Convert Sewing Machine into Automated Embroidery Machine
Hackster user “SpaceForOne” posted a detailed overview of his Embroiderino project, which takes a plain sewing machines and transforms it into an automated embroiderer, allowing you to personalize anything made from fabric.
This is achieved by combining the sewing machine with a plotter-like core XY frame and motor system. The whole thing uses gerber files, and runs on an Arduino UNO.
The output from the demo is quite amazing, and I look forward to seeing how this project develops.
https://www.hackster.io/spaceforone/arduino-based-embroidery-machine-2f2f69
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIG09RFPYDc
Color Electroplating 3D Prints for Shiny Metallic Finish
HEN3DRIK on Youtube is back again with another interesting video showing how to electroplate 3D prints, this time using color metal to make a metallic Pokeball.
If you want to add high quality metallic finishes to your prints, this thorough guide is the one to watch.
Comprehensive List of Metal 3D Printer Manufacturers
3D Natives put together a very thorough list of metal 3D printer manufacturers if you’re interested in learning about this trend. Most of them at industrial sized, but I aspect more consumer sized ones to be released in the near future.
https://www.3dnatives.com/en/metal-3d-printer-manufacturers/
AON3D Optimizes 3D Print Slicer Software w/ Machine Learning
At last weeks RAPID+TCT additive manufacturing event, AON3D showed off their thermal optimization system which simulates 3D prints, allowing users to easily fine tune heat flow behaviors inside specific sections of print layers so output quality is optimized.
Though this software is tailored specifically to AON3D’s polymer bead 3D printers, it would be great to see this kind of system work it’s way to hobbyists and open source.
https://www.aon3d.com/material-science/machine-learning-driven-thermal-optimization/
ALIVEFORM Launches New ARMIS 3D Printed Shoe Collection
Another week, another 3D printed shoe company. This time Aliveform have created the ARMIS collection. In my opinion these are slightly more normal looking than the Zellerfeld shoes, but still don’t think I’d ever wear anything this funky. What about you?
Essentium Launches New Filament with Extreme Cold Resistance
Essentium’s Altitude is an interesting new 3D printer filament, made from polycarbonate and siloxane, and it possesses unique characteristics including high temperature resistance, flame retardancy, impact resistance, as well as the ability to withstand temperatures down to -60C or -76F without cracking.
It’s designed specifically for outdoor applications like drone bodies, electrical system components, transformer housings, and electrical line protection amongst others, and it’s available to pre-order from their website.
Old Meets New with 3D Printed Japanese Tea House Building
Last month architects Kei Atsumi and Nicholas Préaud unveiled a unique building made with a mixture of 3D printing and traditional Japanese joinery methods.
The ‘Tsuginote Tea House’ is a curved structure made from 900+ unique wood-based PLA tiles, and held together only with wooden joints. Designed as a study into what’s possible with widely available FDM printer technology, I really like that designers and architects are thinking differently about novel construction methods, without compromising aesthetics.
Porsche Design Teams with Puma for 3D MTRX Sneakers
The product design arm of the famous car company Porsche have teamed with shoemaker Puma to design the 3D MTRX sneakers, which feature a 3D printed midsole.
Using AM technology allowed them to create a super complex geometry, out of what looks like some sort of TPU rubber, and they say it’s design means every time the foot hits the ground, it’s transformed into horizontal movement, so up to 83% of energy expended can be reused, increasing running performance.
That could just be marketing hype, but it is interesting to see how these grid structure designs reduce weight without apparently reducing comfort or performance.
Europes Largest 3D Printed Building Now Under Construction
From April to July this year, German real estate group Kraus will be constructing what they say is the largest 3D printed building in Europe, measuring in at 54 by 11 meters.
The concrete used in the 3D printer, provided by Heidelberg Materials is apparently 100% recyclable, and can be broken into it’s constituent parts of sand, gravel and cement stone.
Though it is interesting to see larger buildings being constructed using the technology, I look forward to further developments which might focus on more varied aesthetic choices. Most of these types of buildings all look the same, don’t you think?
https://www.heidelbergmaterials.com/en/pr-2023-04-26
https://www.kraus-heidelberg.de/referenzen/3d-druck/
Novo Nordisk Enters Partnership to Bioprint Tissue Therapeutics
The multinational is teaming up with Aspect Biosystems to leverage the companies proprietary bioprinting system to develop tissue therapeutics specifically aimed at diabetes and obesity.
It’s not exactly clear yet what this work will entail, but it seems like a growing trend of using bioprinting in the space, and if the money involved is anything to go by this seems like a very large area of interest.
The deal between the two companies gives Aspect $75 million in initial payments, with extra future milestone payments and royalties totalling in at over $2.6 billion.
https://www.aspectbiosystems.com/news-resources/novo-nordisk-partnership-to-develop-bioprinted-tissue-therapeutics-for-diabetes-and-obesity
https://www.youtube.com/@AspectBiosystems/videos
Combining 3D Prints and Packaging to Save Time and Waste
Christopher Helmke uploaded a fascinating video a few weeks ago, exploring whether it’s possible automate the process of packaging little widgets that he sells.
One of the challenges is that the product requires 6 screws which need to be sent with it in a separate bag, and this inclusion means extra time and waste packing each individual item.
Christopher’s ingenius idea was to embed the screws in a breakable cage inside the actual 3D printed object, and he achieved this using a custom arm which drops the screws in the middle of each print.