3D Systems buys Bits from Bytes
3D Systems was built on Stereolithography technology. The technology was invented by 3D Systems CTO Chuck Hull in 1986. Right now 3D Systems still is the leading player on the Stereolithography field. But, 3D Systems did not just keep to Sterolithography but rather expanded into SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) machines also. Last year it was 3D Systems that bought the assets of the defunct Desktop Factory. I”m still unsure what 3D Systems wants to do with this technology but former Desktop Factory CEO Cathy Lewis is turning out to be quite an asset in making the company more accessible and well known.
3D Systems has spent the last year acquiring 3D printing service bureaus the world over from specialised ones that do investment casting such as Mqast to regular service bureaus. It is cobbling them together in order to develop a network with one web based 3D printing service called ProParts. With lower material costs than other service bureaus and nice deals on the machines I’
Federico Diaz: Geometric Death Frequency 141 & lacrimAu
Frederico Diaz is a gift artist and designer and his newest work Geometric Death Frequency is simply astounding. It will be made up of 420,000 black spheres and completely assembled by machine not touched by human hands. This installation for the MASS MoCA is based on a photograph, “by the artist, which the artist then transforms into pure data, and modulates using analytical and fluid dynamic modeling techniques, finally rendering the data stream into a three-dimensional sculpture using state-of-the-art computer-aided manufacturing methodologies. The new work thus combines elements of photographic manipulation, data analysis, and computer programming, utilizing new techniques to produce a sculpture completely untouched by human hands.” There is much more on DesignBoom.
Frederico Diaz, has another exhibition on right now for the EXPO Shanghai. With lacrimAU he lets visitors enter a glass chamber and then with a pipette collect their own unique fragrance capturing their unique en
3D printing spare parts using Alumide
You might have heard the expression “eat your own dogfood” that refers to having companies consume their own products in some way. At i.materialise we have an expensive camera tripod. A lever that you use to adjust the height of the camera broke off. We were unable to obtain a replacement and so we asked a colleague Staf if he would be so kind enough as to 3D model a replacement lever. We 3D printed it using an EOS p700 machine 3D printing Alumide and were able to replace the part at very low cost without leaving the building. The lever is functional and although the Alumide material, a combination of aluminum and thermoplastic powder, can be brittle the part is strong enough to do service as a lever. You can see some wear but the lever thingy has now been functioning for two years.
