and printing) which is correlated with consumer and industrial categories. A nice snapshot of the moment.
(Cllick the image to see the larger version.)
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With the help of Materialise and their Mammoth stereolithography machines, the first race car has been 3D printed (most but not all parts). The car, Areion, is made of bio-composite materials and has an electric drive train. It can achieve zero to 100km/h in four seconds.
Check out the full story and videos on the Materialise blog.
via Slashdot, Materialise
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