3D Printing

3D Printing News Sliced: Airbus, adidas, Stratasys, Fallout 3

This edition of 3D printed news sliced features stories from: adidas, Fallout 3, KXIV, Stratasys, NIDEK Technologies, Cadac Group, MyMiniFactory, 3D Slash, artist Jip de Beer, 3D Orchard, Thor 3D, Dream T&S, University of Alabama, Airbus and Andrew Sink from 3D Central.

Alabama takes off with additive manufacturing facilities

The University of Alabama has signed a research agreement with Airbus for use in engineering. As part of the agreement, Airbus will provide the university with additive manufacturing equipment and other tools necessary for the production of aerospace parts.

Carl Pinkert, University of Alabama vice president for research and economic development, comments,

To advance technology and tackle engineering challenges, the University has to collaborate with industry in an exchange of ideas to improve the education of our students. We are proud to partner with Airbus and continue our efforts to support an innovative, diverse workforce for the aerospace industry.

Success for 2016 include to Airbus' standardization on Stratasys additive manufacturing solutions for theA350 XWB aircraft supply chain. Photo by Johannes Knapp
An Airbus A350 XWB aircraft. Photo by Johannes Knapp

Multimaterial Objet500 3D printer enters ophthalmology

Surgical eye equipment producer NIDEK Technologies is using a Stratasys Objet500 Connex3 3D printer for prototyping its tools. The multimaterial capabilities of the machine allow NIDEK to create objects that match the performance of metal counterparts, and cause a 75% cut in the typical cost of the service.

A plastic Gonioscope device for viewing inside the eye, 3D printed on a Stratasys Objet500 Connex3. Photo via incus-media/NIDEK Technologies
A plastic Gonioscope device for viewing inside the eye, 3D printed on a Stratasys Objet500 Connex3. Photo via incus-media/NIDEK Technologies

Russia-Korean partnership to enhance the possibilities of industrial 3D scanning

3D scanner company Thor 3D has entered into a partnership with Dream T&S, a company who makes long-range 3D scanning software. The partnership will help the companies simplify the process for industrial inspection of parts and structures.

Digital inspection of a car using a Thor 3D handheld scanner. Photo via Thor3D on Facebook
Digital inspection of a car using a Thor 3D handheld scanner. Photo via Thor3D on Facebook

Need more to 3D print?

3D Orchard is a new 3D modeling platform that makers can use to make digital designs. In addition to downloads from the site, the platform encourages direct remixes of uploaded objects using a browser-based editing program. Objects can also be textured in the editor, and multiple parts can be added to a ‘design tree’ for scaling back to individual sections.

3D model of a 4 Cycle Gas Engine in 3D Orchard with interactive design tree (bottom right). Image via 3dorchard.com
3D model of a 4 Cycle Gas Engine in 3D Orchard with interactive design tree (bottom right). Image via 3dorchard.com

“Most valuable” websites immortalized by 3D printing

Web Spaces is a 3D printed art project Fine Art Masters student Jip de Beer. For the project, de Beer has created sculptural representations of the 10 most valuable sites on the web based on their data makeup. Of these top ten, Facebook and Google sculptures have also been 3D printed in PLA plastic, then electroplated with gold. The end result is something representative of an antique relic or temple, with multiple structural layers.

Facebook in Gold by Jip de Beer. Photo via jip.debeer.it
Facebook in Gold by Jip de Beer. Photo via jip.debeer.it

MyMiniFactory integrates 3D model uploads from 3D SLASH design platform

The 3D SLASH app allows users to easily make voxelized 3D models of objects by digitally “carving” shapes out of block. Objects created in the 3D SLASH app can now be directly uploaded to the MyMiniFactory archive of 3D printable objects to share with the maker community.

A voxelized pumpkin created in 3D Slash. Image via: 3dslash.net
A voxelized pumpkin created in 3D Slash. Image via: 3dslash.net

Dutch tech company Cadac invests in 3D printing lab

Information technology and services provider Cadac Group is collaborating with CAM specialist CNC Machineworks on a new fabrication venture in the Netherlands. Cadac Group Digital Fabrication will include a 3D printing Fab Lab in the same area as the company’s headquarters in Heerlen, and will be supplied with a Stratasys Fortus 450mc and Autodesk design software.

Inside the Cadac Lab for digital fabrication. Photo via Cadac.com
Inside the Cadac Lab for digital fabrication. Photo via Cadac.com

Adidas reveals new 3D printed sneaker design 

In addition to the Futurecraft 4D and SpeedFactory sneaker concepts, adidas has announced a new 3D printed shoe design. The adidas UltraBOOST Nest is designed by architecturally trained designer Nathan Kiatkulpiboone, also known as KXIV. It takes inspiration from the Beijing National Stadium, used to host the olympics in 2008. 3D printing is used to create the shoe’s “locking system” of criss-crossing plastic strands.

The adidas UltraBOOST Nest shoe in front of Beijing National Stadium. Image via adidas.
The adidas UltraBOOST Nest shoe in front of Beijing National Stadium. Image via adidas.

3D printing prepares for the apocalypse in Fallout 3

One of the latest updates from the online maker community sees 3D Central YouTuber Andrew Sink 3D print a lifelike replica of the laser pistol from Fallout 3. The 3D model of the cosplay prop was created by Thingiverse designer dragonator and has been tried out by Sink on his Imgur account, complete with case and energy cells.

The 3D printed and painted Fallout 3 laser pistol from Andrew Sink. Designed by dragonator. Photo via AndrewSink on imgur
The 3D printed and painted Fallout 3 laser pistol from Andrew Sink. Designed by dragonator. Photo via AndrewSink on imgur

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Featured image: Sliced logo over Andrew Sink (3D Central) holding the 3D printed Fallout 3 laser pistol. Photo via AndrewSink on Imgur