3D Printing
3D printer employed for major architectural project
A collaboration between Thailand’s largest cement manufacturer and a one of the country’s major architectural companies is employing 3D technology to create the first 3D printed house in Asia.
3D printed bones feature 30% pulverised natural bone
To make a good framework for filling in missing bone, mix at least 30% pulverised natural bone with some special man-made plastic and create the needed shape with a 3D printer. That’s the recipe for success reported by researchers at The Johns Hopkins University in a paper published April 18th online in ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering
Light-powered 3D printer creates terahertz lens
From visible light to radio waves, most people are familiar with the different sections of the electromagnetic spectrum. But one wavelength is often forgotten, little understood, and, until recently, rarely studied. It’s called terahertz, and it has important applications in imaging and communications.
UV post-cure benefits 3D SLA polymer printing technology
According to Intertronics, recent developments in 3D printing technology have popularised the SLA (stereolithography) technology of laser printing in a bath of UV curable photopolymer resin. This process effectively “grows” a component in the bath so that as it is withdrawn, each successive layer is laser light cured.
3D-printed prosthetics will soon reach developing countries
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 30 million people in low-income countries require prosthetic limbs, braces or other assistive devices. To make things even tougher, the vast majority who require these devices don't have access to rehabilitation services. Thanks to a Canadian non-profit social enterprise called Nia Technologies – supported by University of Toronto research – children with disabilities in develo...
Researchers explore personalised 3D printed fashion
The way we shop for clothes is set to change, thanks to a project lead by Loughborough University, the end goal is personalised 3D printed fashion, manufactured within only 24 hours. Dr Guy Bingham, Senior Lecturer in Product and Industrial Design, has teamed up with global textile and garment manufacturer the Yeh Group, to embark on landmark work in 3D textile printing that could change the way clothes and footwear are made.
3d print big objects for everyday use
WASP has produced a new line of 3D printers designed to produce big objects which can be used in everyday life. Early experimentation concerned 1m high objects, but could easily print products of different measurements. Since this is a custom made line of printers, WASP are able to modify printers for users as necessary.
3D technique enhances bio-inspired hierarchical structures
A team of researchers from Changchun University of Science and Technology, China, have developed a novel method for the rapid and maskless fabrication of bio-inspired hierarchical structures, using a technique called laser interference lithography. Specifically, the researchers use the interference pattern of three-and four-beam lasers to fabricate ordered multi-scale surface structures on silicon substrates, with the pattern of hierarchical stru...
Force-testing device examines 3D-printed prosthetics
Rice University students developed force-testing device for 3D printed prosthetic hands to help ensure that children get the most out of the devices. The Rice team calling itself 'Carpal Diem' has developed a testing suite to validate how well 3D printed hands transfer force from the wearer, typically a child born without a fully formed hand, to the prosthetic intended to help pick up and manipulate small objects.
3D printed bamboo bike is a 'world's first'
The Bamboo Bicycle Club in collaboration with Oxford Brookes University have successfully built the 'world’s first ever' bamboo and 3D printed bicycle at London’s Design Museum. The live event was to coincide with the Cycling Revolution exhibition at the museum where the Bamboo Bicycle Club has been displaying another first in the form of the 'world’s first' ‘aero dynamic bamboo bicycle’.