Digital fabrication tools have revolutionized the way designers, engineers, and artisans express their creativity. With the right resources, you can learn to use these powerful instruments in no time! Whether it’s 3D printing or laser cutting that interests you, these articles will provide useful tutorials and inspiration for makers of all levels. Discover how digital fabrication can open up new possibilities so that your craftsmanship is truly extraordinary!
Check out this beautiful 3D-printed guitar by Scott Summit of Bespoke/3D Systems. The body is plastic with minor pieces printed in silver and stainless steel. It’s unique in that it may be the first 3D-printed acoustic guitar.
3D printed, two-part mold designed from original part specifications allows “factory-new” repair.
In this episode of DiResta, Jimmy gets all sentimental and makes a heart key for a particularly big-hearted friend.
In each bi-monthly episode of DiResta (every other Wednesday at 2pm PT), artist and master builder Jimmy DiResta (“Dirty Money,” “Hammered,” “Against the Grain,” “Trash for Cash”) lets us into his workshop, to look over his shoulder while he builds whatever strikes his fancy.
For more details on the build, check out the MAKE post: http://blog.stage.makezine.com/2012/10/03/diresta-heart-ring/
And look for new episodes of DiResta every other Wednesday at 2pm Pacific/5pm Eastern.
Over at Teague Labs maker John Mabry has been having a bit of fun creating printable consumer electronics. Named after its elapsed print time, the 13:30 is a pair of working stereo headphones. The idea for these stylish ear goggles centered around the notion of printed prototypes as actual products.
The folks at Disney Research, in collaboration with Carnegie Mellon, are doing interesting work with 3D printing clear resin, light-guiding “light pipes.” The details are documented in their newly released research paper, “Printed Optics: 3D Printing of Embedded Optical Elements for Interactive Devices” (PDF). From their site: Printed Optics is a new approach to creating […]
Present and Future Applications at Work, Home and School Featuring Marc de Vinck, Liz Arum, Brian Jepson, Duann Scott, Chris Connors
Learn what educators, designers, engineers, and entrepreneurs are creating with 3D printing technology. This once high-end piece of equipment has now become commonplace in the maker-labs around the world. We have seen this technology transform from a hobby of those early adopters, to a serious tool for innovation and prototyping, and now something marketed as household appliance. Moderated by Lehigh University professor Marc de Vinck, this panel will discuss the current state of affairs within the 3D printing community, as well as what the future may hold.
3D printers are cool for printing miniature Yoda heads, tiny owls, and little tea cups. But what about printing something really useful, like, say, a stainless steel rocket engine? Check out this project from Rocket Moonlighting. Says Hack-a-Day: Most any rocket engine you’d find on a spacecraft – save for solid or hybrid rockets – […]
