MakerBot Industries

Printing? Upside down!

Did you know a 3D printer can print upside down?  A little over a year ago Adrian Boyer of the RepRap project proved it was possible.  Given that a 3D printer using this technology can print upside-right¹  and upside-down², it stands to reason you should be able to print in outer space with zero gravity.

What are the practical aspects of this revelation?  I can think of two.  Firstly, as mentioned above, you’d be able to print in space.  Secondly, if you’re low on real estate, you could always bolt a few MakerBots to the ceiling or a wall.  How cool would that be?

1. One G [↩]
2. One negative G [↩]

BBC News’ Daniel Sieberg reported on MakerBot and 3D printing! (The news clip follows a short commercial):

3D printing, which creates a physical object from a digital file, could signal the start of manufacturing with a mouse click instead of hammers and nails.

Advocates of the technology say that 3-D printing could revolutionize the economics of manufacturing by replacing labor costs involved in mass production, storage and shipping with creativity and imagination.

Last year we made history by being the first 3D printer at the Consumer Electronics Show.

We’ve been packing boxes with Thing-O-Matics in them! This year, MakerBot will be at CES with 12 MakerBots making things to give away to visitors who ask good questions. We’ll have one cupcake there with a Unicorn Pen Plotter toolhead to draw robots for fans of robots.

Follow this map to find us on the day! We’re going to be in booth 30766 in the South Hall Upper Level!

3color LED stick light by rerofumi

And, the mad bragging rights go to rerofumi for his 3 color LED stick light!  Rerofumi’s stick light has got to be one of the coolest and all around most complete projects uploaded to Thingiverse.  He designed, milled, cut, and soldered his own PCB¹ then designed, 3D printed, and assembled his own plastic casing.  Congratulations!

To see the other entries with this “sci fi” theme, be sure and check out the “boxingday” tag on Thingiverse.

Lastly, thank you to all of the participants – rerofumi, hobinjk, InnovationByLayers, bre, and MagicDan!

1. Printed circuit board [↩]

The Thing-O-Matic!

What has the #1 spot for the Best of Make:Online Tools list for 2010?

A little thing called the Thing-O-Matic!

Who says you can't go home again?

Thingiverse citizen BonsaiBrain of ifeelbeta.de modeled and printed his childhood home at 1/65th scale as a gift for his parents.  This model really shows off the architectural applications of 3D printing.  The roof and floors can even be separated for interior viewing!  His blog post describing his process is definitely worth a read!

Sci Fi design challenge!

There were several entries in the First Evar Boxing Day Design Challenge.

Judging ends today at 11:59PM MakerBot Universal Time (Eastern Standard Time) with our special guest judge… YOU!  Comment on your favorites.  The Thing with the most comments by the end of the judging period wins mad bragging rights.

Boba Fett Helmet

Here’s my submission for the First Evar Boxing Day Design Challenge!

I have an idea for another entry, but I don’t know if I can finish it before the deadline at 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time tonight…

What sci-fi themed thing are you going to design and upload?

Looking for some inspiration for the boxing day design challenge? It’s worth checking out the NASA site for some awesome 3D models that you can download and print out. Check it!

Also, don’t miss the 2001 3D archive too! Sci-Fi 3D has some pretty amazing files as well.

Boxing Day 24 Hour Design Challenge!

Hot on the heels of the wildly successful and highly publicized Dragon Design Race, between myself and Mr. Bre Pettis, I’m pleased to announce the First Evar Boxing Day Design Challenge! ^1 2  Here’s the scoop:

1. This challenge starts 12/25/2010 at 11:59pm MakerBot Universal Time (aka EST) and ends 12/26/2010 at 11:59PM MakerBot Universal Time.
2. To participate just upload your design to Thingiverse and include a “boxingday” tag.
3. Enter as many times as you want.
4. The Thing with the most comments as of 12/27/2010 at 11:59PM MakerBot Universal Time wins!

Oh, the prize?  Mad bragging rights on the MakerBot blog!

The theme for this challenge, as chosen by Mr. Pettis, is “sci fi.”

I’ll see you in 24 hours!

1. Boxing day is the day after Christmas [↩]
2. Photo courtesy of Profound Whatever [↩]