Backtrack to the early days of 3D printing as Chuck Hull was presented with his own lab, and famously woke his wife out of bed late one night to see his first rudimentary 3D print in the form of a rapid prototype. Fast forward, and such a scenario could now be taking place anywhere in the world. Software, hardware, and materials are more accessible and affordable than ever, leaving the world ripe for change. The initial goal of bringing 3D printers forth into the world was to encourage creativity via stereolithography; however, SLA 3D printing was almost solely emphasized as a rapid prototyping tool for engineers in the beginning.

The secret was too big to keep

Patented in 1986, SLA 3D printing was soon followed by selective laser sintering (SLS) and then fused deposition modeling (FDM). 3D printing technology—and all the opportunity behind it—was quickly bursting at the seams as automotive companies, NASA, and other entities with deep pockets wanted to take a swift turn from the conventional world of subtractive manufacturing into the additive. A handful of inventive trailblazers in their own right most likely enjoyed 3D printing behind the scenes as long as possible, with the knowledge that such innovation would be impossible to hide forever.

It wasn’t long before interlocking and moving parts (along with the potential for integrating electronics) began to pave the way for a wide range of functional components in critical applications like aerospace, automotive, and medicine.

Critical industries began to invest

Progress was particularly impressive as industries embracing 3D printing were also heavily centered around the safety of human lives. No one wants to be responsible for a rocket engine failing, an automobile causing accidents due to a defect, or an implant being rejected or a device harming an individual seeking to get better with medical treatment. The fact that researchers and scientists invested so much faith in an alternative method of manufacturing quickly gained attention, with interest continuing to accelerate at rapid speed over the past decade.

The ability to prototype and create finished products—all from the 3D printer—has had a profound effect on manufacturing. Processes like selective laser sintering (SLS) can be performed at high speeds, producing strong and durable parts. Because supports are not required (due to unsintered powder bolstering parts during the printing process), design freedom is virtually boundless, thus releasing designers from the stress associated with adding supports, and removing them.

Post-processing takes on many forms, depending on the 3D printer and the materials involved, but finished parts may be left natural, polished, or even dyed. SLS 3D printing again, is a great example as 3D prints made with Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic] can be processed for a smooth finish, or taken to a more refined level with a premium, scratch-resistant finish. A wide variety of hues are available too.

3D printing will continue to transform manufacturing

It’s obvious that business is booming within the billion-dollar 3D printing industry, offering a vast range of options for materials alone, to include thermoplastics, powders, metals, resins, and filaments. Factories are beginning to run on a whole new type of automation, to include technology propagating itself, from 3D printers made from 3D printed parts to 3D printed robots performing 3D printing activities (and let’s not forget, this could also be happening in space to build colonies and maintain and fix crucial parts).

Warehouse space may easily begin to dwindle as a requirement for many businesses, with on-demand production eliminating the need for inventory. Instead, high-performance, customized parts can be created on demand and completely to the preferences of the consumer. With 3D printing propelling consumer-driven personalized comfort, patient-specific treatment in medicine, and the potential for making intricately customized products—the drudgery of “one-size-fits-all” may disappear altogether, and quite soon.

Intense opportunity for customization is already stretching to a variety of applications, demonstrated through powerful case studies at Shapeways. Most of the incredibly talented and innovative customers have one thing in common: 3D printing began weaving its way into their manufacturing processes over the years and to this day is allowing them to improve with each model, part, or latest design generation. In some cases, other technologies are woven in with 3D printing too for maximum effect.

Shapeways customers have evolved in tandem with 3D printing  

In architecture, for example, the ability to offer a 3D printed model or mockup as well as a virtual tour has taken the experience between designer and consumer to an unprecedented level—allowing for better communication, quality—and in the end, satisfaction. The team at Verner Architects is able to make 3D printed prototypes on-site, test them, and then order customized parts on-demand.

“I’ve been aware of Shapeways since architecture school,” said architect David Swaim. “Once I graduated I worked at an architectural model shop where we would get little pieces of furniture that we could not build by hand printed and delivered to put in our models.”

Swaim’s previous positive experiences with 3D printing led him to introduce the technology into a recent high-end remodel in California. Ultimately, the project was much larger than the architects expected, and by the end also included a unique six-foot, 3D printed bathroom vanity inspired by the beauty of coral reefs. The results were outstanding, with the fixture meant to stand the test of time in terms of luxury and durability.

Additive manufacturing plays a role in many other unexpected areas too. Dutch design duo Hanno Groen and Joanna Boothman, Shapeways customers for years, relied on SLS 3D printing for their latest series of cuff bracelets. Many may be surprised to hear that industrial manufacturing plays such a large role in their work, but not only are the skilled designers able to create elegant, lightweight pieces of jewelry—their bracelets are durably, luxury items meant to be handed down over the years.

