This 3D printer can produce objects smaller than red blood cells

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Researchers have developed a 3D printer that can create objects as tiny as 0.001 millimeters.

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A team of researchers from South Korea’s Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) have developed a 3D printing technology that is capable of producing high-resolution 3D patterns as tiny as 0.001 millimeter in size, which happens to be thinner than a human red blood cell. Meaning that, the printed shapes are too small for the eye to even see.

According to the team, led by Professor Jang-Ung Park, this method works not unlike any in-home inkjet printer, except for that the fact this machine uses special inks that can be layer to form microscopic 3D designs like vertical or helix-shaped pillars and straight or rounded walls. With such a technology, the researchers hope that one day users will be able to create bendable or curved electronic circuits on a flexible substrate, ranging from low conductivity plastics to high conductivity metal materials. Not to mention, such advancements would drastically simplify and expedite the prototyping process.

“This new technology could bring us a step closer to realizing wearable 3D printing electronic devices with enhanced stretchability and electrical and mechanical reliability,” says Park.

Whereas today’s 3D printers have difficulty extruding smooth objects, and as a result possess rougher textures, this new technology can eliminate these shortcomings altogether by operating at higher rates of precision. In fact, the maximum printing resolution represents an improvement of more than 50 times over its predecessors.

Check out the world’s first 3D-printed supercar

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What can you make with a 3D printer, some aluminum powder and carbon fiber tubing? If you’re Kevin Czinger, a brand new sports car with a 3D-printed chassis.

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During the O’Reilly Solid Conference, Divergent Microfactories unveiled a disruptive new approach to auto manufacturing that incorporates 3D printing to dramatically reduce the pollution, materials and capital costs associated with building automobiles and other large complex structures. Highlighted by Blade, the first prototype supercar based on this new technology, Czinger introduced the company’s plan to dematerialize and democratize car manufacturing.

Aside from its sleek and sexy exterior, Blade can go from 0-60mph in just two seconds, and at 1,400-pounds weighs 90% less than conventional cars. Equipped with a 700-horsepower bi-fuel engine that can run on either compressed natural gas or gasoline, Divergent Microfactories plans to sell a limited number of the high-performance, two-seater vehicles that will be manufactured in its own microfactory. The automobile is capable of traveling up to 100 miles on CNG, while 350 miles on regular gasoline.

The company’s revolutionary technology centers around a proprietary, modular solution called a Node — a 3D-printed aluminum joint that connects pieces of carbon fiber tubing to make up the car’s chassis. In others, think of it like a LEGO kit for vehicles. While it may not be the first 3D-printed automobile in recent months, Blade’s unique combination of 3D printing and assembly is certainly something else. The Node solves the problem of time and space by cutting down on the actual amount of 3D printing required to build the chassis and can be fabricated in a matter of minutes. What’s more, the prototype is also one of the greenest and most powerful cars in the world.

“We’ve found a way to make automobiles that holds the promise of radically reducing the resource use and pollution generated by manufacturing. It also holds the promise of making large-scale car manufacturing affordable for small teams of innovators. And as Blade proves, we’ve done it without sacrificing style or substance. We’ve developed a sustainable path forward for the car industry that we believe will result in a renaissance in car manufacturing, with innovative, eco-friendly cars like Blade being designed and built in microfactories around the world,” Czinger adds.

Aside from showing off its prototype, Divergent Microfactories has shared plans to democratize auto manufacturing. The goal is to put the platform in the hands of small entrepreneurial teams around the world, allowing them to set up their own microfactories and build their own cars and, eventually, other large complex structures. These microfactories will make innovation affordable while reducing the health and environmental impacts of traditional manufacturing.

3D printing objects out of tree cellulose

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Researchers have successfully 3D printed objects made entirely from wood fiber. 

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In a breakthrough, researchers at the Chalmers University of Technology have successfully developed a way to 3D print objects out of cellulose from wood. In addition to that, they were also able to create electrically-conductive materials by adding carbon nanotubes.

