Looking back at the 3D Printing Event in Eindhoven
Yesterday I visited the one-day 3D Printing Event that ran as part of the Dutch Design Week (22-30 Oct) in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. I was there to catch a glimpse of what others were doing with 3D printing and how it was being used by the public at home.
The event attracted companies like Ultimaker, A1 Technologies and Origo amongst many others to showcase their latest ideas and products to the public. 3D printing at home was set as the main theme of the event and the adequate printing machines were there to showcase their quality and possibilities.
Clearly present was the Dutch based company Ultimaker who managed to impress with their fast and qualitative kit 3D printers. They are great contributors to the spreading of 3D printing at home in which they might help to stimulate that much-needed price drop that thousands of hungry home designers are waiting for. Whatever your opinion on the price of an affordable 3D printer may be, one thing is sure… they are definitely a company to follow as they continue to improve the quality and speed of their hardware.
The Ultimaker 3D Printer can be yours from €1,194
Several Ultimakers were on display at the 3D Printing Event
As an alternative to the complex world of 3D CAD software packages, we found London based A1 Technologies who presented their own easier to use solutions. What caught my attention was their Falcon 3D Haptic Arm. It took a while to get used to as I have a traditional 3D design background, but I can see how with a bit of practice great designs can come out of it.
The Falcon 3D Haptic Arm in action
What also stood out for me was the evolution-based EndlessForms project by Cornell University where you create new and innovative shapes without the need for any training or skill in 3D modeling. Even though the available shapes are quite basic at this moment, I see great potential for further development.
And last but not least, we found our old friend and ex-colleague Joris Peels present at the event as co-founder of Origo: an interesting project that could change the way your kids get their playful hands on their future toys.
I can only continue to wish all those present at the event the best of luck in their future endeavors as they continue to play an important role in bringing 3D printing that extra step closer to your home.
And for those of you who still wouldn’t have their own 3D printer at home, no worries… There is always the option of getting your designs 3D printed at i.materialise within a wide range of materials that provide you with a great amount of creative freedom.
