April Fools’ has come and gone, but not without companies from across the 3D printing industry celebrating the day with their best attempts at 3D printing related pranks and jokes. Below is a round-up of some of the best (or worst?).
3D printing, as invented by the Mayans
Sculpteo announced the discovery of 3D printers in an ancient Mayan city deep in the Guatemalan jungle. The discovery would mean 3D printing is at least a millennia older than previously thought.
Amazon acquires Shapeways
Amazon has acquired Shapeways. At least according to a 3D Printing Media Network April Fools’ announcement. Mike Clayville, Amazon Web Services Vice President is quoted saying “our industry-leading services will enable Shapeways to leverage emerging technologies like machine learning, quickly test ideas, and deliver new tools and solutions.”
3D printed in-flight entertainment
x3D-Print, is bringing 3D printing to in-flight entertainment on commercial aircraft. Microsoft founder Bill Gates is quoted saying “this is the most disruptive service I’ve ever seen in the airline industry.”
Motorcycle mounted 3D printer
BMW Motorrad introduced iParts, for mobile on-demand 3D printing on the back of a motorcycle. Available at “250 selected BMW Motorrad sales partners worldwide.” Fictional iParts head Ignaz Druckmeyer notes “Ultimately the challenge was to develop a small, portable yet high-performance 3D printer for transportation on the motorcycle. The SLS unit is equipped with its own power supply – a high-performance saline battery – and was subjected to a range of highly rigorous functional tests both in extreme cold and in blistering heat with a high level of dust exposure.”
Xometry’s 3D printing voice assistant
Xometry is entering the voice assistant market with Xoe. Announced on twitter, Xoe will allow users to “forget 3D CAD files, clicking, or typing. Our new Quoting Voice Assistant allows you to describe your desired part, and Xoe will instantly tell you the price and lead time. Verbally.”
The one hot-end to rule them all
E3D have released the one hot-end to rule them all, the E3D Medusa. Putting an end to the need to change 3D printer hot-ends, “we’ve listened to the community and the latest hot-end, E3D Medusa, is the answer to all your needs. Tool-changing is SO last week”
“High-tech gastronomy” for the Prusa i3 MK3 3D printer
Prusa Printers’ Prusa i3 MK3 3D printer is receiving an upgrade to “change your life,” according to Josef Průša. The “high-tech gastronomy” MK3 Master Chef upgrade adds several new capabilities including: scrambled eggs preparation, soup stirring, dough rolling, tea making and cookie cutting.
100 percent Ruby print head
Olsson Ruby mentioned E3D and Prusa Printers’ April Fools in a tweet, whilst announcing their own 3D printer upgrade, the “All-Ruby” Olsson Ruby 3D printing nozzle. “The new All-Ruby by The Olsson Ruby, no worries, just one solid piece of ruby, ground to the finest tolerances possible!”
4D programmable whisky
Master of Malt introduced a new range of 4D printed, programmable whiskies. A five minute video released on April 1st describes a host of 3D printed innovations, including 3D printed stills and casks. The 4D whisky is said to respond to environmental cues. One branded “No Smoke Without Fire”, is said to develop a peaty, smoky, flavour when exposed to heat.
Banana for scale?
3D Hubs referenced the “banana for scale” meme for it’s April 1st effort. Bananas are often used jokingly to gauge the size of parts. The company provided a link for a part preview that features a banana for scale button.
Print recycling, at the push of a button
MatterHackers ReSpool is “almost too good to be true.” The ReSpool reverses the 3D printing process to turn used prints back into filament. The prank is light on details. According to the MatterHackers video, a button press heats the print bed to 400°C before the printing process is “reversed.” A definitely not reversed video of the printing of Studio Ghibli’s Totoro demonstrates.
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Featured image shows some of the, very pixelated, evidence provided by Sculpteo. Image via Sculpteo.
