shapeways:

How To 3D Print at Home with an iPhone and a Magnifying Glass (VIDEO)

 

While looking for a way to recycle our excess Nylon powder we found a way for anyone to 3D print at home with an iPhone and a magnifying glass.

At Shapeways we recycle most of the Nylon powder from our industrial 3D printing process but sometimes the powder does not meet the standard required for use in our 3D printers.  We were looking at the testing process when we made a really exciting discovery, with a tightly focused beam of light you can solidify the Nylon powder into a solid.  

We did some experiments and discovered a way that anyone can 3D print at home using an iPhone and a magnifying glass with our Nylon powder.  Take a look at the simple video below and email freenylon@shapeways.com and we can send you (for the cost of shipping) some of our excess Nylon for you to try at home.

In a relatively simple step by step process that almost exactly replicates the way in which our industrial 3D printers work it is easy to 3D print a basic form with an iPhone with a ‘Torch’ app, a strong magnifying glass, a ruler and some fine Nylon powder.

1. Prepare the Nylon powder to around 3mm thick on a clean flat surface.  The smoother this first surface the better quality your 3D print will be as this is the foundation of your entire print. (This is the same way that our 3D printers prepare for your 3D prints)

1. Use the Torch App to activate the flash on your iPhone and a magnifying glass to focus the light into a tight beam. You will need to experiment to fid the perfect distance from the Nylon and the time it takes to solidify the powder so that you do not burn the Nylon.  (Our industrial machines use much the same process except with a laser to speed up the printing time and give greater accuracy)

1. Use a ruler or other straight flat item to gently cover the first layer of your 3D print with around 0.5mm of Nylon powder, you will be printing your part from the bottom up, tracing the existing layer to ensure the melt together. (Again, this is the exactly the same process our SLS 3D printers use, except the layer of Nylon is in the Microns yet still building objects from the bottom up)

1. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to print your object, ensuring you melt each layer to the layer below, as you gain confidence you can try to 3D print simple interlocking parts like a chain. (please note: The strength of the part is reliant on the uniformity of the bond between Nylon particles, we do not recommend you use this process for any parts under stress.  The industrial 3D printers Shapeways use are high precision machines that 3D print high quality parts. Home 3D printing with this process is an experimental process for fun more than function.)

Take a look at the video below to see our results, if you want to try this yourself at home contact us freenylon@shapeways.com and we can send you some Nylon (for shipping costs) so you can try this at home too.

Rhizome | Announce:

Neuroscience For Artists, Programmers, and Anybody In Between

• Dates: April 13th, 2013 
• When: 11AM-5PM
• Where: 54 Maujer, Brooklyn, NY 11206
• Level: Intermediate
• Max # of Students: 15
• Prerequisite: Must be computer literate.
• Student Discounts & Installment plans available – email us for info.
• Tuition: $100. A $25 non-refundable deposit holds your place.
• Please read our Registration & Cancellation Policy.

How to Measure Your Biological Signals and Make Them Work For You! (Taught By A Real Neuroscientist / Artist). The Volumetric Society is thrilled to present an action packed chock full of information course on how you can make art from your biological signals.

What information can you take from your mental and physical states, and how can bio-signals be integrated into, art, fashion, games, toys, social media, medical devices, sports equipment and other applications? The class will primarily be a how-to discussion and demonstration of various sensing technologies you can measure with simple circuitry taught by a real neuroscientist. Come and learn the foundations of how to use your own and others bodies as hardware and software – where the sky or the mind is the only iimit! No experience necessary except the ability to use a computer.

More information can be found at: > http://produceconsumerobot.com/Bio-Sensing/

new-aesthetic:

3D Scanning and Candy Hacking Hot Pop Factory – 3D Printed Jewelry

Toasting the 3D Printer

Photo:  minimug.stl    http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:18357

“Traditionally, the first print off of a RepRap is supposed to be a shot glass…”  Where did this tradition begin?

Peter Kuhm peter at null.priv.at
Mon Jan 21 18:40:07 CET 2013  To: [Discuss]@lists.hackerspaces.org

“in late 2007 Bre [Pettis, MakerBot] became artist in residence in Viennese MuseumsQuartier on intervention and invitation of artist group monochrom. The project he choose was to build a RepStrap bot - and because monochrom is engaged in organizing http://www.roboexotica.org (the annual festival for cocktail robotics -since 1999!) the declared aim was to print shotglasses with the machine”

http://lists.hackerspaces.org/pipermail/discuss/2013-January/007471.html

From: Dr. Glass DPM <glass.dpm_at_gmail.com>
Date: Mon Jan 21 2013 - 22:08:02 EET  To: [rp-ml]@rapid.lpt.fi

Bre Pettis initially demoed the Cupcake at South by Southwest by showing up to bars and printing shot glasses for people.

http://www.shapeways.com/blog/archives/364-shapeways-interviews-bre-pettis-of-makerbot-industries.html

http://rapid.lpt.fi/archives/rp-ml-current/0140.html

See also non-toxic materials for 3D printers:

http://reprap.org/wiki/Printing_Material_Suppliers  [Search for PLA]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polylactic_acid

“Poly lactic acid is quite safe for human consumption. Cups and such are made from PLA in mass production already.
In fact: hundreds of pounds of PLA are implanted and absorbed every day in the form of Suture material and absorbable implants in medicine.”

-Nicholas Giovinco (Podiatric Surgeon)
Dr. Glass DPM - Video Podcast
www.youtube.com/DrGlassDPM
www.drglass.org

Mothership HackerMoms: The first women’s hackerspace! by Sho Sho Smith — Kickstarter

With our custom kit, you will have all the parts you need to assemble your own fully-functional laser cutter!

Defense Distributed - Home of the Wiki Weapon - 3D Printable Gun