This Week in 3D PrintersOpps, I've left this to the last day. I've been busy catching up on sleep and visiting friends at other universities. I didn't realise how much I really missed them. I've also been spending less time on my computer, which has been nice on my eyes, but I am way behind on my RT feed. And now back to your scheduled program. Choosing what to use from the last 3 weeks has been difficult because I've just become so swamped with stories. As a result, I've had to cut a lot of stories which would have usually gotten a mention, and even then I'm still behind.

Today's top story is is a radical method of 3D printing which reporters are calling Anti-Gravity Objec...

This Week in 3D PrintersOpps, I've left this to the last day. I've been busy catching up on sleep and visiting friends at other universities. I didn't realise how much I really missed them. I've also been spending less time on my computer, which has been nice on my eyes, but I am way behind on my RT feed. And now back to your scheduled program. Choosing what to use from the last 3 weeks has been difficult because I've just become so swamped with stories. As a result, I've had to cut a lot of stories which would have usually gotten a mention, and even then I'm still behind.

Today's top story is is a radical method of 3D printing which reporters are calling Anti-Gravity Object Modelling. Most 3D printed objects are created on regular or horizontal surfaces. However, this new robotic 3D printer, titled Mataerial, can build solid objects on any given working surface independently of its inclination and smoothness, and without a need of additional support structures. The process is a form of extrusion that instantly creates chunky three-dimensional rods, rather than slowly building up two-dimensional layers like a standard 3D printer.


Conventional methods of additive manufacturing are affected, and rely upon, both by gravity and printing environment: creation of 3D objects on irregular, or non-horizontal surfaces has so far been treated as impossible . By using innovative extrusion technology the developers (Petr Novikov, Saša Jokić and Joris Laarman Studio) are able to, in a manner of speaking, neutralise the effect of gravity during the course of the printing process. One of the key innovations of anti-gravity object modelling is the use of thermosetting polymers instead of thermoplastics that are used in existing 3D printers. A chemical reaction between the two components of the thermosetting polymer causes the material to solidify as it comes out of the nozzle, making it possible to print hanging curves. This method gives the flexibility to create truly natural objects by making 3D curves instead of 2D layers.


The desired shape is created by user in CAD software and then transformed into 3d curves describing the shape which are then converted into movement paths for the robotic arm. The thickness of the printed curve can be scaled down to less than a millimeter and can be adjusted during the printing process, by changing the speed of the movement. Colors can be injected in the nozzle in CMYK mode that allows changing of the curve color throughout the printing process.


With Mataerial's method of combining 3D curves to create surfaces and objects, it is claimed, to have more control over the fabrication process than typical 2D layering methods. Additionally, unlike 2D layers that are ignorant to the structure of the object, the 3D curves can follow exact stress lines of a custom shape.
This machine is also very similar to the 3Doodler, a pen that can "print" 3D doodles in mid-air.


Links:
www.mataerial.com/
http://disrupt3d.com/2013/05/17/support-structures-needed-anti-gravity-object-modeling-mataerial-video-demonstration/
www.3ders.org/articles/20130517-mataerial-3...
http://www.dezeen.com/2013/05/17/mataerial-3d-printer-by-petr-novikov-sasa-jokic-and-joris-laarman-studio/
www.the3doodler.com/

Noteworthy Articles
Shape-It-Up lets designers manipulate 3D shapes using hand gestures
The tool, called Shape-It-Up, recognise hand gestures and movement using a Kinect. With their hands, the user can create shapes in a computer by pushing; pulling; or bending a virtual object, which is then displayed on a large-screen monitor. I'll explain the rest through images.




Ultimarker — Augmented Reality Converges with 3D Printing
Combining augmented reality technology with 3D printers, you can see a virtual representation of your design in situation as it's being printed. The example they've used is of flowers being digitally displayed inside a vase as the vase itself is being printed.


3D Printing Intervertebral Discs
Researchers at Cornell University are using 3D printing with their development into replacing intervertebral discs, a layer of cartilage separating adjacent vertebrae in the spine. Currently they have successfully been tested on rats, and future products for humans will eliminate modern techniques which can cause further damage to the adjacent discs.



See you next week
Jcach out