Watch These Bionic 3D -Printed Coral Lamps

 It’s one thing to create attractive and functional light fixture, and quite another thing to make a stunning light using algorithms that copy coral growth patterns.

The 3d-printed Sargasso lamp

Industrial designer John Mauriello,based in San Francisco,broke the conventional thinking and put the effort into his Coral Lamp Lighting Collection with something else entirely.

These lamp prototypes took their inspiration from different types of corals coming with varying aesthetics. Mauriello selected only three prototypes from hundreds of them to produce: the Timor, the Sargasso, and the Celebes.

Three members of Mauriello’s Coral Lighting Collection.

The 3d-printed Timor lamp

Before 3D printing these Coral Lamps , Mauriello firstly developed the computational algorithms that mimic coral growth patterns,which show the “growth” of the lamps as they come into being. And, more remarkable,all three lamps were 3D printed in the USA, using processes which recycle waste material in an attempt to reduce waste and curb carbon emissions.

The 3D animation is shown for reference only and not really a frame-by-frame recreation in the process of 3D printing the lamps. Instead, Mauriello wanted to make a video to simulate what corals look like underwater.

The Coral Lamp Lighting Collection is Mauriello’s way of paying tribute to the ocean’s beauty.As an senior surfer,Mauriello’ve experienced the beauty and power of the great ocean,in which coral is one of many magical living structures with all sorts of shape, scale and color.Mauriello’s lighting celebrates this thriving life created by an entire coral ecosystem.

Why In office 3D Printed Aligners Is More Affordable&Effective For Everyone?

 ArchForm, a clear aligner treatment planning software company, announced that it has opened a 3D printing factory for orthodontists aligners on demand On October 15, 2020 and decided to go public in December.

ArchForm produces aligner for half the price of other companies to rival industry leaders like Invisalign, Byte, Candid and SmileDirectClub. According to the company, ArchForm’s aligners are manufactured by robotic precision engineering with a multi-layer plastic material , and will can be delivered to a specific orthodontist within 10 to 14 days.

Invisalign reduces some of the costs of metal braces treatment.However,most of the orthodontists’ profit margins are controlled by parent company Align.They currently pays about $1,700 per patient to Invisalign, and other clear aligner vendors following the same regime. ArchForm is changing this pricing structure.With ArchForm, the cost for orthodontists to print a moderate-to-severe case in-office is reduced to $542, and each patient will be charged only $14.

The production of dental aligners requires the use of professional 3D software to design a stepwise series of 30 to 40 aligner models that can adjust the patient’s teeth based on the scan data.The models are then 3D-printed and the actual aligners are produced by thermoforming biocompatible plastic over the models. With ArchForm’s software,Many orthodontist offices that already have 3D printers can save money and be allowed to plan cases faster with automatic one-click features.

For practices that do not plan to invest in 3D printers, ArchForm’s new plant is ideal for outsourcing the aligner designs.Using a higher-resolution 3D printer, three-layer plastic material, and a robot that is more comfortably precise than manual trimming, ArchForm claims to manufature more accurately shaped aligners with less visible layer lines.

Ideally, using ArchForm can help orthodontists to take digital scans at patient’s first appointment, 3D print the day’s aligners in their office labs, and then outsource the remaining treatment to ArchForm’s aligners. By reducing the waiting time from six weeks to four weeks, orthodontist can offer better service as a result.

A Self-healing 3D Printed Plastic Webs Could Save Cracked Phone Screen

 There are few things more frustrating than getting a little tiny crack or even a big crack in your smartphone screen. That’s really annoying. My friend recently dropped his phone with a screen protector again. He’ve broken that screen about four times over the period of the last 2 or 3 months. Ah, If we could only get a self-healing phone screen! 

Thanks to  the efforts of  the Professors Frédérick Gosselin and Daniel Therriault, Now we can do more than just imagine.

These two researchers have much success in producing an ultra-strong polymer fibre and  the inspiration came from the structure of spider silk.They claimed it was made of the unique molecular structure of the proteinacious material,which can absorb up to 96 percent of impact energy before breaking. This helps to creat the unbreakable plastic coverings for various kinds of delicate technology devices.

Image credits: Ashkan Forouzani | Unsplash,Shibo Zou.