Each bracelet is “as unique as a fingerprint,” and the antithesis of mass-produced, disposable costume jewelry.

“3D printing gives us a chance to explore new avenues and get away from the mass production paradigm,” says Boothman.

Both designers also appreciate the way the Shapeways platform complements their artistic spirit—aside from aiding in the actual creation of jewelry—as they are able to work whenever the mood strikes and then upload their models quickly.

Boston-based industrial designer Evan Gant offers an artistic bend with his 3D printing also, designing a distinctive 3D printed pendant light that adjusts with a simple twist. Aptly named the Twist Light, Gant was using paper towel rolls for prototyping. Not only did he discover the wonders of using 3D printing to test parts—he also began manufacturing his lights with small-volume manufacturing through Shapeways.

“My favorite part of the design process is iterating and seeing the reaction to ideas,” explained Gant. “In a traditional process (like injection molding), a large portion of your time is spent optimizing from a mold, finding a vender that will make you parts, doing quality control, etc. You often need to make a lot of compromises to your design in the end.”

For the medical professionals, compromise is usually is not a luxury, with patients’ lives at stake. As the COVID-19 pandemic struck worldwide and supply chains began to show massive and unexpected vulnerability, Shapeways reached out to help the medical community by printing face shields for hospitals, using a modified version of the Prusa 3D design. The shields are manufactured via SLS technology and can be repeatedly disinfected after each use. As the need for face masks with good filtration, fit, and some modicum of smile became apparent too, Luxmea Studio stepped up to partner with Shapeways in creating bespoke face masks, ordered through a smart fitting process online.

The need for organization never ceases for medical processes and equipment either, especially as the coronavirus has raged on. Considering the needs of everyone involved—from medical equipment suppliers to nurses and doctors and patients—Voytek Medical worked with Shapeways to 3D print medical cable clasps printed in Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic].

“Voytek Medical has been using Shapeways in every stage of production, from concept to prototype and end-user products,” said the Voytek team.

3D printing can transform your business too

As prototyping becomes more of a given, the industrial spotlight shines front and center on 3D printing for the manufacturing of finished products. Businesses of all sizes now rely on AM processes for innovating, designing, optimizing, and revolutionizing.

3D printing services from Shapeways such as SLS allow you to reap the rewards of high-performance, quality materials without having to invest all your business capital in the powerful hardware, software, and materials required for your build. Enjoy the benefits of Shapeways advanced technology and wide range of materials for printing your creations with accuracy, complex detail, and no minimum or limits in terms of mass customization or single part orders. Read about case studies, find out more about our solutions, and get instant quotes here.

The post Far Beyond Prototyping: The Additive Manufacturing Revolution Continues to Accelerate appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

To meet the growing need for businesses to quickly get to market, regardless of their industries, Shapeways has a wide variety of materials leveraging industrial 3D printing technology. Selective laser sintering (SLS) is one of many technologies that are perfect for prototyping.

What is SLS?

SLS is an additive manufacturing (AM) technology that uses a laser to sinter powdered plastic material into a solid structure based on a 3D model. SLS 3D printing has been a popular choice for engineers in product design for decades. It is both low cost and highly productive making it the ideal technology for rapid prototyping.

In the past, SLS rapid prototyping was limited to a small handful of large high-tech companies. Shapeways’ unique advances in machinery, materials, and software have revolutionized SLS making it now accessible to a wider range of businesses. This now enables a more diverse cross section of companies to access the many advantages industrial 3D printing has to offer!

Developing Product Concepts with Rapid Prototyping

Product changes occur frequently during the earlier phases of product design. In an ideal situation, designers can take their time designing and refining new product to meet their company’s needs while still hitting key metrics such as cost, consumer value and functionality.

It is not uncommon for time to be the most critical factor during the design phase. The need to have a functioning prototype in hand quickly (and affordably) often becomes the priority of the project.

For example, when pitching for new business the ability to quickly create 3D models of your proposed product concept can be the difference between a winning pitch and lost business. New client pitches often occur with little notice or prep time. That is exactly why having access to an industrial 3D printers to design and create a physical model is key.

Prototyping for Product Assembly and Functionality

The benefits of additive manufacturing is not at all limited to just the concept phase. SLS machines can produce parts that not only delivered quickly, but are also highly durable; making them ideal to review assembly and functionality.

As design and parts evolve, quickly creating iterative design changes to physically evaluate the assembly can reduce the time getting from concept to final product.

