Continued from 3D Printing is changing our world – part one:
After the Consumer Electronics show, I wanted to know more about how people are actually using the technology, so I set out to find some ordinary folk using 3D. I know the astronauts have found ways to create replacement parts while in space, and doctors are creating prosthetics, but are we getting to the point of having a 3D printer in your home? From the people I found this past week, it’s already here for some and getting closer for others.
Family business making toys and jewelry
Amelise J. Lane, Public Relations Manager with Autodesk, tells about the Sterns, who ”are a 3D printing family based in New York, who turned their love of 3D printing into a small business. Cameron embraced the Maker Movement and has his entire family making and creating. Stern Design Works provides 3D printed parts to help make jewelry, toys and other curiosities.”
“Cameron is an avid user of free consumer software that helped him realize his dream of turning his 3D modeling and 3D printing into a business,” continues Lane. “In the fabrication process, Cameron provides 3d printed parts ranging from animals, astronauts, space capsules and robots, to scenic elements.”
Sean McMains of San Marcos, TX also finds it helpful for developing games. He says, “My son and I do some card and board game design together. We bought a PrintrBot Simple a while back, and have been using it to prototype parts for our games.”
Use in perception research
Nicole Prause, Ph.D. at Span Lab reports, “I am a scientist in Los Angeles, and we use 3D printers to conduct research. Specifically, we were interested in women’s preferences for phallus size. In the past, this was studied using drawings of flaccid penises (!). The 3D print offered metric advantages. The data are currently under review for publication at PLOS One.”
Creative service agency adds prototyping
My husband and I added a 3D printing division to our small creative services agency about 2 years ago,” says Mo Eppley. “We are in St. Petersburg, Florida, and we provide custom 3D design, printing and rapid prototyping services. We use a lot of open source software – Blender, Tickercad, Google SketchUp for design software and Slic3r and Repetier for operating the machine.”
TangibleLabs electrical box
The Eppley’s are self taught but come from a graphic design background. “We have photos of some of our projects on Facebook and our Instagram accounts: https://www.facebook.com/tangiblelabs https://instagram.com/tangiblelabs/ ”
Creating large scale artwork
Artist Kevin Caron’s inspired sculpture can be seen in public and private places from coast-to-coast as well as overseas and online at http://www.kevincaron.com. Caron was named Sculptor of the Year by Art Trends magazine 2012 – 2014.
“Many of my sculptures trick the eye or mind,” explains Caron. “What works in CAD (Computer Aided Design, which is how you create the file used to make the print) may or may not be something that will work in steel. I print a maquette (or small version of a sculpture) to get a better idea if a sculpture is viable. It also helps me know if the proportions are right.” Photo below is of his piece Oculum.
Oculum
“I have created – and sold – original sculptures using 3D printing. Contrary to popular belief, every one of them has come out differently, for various reasons. Here are some of my original sculptures: Hot Lips, Vessel, and Simple Planes with Aquamarine Stripe.
“Sometimes I use my printers for practical needs. For instance, I recently made a stand for business cards. I’ve also made a rack for a touch screen computer. It’s exciting to create the files in CAD then print just what I need or want.”
Architectural office
Mila Salahuddin, Communications Manager with 5+design, says, “I’m with a Hollywood, CA architecture firm, 5+design. We’re a firm of 80 and we use our 3D printers regularly for 3D drawings with applications such as Rhino, Solid Works and Revit. Attached is a photo of our most recent building façade and a structural shape that was first drawn in an application and then printed.”
Mark Commentz is a Model Builder and he had this to say regarding pricing for 3D printers. “On the whole, programs for commercial use that can be used for 3D printing are becoming less expensive. It’s a good thing because it’s making this technology more accessible. For architecture, we are moving into using 3D printing more and more, so if we can make applications and 3D printing more affordable, that allows students and up and coming studios to be better trained early on.”