Rapid Ready Roundup: Manufacturing Innovation Institutes, MakerBot, 3D Medical and Zelda
In the course of my diligent efforts to keep you good people up to date on the state of additive manufacturing (AM), I come across many interesting news items. I’ll gather them up every so often and present them in a Rapid Ready Roundup (like this one). You can find the last Roundup here.
Let’s start this Roundup with an update from the US government about its manufacturing initiative. Apparently NAMII has been considered a success, as the White House has announced the launch of competitions for three new manufacturing innovation institute sites. This represents $200 million in additional funding for the project and President Obama has continued to call for congress to approve the investment of $1 billion to complete 15 sites nationally. Continue reading
Recreating Vintage Spacecraft
For the first time, Europe has had the chance to see the hardware and technology behind some of NASA’s projects. Called “NASA: A Human Adventure,” the exhibition, which launched in January 2011, has assembled a collection of instruments, artifacts, and spacecraft.
NASA’s space exploration equipment has moved from Stockholm, Sweden to Madrid, Spain, and to Istanbul, Turkey, through the space act agreement. White Room Artifacts used a variety of materials and processes, including 3D printed models produced by Solid Concepts, to manufacture the necessary pieces. Continue reading
Rapid Ready Roundup: State Department, Printers for Peace, Food and Star Trek
In the course of my diligent efforts to keep you good people up to date on the state of additive manufacturing (AM), I come across many interesting news items. I’ll gather them up every so often and present them in a Rapid Ready Roundup (like this one). You can find the last Roundup here.
If you follow AM news you’ll almost certainly be aware of the controversy surrounding Defense Distributed’s successful firing of a 3D printed firearm. The US State Department apparently heard about it as well and sent the company a takedown order, along with a suggestion the “Liberator” breaks international gun control laws. Continue reading
Rapid Ready Roundup: KamerMaker, Organovo, Custom Speakers and Tonearms
In the course of my diligent efforts to keep you good people up to date on the state of additive manufacturing (AM), I come across many interesting news items. I’ll gather them up every so often and present them in a Rapid Ready Roundup (like this one). You can find the last Roundup here.
Let’s begin today’s Roundup by building on past work. The era of 3D printed homes may soon be upon us. Innovators have taken a number of different approaches to the idea, and Netherlands-based KamerMaker is another process looking to provide you with shelter. Continue reading
The 3D Printer Experience Opens in Chicago
Rather than being hidden away in back rooms or the depths of the production floor, 3D printers are making their way into the light of public consciousness, and possibly into your living room. The number of additive manufacturing (AM) systems available to home users has never been higher, with each new product jostling with the likes of MakerBot or 3D Systems’ Cube for each hobbyist dollar.
While everyday consumers are becoming more aware of the potential of AM, a 3D printer still isn’t something you see every day. Giving people a firsthand view of an AM system at work is the best way to further educate, and a number of stores specializing in 3D printers have begun to spring up. MakerBot has one in New York, 3D Creations has opened its doors in Milwaukee, and now Second City is getting The 3D Printer Experience. Continue reading
