Having finished mapping our planet with Google Earth, it’s probably time for some inner exploration. BioDigital, the developer of a …
In another confirmation that Elon Musk lives life differently from the rest of us, he's just posted a new SpaceX video that's straight out of a sci-fi movie. In it, he demonstrates designing parts for a rocket the company could use just with hand gestures using a Leap Motion controller. After that, we move to a 3D projection of the part, free standing glass projection just like Iron Man, and even an implementation with the Oculus Rift VR headset. While much of its appeal is watching a billionaire play with the latest tech toys, the video gives a peek at what's possible with technology that's actually available to a rapidly growing number of people. Inspiring stuff -- we'll see if we can finish the Hyperloop concept with a Kinect and an old Virtual Boy.
Filed under: Misc
Source: SpaceX (YouTube)
The researchers behind Shape-It-Up call it a “Hand Gesture Based Creative Expression of 3D Shapes Using Intelligent Generalized Cylinders”, but it’s totally a pottery simulator. Decades from now, if – when? – Paramount Pictures decides to remake Ghost, the characters will be using Shape-It-Up while a dubstep remix of Unchained Melody plays in the background. Oh, my WUB WUB WUB WUUUUUB…
Shape-It-Up is a project by Purdue University Engineering students Vinayak, Sundar Murugappan, HaiRong Liu and Karthik Ramanilets. It lets users manipulate a virtual cylinder by using simple hand gestures, which are tracked using a Kinect. Skip to around 1:28 in the video below to see it in action.
I guess you could say that was… righteous. YEEEEA- I’m old. The researchers think of Shape-It-Up as a way for designers to start their sketches in an easier and more intuitive manner, not as a way to create a polished model. But if you pair it with a 3D printer, I think it can also be used as a way to teach kids about the basics of CAD and 3D printing. Now get off my lawn and head to Purdue University’s website for the project’s abstract.
[via Gajitz]
I recently had the opportunity to visit Ford’s headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, and got a behind the scenes tour of their 3D printing and digital prototyping studio. What they’re doing with these technologies is truly impressive. But one thing they didn’t have ready to show me was their newly announced Freeform Fabrication Technology (F3T).
This advanced manufacturing process allows Ford to produce mockups and prototypes of actual sheet metal forms in a fraction of the time of traditional techniques. F3T uses a robotic forming tool that uses a pair of stylus-type tools to work a flat piece of sheet metal back and forth to give it form. The system is loaded with CAD data for the part that’s required, and then cranks out actual metal components in a matter of hours.
Here’s a brief video overview of the process:
Ford claims this process will allow them to produce prototype pieces from start-to-finish in just a couple of days or less, whereas the current process of creating custom dies could take two to six months. In addition, the F3T process eliminates the costs of producing expensive prototype dies.
At this point, F3T is still in the development stages, but Ford hopes to refine the process and put it into regular use in the not-too-distant future. While the technology is currently ideal for low-volume production, it’s possible it could lead to advancements in production applications down the road – perhaps even in the form of end-user vehicle customization.
We’ve seen some pretty unusual vending machines these past few years, ranging from the playful to the extraordinary and downright strange. The soon-to-be-released Dreambox, however, is in an entirely different league. It doesn’t sell any specific goods because there’s nothing on display except a 3D printer.
And you know what that means: virtually unlimited possibilities. All you have to do is find a 3D model of whatever you want to print, and you’re good to go.
Unfortunately, 3D printers are still quite expensive and if you only want to use it to print stuff sparingly, then it’s a wasted investment. The people behind Dreambox are probably aware of that, which is why they’re pushing forward with this vending machine of sorts in the first place. They’re in the prototype stage, and you can watch it in action in the clip below.
Obviously, there are still limitations to prosumer 3D printers like the one in the Dreambox – most specifically the size of objects they can print, as well as printing speed. To tackle the latter, you’ll upload your order remotely for pickup, and receive a message when your object is ready for pickup at your local Dreambox. That said, if you don’t mind waiting a couple of weeks to receive your 3D object, you can always use an online service such as Shapeways or Ponoko.
In case you’ve forgotten the power and versatility of today’s mobile devices, Autodesk’s 123D Creature app will be one hell of a reminder. The app has all you need to create your own 3D character, from building a skeleton to sculpting and painting and even ordering a 3D print of your creation. Now you can create alien genitalia monsters wherever you are.
Watch the demo to get a better idea of what you can do with the app:
How awesome it that? Seriously. It’s like reverse Skylanders. Can you imagine showing this to a kid who loves to doodle and draw monsters? You’ll vaporize his very soul with this revelation. Good luck explaining that to his parents. Unfortunately for Android users, Autodesk 123D Creature is only available for the iPad. Get it from the iTunes App Store (link opens iTunes) for $1.99 (USD).
[via Autodesk via SketchBook]
It's not that often we see the worlds of baking and technology mix, but when Johan von Konow went about making a traditional gingerbread house for the holidays, he added a laser to the recipe. The engineer and tinkerer first went about designing an accurate, miniature 3D representation of his summer house in a CAD program, with the help of his wife. He then printed outlines of the necessary building blocks onto sheets of baked gingerbread, and used a 50-watt laser engraver to cut them out and score icing guides for the final touches later on. Burnt edges rendered the confectionary inedible, but as its final destination was no longer stomachs, raw lasagna sheets were added for structural support, and hot glue used to bind it all together. If you've got all the kit and are feeling inspired by the picture above, the design layout and project walkthrough are available at the source link below. Hansel and Gretel needn't be worried this time around -- the tech used creating this particular gingerbread house has attracted a different kind of aged tenant.
Filed under: Misc, Household, Alt
Via: Hack a Day
Source: Johan von Konow
As we know it, 3D printing is usually confined to small-scale projects like headphones. NASA is ever so slightly more ambitious. It's using a closely related technique from Concept Laser, selective laser melting, to build elements of its Space Launch System on a pace that wouldn't be feasible with traditional methods. By firing brief, exact laser pulses at metal powder, Concept Laser's CAD system creates solid metal parts that are geometrically complex but don't need to be welded together. The technique saves the money and time that would normally be spent on building many smaller pieces, but it could be even more vital for safety: having monolithic components reduces the points of failure that could bring the rocket down. We'll have a first inkling of how well laser melting works for NASA when the SLS' upper-stage J-2X engine goes through testing before the end of 2012, and the printed parts should receive their ultimate seal of approval with a first flight in 2017.
Filed under: Transportation, Alt
NASA building Space Launch System with laser melting, adapts 3D printing for the skies (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Nov 2012 19:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Thought you'd seen all of the iPhones (and iPads)-that-never-were? If you did, then you were wrong as Apple industrial designer Christopher Stringer testified as a witness in the case vs. Samsung today, revealing many details about the company's design process. That included more pictures of phone and tablet prototypes being filed as evidence, while he reportedly also brought a few along for show and tell. The Verge has a few galleries of CAD shots and pictures of rejected designs, including more of the lozenge edged types we'd seen before, and iPads complete with a curved grip around the edge. AllThingsD chimes in with a few interesting tidbits from his testimony, including the revelation that Apple designers actually sit around a kitchen table to debate the progress of current projects, and explaining that earlier iPhone prototypes were labeled iPods either because they had not yet decided on a name, or were already trying to obscure iPhone identity from potential leaks. There's more info at the source links, take a careful look at the iThings around you and imagine what might have been.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablet PCs
Apple designer takes the witness stand in Samsung case, brings more iPhone / iPad prototypes along originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 23:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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