In this edition of 3D Printing Industry’s Sliced digest of additive manufacturing news we congratulate Professor Jennifer Lewis of Harvard University on her induction into the US National Academy of Engineering.
We also take a look at Shapeways’ new content policy; the 3D printed and digital conservation of porcelain from Russia’s State Hermitage Museum; an Arizona schools search for 3D printing grants; SLM 3D printing for the automotive industry; and ZMorph’s 3D printer proof-of-concept for a multifunctional walker.
Harvard professor gets recognition for contribution to 3D printing
Jennifer A. Lewis, the Harvard-Wyss Institute professor, has been elected to the US National Academy of Engineering for her outstanding contribution to 3D printing materials and processes research.
Professor Lewis is one of the leading researchers behind Harvard’s microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip research, and co-founded multi-material digital manufacturing company Voxel8.
Francis J. Doyle III, the dean Harvard’s John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), comments on the election,
Jennifer’s work is a marvelous example of the power of convergence; bridging materials, medicine, robotics, and other fields. We are delighted to see her creative and impactful work recognized with this highly fitting Fellowship in the NAE.
Congratulations from everyone at 3D Printing Industry, we’re big fans of your work.
Mature content comes to Shapeways
3D printing bureau and online store Shapeways have introduced a new policy for shops to classify their content as ‘mature’. In the announcement, Shapeways’ General Counsel Michael Weinberg describes the reason behind the new content rating as, “a category of models that are allowed to be sold here on Shapeways, but aren’t necessarily for everyone.”
The feature will be fully rolled out on 22 February 2017 and protects any users who do not wish to see the content though an “opt-in” system. Using the appropriate tag also means that users looking for the content can find it much easier.
Prestigious Russian museum preserves its porcelain artifacts through 3D printing
The State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg has digitized its prized Peoples of Russia collection through 3D scanning, and has reprinted the figures in gypsum.
There are around 30 original figurines created by ceramicist P.P. Kamensky between 1907 and 1917. Each one depicts a typical Russian person of the time; in traditional dress and hand painted in color.
Anna Ischenko is a 3D designer at Cyberon Group who performed the task of 3D scanning for the museum. She explains how the age, dark colors, and reflective surface made 3D scanning each figure a challenging task,
Porcelain has its own peculiar gloss and shine. This complicates the process. Shiny objects are usually coated with mat spray before 3D scanning. However, in this case its use was impossible due to the figurines’ age and value
The complications were overcome by creating batches of the models from all angles, facilitated by the use of a posable RangeVision PRO 3D scanner.
Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind is looking for 3D printing grants
A reader of 3D Printing Industry has been in touch to say that a 3D printer will be donated to School for the Deaf and Blind in Tucson, Arizona. As we’ve frequently reported 3D printing can be an invaluable resource for visually-impaired students.
At present, the School for the Deaf and Blind is only receiving one 3D printer for the whole population. Any readers who feel they can help or contribute to the school should contact 3D Printing Industry. From there we will be able to put you in touch with the reader organizing the donation.
SLM Solutions 3D print molds for car tires
German SLM Solutions additive manufacturing service providers present a selective laser melting (SLM) method for molding the tread of car tires. The SLM 280 2.0 machine capable of the process is to be showcased at the annual Tire Technology Exhibition in Hannover, Germany 14 – 16 February 2017.
The company will show how the SLM 280 2.0 is enhanced for the entire closed-loop process chain manufacturing: “from data generation to the melting process up to powder recovery and recycling.”
ZMorph proof of concept for equipment to help disability
ZMorph designer biomedical engineer Eliza Wróbel has created a multifunctional walker using the company’s 2.0 SX multitool 3D printer. The walker prototype is made of over 100 parts and is realised in Silver ABS for the frame; durable yellow and black PLA support parts; and rubbery Flex filament for the wheels, brakes, and arm pads.
Wróbel’s design also gives the walker an interchangeable basket and seat so it can be used for walking or to aid in shopping.
Featured image shows the Sliced logo over Harvard’s kidney proximal tubule research.
Original image from Scientific Reports
