Healthcare case study shows another side of 3D printing

It may not be instantly obvious why a healthcare company with specialties in diabetes and hormone replacement therapy would be interested in 3D printing but this has been the case recently for just such a company: which provides an interesting case study on the use of 3D printer services that may differ from the typical … Read more

Makerbot’s Replicator Versus 3D systems’ The Cube

While Makerbot entered the 3D printing market in 2009 with the aim of making 3D printing accessible to everyone; 3D Systems have been around since 1986 serving a very different part of the market, primarily to those wanting rapid prototyping services. Makerbot’s early success obviously attracted the attention of 3D Systems who have now moved … Read more

A 3D printer in every home?

The reaction that many have to the idea of having a 3D printer at home is that they would have no use for it as they don’t have the skills or knowledge to create 3D CAD files to print on it. Unlike with 2D printing where you only need basic skills to create a text … Read more

Is 3D printing set to change manufacturing for ever?

3D printing is already coming to dominate rapid prototyping services, the advantages of using 3D printing being such that those companies using old techniques struggle to compete. The future though is DDM, direct digital manufacturing, and though it will undoubtedly still have its roots in rapid prototyping services these printers will be a step beyond … Read more

The robust Comet l3D 5M entry-level scanner

3D scanning is actually a lot harder technically than 3D printing, 3D printing technology is expensive but the levels of accuracy are high. With 3D scanning getting high accuracy is difficult and requires expensive equipment. The Comet Sensor Systems L3D 5M though is the first entry-level system to come out that offers a high degree … Read more