3D printing is evolving and advancing like crazy. 3D Printing is known as additive manufacturing (AM) which are processes that create 3 dimensional objects through sequential-layer material addition. The technology has evolved to the point of being affordable to the general public and it’s seeing some new innovations like 3D Pens, thanks in part to thermoplastics that work effectively for consumer use. With the invention of 3D pens, It is now possible to create 3 dimensional figures freestyle! Join us, as we cover a few of the more popular 3D Pens, provide some purchasing guidance, and discuss why you might want one of these technological wonders. Read More
3D printing
3D printers – Next Big Thing, or High-Dollar Techie Toy?
There is a whole lotta buzz out there about 3D printers right now. Folks are saying that 3D printing could be heralding in an era of “desktop manufacturing” echoing the major successes of desktop publishing in the 80’s, and desktop video in the 90’s. But is this fuhreals? Can the 3D printer unleash a new era of good ol’ American ingenuity? I’ve had the opportunity to get up-close and personal with a couple of 3D printers lately at the Iowa Innovation Learning Center in Hiawatha, Iowa. I got the chance to develop and print my own original designs, as well as open source designs from sites like Thingiverse.com. I gotta say, this technology is serious FUN. Is it ready to save America’s manufacturing economy from the onslaught of CCC (Cheap Chinese Crap)? Honestly, probably not, but I do think that this scrappy upstart tech has some serious potential. Read More