Recently, the Atlantic published a story titled, “Why Apple Should Start Making a 3D Printer Right Now.” My initial thought was, “Since when has Apple been in the printer business”? Really, what do computers and applications have to do with 3D printers and materials anyway? Long before there was the iPod, iTouch, iPhone and iPad, there were companies like 3D Systems, Objet and Stratasys investing time and money into the R&D of 3D production systems and materials. So, I’ll just keep it simple. Here’s my list of reasons why Apple does not need to build a 3D printer right now.
3D Systems Corporation
3D Systems is a leading provider of 3D content-to-print solutions including 3D printers, print materials and on-demand custom parts services for professionals and consumers alike. The company also provides creative content development, design productivity tools and curation services and downloads. Its expertly integrated solutions replace, displace and complement traditional methods and reduce the time and cost of designing new products by printing real parts directly from digital input. These solutions are used to rapidly design, communicate, prototype and produce functional parts, empowering its customers to create with confidence. More information visit: www.3DSystems.com, www.printin3D.com, www.production3dprinters.com, www.3Dproparts.com, www.zcorp.com, www.toptobottomdental.com, www.quickparts.com, www.alibre.com, www.bitsfrombytes.com, www.botmill.com, www.cubify.com, www.The3dStudio.com, www.freedomofcreation.com, www.sycode.com and blog.3dsystems.com.
EnvisionTEC
EnvisionTEC manufactures high precision rapid manufacturing and rapid prototyping equipment. The Perfactory product line employs selective light modulation technology by using a single or multiple DLP-based projectors to build 3-dimensional parts using light sensitive photopolymer-based materials. To learn more about EnvisionTEC’s products and materials, visit the EnvisionTEC website or call us at 248-582-0038. Products are also available for purchase through our authorized EnvisionTEC distributors worldwide.
EOS
EOS was founded in 1989 and is today the world-leading manufacturer of laser-sintering systems. Laser-sintering is the key technology for e-Manufacturing, the fast, flexible and cost-effective production of products, patterns and tools. The technology manufactures parts for every phase of the product life cycle, directly from electronic data. Laser-sintering accelerates product development and optimizes production processes. EOS completed its business year 2010/2011 with revenues of more than 90 million Euros (124.3 million US$). For more information visit www.eos.info.
MakerBot
MakerBot Industries is a company founded in January 2009 by Bre Pettis, Adam Mayer, and Zach Smith producing an open source 3D printer to democratize manufacturing. MakerBot is a machine that can make you almost anything! The MakerBot Replicator™ is the ultimate personal 3D printer, with MakerBot Dualstrusion™ (2-color printing) and a bigger printing footprint, giving you the superpower to print things BIG! Assembled in Brooklyn by skilled technicians, the MakerBot Replicator™ is ready within minutes to start printing right out of the box. The MakerBot Replicator™ is an affordable, open source 3D printer that is compact enough to sit on your desktop.With a build envelope that’s roughly the size of a loaf of bread, The MakerBot Replicator™ gives you the power to go big.
Objet Dealer Spotlight: www.kemeera.com
Objet Ltd. is a leading provider of high quality, cost effective inkjet-based 3D printing systems and materials. A global company, Objet has offices in North America, Europe, Japan, China, Hong Kong, and India. Objet’s 3D printing systems and 3D printing materials are ideal for any company involved in the manufacture or design of physical products using 3D software or other 3D content. Companies using Objet’s solutions can be typically found in sectors such as consumer goods & electronics, aerospace & defense, automotive, education, dental, medical and medical devices, architecture, industrial machinery, footwear, sporting goods, toys and service bureaus.
www.ipfl.co.uk
Founded in 1998, Objet has thousands of customers worldwide including a substantial share of the relevant Fortune 100 and Fortune 500. Its award-winning technology (12 awards in 5 years) is based upon over 110 patents and patent pending inventions. Objet’s advanced 3D printing systems and range of over 60 materials enable professionals to build prototypes that accurately simulate the true look, feel and function of an end-product, even complex, assembled goods. The Objet Connex™ line of multi-material 3D printers features the world’s only technology to simultaneously jet 2 materials. With this, users can print many different materials into a single part and print various mixed parts on the same build tray. Users can also create advanced composite materials, or Digital Materials™ featuring unique mechanical and thermal properties. Objet’s range of over 60 3D printing materials simulate properties ranging from rigid to rubber-like, transparent to opaque and standard to ABS-grade engineering plastics, with a large number of in-between shore grades and shades. Objet’s 3D printers are available in a range of form-factors, from cost-effective desktop 3D printers ideal for entry-level professionals all the way to industrial-scale multi-material machines for front-line designers and top manufacturers. Objet’s 3D printers feature the industry’s highest-resolution 3D printing quality, based on 16-micron (0.0006 in.) super-thin layering, wide material versatility, office friendliness and ease of operation. For more information, visit us at www.objet.com.
SLM Solutions
Just one year after having changed the name from MTT Technologies GmbH in SLM Solutions GmbH, the SLM Solutions Team presented no less than two machines at EuroMold 2011. Next to the SLM 125 HL which is particularly made for the dental industry and for smaller parts, the taller machine SLM 280 HL convinced at the first public appearance. Visitors and market accompanists were comparably impressed from technical parameters and innovative details of the system. The concept itself has been developed in close cooperation with Fraunhofer ILT in Aachen. The SLM 280 HL provides a build chamber of 280 x 280 x 350 mm and a unique double beam technology. This will improve not only the laser beam profile but also the quality factor of components as well as the building speed. Moreover the SLM 280 HL does convince with a highly precising 3D-scan-optical system and a closed process of gas consumption.
3D printed Buddha sent to me by the makers of Solidoodle
Solidoodle LLC was founded in 2011 by Sam Cervantes to put 3D printers into hands of creative minds all around the world. The idea was born out of a passion for robots and a desire for making 3D printing accessible to the masses. Sam has rich history in the 3D printing community, having worked with a few different 3D Printing Companies and many different types of 3D Printers.
Stratasys
Stratasys, Inc., Minneapolis, is a maker of additive manufacturing machines for prototyping and producing plastic parts. The company markets under the brands Dimension 3D Printers and Fortus Production 3D Printers. The company also operates RedEye On Demand, a digital manufacturing service for prototypes and production parts. In 2011 Stratasys acquired 3D printer maker, Solidscape, Inc. According to Wohlers Report 2011, Stratasys had a 41 percent market share in 2010, and has been the unit market leader for the ninth consecutive year. Stratasys patented and owns the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM®) process. The process creates functional prototypes and manufactured goods directly from any 3D CAD program, using high-performance industrial thermoplastics. The company holds more than 285 granted or pending additive manufacturing patents globally. Stratasys products are used in the aerospace, defense, automotive, medical, business & industrial equipment, education, architecture, and consumer-product industries. Online at: www.Stratasys.com.
Learn more about 3D printing technology at RAPID 2012!
www.sme.org/rapid
RAPID is North America’s definitive additive manufacturing conference and exposition. The event brings buyers, sellers and end-users of design, prototyping, tooling and direct manufacturing technologies together in an environment that facilitates networking and business interaction. Attendees can evaluate the latest materials and machinery, compare processes, talk to industry experts and make valuable contacts. Exhibitors can meet new customers, discuss projects face-to-face and generate sales. For more information, please visit sme.org/rapid.
January 30, 2012
3D Printing, Additive Manufacturing, Nadrafied, Technology