3D Printing & Imaging

If you’re a maker, 3d printing is an incredibly useful tool to have in your arsenal. Not only can it help bring your projects to life faster, but it can also offer unique results that would be difficult (or impossible!) to achieve with traditional methods. In these blog posts, we’ll provide you with some essential information and tips regarding 3D printing for makers—including the basics of how to get started, plus creative tutorials for spicing up your projects. Whether you’re already familiar with 3d printing or are just starting out, these resources will help take your game-making skills even further!

Crank Your Panavise in Turbo Mode

We’ve previously covered a popular mod to the Panavise Jr., which makes it easier to quickly open and close the tool. Even the people at Panavise liked the idea so much that they started manufacturing it. Chris from The New Hobbyist has taken this mod to “a whole ‘nother” level with his 3D printed drill bit which allows him to use the speed of his drill to open an close the vise. Getting the design right on his so-called “Panavise Jr. Speed Winder” took six revisions, but his persistence paid off and now Chris is sharing his design with us slow-winding folks. Thank you, sir!

Continue Reading November 6th, 2011 Matt Richardson12

Math Monday: Catenary Arch Toy

Here is a seven-piece arch in the shape of a catenary, similar to the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. If you have access to a 3D printer, you can make the pieces using the files available here.

Continue Reading October 31st, 2011 Gareth Branwyn

Zero to Maker: Adventures in 3D Scanning

Then, SNAP! Andrew and I both jumped as all of the cameras shuttered simultaneously. That was it: quick and painless. I took my turn in the chair, and remained unphased as the simul-shutter snapped my photo….later that night, I had a 3D model of my head swirling around on my iPhone screen.

Continue Reading October 25th, 2011 David Lang

Plywood Living Hinge Design for Laser Cutters

Another cool technique for your bag of CNC panel-cutting tricks. The booklets and photos shown here are from the Dutch firm Snijlab lasersnijden (which, obviously, translates as “Snijlab Laser Ninjas”). The method is kind of like kerf-bending, but the cuts go all the way through the substrate.

Continue Reading October 25th, 2011 Sean Michael Ragan5

Can DigiFab and Manual Craftsmanship Co-Exist?

Among MAKE readers, we’re nearly unanimous in agreeing that the rise of digital fabrication is a complete game-changer for crafters, hackers, and tinkerers of all stripes. Laser cutters, CNC mills, and 3D printers have altered the way we think about design, and raised the bar for quality and precision in our work. I’m a passionate adopter of these technologies, but am also wary of the cultural shift they represent as they become more ubiquitous.

Continue Reading October 24th, 2011 Michael Colombo30

PLA Seed Bomb

Tony Buser’s F-Bomb packs soil and flower seeds into a bomb-shaped and biodegradable PLA shell. Sure, there are cheaper and more efficient ways to do this… but… pfft… The idea is to stuff it with some compost and seeds and then throw it somewhere that you think could use some color, but you either can’t […]

Continue Reading October 24th, 2011 John Baichtal8

Jeffrey Lipton of Fab@Home on 3D Printing

Jeffrey Lipton of Fab@Home demonstrates their 3D printing system at Maker Faire Bay Area 2011. This open source personal manufacturing machine can print with many different materials from plastic to cookie dough. When used in a classroom, Fab@Home furthers STEM education by making students comfortable with the software, hardware, fabrication, and materials.

Continue Reading October 24th, 2011 Matt Richardson4

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