API Evangelist Blog
Research: 3D Printing and Manufacturing with Google
Posted on 04-25-2011
I'm watching the future of manufacturing and printing unfold slowly in front of us. I'm paying attention to 3D printing solutions evolving from companies like Shapeways, MakerBot, Materialise, ZCorp, and Objet. At the same time I'm involved with the rollout of Google Cloud Print Services Interface, an API for managing printing to any printer over the Internet. I'm using Google Docs as a publishing platform, integrating Google Cloud Print with the Mimeo Connect API and evolving whats possible with commercial cloud printing. Google has added support for many more native file formats in Google Docs. Now all they need to do is add support for common 3D printing file formats: .stl - STL is a file format native to the stereolithography CAD software created by 3D Systems. .iges - The Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES) (pronounced eye-jess) defines a neutral data format that allows the digital exchange of information among...
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Open Source Manufacturing, Web APIs, and 3-D Printing
Posted on 04-11-2011
I just finished reading, Will 3-D Printing End Mass Manufacturing, on Mashable. I also had a link to an open source manufacturing site bookmarked from a couple months ago. And of course I live and breathe Web APIs on a daily basis. So after reading all this, my mind starts thinking about open source manufacturing processes bundled with open web APIs, and the future of 3-D printing and / or manufacturing. Open Source Manufacturing - Open source manufacturing lets you download hardware, blue-prints, and instructions for any potential manufacturing process. Web-APIs - An interface that allows application developers to build on top of data or another application. 3-D Printing -3D printing is a form of additive manufacturing technology where a three dimensional object is created by laying down successive layers of material. When you start thinking of this in terms of local, cottage style manufacturing, I can see lots ofpossibilities....
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Manufacturing: 3D Printing a Nylon Bicycle
Posted on 03-07-2011
Engineers in the UK are using 3D printing with a nylon powder to create a really cool, futuristic bicycle.
Guided by a computer-aided design program, a laser fuses together several layers of finely powdered metal, nylon or plastic.
The laser melts the powder, which solidifies according to a chosen pattern. Then more powder is added, melting and solidifying to add layer upon layer until the object is fully formed.
Its just a prototype of whats possible with current 3D printing and manufacturing technology.
Here are some other things I've seen come off the 3D assembly line lately:
Space Stations
Architecture
Body Parts
Food
It seems like every week I'm seeing something new in the 3D printing and manufacturing space.
3D printing combined with web APIs are going to revolutionize manufacturing in the next couple years.
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Art: 3D Printing Fixes Art Treasures
Posted on 02-14-2011
In 2007 the popular statue Rodin's Thinker was stolen from the Singer Laren museum and damaged while the thieves were trying to destroy and sell it for scrap metal.
At the request of the museum, a team of 3D printers at Materialise, took 3D scans of the damaged statue to assist in repairs.
Using of of their Materialize 3D printing machines, the largest 3D printer in the world, they created a mold that was used to restore the statue.
An interesting example of how 3D printing is not just for creating new works, it can repair historic artifacts as well.
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Overview: 3D Printing and Manufacturing
Posted on 11-28-2010
As the Mimeo Connect Cloud Print API Evangelist, I get asked why I would be an evangelist for technology in a dying industry. Print and Publishing. My primary argument is: Through new technology such as cloud computing, social media, and mobile the print and publishing industry will be redefined. We won't even recognize it as the old beast. One example of this is Shapeways. Shapeways turns 3D designs and drawings to tangible products through 3D printing. You can choose from their pre-defined creators to build proven products, partner with other designers to create a product or upload your own designs to the Shapeways platform. Shapeways will check your 3D model that you upload to make sure it can be printed properly before sending to their production facility. Once in production, the 3D model in your digital file will be printed layer by layer using one of four 3D printing machines...
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bit.ly API contest - Building Block Showcase
Posted on 10-23-2010
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Holding an API contest is a great way to spur innovation around your API and its community. bit.ly is a popular URL shortening service that offers an API as part of its core software-as-a-service. In January 2009 it held a successful API contest and is looking to do it again with a new bit.ly API contest. The prizes offered:: 1st prize - Makerbot Thing-O-Matic 3D Printer 2nd prize - 1TB USB hard drive enclosed in a vintage nintendo game (Zelda, Metroid, etc) 3rd prize - Set of BuckyBalls magnetic building spheres bit.ly encourages developer to be creative and come up with unexpected uses, but it also plants a few ideas that the company woul'd like to see developers work on. There are a lot of developers that may know about your API, but not actively involved. Your developers may need a little bit of motivation to get them working. An...
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