Other than this bionic design,the researchers adopted the technology of 3D printing. Heat the polycarbonate first to make it become viscous like honey.Then Professor Gosselin’s team made use of this property to print a series of fibres less than 2mm thick. They repeated the process quickly, “weaving” a new series of fibers in a vertical arrangement to achieve the entire network solidification.

It’s worth noting that as the 3D printer slowly extruded polycarbonate to form a fiber, the molten plastic finally formed a series of hardened loops that give the fiber extra strength as sacrificial links.

The molten plastic is slowly extruded by the 3D printer to form a fibre

Instability-assisted 3D printing of polycarbonate fiber with sacrificial bonds

When the impact happened,  these fibers actively withstood the damage caused by the impact energy, sacrificing the ego in the similar way that spider silk proteins do to protect the integrity of the whole.

Looking forward , the technology is expected to help electronic devices achieve the desired effect of impact protection.We might also be able to make a new type of bullet-proof glass, or a protective coating for aircraft engines.

The Smallest 3D-Printed Boat You’ve Ever Seen

 You must be surprised When you see the iPhone 12 mini for the first time , which is literally tiny by contemporary standards.In the real world, , we may think of a small thing as nothing more than a bean or a grain of sand, or even a strand of hair.But you know what, scientists used a 3D printer to create a 3D Benchy boat, the length of which is 1/3 the thickness of a hair, 6 times larger than a bacterial cell.

Researchers used a scanning electron microscope to photograph the ship for purpose of showing its open cabin, a chimney, and even a small porthole. What’s most impressive is that  the entire model is very tiny, which means it’s even smaller than a statuet created by artist Jonty Hurwitz in 2014 as a potential design for creating a little drug delivery vehicle.

The researchers conducted investigations into small particles called microswimmers that can move through fluids, and be followed by a microscope.They created many structures , including a spiky sphere, a spiral, a trimer,a 3D Benchy boat and so on. Research shows that particles created in a helix shape can go around and be efficient. 

“When it moves forward, often it needs to rotate, and that helps, for example, to speed it up.”Daniela Kraft said, a physicist at the Dutch university,adding that the small particle that goes to a particular part of the body to deliver drugs has to propel itself and may have to deal with the complex environment in human’s body.

Will 3D Printers Change The Future of Garage Kits?

 In the past few years, 3D printers have become easier to use and can do some really cool things.Like this guy.

3D Printing works of Thanos(Marvel Cinematic Universe) printed by Getech Technology Co. 

Anyway, today I started thinking about what this means for the future of garage kits.As garage kits are sold at conventions and produced in limited quantities by individuals or groups, they are clearly hard to come by.

Generally, the official sales price of garage kits is determined according to their production process. The following processes are the factors that lead to its high price:

1. The first thing to do before making a garage kit is to ask the prototype designer to design the prototype.

2, The next step is to make the mold.

3, After completing the steps above,you should color and paint it.

4,It may be colored unevenly or too much on a certain part and need to be fixed.

5. Many garage kits are limited production. A garage kit is generally pre-displayed in the form of GK grey mold at WTF exhibition, and buyers will confirm the reservation according to this preview.

A Garage kit of Son Goku (Dragon Ball)

So as 3D printers become  more mainstream,you may have the opportunity to use a program to create 3D images and make your own garage kits .This is likely to happen with 3D printers becoming cheap.

3D printer can print your favorite garage kits with high precision , without the expensive cost of hiring a prototype designer and making molds.Complex processes such as making eyes and nails can still be be simplified when using the 3D printer.After polishing and coloring, a delicate toy is finished.

The 3D printing garage kit has the advantages of low cost, high efficiency and guaranteed quality.For those who can’t afford expensive garage kits, getting a 3D printer is a great option,with which you can print your favorite animation role and participate in the whole process, which is also a very interesting experience.

Save 50 GBP/EUR at Geeetech A20 3D Printer Savings Event！

When Mary is at a loss for a printer with complicated components, she wants one that is cost-effective and easy-to-assemble, so she can have a much better experience.If you’re faced with a same problem like Mary’s.Don’t worry!Geeetech A20 3D Printer is a perfect solution.

Geeetech A20 3D Printer

Choosing a 3D printer is not an easy task, especially for beginners. Based on customers’ feedback, Geeetech A20 3D printer with a larger printing platform than A10,is designed to be reliable, user-friendly and affordable. Running stably, it delivers quality prints and provides you with satisfactory printing experience.

