Creaform, a leader in portable 3D optical measurement technologies and 3D engineering services, announced its 2011 fiscal year results. The company has had an exceptional year with $37.5 million in annual sales, which makes for a growth of 37% over … [Read more...] about Creaform completes 2011 with record sales in Q4
Latest Articles
3D Scanners ensure the part fits
Understanding how parts are positioned in three-dimensional space is the first step toward prototyping a part. But the ability to precisely verify how a new part fits into the design envelope is the quantum leap in product development. Chris … [Read more...] about 3D Scanners ensure the part fits
The potential nightmare of “democratizing” 3D printing
In the 3D printing world, we are in a period of thinking only good things about this technology. However, for many engineers, the idea of “democratizing” the design and manufacture of parts brings up nightmare scenarios. For example, let’s say an … [Read more...] about The potential nightmare of “democratizing” 3D printing
3D printing — getting organized
Until September of 2011, 3D printing machines could be grouped into two categories—those for prototyping and those that could handle limited production. Lately, new 3D printing manufacturers have entered this industry, introducing popular … [Read more...] about 3D printing — getting organized
U2’s 360 Tour–Light and Sound by 3D printers
It takes the versatility of a 3D printer to build nearly one thousand custom fixtures for an LED display and a custom microphone for U2’s concerts. Edited by: Leslie Langnau/Managing Editor In April 2009, Tommy Voeten, President of 1212-Studio, … [Read more...] about U2’s 360 Tour–Light and Sound by 3D printers
Could you be driving an Urbee soon?
The Urbee car is the brainchild of mechanical engineer Jim Kor and could become the most energy-efficient car on the planet, reports Terry Wholers. (For those of you who attended RAPID 2011, you saw one on the show floor.) Its drag coefficient is … [Read more...] about Could you be driving an Urbee soon?
The Future of 3D printing
According to a forecast by Terry Wohlers, Wholers Associates, the sale of 3D printing machines will increase through 2020. Noted Wholers, “The increased sale of these machines over the past few years has taken additive manufacturing (AM) mainstream … [Read more...] about The Future of 3D printing
What you need to know about color 3D printing
As 3D printing technology evolves, chances are you will soon be considering whether you need a color or monochrome unit. Several color 3D printers are available but each uses different technology to deliver color. Here’s a closer look at the … [Read more...] about What you need to know about color 3D printing
Cut to the Bone–how to remove weight from designs
We’ve all seen cartoons of the caveman with his waist-high stone wheel. It literally weighs a ton and never seems to be attached to anything. We’ve seen images of chest-high, solid wood wheels on a peasant’s lumbering cart; better than nothing but … [Read more...] about Cut to the Bone–how to remove weight from designs
Guest Blog: Powder vs. Plastic … Redux
MakePartsFast.com will be posting guest blogs from those in the 3D printing/additive manufacturing industry; blogs with key points that inform and help you design, prototype, test, and make better use of this technology. This guest blog is from 3D … [Read more...] about Guest Blog: Powder vs. Plastic … Redux