Whether you are working with simple moveable parts, or more advanced product like robotics and drones, 3D printing provides replicas of any single piece in a highly durable material. As you test out assembly, the ability to quickly produce durable 3D samples of newly modified parts gives companies a huge competitive advantage.

Rapid Prototyping Assists with Final Product Fit and Form

An additional benefit to rapid prototyping is the benefit it provides in terms of final fit and form. This can be seen across multiple industry disciplines such as medical diagnostic machines, drones, and robotics. Assuring a functional part fits within a medical diagnostic machine, such as a cooling fan, is critical to ensuring the machine works consistently. In addition, with drones and robotics, combining multiple parts into one by leveraging 3D printing can make the final product lighter in weight. However, if the complex geometry of the additive manufactured part doesn’t fit the final product, the issue of weight is irrelevant.

Additionally, rapid prototyping has other advantages for product fit. 3D models can be created to physically analyze final sizing without needing all internal components to be finalized. This is done by designing a hollowed out “shell” of the products exact form and size to verify fit. This size replica of your design is ideal for testing fit without creating a full model. The results are the same, but the speed and benefits are greatly improved.

Keeping Up with the Speed of Business

The ability to use 3D printing has revolutionized business.

The innovative SLS process to give any business the capabilities that were once limited to large high-tech firms. The advantages of additive manufacturing quickly allows companies to customize concepts, make changes for assembly, and ensure a perfect fit for final product assembly.

Shapeways can partner with you throughout the prototype phase to quickly get your concept to a final product. Understanding the different material characteristics with various 3D printers is what our team takes pride in. To find out more, contact our 3D printing experts and have Shapeways help with your next prototype.

The post Leveraging Rapid Prototyping – from Concept to Final Product appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

We interviewed Bernhard Neuwirth, CTO of LUMINO, to understand how they utilized Shapeways’ 3D printing technology and services to develop their innovative face mask.

Can you take us through the start of LUMINO?

When the pandemic started in China, my business partner Michael Marcovici and I, were in the business of freeze dryer production. Our business slowed down immediately, as we could not get many needed parts anymore. While we have been in lockdown in Austria we started to look into the mask market and the various designs.

How has the pandemic influenced your business decisions?

The pandemic certainly was the reason for us to look into mask design and technology. But LUMINO was certainly not created just for the pandemic, we believe the design solves many problems of current masks on the market. The currently used masks in urgent care are one-way disposable. We want a product that is nice to wear and sustainable.

Who are LUMINO’s customers?

The LUMINO mask is a very versatile product and has up to 16 different configurations, its use ranges from hospitals to sales personnel, from bartenders to public services and many more. LUMINO can be configured to sterilize in one or both ways (in and exhale) it can be equipped with ventilators for fresh air and easy breathing. It can be used with traditional filters as well as our own developed UVC light module that kills germs with ultraviolet light.

Shapeways was helpful in every way from early on in the project. I especially liked the very fast production options, the choice of materials and the amazing quality of the product.

Bernhard Neuwirth, CTO of LUMINO

Which parts of LUMINO’s products are 3D printed? Why did you choose to 3D print them?

Almost all parts are 3D printed. The main reasons for us have been fast prototyping, fast production, choice of materials and colours, which is important for branding and personalization. The big difference with competitors is that we have already working prototypes.

What is the benefit of using Shapeways over more traditional manufacturing methods?

Shapeways was helpful in every way from early on in the project. I especially liked the very fast production options, the choice of materials and the amazing quality of the product. Traditional production methods would be injection moulding. We will certainly do that in the future. Meanwhile we produce already, while optimising the product. We use 3D-print as a production method.

What 3D printing materials do you use and why?

We mainly use Nylon in SLS (Versatile Plastic) as material. It is cost-effective, high resolution, heat and moisture resistant, and nearly unbreakable. Furthermore there is no allergic reaction with the human wearer (good biocompatibility).

How did you find Shapeways?

I’ve known Shapeways for many years as one of the top addresses for 3D printing, so we did not need to search actually.

How has Shapeways’ speed of manufacturing helped with your production process?

We had about 4 iterations of prototyping, most of the time we used the fastest production and shipping option and have saved overall probably a month in development time.

What is the most important aspect of working with Shapeways for you?

We wanted a partner that can deliver even in difficult times. We were amazed that all the delivery was on time and that we could easily reach sales to get support.

What are some of LUMINO’s ambitions for the future?

The current version of the custom mask is equipped with a microphone and speakers and it can be linked with bluetooth to enables calls. Using the speaker, one can be heard very well through the mask. With this technology there are many more possibilities to be explored and we are looking for partners to further develop and distribute the product.