(Source: Peter Widing)

The scientists say that one day, plant-derived biomaterials could rival fossil-based materials when it comes to additive manufacturing. This can lead to a much more environmentally-friendly, sustainable alternative to the metals and plastics that are currently used by a majority of 3D printers.

“Combing the use of cellulose to the fast technological development of 3D printing offers great environmental advantages,” explains Professor Paul Gatenholm, the leader of the research group. “Cellulose is an unlimited renewable commodity that is completely biodegradable, and manufacture using raw material from wood, in essence, means to bind carbon dioxide that would otherwise end up in the atmosphere.”

While wood has been a material of choice for countess objects and structures, it has never been an easy-to-use filament for 3D printing. Reason being, unlike others, cellulose doesn’t melt when heated which makes it a bit harder to mold into various things. To solve this issue, the Chalmers researchers mixed the cellulose nanofibrils in a liquid gel consisting of 95-99% water. The researchers tested their mixture on a 3D bioprinter, which had been used previously to make scaffolds where cells grew before being implanted in a patient.

(Source: Peter Widing)

Upon being printed, the object has to dry in order to maintain its desired shape. In order to achieve this, the researchers devised a process which consisted of them freezing the items, then gradually removing the water to control its final configuration. What’s more, the researchers were able to insert carbon nanotubes into the dry object so that it could conduct electricity. After testing one conductive gel with the nanotubes and one without, they were even able to create a 3D electrical circuit where the resolution increased significantly upon drying.

So, what does the future hold for such an innovation? According to Professor Gatenholm, “Potential applications range from sensors integrated with packaging, to textiles that convert body heat to electricity, and wound dressings that can communicate with healthcare workers.”

Intrigued? Read more about the project on its official page here.

Teen Maker builds a Cherry 3D printer for just $70

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This DIY FDM 3D printer may be among the cheapest ones ever.

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For young Makers, bringing an idea to life in the most inexpensive way possible is a top priority most of the time. Making that project look good on a limited budget is sometimes, well, even more of a challenge. That is unless, of course, you’re teenage Maker Johannes Rostek, who has developed an aesthetically-pleasing, fully-functional Cherry 3D Printer. Ever better? It costs less than $70 to create.

While many people out there would prefer to shell out some big bucks for a commercial machine, others rather channel their inner DIY spirt to craft their own printers from scratch. Using what he calls the “the cheapest motors on the planet,” Rostek employed four 28Byj-48 steppers that he had found on eBay, an Arduino Mega (ATmega2560) and RAMPS 1.4 for its electronics, as well as an all-metal hotend. In addition to that, he was able to obtain a couple MDF plates for the base, frame and print bed, along with nuts and screws from the local hardware store and a NEMA 17 that he happened to find lying around a junkyard.

The rest of the parts — including the Z-motor, Y-end, X-end, X-carriage, hotend and hotend clamp — can all be downloaded from Thingiverse. Plus, Rostke made use of a Bowden Extruder that is also available online.

After modifying the 28byj-48s by rearranging some connections, soldering a few wires and connecting them to the RAMPS 1.4 shield, the remainder of the project entails assembling all of the components. Rostek provides a breakdown of the steps required for piecing together each of the axes and constructing the print bed. From there, the Maker simply connected the electronics, installed the code onto the Arduino and uploaded it to Repetier for the complete firmware.

As one would expect from its composition, there are a few drawbacks when using the Cherry 3D Printer. In particular, the DIY device has a limited build volume of only 10cm x 10cm x 10cm. Nevertheless, it is still capable of printing those small objects pretty darn fast and with a decent resolution for the price. With just some minor calibrations, the 16-year-old Maker was able to extrude a 1cm x 1cm x 1cm cube with a resolution of 0.2mm and at a speed of up to 20mm/second.

Are you a Maker on a budget looking for a minimalist 3D printer? Head over to the project’s Instructables page here.

Robotic 3D printers will construct a steel bridge over Amsterdam waterways

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A group of designers will use an anti-gravity machine to 3D print a functional, life-size bridge in Amsterdam. 

