3D Printed Robotics 3D printing itself is a practical application in robotics. Using a microcontroller, an extruder is directed over a surface, creating a print. Along with itself being an electro-mechanical system, in many ways a 3D printer is uniquely designed for constructing the mechanical parts for other electro-mechanical devices. Delta printers, like Altair, are [...]
As the new year begins, it's worth considering the projects that you've finished over the past 365 days. Some may only be half-complete, or put in the "it was a good idea at the time" pile, but no matter. It was worth a shot. Let's look to the future–what new things are there to print, or new [...]
When it comes to consumer printers, there are two major technologies that drive the printing process: stereolithography (SLA) and fused deposition modeling (FDM, also known as fused filament fabrication, or FFF). Both methods deposit polymers in two significantly different ways: SLA uses a photosensitive resin which "cures" when exposed to light (usually ultraviolet), while FDM heats [...]
The trend in museums taking advantage of 3D printing continues! Like the Metropolitan Museum, the British Museum and 3D printing seem to be a great combination for patrons and printers alike. Earlier this month the British Museum worked in conjunction with Sketchfab to provide a variety of models of their artifacts. This opens up a number [...]
Although it's impossible to tell how long ago the first musical instrument was created, the fact that music and culture have been intertwined for millennia is indisputable. Making instruments has been done since prehistory. The modern-day maker's tools are different, but creating instruments of beauty still has the same draw. It's logical that one of the newer, [...]
On November 20th, a small step was taken by an organization known for it's giant leaps. NASA, working in conjunction with Made in Space, deployed it's first 3D printer in space. This technology is interesting because of the special constraints a zero-g, enclosed environment poses for earthbound printers. Gravity has been an essential force in [...]
It's that time of year again. It's colder, you can see images of Santa Claus and reindeer everywhere, and there's the pressing question of what to get so-and-so for the holiday season. While you could go to the store, or shop around for what to order online, there's always the option of making something yourself. [...]
It may seem odd, but paper airplanes have their own niche. There are books, design patterns, and now a 3D printed paper airplane machine gun. Dieter Krone seems to have cornered that niche in many ways, focusing on this unlikely, yet universal, do-it-yourself topic. The Mechanics of a Paper Airplane Machine Gun The paper airplane [...]
3D printing food? Yup, that's right. Like the replicators in Star Trek, machines that make you pizza or chocolate will soon become a reality. Food safe printers have their own set of technical hurdles that have needed to be passed to be consumer ready. Despite these constraints, food printing is already coming to market as a [...]
Agriculture and ingenuity have always had a relationship based around one basic idea: how do we feed ourselves? Well, it turns out that 3D printing has brought about some significant innovations related to mass production and labor, two things that are particularly important to food production. How we feed ourselves is changing, and 3D printing [...]