Its classic white and black color combo and neat structure impart a touch of simplicity and excellence.Keeping Prusa I3 3D printers’ gantry structure, its modularized design provides you with an easier assembly experience. The electronic parts are integrated into its bottom frame, making A20 steady and enhancing its print results.

Today Geeetech Amazon UK/DE/FR/IT/ES is offering discounts on Geeetech A20 3D Printer. The coupon code is available on a first-come-first-served basis while stocks last.Snap up your dream A20 3D printers now before they are sold out!The details of sales promotion are outlined below.

Details:

UK:50 GBP OFF on 200GBP 

DE/FR/IT/ES:50 EUR OFF on 220 EUR

50 GBP/EUR OFF code： GETECHA20

Coupon code valid from Sep.20,2020 until Oct. 30, 2020. By shopping with this promo code, you’ll save 50 GBP/EUR on your entire order. Click on the link and you will be directed to the corresponding sales page.

UK:https://amzn.to/2wbgmQy
DE:https://amzn.to/3fTyNuz
FR:https://amzn.to/30nouK3
IT:https://amzn.to/3bK3QaZ
ES:https://amzn.to/3kqWaNW

3D Printed Fashion is About to Go Mainstream

3d printing made a big splash when it first came out and it seemed like everybody's desk were adorned with plastic toys.3D printing has rapidly found its way into almost every aspect of our modern world, being used to make parts for cars,planes and clothes.Today’s 3D printing technologies are advanced enough to easily produce shoes,soles and jewelry, but it’s still hard to print a dress or a jacket. In most cases,  3D printing is used for producing non-flexible parts. Despite the challenges of 3D-printed fashion, designers and engineers have overcome many to create some wildest designs.I will tell you how 3d printed fashion is going to be a game-changer.let's start with.

 

Example #1:

3D Printed Dress and Jacket

 

A dress entirely 3D printed at the Met Gala 2019

 

The dress, named Rose, was certainly the centerpiece of the collection presented at the Met Gala.The garment was worn by model Jourdan Dunn, consists of 21 3D-printed rose petals – each petal measures 53 cm and weighs 0.4 kilos.They were produced on a SLA 3D printer – the process was managed by Protolabs’ 3D printing department.Each petal includes a coat of primer and a coat of chameleon-effect automotive paint.Besides, the dress is modular: petals (up to 37 in all) can be added to increase the length of the dress.

 

Ministry of Supply -- Jacket Without Seams

 

In 2016, Ministry of Supply released a 3D-printed jacket for $250 that quickly sold out.Because the jacket is 3D-printed, it has no seams, which makes it very comfortable to wear.Although it has no seams, the garment still has joints to fit the outline of the body.

The jacket was made on a 3D robotic knitting machine, a process that uses less material than traditional knitting.It’s thought that using traditional methods wastes 15-30% of the material.

 

Example #2:

3D printed accessories

 
Source: n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com

 

Every day, more and more jewelers are using 3D printing to produce rings, bracelets, necklaces and similar products.

What you see above is a sterling silver bracelet that mimics patterns found in nature.The maker, Nervous System, first 3D printed the model in wax and then cast it in pure silver.

3D printing enters the watchmaking arena. Source: Sculpteo

 

Metal 3D printing is a perfect technology for watchmakers, both for prototyping and production of end-use pieces.

The Lo Scienziato timepiece from Panerai uses a fully 3D-printed titanium housing made by direct metal laser sintering (DMLS).If you want to see the Panerai on your wrist, you'll have to pay up to $170,000. 

 
Katie Holmes wearing the 3D printed neck accessory | Photo credits: Theo Wargo / WireImage

 The actress Katie Holmes wore a 3D-printed collar produced with resin machine on her dress. It represents pearly purple palm leaves and required 56 hours of 3D printing and finishing.

VIP TIE is an Italian company known for its 3D-printed ties.VIP TIE combines luxury and innovative high-tech design.The whole process of making one tie can involve a complex mix of complementary procedures and materials: craftsmanship, embroidery, 3D printing, exotic leather, mother-of-pearl, carbon fiber, silver, gold and silver plated solid.