Prototype with Shapeways

Because 3D printing offers such a quick production turnaround, the LUMINO team was able to prototype and create their face mask in a very short amount of time. This allows them to very quickly circulate a new mask that maintains visibility, comfort and safety for anyone working in close contact with others.

Do you have your own innovative ideas? Upload your design and start printing with Shapeways now.

The post LuminoGO: Comfortable and Sustainable 3D Printed Face Mask appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

Want to learn more? Here are 10 ways rapid prototyping with 3D printing streamlines the design process:

1. Optimize The Design Using 3D Software

By creating the blueprints for the prototypes and final design in 3D software, any edits or improvements to that design are reflected accurately and promptly. The design can be visualized enough at this initial stage to reduce any errors of communication and to make early improvements that will save substantial time during the prototyping and production stages. If the product or part requires customization, this design can be revisited and expanded upon at any time.

2. Take Advantage of Form Freedom

3D design allows for the creation of complex geometries that might not be as attainable in other processes. This allows for expanded freedom in the design and the final shape of the product can only be limited by the designer’s imagination. This flexibility makes it possible to produce a professional proof of concept of innovative and original pieces without sacrificing additional time or costs in the development process.

3. Save Time in Prototype Production

In traditional prototyping, the product designer or engineer would use materials such as cardboard, styrofoam or wood to create initial prototypes, then move on to creating functional prototypes using manufacturing processes typically used for finished products. This is often a costly and time-consuming process, and often not a practical use of resources when the product is still in the developing stages. With 3D printing, a prototype at any stage of the design process can be printed quickly and provide the exact information needed in that stage whether it is a proof of concept or a functional prototype. When developing a part, being able to reiterate quickly and affordably is crucial, and 3D printing facilitates that need for all stages of prototyping.

4. Save on or Eliminate Tooling Costs

3D Printing acts as an all-in-one production method for low-volume production and for rapid prototyping. The technology eliminates the need to gather other manufacturing components or machines. Manufacturing methods like injection molding are much more costly to set up, especially for small quantities, and make creating custom prototypes very expensive and time consuming.

5. Create More Time for Designing and Customizing

Instead of having to wait weeks for a prototype to be constructed by hand or for a mold to be made, prototypes can be 3D printed in a matter of hours or days depending on its size. It allows for mistakes to be fixed more quickly and for the design to evolve at a much higher rate, leaving more time for further innovation, customization or moving on to the next design.

6. Save Time Communicating Ideas and Information

When a product or part is being developed, it is extremely important to be able to communicate without misinterpretation and to leave as little to the imagination as possible when discussing with a client or any other involved parties. 3D printed prototypes look more professional and can communicate details better than a 2D drawing. This enables more viable and specific feedback for revisions to be made quickly and efficiently. The better the level of information in prototyping stages, the better the final product.

7. Choose from a Wide Range of Materials Depending on Each Iteration’s Purpose

Different materials can be used based on different prototyping stages to illustrate or explore the integrity of the design. Early iterations can be printed in more affordable plastics such as our Versatile Plastic, while later, more refined versions can be printed in different materials to fit the specific needs or testing requirements of the product. Many of our materials are end-use ready, saving you the need to look for a manufacturer once the product is market ready.

8. Minimize Material Usage Where Possible

In initial stages of prototyping different printing methods can be used to save on materials. If a version of a prototype is meant to show the shape alone, for example, it can be scaled down and hollowed out. Lattice or honeycomb designs can be used for surfaces to cut down on materials and costs while still communicating key information about the part or product. The on-demand nature of 3D printing eliminates material waste during the prototyping stages.

9. Use 3D Printing Services for Prototyping

You can save a lot of money on equipment start-up costs by working with 3D printing services like Shapeways. By printing with a specialized service you do not need to own any printers or materials, your model will be reviewed by engineers before they are printed, eliminating trials and errors encountered when using your own machine. You are guaranteed a high level of quality control, the use of industrial-grade printers and should you need technical assistance, your inquiries will be answered by experts in the 3D printing space.

10. Use Realistic Prototypes for Marketing and Sales Needs

Once the final design has been revised and refined to satisfaction, realistic prototypes can be used to get a head start on marketing and sales promotions. A visual model of the product can be used before money is spent on manufacturing to test with potential customers, for use on a sales floor or to send your products to beta testers to help validate the design.

3D printing is a crucial tool for designers to facilitate a more efficient prototyping process. It saves time and money and also generates a higher level of design freedom, and improves communication with clients and prospective customers. By making the prototyping process faster and without sacrificing on quality, this helps design innovation maintain a competitive edge.

Ready to start prototyping your next idea, part or product with Shapeways? Upload your design now or get in touch with our team to discuss your unique innovation.

