API Evangelist Blog

Thre3ds 3d Printing Directory

Posted on 07-01-2013

The site operates at a meta-level above manufacturer and resellers sites, providing an ability to compare offerings in a consistent manner.For example, if youre interested in obtaining a spool of Laywoo-D3 wood filament, THRE3D can instantly provide a comparison of prices from half a dozen sellers.Prices appear to be converted into USD dollars for accurate comparison.From there you can jump to the sellers site and make a purchase. Listings can be rated, compared and sorted in several ways, making it easy to find the right item.

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Put a Kap on That Glass: 3D Printing Privacy

Posted on 07-01-2013

After surreptitiously 3D scanning a museum artifact with Google Glass Todd Blatt is now playing the devils advocate by providing a 3D printed cap to cover the lens of Google Glass and ensure the privacy of those around the wearer.The GlassKap Kickstarter campaign is a range of accessories for Google Glass to either give those around the wearer privacy, or make explicit that the glass is On Air and may be recording or even streaming what the wearer is currently seeing.Along with the GlassKap, the product range also includes a few less functional and more fun items such as a wearable planter, pencil holder and laser sight. Although this is a playful response to the privacy issues surrounding google glass, it is also indicative of what is possible with 3D printing, to embed smart devices into almost any 3D printed product. Glass is starting to become a recognizable form that may indicate that you...

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Industrial Designer 3D Prints a Broom Stick Into a Floor Lamp

Posted on 07-01-2013

Why clean when you can illuminate?New York based industrial designer Christian Stolarz has designed two elegantly simple components for 3D printing that transform an every day broom stick into a beautiful lamp. I was unhappy with the lighting situation in my house, thank god Im a designer and able to fix this situation!Just as Sprout, designed by Egant converted a plastic milk jug into an easy to use watering can, the Broom Stick Floor Lamp combines a few items you may already have lying around your home to transform them to more than the sum of its parts.The 3D printed parts fit standard broomsticks with a 23.

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3D Printing and Painting - Together At Last

Posted on 07-01-2013

Artist Ioan Florea has developed a new technique for linking the new technology of 3D printing with the ancient art of painting.The recent immigrant to the USA has developed a line of fast dry oil pants, but were most interested in the way in which he integrated 3D printing. The process begins with the production of several organic 3D shapes, printed on a Solidoodle 3.These shapes are then placed on a canvas using the new process.Florea says, The custom transfer to canvas involves resin fusing -curing (but not UV curing).

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A 3D Printing Revolution in South Africa

Posted on 06-29-2013

An event featuring several notable 3D print designers is to take place in Johannesburg on July 6th.The event, Agents of the 3D Revolution Exhibition and Seminar, is put on by, of course, Agents of the 3D Revolution, a new group formed to promote use of 3D technology in South Africa. The group includes Dr.Michaella Janse van Vuuren, whose works we featured as our Design of the Week last December. On the speaking schedule, the event includes a number of speakers from academia focusing on digital product design and also Joshua Harker, who designed the famous Crania Anatomica skull print.

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Optomec’s Mini Metal Printer

Posted on 06-28-2013

In the world of 3D printing, bigger really is better, but New Mexico-based Optomec plans to take things in a different direction. The company will bring selective laser sintering down to the micro scale with their new Laser Engineered Net Shaping printer.Originally created at Sandia National Labs for use by the military and aerospace industry, the LENS 450 printer has just a 100x100x100mm (3.94x3.94x3.

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Windows 8.1 Incorporates 3D Printing

Posted on 06-27-2013

You know that something is becoming mainstream when it shows up in Microsoft Windows - and thats precisely whats happened in the most recent release of Windows, 8.1.Does this mean any Windows computer can now 3D print?Not exactly - this announcement is really for software developers. Microsoft announced a set of standard APIs for 3D printing.

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Cube 3D Printers hit retail shelves at Staples

Posted on 06-27-2013

Staples is the first major U.S.retailer to announce the availability of this innovative technology that lets you create fully formed objects in your home or small business.The Cube is an awesome and beautiful 3D printer that is easy to use and ready to plug in and play.Have you seen the Cube printer at a Staples store near you?

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Microsoft Moves to Simplify 3-D Printing

Posted on 06-26-2013

The ad, in 2003, told a tale of how the joys of Christmas morning could be threatened.To get his new digital camera to work, a father might spend all day downloading Windows-compatible drivers — not exactly a great way to spend the holiday.If today’s hot new technology, 3-D printers, starts showing up under Christmas trees this year, Microsoft has begun a pre-emptive strike against any such criticism.It announced that the newest version of the company’s operating system, Windows 8.1, will be the first to include built-in support for 3-D printers.

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