XYZBAG 3D printed bags

 XYZ Bag is an Italian brand behind the Dada collection of customizable 3D printed handbags. Each bag is connected by a leather strap and a 3D-printed outer shell with a fabric lining.For each bag, the customer has to choose between several design options based on 3 different products.Once the model is selected, it is designed in CAD software.

The company uses SLS technology to make components, although they have recently integrated the one developed by HP, Multi Jet Fusion. These bags cost between 290 and 330 euros, which is quite expensive, but also reasonable for 3D printing products.

 

 

Example #3:

3D printed footwear

 
Adidas Futurecraft 4D sneakers Source: CNBC

 

The big companies in the shoe industry have been developing solutions for mass customization for years.Not only does 3D printing allow these companies to prototype faster, it's also a great solution for mass customization.

Companies in this field, including Adidas and New Balance, have started producing 3D-printed midsoles .Nike, meanwhile, is experimenting with 3D-printed “uppers”.

Annie Foo’s 3D printed shoes

 

Annie Foo is a high-end footwear designer who uses 3D printing technologies in her manufacturing process.She explained that she has always been so obsessed with the combination of existing footwear manufacturing methods with modern technologies and materials to create something new.She uses 3D modeling software to design complex shapes to make her shoes look more aesthetically pleasing.Her final works for the runway were made with HP’s Jet Fusion 4200 machine, using PA12 (nylon).

 

 

 

 

 

Reference：

https://all3dp.com/2/3d-printed-fashion-3d-printed-dress/

https://all3dp.com/2/3d-printed-fashion-the-state-of-the-art-in-2019/

https://www.3dnatives.com/en/met-gala-2019-dresses-100520194/#!

https://www.3dnatives.com/en/3d-printing-fashion-designs150620174/#!

5 Ways to Cash in On 3D printing

Are you a novice in 3D printing, admonished by your parents or mocked by your friends for splashing money on such an expensive “useless” machine?

Are you a seasoned player in 3D printing, wondering what you can do with all your 3D designs, models and 3D printer, aside from keeping them as a hobby ?   

If either of the above scenarios apply to you, you are not alone. Alex, China born and bred, now 27, working and living in Europe, first got into 3D printing when attending university in France. He says one summer afternoon in his sophomore year he ,together with his other three classmates was invited to a small gathering at a local student’s house. At some point his friend showed the guests his 3D printer and started to print a Japanese cartoon character on it. Alex was amazed at how capable this little(well, not exactly little, but Alex thinks so ) machine is.

A few days later, Alex decided to get one himself. So he went online in search of the same 3D printer model his friend was using. As it turns out, the same machine being sold online is priced at $399,not a small expenditure given that he was a student studying overseas and his middle-class family background. He somehow summoned up the courage to ask his parents to buy if for him. According to Alex, his parents were mad at him at first. They wouldn’t get it why he would want to buy such a “useless” but expensive thing. And they were worried that their only son would abandon his study as a result of “playing too much with the machine”.

Long story short, in the end, Alex was able to convince his Dad to buy the printer for him by promising to focus on his study and to return home with a degree,which he did. Fast forward to 1.5 years ago, Alex purchased his first geeetech 3D printer–A20M, and has become a fan of geeetech ever since.

To date, a great number of people still have not heard of desktop 3D printers,just like Alex and his parents years ago, and 3D printing is more of a industrial concept than an everyday conversation topic.

It is projected that 3D printing will be the next big thing in the years to come,with 3D printers for home and office use being more affordable and capable.A similar pattern can be drawn in the developments of smart phones and 3D printers. Smart phones in the early days were expensive,not so “smart”, and known to few.However,a decade later almost everyone owns smart phone. So now is probably the best time to monetize your 3D printing skills and expertise before 3D printers become ubiquitous.

Here are 5 ways to make money with your 3D printer and 3D printing know-how.

Read more...

3D Printed Practical Things

3D printing has been with us for years, yet its many applications remain unknown to outsiders. People today are still under the impression that 3D printing technologies are solely used in industrial settings. 

I remember being interviewed by Joanna--team lead in our marketing dept.here at Geeetech. At one point during the interview, she asked: what do you know about 3D printers? To convince her i am no stranger to 3D printing,I found myself telling her stories of how 3D printing technology is used to produce parts for aircraft carriers (By then that was everything i had learned about the 3D printers).After i was finished,Joanna didn’t comment on my answer. She merely replied,calmly:3D printing is used in many areas and desktop 3D printers (which,as it turns out, are what Geeetech does) are capable of creating various kinds of objects such as phone cases, chairs and many more...

