Despite drowning stocks, the 3D printing industry is really booming. Now that the whole world is familiar with the technology, we’re swamped with stories. And, because we can’t get to every single one (as much as we’d truly like to!), we’ve decided to kick off a weekly link round up. Go figure! Without further ado (or adon’t):
Skanect Update Improves Color 3D Scanning Functionality
Now that Occipital has successfully launched their Structure Sensor for the most recent iDevices, the company has returned to its original 3D scanning software, Skanect, to bring it up to the quality of the iPad’s superior color camera. With Skanect 1.8, Occipital has performed the expected bug fixes and the like, but they’ve also improved the color texture mapping of Skanect. So, as the latest edition of Skanect improves the color quality of 3D models, this holds true both for Skanect used with a Kinect, or other scanning device, as well as the Stucture Sensor itself. Not only that, but the software has the ability to retroactively improve the color of scans taken with Skanect in the past. You can see from the examples provided by Occipital that the colors of models are made much brighter and more vivid.
Waterproof 3D Printed Prosthetic Leg
Engineer Jeff Huber, a life-long amputee, has founded Standard Cyborg as a means of providing low-cost, lower-limb prosthetics that are capable of withstanding water and more rugged terrain. The company’s first product, the Water Leg, 3D prints a patient-specific prosthetic and then coats it in aerospace-grade carbon fiber, to make it water proof. By next year, Standard Cyborg hopes to expand to above the knee prosthetics, with an eye on water-proof arm prosthetics as well.
Mass Portal Finds Distribution for Pharaoh 3D Printers in iGo3D
The popular Pharaoh 3D printer, from Latvia-based Mass Portal, will now be selling its delta-style machine through European retailer iGo3D. With a heated bed, automatic calibration, and an enclosed print chamber, the Pharaoh can print fast and big, fabricating objects as large as 32 cm x 31 cm x 63 cm.
NovaCopy Becomes Official MarkOne Reseller
NovaCopy, a 3D Systems retailer, has been officially named as a reseller of the MarkOne Continuous Fiber Filament 3D printer. The MarkOne, which made a huge splash at SolidWorks last year, is capable of 3D printing carbon fiber, fiberglass, and Kevlar-reinforced parts that up to 5x strong than machined aluminum. In addition to selling the MarkOne, NovaCopy will also be offering prototyping services with the CFF 3D printer.
Cults’ Printables Marketplace Hosts 10 Awesome 3D Printable Skulls
This week, French 3D printables marketplace Cults approached us with a top ten list of really awesome 3D printable skulls, but we just couldn’t find a place for it in our weekly schedule. It’s really too bad because the photos and prints in this series were really quite nice to look at! Hugo at Cults, however, is a really amicable fella and was happy to have us list these skulls in our Link Round-up. So, for our readers to ponder the meaning of life in the stylings of a Danish depressive, here are ten really unique and awesome 3D printable skulls, all available at Cults: To make or not to make by leFabShop, Skull Box with Brain by 3DKitBash, Monkey Skull Egg by Macouno, Wolf Skull & Jaw Bone by 3DKitBash, Low Poly Skull by SkullsForChange, Horror Skull by Kfir, Hell Skull by Olas Undberg, Cerebrix Human Skull by Prevue, Toy Skull by Julien Le Pocher, and Elvis Lapinou Skull by BulbZone.
TurboRoo Wants to Help His Friends
Awhile back, we covered the heartwarming story of TurboRoo, a Chihuahua born without front legs. After vet tech Ashley Looper teamed up with a design engineer, the duo was able to provide Roo with a fancy set of wheels and a 3D printed cart. Soon, Roo became a media sensation, leading Ashley to start an entire organization to providing disabled dogs with much needed carts. Now, through BarkBox, you can help these pups by donating to Ashley’s cause. The BarkBox offer is running out, but you can always go through TurboRooDesigns directly to order a cart for a dog in need.
Of course, there was a whole lot more going on this week than we can even cover in a Round-Up! The 3D printing industry is continually growing, evolving, and transforming… hopefully not into a giant Beetle or anything gross.
