RAPID 2012

Kraftwurx will be attending Rapid 2012 with 3 employees. Although we will net be exhibiting this year, we will have an art piece on display and be on hand to talk to anyone wishing to learn more about our services and direction.

We felt that it was simply not time to display in a booth this year because we are working very hard to finish integrating phase 2 of the site which we expect to have done later this year. Our phase two goals will bring big changes to both functionality and capabilities as we begin unveiling Digital Factory™ in phases.

As a 17 year member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, I have had the privilege of being involved with one of the worlds premier professional societies and RAPID is an amazing event. As you know 3D printing is gaining momentum in the industry and we (Kraftwurx) plan to be a part of the next Industrial Revolution.

We look forward to seeing you at RAPID 2012!

New 3D Printers 2012

When considering a 3D printer, the industry in which you work for has a huge play in what you get. There are quite a few printers that exist today; in fact, over 60 are currently being sold commercially. Thankfully, this industry is growing so that product developers, concept artists, engineers, and hobbyists can afford to take part in this fascinating technology. Currently, 3D printing is worth about 1.7 billion dollars. The 3D printing industry is projected to be worth 3.7 billion in the year 2015. As this growth continues, 3D printing will continue to grow more and more available.

Until recently, 3D Printing has been targeted mainly at big engineering firms, Hollywood, dental, and casting industries. This technology is incredible in my opinion, but it is also expensive in quite a few situations. The chances of the average consumer owning a 3D printer in their home would be like the chances of an average American owning a television in the 1940’s and 1950’s. It is possible, but expensive! Even then, the television would be 4 inches by 4 inches in some cases! However, 3D printing is just now becoming available for everyone.

Let’s take a look in some of the newer 2012 3D printers, particularly the “desktop” printers.

#1 Stratasys’s Mojo Printer

Very recently, Stratasys launched the Mojo 3D Printer which is exceptionally helpful for this home-printer-movement. This printer holds the width of a large traditional paper printer with a taller build that offers large prints for its size, offering 5 inch x 5 inch x 5 inch prints out of ABS thermoplastic. The detail and speed is exceptional for a printer at this price; prototypes can be developed within a day! This printer costs less than $5,000, and in my opinion, is the number one contender for the home 3D printing movement. Technology like this is incredibly helpful for consumers and small businesses, as it introduces them to the fascinating technology known as 3D printing!

#2 3D System’s Cubify

3D Systems recently came out with its newest home 3D printer, Cubify. This printer comes at a low price of $1299, and creates larger prints than Mojo with a larger variety in color! It may not have quite the detail level of Mojo, and it doesn’t offer support materials, but this printer may be putting Makerbot out of business. Cubify will support an open source 3D printing design community similar to Thingiverse.

#3 Objet30 Pro Desktop

On May 22nd, Objet launched its newest printer – the Objet30 Pro Desktop. This machine has a price that’s relevant to small businesses and desktops, but it has a couple special “powers”. This 3D printer uses 7 materials with Objet’s patented multi-jet technology. That means that the Objet30 Pro can use 7 materials in one print! This is an awesome printer in my opinion!

#4 PP3D’s UP Mini Printer

PP3D just launched their newest printer, the UP Mini Printer series. It is small, and creates small prints at 4.7” x 4.7” x 4.7” but this machine comes at an awesome price of $899. This machine might not be the absolute best for rapid-prototyping excellent parts, but it definitely holds its own when compared to other hobbyist printers. Oh, and did I mention that it only costs $899. That’s cheap!

#5 Michael Joyce’s B9 Creator

Michael Joyce turned to kickstarter for funding for his new 3D printer idea, and he found it! The B9 Creator is the first home SLA printer. This machine uses ultraviolet light to cure liquid resins into real figurines at only $2,375. It’s interesting in my opinion to see a quality 3D printer manufactured for cheap – by an individual.

Pretty interesting stuff in my opinion, which is your favorite?

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10 Ways 3D Printing Will Blow Your Mind

Written by Chris Waldo

What Is This 3D Printing?

The technology I'm going to talk to you about is 3D Printing. It is a pretty interesting technology, and nowadays it can create some serious stuff! If you don’t know much about 3D printing, it’s essentially the layer by layer assembly of three dimensional products out of various materials through laser melting or other methods. I want to show you some of the more interesting applications of 3D printing. Check out the top 10 applications!

#1 3D Printing Artificial Veins

(Photo credit: Inhabit.com)

Wow, that’s all I have to say towards this. 3D printers are using cells, or “bio-ink” as the material to create functional parts! Simple body parts such as this artificial vein, urethras, and bladders are already being developed. How awesome will it be when we can print hearts, lungs, and kidneys?

“The printer is meant to be used in regenerative medicine. Instead of borrowing body parts from someone else — or yourself — the printer will just make a new part for you. The printer is loaded with cartridges of “bio-ink” a substance that acts as a kind of scaffolding for the cells to retain their shape”