This year, in addition to contributing breaking news stories, I was able to take some time to focus on creating longer pieces about stories that I was particularly excited about or invested in. In this way, I could both indulge in something I personally enjoy reading, long-form journalism, and provide some greater insight into specific topics. So, here are my top long-form 3D printing stories from 2015.
Why You Might Move to Taiwan
This year, I had the opportunity to go to Taiwan to give a talk on how 3D printing companies ought to give some thought to the emerging mixed reality ecosystem, set to hit consumers starting in 2016. While there, I had the chance to meet some amazing people, as well as see some really exciting technology. So far, I’ve covered full-color FDM, medical 3D printing, and, today, the use of 3D printing in the porcelain industry, but the most exciting by far has been Taiwan Tech’s phone 3D printer, which uses photopolymer resin, curable with visible light, and a smartphone to 3D print objects layer by layer.
3D Printing Walls
This year, 3DPI was given an exclusive story with Branch Technology, a Chattanooga-based startup that competed at the city’s GIGTANK competition. There, the firm unveiled their amazing technology, capable of 3D printing lattice structures that would serve as the basis for walls, coated in spray concrete and insulation, to build up larger edifices. I had the chance to speak with founder Platt Boyd, who told me all about the company’s inspiration and efforts, as they construct a future filled with better architecture using 3D printing technology.
CEO Interviews
I also had a chance to conduct a number of really exciting interviews with the CEOs of some of the most interesting firms in 3D printing. While speaking with Jay Rogers, the CEO of Local Motors, and Jennifer Lewis, CEO of Voxel8, I learned about the cutting edge technologies behind two pioneering firms, one that had just unveiled the prototype for a completely 3D printed suite of automobiles and the other developing multi-material electronics 3D printing. Though not technically a CEO, Roderick Jackson at Oak Ridge National Laboratory gave further input into car printing, as well as house printing, as he discussed the Additive Manufacturing Integrated Energy (AMIE) project, which sought to create a symbiotic relationship between vehicles and homes. Alban Denoyel, CEO of Sketchfab, told us about how their 3D model sharing site was ready for a mixed reality future. And Raphaël Gorgé, CEO of Groupe Gorgé, had me convinced that their 3D printer subsidiary, Prodways, would become the third largest player in the 3D printing industry as it partnered with China’s Farsoon for SLS technology.
Hype Hangover
This year, I was able to delve into the darker side of 3D printing technology, in which businesses and individuals have taken advantage of the hype associated with the technology in order to gain financially at the expense of unwitting inventors and investors. So far, I’ve covered the story of Jason Simpson, who says he lost his company and livelihood to some investors in Australia, and 3D Systems, whose former CEO, Avi Reichental, recently stepped down from the company after leading it for over a decade. Jason’s story in particular spurred this series and it is one that is far from over. Look forward to morea bout the hype hangover in 2016.
Enterprise in Space
Finally, I had a chance to interview Shawn Case, the founder of Enterprise in Space. This exciting non-profit that working to create what would be the first 3D printed airframe in space. That interview is still being finalized, so you’ll have to read all about it in the new year!