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Apparently the Netherlands has become the hotbed for revolutionary architecture, particularly through the use of 3D printing. After following the completion of what may very well have been the worlds’ first full-sized, 3D-printed home, designers are now taking on another ambitious plan which will employ the combination of robotics and 3D printers. While Amsterdam has more than 1,200 bridges crossing the city’s waterways, one of those will soon be a bit different from the rest: the steel overpass will be constructed with a set of multi-axis printers that can draw structures in mid-air.

The machine, which is the brainchild of Dutch startup MX3D, will build the bridge over the one of the city’s main waterways, printing its own supports along the way. The anti-gravity apparatus will extrude in steel with special arms capable of heating up the metal to 2,732° F before welding the structure, resulting in a strong and durable pedestrian bridge.

Designed by Joris Laarman, the undertaking is a collaboration between MX3D, Autodesk, ABB Robotics, European construction company Heijmans and several others.

“I strongly believe in the future of digital production and local production, in ‘the new craft.’ This bridge will show how 3D printing finally enters the world of large-scale, functional objects and sustainable materials while allowing unprecedented freedom of form. The symbolism of the bridge is a beautiful metaphor to connect the technology of the future with the old city, in a way that brings out the best of both worlds,” Laarman writes.

The team has already tested the robotic printer by creating a complex metal sculpture of intersecting lines. That success inspired them to continue on with the project, which will include two robots working in unison — one starting on each side of the canal, both making their way towards the center.

Several designs of the bridge have been revealed, all of which involve a cantilevered arch. The final design, however, has yet to be unveiled. Both that, along with the exact location of the bridge, will be announced soon with completion slated for 2017.

Disney uses store-bought conductive thread to build robot muscles

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Researchers have developed an inexpensive way to make artificial muscles using off-the-shelf supplies.

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They say Disney World is the most magical place on Earth, but we’d argue that it may come second to their research lab. From 3D-printed plush toys to autonomous sand drawing robots to bipedal droids that walk like animated characters, the Disney Research team continues to dream up some impressive innovations that blend fantasy with the real world.

In an effort to make robotic arm automation more lifelike, a group of Disney engineers have found a way to develop strong, artificial muscles using inexpensive, store-bought conductive sewing thread coiled into a shape that resembles somewhat of a DNA helix.

“Natural muscles exhibit high power-to-weight ratios, inherent compliance and damping, fast actuation and high dynamic ranges. Unfortunately, traditional robotic actuators have been unable to attain similar properties, especially in a slender muscle-like form factor. Recently, super-coiled polymer (SCP) actuators have rejuvenated the promise of an artificial muscle,” the researchers write.

Movement is facilitated through the heating and cooling of the off-the-shelf strings. As the strands fluctuate in temperature, the cables contract and expand like a human muscle, which in turn, pulls the fingers causing the artificial hand to close. While the researchers initially set out to find a low-cost way to create artificial muscles, their project yielded controlled forces in less than 30 milliseconds — actually outperforming the capabilities of a human muscle.

“The average human skeletal muscle has a twitch cycle of over 100 ms, and reaches a steady-state force in hundreds of milliseconds. Furthermore, the peak power- to-weight ratio of mammalian skeletal muscle is 0.32kW/kg, whereas these actuators have been shown to generate up to 5.3kW/kg,” the team adds.

For their demonstration, Disney Research employed a 3D-printed robotic hand — which had been crafted using an AVR powered Makerbot Replicator 2 machine — comprised of four fingers and a thumb with actuators on each tendon enabling a full range of motion. The muscles were strewn along the forearm of the robot to mimic the physical locations of a human arm, while four small computer fans were used to cool the actuators during relaxation. As for its electronics, the arm was driven by an Arduino Nano (ATmega328) along with some simple MOSFET PWM-switching supplies.

“The robot arm was able to perform various grasping maneuvers. The grasps were performed in under a second without the benefit of any feedback sensor, using a lead compensator to improve the speed of finger motions. Each finger can be manipulated individually, and there was no noticeable crosstalk between actuators.”