The post 10 Reasons Product Designers Prototype With 3D Printing appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

Kespry‘s drone, featuring a 3D printed cover prototyped and produced with Shapeways

We know that prototyping can be a lot of work. It’s one thing to have an idea gestating in your mind; it’s another to make it come to life. 3D printing has always been a fantastic way to prototype products, but it’s now more accessible than ever. It’s no longer just companies like GE and Ford who have access to fast, low-cost, production-quality 3D prototyping. If you’re ready to start prototyping your idea, but unsure where to begin, consider these five ways that 3D printing is transforming and advancing the process — for everyone.

It’s Quick and Precise

Traditional prototyping involved working with handmade models. You could spend days or weeks creating a small-scale prototype, only to find that the proportions were inexact, and didn’t meet the testing demands of the final product. Even if you had a personal 3D printer, you would be limited by geometry and material strength. With Shapeways, your prototype is as precise as the 3D model it’s printed from, whether it contains interlocking parts, complex geometries, or experimental features. And you can have that ultra-precise prototype in your hands in days — in one of dozens of high-performance advanced materials, from extremely strong (but flexible) nylon plastic to 3D printed steel.

see your design in 60+ materials

It’s Affordable

We know that affordability is a big concern when it comes to prototyping. Although you’ve probably had many innovative ideas surface over the years, the cost of traditional prototyping (or even the price of buying your own 3D printer) may have prevented you from taking the next step and prototyping your design. But now, you can print one-off designs without investing real money into the prototyping step, so you have more to invest in your business. And, with Shapeways’ industrial-quality 3D printing materials, your final prototype could be the same model you bring to market, with Shapeways as a manufacturing partner — all without investing anything in tooling, inventory, or large manufacturing runs.

You Can Do More

To truly test a product, you have to be able to prototype it in materials that will meet the demands of final use. Shapeways’ prototyping materials are a perfect combination of strong and affordable, so you don’t have to skimp on a prototype that doesn’t match the final product. Mike St. Martin, for example, who used Shapeways to prototype his game PlingPong in strong & flexible nylon plastic, said, “I was blown away with how tough it was! I kept drop testing it. After a while, I was just throwing it at the floor, but it never broke. I couldn’t believe it! From there, I was confident that Shapeways was the best fit for prototyping our game.”

try it yourself

Feedback Is Easy

Prototypes are by their very nature works in progress, but getting feedback on insufficient prototypes or having to wait weeks between iterations can make that progress very slow. Not only can 3D printing save you time between iterations, but Shapeways in particular can print high-quality prototypes that will provide meaningful insight into how a final product can work — along with a unique way to both prototype your work and receive feedback. Many designers will offer an item for sale in our marketplace that’s met their own testing, but, they suspect, could be improved with real user feedback — offering designers a valuable step between prototype and production. And when you prototype with Shapeways, you can tap into our community of thousands of other designers who can offer feedback, assistance, and advice.

Prototypes Become Products

If you’re confident in the prototype you’ve developed with Shapeways, there’s no need to find a partner for large runs of the finished product. You can sell the products directly to your customers by opening a free shop, or take advantage of Shapeways for Business, our white-glove service for creators looking for a flexible manufacturing partner (no minimum runs, huzzah!). Because a great prototype shouldn’t go to waste.

print your prototype

The post 5 Ways Prototyping With 3D Printing Is Better Than Ever appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

These updates are part of our continuing commitment to reducing lead times. How do we do it? We innovate in manufacturing, processing, and shipping. Whether it’s by testing new materials and processes (shaving seven days off high definition acrylate), investing in updated machinery (halving lead times for two materials), or improving manufacturing efficiency (getting cast metals to you faster), we’re always working to enhance production quality and speed.

Now is the perfect time to get started on that project you’ve been dreaming of. Whatever you’re making, print it today in one of our faster-than-ever materials.

We’re always working hard to improve your Shapeways experience. Make sure to let us know in the comments what you’d like to see in 2017.

The post Now, Make It Faster appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

I have been 3D modeling, uploading files and printing through Shapeways for around six months now and wanted to share my journey of how and why I got into 3D modeling. I work in the Finance industry, but studied industrial design for one semester straight out of school. So the interest in design has been ticking away in the back of my mind for some time now.

I reached a point where I was seeking a new challenge, but with a mortgage and a baby I didn’t feel I could make a bold leave-my-job-pursue-crazy-idea type move without being completely irresponsible. I had a few product ideas and looked at Kickstarter to fund one – however when I reached the point of actually launching a campaign I realized my heart wasn’t in the product. And if I couldn’t get excited about it, how could I expect anyone else to?

