3D Printing

3D scanning has proven to be a useful technique in order to create 3D models from actual objects. The only problem, however, is that big objects can't be scanned. Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro's 38-meter-tall statue is such an object. If you wanted to make a replica from Rio's iconic statue, you weren't able to use any kind of 3D scanning tool. Nevertheless, thanks to the work of a drone, an international team has now changed the pattern and became able to 3D scan the entire … [Read more...]

Visually impaired and blind people will probably not have the best moments of their lives in museums. As they are visually impaired or even unable to see, they can't experience the art, and because of the regulations they also can't touch the art. Not if they go to the Museo del Prado in Madrid, which exhibition Touching the Prado is all about touching art pieces. Six paintings have been 3D printed and are now to be touched by everyone. The collection of 3D printed paintings includes, … [Read more...]

Can we 3D print trees? Well, technically we can't print real trees, not even with advanced bioprinting techniques, but that doesn't stop scientists at the Technical Centre of Finland (VTT) come up with alternatives. What they have come up with, is a 3D printed 'tree' with organic, solder cells. The tree uses its cells to harvest solar energy, and the vibrations it captures - think of the blowing wind - produce kinetic energy. This 3D printed tree just a prototype, but the idea of the scientists … [Read more...]

A male Toucan from the forest of Costa Rica got beat up by local children and lost half its beak during the attack. Veterinarians luckily found the poor animal - and called her Grecia - but without a beak, life is hard for toucans. They become easy targets for predators, and it also becomes more difficult for them to eat properly. The birds use their long beaks to reach deep into trees and grap food. 3D printing will now be used to - hopefully - help the toucan to get a new beak. Images … [Read more...]

One of the problems with 3D printing technology is that most filaments make use of plastic materials, which are bad for the environment. Can't we use different kinds of filament? Yes, we can. There are metal printers out there and some companies even manage to 3D print wooden objects, using a composite of plastics and actual wood. But have you ever heard about people using clay as a printing material? Well, it happens. Dutch designers Marlieke Wijnakker and Yao van den Heerik from VormVrij 3D … [Read more...]