And ,as you may have guessed, i nailed the interview.:D.    

 

First day on my new job, i dubbed a video clip in which “Iron Man” and his sidekicks take on their mortal enemy:Thanos and his followers. It took us almost the whole day due to my shyness and awkwardness. But i was genuinely amused by our team’s ingenious ideas and amazed at the fact that 3D printing could be fun too, contrary to what i had pictured it to be.

In the days and weeks that followed,my teammates continued to turn their creativity into reality with the help of Geeetech 3D printers.

  

Let’s take a look at some of their productions:

  

Dog Muzzle

 

 

Dog muzzles are a controversial topic. Dogs are adorable and usually do not bite.They only bite when feeling threatened.Nevertheless,if your dog has a history of biting, it is advisable that you keep a muzzle at hand in the event of an emergency. Just make sure that the muzzle fits well on your dog. The good news is that you get to design and create one for your dog on your own 3D printer. I mean, who knows better about your dog than you do.

Download STL file here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QCmEQtwgBNzrD-hogXnn7DZR1IRZb0ia/view

 

  

Chopstick Helper

 

 

Do you often find yourself wrestling with your chopsticks while eating Asian food?

Imagine your crush/date is craving some Chao Mian(fried noodles),but you can’t take her or him to that Chinese restaurant,worrying that your lousy chopsticks skills would make you look silly.

This little device may not look classy.It,however,could solve a real problem, and even be a game changer here.  

Download STL file here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PK0lxZEVAzxl5rQpDOxz6dzD_4PDXJ6A/view

 

Cell Phone Stand

 

 

A holder to a phone is what a pillow to a human being. Even though this statement is not exactly correct , there is some truth in it. If you are someone who is constantly glued to your smart phone, having a phone stand would relieve some of the pressure on your neck. This robust smart phone holder is crafted to give support to your smart phone whilst you are using it.

Download STL file here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dBWhMNP_UWLWdLS2SVjQ1dmKa5EfsS61/view

 

 

Tool Holder

 

The benefits of having a tool holder are numerous and obvious, especially if you are a geek ,maker, or a diy enthusiast, which i believe you are. Having a tool holder 3D printed on your printer will definitely help with your future prints.

Download STL file here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JbIPrpXwT1_9fcPRw05Kjcy6eRjbAPLE/view

 

Grocery Bag Grip

 

You might be thinking these shopping bag handles are not really that great. But i believe otherwise. The supermarket where i do most of my grocery shopping is about 5 minutes’ walk away from my apartment. And since i only shop 2-3 times a week, every time i buy lots of stuff. And if you consider the vicinity of the supermarket, it does not make much sense to drive or take a ride. So these bag holders would make my shopping experience less painful. I believe delivery guys would find this grip very useful too.

Download STL file here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HsvuOOL4PDpdxfW0c55gp2bXtgdf11_f/view

 

 

Paintbox

 

 

Why would you buy your kid a paintbox when you could 3D print one yourself?  Just imagine your child’s look when you have it 3D printed before his/her eyes.

Download STL file here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b7eMJRxqXsT7lIb7A5jhXgcovRPDPI5h/view

 

Cable Manager

Nowadays it is not uncommon for an individual to own a smart phone, ipad, laptop. Some people even have more than one of these items for various purposes. And each of these gadgets comes with its own electric cable, making maintaining a tidy work desk seemingly impossible.

If you are looking for ways to keep your workplace organized and neat, this 3D printed, low-profile cable management solution could be the one to go for,or at least, give you some inspiration to design and come up with your own solution.

Download STL file here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ofw11nMThRJEamUpOpTKbcax89cdUm5W/view

 

 

Drawing Toy

 

Besides being aesthetically pleasing to the eye,these around toys have a practical use: to help with drawing circles.

Download STL file here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iMZadCld83DEIlOAVOEKgHVFV34fuhqH/view

 

Check out the videos below where Joanna tells you more about 3D printing useful gadgets:

 

Part one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Kf_gSQyHMA&pbjreload=101

 

Part two: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99PAm4x0x88

This article is originally published on Geeetech offical blog.