So looking to products that I could get excited about, I decided to attempt to make coffee cups. I worked on designs and tried (rather unsuccessfully) to model some cups out of clay as prototypes. I had planned to use the clay cups to make molds and cast coffee cups in resin – however none of the commercially available resins were food safe, which I felt was a necessity for something containing hot coffee! I briefly looked into using an overseas supplier to make my cups for me, so I could just design and sell. The barrier was the requirement to order a minimum amount of each design – even stocking only a few designs would be very expensive and take up precious space in my house!

Some attempts at clay cups – not very successful!

Around this time I started thinking about 3D printing, of which I had very limited knowledge. A few Google searches gave me some names and I discovered Shapeways!

Initially I was designing different coffee cups, but before I could get an order ceramic production ceased. I like to look for the silver lining and in this case it encouraged me to look at different materials and the different ways I could use them.

Shapeways render of one of my early cups in red. Will soon get this printed in porcelain!

There have been a few highlights in my Shapeways journey so far:

• Uploading my first model and seeing the renders make it look oh so nice onscreen.
• Receiving my first shipment in a Shapeways box.
• Setting up my shop Madasu Designs in January this year and receiving my first sale.

Right now I am working on building out my product range, growing my social media presence and trying to get some more sales. It is interesting to reflect on the journey that brought me to Shapeways, particularly that in hindsight Shapeways would be useful in the different steps I took:

• Prototyping to prepare for a crowdfunding campaign and making a working model.
• Prototyping for mold creation for materials not available through 3D printing like silicone and resins.
• Product development and iteration before committing to order through a mass-manufacturer.

That said, I am very happy with utilizing Shapeways 3D printing to build my business at this stage. It allows me to focus primarily on the design side, which is what I really enjoy, while Shapeways takes care of production and shipping.

The post From finance professional to 3D designer: How I got started with Shapeways appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

Lucas Goossens of LucasPlus Designs

To further investigate the process of product design, we’ve teamed up with our friends at Quirky for an evening of networking and sharing ideas and inspiration with other designers, inventors and makers. Join us on Tuesday, August 19 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at Quirky’s New York City headquarters. You can find more information and RSVP on our meetup page.

Susan Taing of bhold

The evening will feature a panel discussion highlighting how designers conceptualize products and their process of moving from idea to prototype. Shapeways shopowners Lucas Goossens, of LucasPlus designs, and Susan Taing, founder of bhold, and Quirky inventors “You Can Call Me Phil” and “Vector.” Following the panel discussion, participants can enjoy a demonstration of 3D printing a product prototype and practice their product pitch with others in interactive breakout groups. Light refreshments will be served.

We look forward to seeing you there!

The post Product Design Idea to Prototype: Meet up with Shapeways and Quirky August 19 appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

We will be attending the EAA Airventure Live convention in Oshkosh this week. So as this week will be all about wings, we thought we would look into one of our top growing communities of flying makers, the DIY drone community, and share their story with you.

“I’ll be back!”
The Terminator, 1984

We all know that line from the movie.  And as we are seeing more forms of artificial intelligence and other robotic incarnations, science fiction and the media want us to believe that the Terminator [1]  will indeed be back soon. One of the most reproved and misunderstood of these robots are probably Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), or drones, as they are more commonly known. But what no one is showing us is that this technology is not being molded by some dark overlord like “Skynet ”, but more likely by the hobbyist with a 3D printer next door. Embracing the “Maker Movement” and open source development,  3D printing and personal drone communities are bringing together two industries that are growing bigger than the sum of their parts.

“Disruptive technology” is a term coined by Harvard Business School Professor Clayton M. Christensen describing an emerging technology that significantly alters the landscape and creates a completely new industry around it.  The web, cloud computing, cell phones, MP3s, and Wi-Fi are all examples of disruptive technologies that we probably cannot live without in today’s world.

Both drones and 3D printing are considered disruptive technologies and together will radically change our perception of both drone technology and the use of 3D printing.  So just what makes them work so well together – 3D printed drones? Well, yes, this is definitely being done, but it is not the real game-changer. Let’s first inoculate the perception we have of UAV technology and then bring in the alchemy of 3D printing.

DJI Phantom 1.5 – 24mm Battery Door by BrianSelfDesign

UAVs are flown remotely with no one onboard. This allows the pilot the safety of not being airborne and also dramatically improves the visibility and reach of the pilot as UAVs can go where manned airborne vehicles often cannot. The UAV uses computers, sensors, cameras , and GPS to locate itself and feeds back data to the pilot, which could include its position, the terrain, the conditions, and video footage around it.