Does this mean that in the future we’ll see more realistic movements by Disney automations at its parks worldwide? As we wait to find out, you can read its entire paper here.

Creating a mesmerizing DNA lamp for under $30

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You can’t help but stare this project. 

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Year after year, the Dark Room at Maker Faire Bay Area showcases some of the most engaging and stimulating visual presentations we’ve ever come across. Between the glorious glowing of lamps, the dancing of robotic lights and the brilliantly embedded garments strutting the runway, the room is a sight to be seen. And, well, this recent project from Portuguese Maker João Duarte would certainly fit right in.

With the help of 3D printing, Duarte was able to bring the mesmerizing DNA Lamp to life for less than $30 in supplies. A vast majority of the device’s parts were 3D-printed in black PLA filament with the exception of its acrylic tube and the electronics housed inside its base. He also used white glow in the filament for the helix in order to make it stand out more under UV light, and of course, to give it a nice green glow in the dark.

Merely a beginner when it comes to 3D design, the Maker turned to Autodesk’s Tinkercad software to help devise the project. Duarte employed two 3D printers for the job, his Prusa i3 that he had built himself and a LulzBot TAZ 4 from his local Makerspace. In total, the helix lamp took roughly 14 hours from start to finish.

As for the electronics, the Maker implemented an electric motor to provide the slow rotation of the DNA helix inside of the acrylic tubing. UV LEDs are embedded at the top and bottom of the tube, creating a fading effect when the lamp is turned on. Meanwhile,, a barebones Arduino Uno (ATmega328) handles the motor and the LEDs.

Beyond that, the Maker wanted to be able to manage the LEDs, power and the rotation of the helix. To accomplish this, he added a push button that selects the operation mode of the lamp, which of course is powered by the ATmega328.

In the end, Duarte wrote some code that enabled the UV LEDs to produce its slick visual effects, as the helix fluctuated between fluorescent hues to “give it the weird feeling of a mysterious evil experience or that it is alive somehow.” As you can see in the video below, the LEDs offer a pretty hypnotizing blue and purple glow.

Want one of your own? Head over to the project’s Instructables page here.

Researchers 3D print in metal using tiny droplets of gold and coper

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A team of Dutch researchers have discovered a way to 3D print metal structures of copper and gold.

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Evident by recent advancements, 3D printing has become a rapidly evolving field. However, at the moment most machines are limited to plastics and other kinds of softer filaments. Looking to change that, one team of Dutch researchers at the University of Twente have discovered a new way to print metal structures using microscopically stacked droplets of copper and gold, melted by a pulsed laser.

“If metals could be used for 3D printing as well, this would open a wide new range of possibilities. Metals conduct electricity and heat very well, and they’re very robust. Therefore, 3D printing in metals would allow manufacturing of entirely new devices and components, such as small cooling elements or connections between stacked chips in smartphones,” the team writes.

As a major step towards high-resolution metal printing, the group of researchers used a laser to melt copper and gold into micrometer-sized droplets and deposit them in a controlled manner. With this method, a pulsed laser focuses on a thin metal film that locally melts it into a tiny droplet. From there, the drops are carefully positioned onto a substrate to form a disc-like shape, which enables researchers to repeatedly stack them on top of each other to create a sturdy, high-resolution 3D structure..

The team claims that it was able to stack thousands of metal drops into a tiny pillar just 2 millimeters tall and 5 microns in diameter, as well as just about any shape including electrodes and copper circuits. Admittedly, this method still requires some refinement as the high-energy laser currently causes droplets to also land next to the desired location. The team plans to look into this issue to improve its printing capabilities not just in metals, but also metals, gels, pastas and extremely thick fluids.

Intrigued? Read the project’s entire article here.

This open source machine lets you knit your own clothing

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Now that’s what we call doin-knit-yourself!

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Circular knitting is a form of knitting that creates a seamless tube. In recent years, knitting in the round has gained tremendous popularity among crafty DIYers, particularly those hoping that the rhythmic click of needles and repetitious weaving of yarn would alleviate some stress. For other hobbyists, the joys of knitting lie in the process of designing an automated machine to do the tedious task for them, as seen with the Maker duo of Varvara Guljajeva and Mar Canet who have developed an open source circular knitting machine, aptly named Circular Knitic.

