Slicing the 3D printing news today, we feature: Apple, the European Space Agency (ESA), Olaf Diegel, Kodama, I3D Innovation, Donald Papp and his Mister Screamer, and Potent Rope.
Apple’s new iPhone to use 3D face scanning?
Bloomberg is reporting the latest iPhone to be released this year will feature 3D face scanning as a new security feature. Many rumors have circulated the next iPhone will be bezel-less which means there will be no room for the fingerprint scanner. To address this the company is reportedly exploring the possibility of 3D face scanning as an alternative, although the Bloomberg article states “the feature is still being tested and may not appear with the new device.”
With 3D scanning technology in the next flagship phones, Apple could open the doors for a large number of 3D printing-related applications. 3D scanning is expected to become a standard feature in future smartphones with some Google Tango phones already offering the technology and Sony expected to reveal LiDAR technology in its newest handsets.
3D printed planetary models
The European Space Agency has 3D printed models of planetary bodies such as asteroids to mark International Asteroid Day. The models are intended to be used both as a scientific resource and to raise awareness of their potential danger to Earth. Olivier Dubois-Matra of ESA’s Guidance, Navigation and Control Section explains their fabrication,
The models are based on accurate digital elevation model data gathered from past space missions. We then add colour and surface finishing. Asteroids and comets do tend to be very dark – the images usually seen have been lightened and enhanced to reveal detail.
Miniature 3D printed metal distillery
Swedish designer Olaf Diegel has created a miniature distillery using metal 3D printing. Diegel is well-known for his impressive 3D printed guitar creations and for working as an associate consultant with Wohlers Associates.
For his latest project, Olaf 3D printed a desktop distillery as the perfect give for an executive who has everything. Swedish metal additive manufacturing company Lasertech propositioned Olaf to create a 3D printed design which could act as the “ultimate executive give-away.” Olaf did not disappoint and even challenged himself to create the metal design without any support structures to eliminate waste.
The tiny distillery, named ‘iStill’, uses a small tealight and according to its creator is indeed functional.
Kodama exceeds Kickstarter goal for Obsidian 3D printer
San Francisco-based startup Kodama has currently received over 600% of its initial $100,00 Kickstarter goal for the Obsidian 3D printer. At the moment, the Obsidian has raised $690,000 with 24 days to go. The machine has been dubbed the $99 3D printer but many have been quick to point out the more advanced version of the device is slightly more expensive at $250. As reported earlier this year a $99 3D printer called the STARTT was also launched.
This is not Kodama’s first 3D printer with the all-metal Trinus launching last year. The latest 3D printer has a number of additional features including an LED display, a heated bed, a camera to view printing remotely and a power outage recovery system to resume prints.
I3D Innovation announces upcoming Kickstarter project
French company I3D Innovation has announced it will soon launch a new extrusion system on Kickstarter. The company, consisting of father and son duo Jean-Luc and Ludovic Bodet has been developing the system over the last two years. The system aims to provide speedy and clog-free extrusion.
Mister Screamer filament alarm
Maker Donald Papp has created an 80 decibel filament alarm to warn users when materials need replacing mid-print. Aptly named ‘Mister Screamer’, the device itself is 3D printed and hangs from the filament in use.
In a Hackaday post, Donald Papp explains the second edition of the device is intended for those printing a large part and are attending but not closely supervising the printing process. When a spool of filament is finished, Mister Screamer will drop to the floor and subsequently begin expelling a noise worthy of his name. This allows filament to be changed quickly and before the print is failed.
The clever invention is available on GitHub.
Edible cannabis 3D printing filament
3D printing, as an expanding technology, looks set to team up with another growing industry- legal cannabis. Known as Potent Rope, the company has spent years developing an edible cannabis 3D printing filament. However, its founders Paige Colen and Ashley Herr explain the product is intended primarily for medicinal purposes as a way to control dosage of the drug.
The patented product was developed using a Filabot EX2 filament extruder and Paige Colen explains its purpose,
Rather than taking a 10mg liquid-gel capsule full of cannabis oil or a tablet, how about 3D printing a 7.5mg poodle, or Eiffel Tower, or a tiny rocket ship to meet you very specific dialed in needs? This filament will allow for us to tailor make specialized cannabinoid profiles that will specifically address any individual’s requirements.
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