Probably the most common use of UAVs is for film. The recent Winter Games in Sochi would not have been as dramatic if we did not have the drone’s eye view of the skier in midair. UAVs are not only cheaper than aerial photography from a helicopter, but they can also come much closer and stay close due to their speed. In the US, using UAVs for commercial filming purposes is illegal, but it does not stop amateur filmmakers from shooting some of the most breathtaking and brazen footage currently to be found on the web. Digital cameras such as the GoPro are attached to the drone and then the only thing stopping you from soaring with the eagles is battery life and range.

Credit: fieldofplay.eu

There have also been a couple of more playful uses suggested such as UAVs delivering pizza, beer, and your online store orders. But it is not all fun and games; UAVs are also put to work. They allow scientists to explore weather, farmers to inspect their crops or stock, and they enable rescue missions to find missing people and deliver provisions in disaster areas.

Now, let us add 3D printing to the drone mix, or we could probably just 3D print a drone. University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Center (AMRC) has produced a UAV that can be printed and in the air in 24 hours. Without 3D printing, the same drone would take 120 hours to produce, there would be material waste, and there wouldn’t be options to print one or many. This same team is also researching disposable 3D printed drones that could be created inexpensively and be in the air on a mission, whether for surveillance or rescue, within 24 hours.

So there we have drones and 3D printed drones, but now we can take this to next dimension: 3D printing drones. Imperial College London’s Aerial Robotics Lab has developed a “robotic quadcopter that can extrude polyurethane foam while in flight.” The researchers are hoping that this drone could potentially fill holes that need patching or build completely new structures in unreachable locations.

Credit: BAE Drone

Aerospace company BAE Systems predicts that by 2040 we’ll have airplanes with sophisticated 3D printers onboard that can 3D print UAVs on demand and to scope. So soon we will have flying 3D printers printing 3D printed drones that can 3D print. This is probably not what they refer to as a feedback loop in technology, but it comes pretty close.

However the real alchemy (or disruptive innovation) of 3D printing in the world of UAVs is neither the scientific inventions nor the futuristic possibilities, but rather lies within the rapidly growing DIY community of both UAV and 3D printing enthusiasts.

They have formed a participatory partnership that supports each other’s ideas, shares research, actively contributes, offers mentorship, and most importantly relinquishes ownership. This model of community-led research and development is not new, but it has never been in such control of an entire industry’s future.

A pioneer in this regard is Chris Anderson, who quit his job as editor and chief of the revered Wired magazine to join a then 20-year-old Jordi Muñoz, with whom he had only communicated via email to start 3D Robotics, the leading personal UAV manufacturer. Anderson is also a fervent backer of 3D printing and expounds the idea of a new industrial revolution in his book Makers, about a movement started by people who are once again taking design and development into their own hands. In particular, he refers to 3D printing that makes manufacturing faster and more accessible.

Credit: Aarti Shahani

Before Anderson started 3D Robotics, he had a personal interest in UAVs. A couple of failed attempts at impressing his children with a homemade drone led him to start a community of amateur tinkerers of the UAV persuasion so they could share their findings in this relatively new field and also commiserate on their failings. “By building a team in public,” he says, “you build communities first and open source them, you do not have to find the right people. They find you.” 

Anderson started DIYDrones.com in 2007, and the community currently has over 55 thousand contributing members  and with approximately 1,000 new personal drones being launched every month, this community is flying high.

At about the same time that Anderson was starting DIY Drones, another company had its own story of success in a skeptical market: Shapeways. This company originated in an incubator within Dutch conglomerate Philips. And Shapeways itself is something of an incubator — a 3D printing marketplace that allows for others  to make a business out of the work they produce. Community members are given free reign to upload any 3D printed file to the Shapeway’s website, 3D print in a myriad of materials and colors using Shapeways’ industrial printers and then use the infrastructure to host their own online stores and manage the logistics.

UltraLight 20cm Landing Gear by BrianSelfDesign

3D printing is a natural fit for the drone community because of the relatively new and unexplored nature of both industries. UAVs would not be developing so quickly if it weren’t for 3D printers and their ability to rapidly prototype and produce the variety of modifications and additions that are needed for things like camera attachments and battery cases for extended flying time. As soon as a new use is defined for a drone, they can immediately test or manufacture it. And in turn, there’s a whole new market and community for the 3D printing industry.

Shapeways has an active relationship with its own community as well. The suggestions and feedback from the community of Shop Owners and Shoppers are regularly addressed not only through dialogue but also by being implementing into development strategies for its online platforms and production facilities. It was also in these community dialogues (together with clear evidence of its booming sales reports) that Shapeways realized what was once considered a niche hobby began turning into a full-blown disruptive force in the marketplace. Drone bodies, modification and drone accessories, have become a significant portion of its current shop owner stock and sales.