Though digital knitting may not exactly be a form of additive manufacturing, the project does share a number of commonalities with 3D printing. As 3D printers continue to gain mainstream appeal, the fashion industry has become one of, if not, the quickest to adopt the next-gen technology. In fact, many designers are slowly introducing FDM printing into their prototyping labs, with several others already having fully-embraced these devices as a fashion tool — evident by the accessories seen throughout Eureka Park back at CES 2015 and dresses taking the runway at Fashion Weeks across the world.

Initially built for a program called DOERS, which was curated by Arduino co-founder David Cuartielles, the open source machine was constructed using a series of RepRap, MakerBot and Ultimaker 2 printers for most of its components, along with some digital fabrication, laser cutting and MakerBeam. Much like the tool we saw last year that was capable of threading pieces of attire, the OpenKnit, Circular Knitic is also powered by an Arduino — an Uno to be exact (ATmega328).

The brainchild of artists Varvara Guljajeva and Mar Canet, these desktop-sized machines are currently being commissioned to create long scarves at Etopia Center for Art & Technology in Zaragoza, Spain through July 31, 2015.

Similar to how a RepRap FDM printer extrudes plastic in various shapes, the Circular Knitic produces specific patterns of wool to form woven strands of clothing, ranging from scarves to gloves to keep you warm this winter. Even better, since its creators have made the files available on GitHub, users can simply 3D print and assemble the desktop device at home to make their own garments without having to ever head out to the store!

“Fab Labs and Makerspaces are a lot about hard-surface object production. At the same time, the first digital fabrication tool, which is an electronic knitting machine back to 1976, has been forgotten and discontinued. Hence, with this project, Circular Knitic, and our earlier one called Knitic, we aim to integrate textile fabrication to the Makers’ culture.”

Interested in starting your own in-home knitting factory? You’re in luck. The Maker duo has provided a step-by-step breakdown of the build on Instructables, in addition to having submitted their project as a contender for this year’s Hackaday Prize. Want to see more photos? Guljajeva and Canet have shared an entire album here.

My Driving Pal lets you keep tabs on the things that matter most

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Get ready for the Internet of Important Things!

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Created by Shahram Rezaei, My Driving Pal (MDP) is a multi-purpose solution that allows users to keep tabs on a variety of facets in their everyday life, whether that’s a child, a bike or a vehicle.

The system is comprised of a credit card-sized device, an accompanying mobile app that wirelessly communicates over Bluetooth Low Energy and a backend server. Built around an AVR MCU, the gadget packs a GNSS receiver, a cellular modem, an accelerometer, a temperature sensor, a 1500mAh lithium-ion battery, a SIM Card and a mini-USB connector — all housed inside a 3D-printed case.

Whenever the MDP unit and its paired smartphone are within the maximum range approximately 50 feet of one another, the MDP tracks the item and the device goes into idle mode. The data remains on the smartphone and is not transmitted to the MDP server. However, once the thing being monitored goes beyond the designated area, the MDP’s built-in GNSS receiver and cellular modem are activated. From there, the user receives a push notification.

Beyond merely offering location-based services, the MDP can even forward a user alerts regarding the temperature inside of their car, which can come in handy for those with a child or pet. That being said, there is an assortment of other uses for the all-in-one system, ranging from identifying the whereabouts of pets, keeping an eye on older loved ones suffering from Alzheimer’s in danger of wandering off, or locating a drone that has gone astray. What’s more, the device can also be helpful in simply recording and logging distances on a road trip, biking or leisurely stroll.

The MDP server runs on the Amazon EC2 cloud. While an iOS version of the mobile app is already available, Rezaei notes that a beta version for Android is currently in development.

Intrigued? Head over to its official Kickstarter page, where the team is seeking $35,000. At the time of its campaign, My Driving Pal comes in a variety of colors — white, green, blue, yellow and pink — and begins shipping in November 2015.