i.materialise 3D printing service blog Are you looking for a specific model; but can’t find the right size? Dave Cowden, a mechanical engineer with a passion for 3D printing, came up with the solution: Parametric Parts . An interview! What’s your background? Why did you start Parametric Parts? Can you tell us a little bit more about it? «Designers can create models that yield an unlimited number of possibilities, and users can finally get what they want without endless searching.» How will it help designers? How easy is it to use? Right now there are 14 models; how many models do you want to put online in time? Do you make these models? Can you give an example how and why designers would want to customize these models? Who can use your web based app? i.materialise is now the only service to print your designs from Parametric Parts, just click on i.materialise when you’re done:
3D Printing News and Trends Kids and 3D Printers A technology center in Wahpeton, North Dakota, USA, now offers students the use of a 3D printer. We're quite certain this isn't the only school doing so, but we suspect a trend is beginning. In fact, it isn't the only one. Thorpe St Andrew School in Norfolk, UK is also installing a 3D printer, specifically to: offer cutting edge design and technology to its students As more and more schools expose students to 3D printing, we will soon see a wave of young adults entering business who are quite familiar with the concept of 3D printing. Via Norwich Evening News and Wahpeton Daily News
3D Models As readers will know, any new 3D print service these days must specialize in a niche to succeed, and Moddler has chosen digital entertainment. From their site: Moddler is the premier 3d printing company for today's digital entertainment creators, including digital film studios, visual effects companies, video game companies, and individual artists. We specialize in turning your digital models into incredibly detailed physical models to be used as maquettes for design validation, high-end swag for clients or team members, or physical props. These models are printed through a digital process, just like inkjet printing, that results in the creation of very fine detail with a high degree of accuracy. Moddeler offers a 20 x 15 x 8 inch build envelope, which is fairly large. Via Moddler
3D robots This past August we learned of a new specialized 3D print service under development, My Robot Nation. It specializes (obviously) in printed robots. The service works much like 2D web-based composition tools and games, where you select parts from a library to build up your robot. My Robot Nation provides a variety of stickers, colors and other bits (rivets, plugs, eyes, hearts, switches, hats, etc.) you may attach to your personalized robot. They don't explicitly say, but it appears they're using a ZCorp color 3D printer behind the scenes to produce these cute robots. Once you've finished designing your robot you select a size (ranging from 2 inches high for USD$17.99 to a big but not huge six inches at USD$169.00) and hit print.