Phantom 1.5 Battery Door by d3wey

Fatshark Camera Holder with GoPro Mount by d3wey

When you search through the Shop Owners on Shapeways.com, you can see that they are clearly part of this participatory and global community. D3wey, a designer from the UK, asks for feedback on all his products to improve the quality and he proudly states that his designs are more for fun than for profit. He produces everything from GoPro attachments to the battery doors that allow bigger batteries and personalization like dragon or skull designs.

Canopy for HeliMax 1SQ Quadcopter by spike2131

DJI Phantom Landing Gear by maikelsdesign

Another active community member, Simensays, produces spare parts, camera equipment, landing gear, and compass mounts to name but a few. These DIY drone enthusiast are clearly more interested in making interesting videos, tracking their extreme sports adventures, or just good old-fashion showboatery than any of the other concerns we might have around drones.

The DIY drone community alone flies more drones than the total number of US military drones at present. Thus the power to ‘demilitarize and democratize‘ the development of UAVs really lies in the hands of the DIY drone community. Inside these communities everyone is a moderator that can encourage good behavior, discipline bad behavior, contest legal decisions, and build software or hardware together. And for the first time, there is communal intellectual property which all own and protect.

And herein lies the true alchemy: every single member of the DIY drone community has a team of 55,000 peaceful and fun-loving inventors, scientist, homemakers, engineers, teachers, and artists—to name but a few—behind them, that are all building and industry with everyone’s best interests at heart. To top this, with the power of 3D printing they also have their own manufacturing plant and from here, the sky really is the limit.

Credit: Parrot AR.Drone

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LaMetric – track what’s important to you

What inspired you to create LaMetric?

Most of our team used to work in a digital agency before forming Smart Atoms. Every day each of us was curious about the most important digital product numbers including app’s ranking, downloads, website stats. It took a lot of time getting them from different slow loading sites and we decided to solve it by having a simple device that saves our time, tracks the key numbers autonomously and shows them fresh for the whole team.

Nike+ Fuelband was a huge inspiration at LaMetric concept stage. Its amazing screen made the highest impact. We wanted to get the screen that looks like it is a part of the black casing when the device is switched off and clearly projects the screen across a large physical space with bright, sharp, square pixels. Most people that saw the 3D model doubted it’s even possible. Which motivated us even stronger to reach it.

How did using Shapeways help you develop the LaMetric prototype?

In the course of several prototype iterations, we moved from an ugly brick-like box to a rounded bar, after which most of the early adopters wanted to put LaMetric at home or office. We now understand Apple’s passion for rounded corners, this works well in the 3D world, too. Initially, we created the casing using an average domestic 3D printer, but the quality was not good enough for us to get profound feedback from beta testers, especially “look and feel”. We discovered the Shapeways service that quickly transformed our model into high quality device parts.

LaMetric parts prototype: homeprinter left, Shapeways right

What need will the product fulfill?

In the age of information overload it’s important to have personal information radiators or status panel to be more productive. Main indicators like weather warnings, amount of new emails, amount of daily tasks and how much you’ve already solved, money balance, time to meeting and others give you immediate understanding of where you are and what to do next.
LaMetric eliminates the need to check multiple apps or news sites for the information you need. Instead, you receive everything at a glance, all in one place, in real-time.

If you have a family or small business it’s twice important to track shared indicators and boost group productivity via getting communal experience and discovering something together. It can be tracking important dates(events, deadlines, anniversaries), profit numbers, product rankings, social metrics, leads amount, sales figures, visitors amount, youtube subscribers, mentions and others. In this day and age of personalised devices and individuals with their heads buried in their smartphone screens, people crave these shared experiences, a sense of belonging, a sense of greater purpose that make them more motivated and productive.

In a digital world, why develop hardware?

By developing hardware you can discover new tangible interactions and experiences. The digital world doesn’t give this.

Final LaMetric prototype

How does having a well developed prototype help when launching a crowdfunding campaign dedicated to hardware?

We added photos of all our prototypes to the Kickstarter campaign page to show people our understanding of quality and where we’ve spent a year of hard work before launch. It builds relationships with your backers. It’s very important in crowdfunding, and it’s all about transparency.

How do you think that 3D printing will help the future of hardware design, iteration and development?

3D printing helps quickly build iterative prototypes, test with your early adopters and get feedback on idea, form, size etc. It increases the speed of building hardware products and gives not expensive tool for everyone to create things. For us, prototypes built with Shapeways additionally allowed get feedback how LaMetric looks and feels. 3D printing will have a significant impact on IoT industry and bring a lot of new exciting devices in the near future.

The post LaMetric: Using 3D printed prototypes for product development and crowdfunding appeared first on Shapeways Blog.