Digital Fabrication

Digital fabrication tools have revolutionized the way designers, engineers, and artisans express their creativity. With the right resources, you can learn to use these powerful instruments in no time! Whether it’s 3D printing or laser cutting that interests you, these articles will provide useful tutorials and inspiration for makers of all levels. Discover how digital fabrication can open up new possibilities so that your craftsmanship is truly extraordinary!

Paper-Based 3D Printing Process

Paper-Based 3D Printing Process

Phil mentioned Ireland’s Mcor Technologies when they premiered on Gizmodo back in 2008. Their monochrome Matrix 300+ printer builds models by laminating regular copy/printer paper using controlled application of adhesive and 2D-mechanical cutting on each layer. Now, Mcor is at work on Iris, a prototype design that implements a full-color version of their process, presumably adding a color printing step, of some sort, on each sheet of paper. Check the video below to see some early results.

Continue Reading Sean Michael Ragan16
Seven Cool 3D Printable Tools

Seven Cool 3D Printable Tools

Putting together the MAKE Ultimate Guide to 3D Printing was great fun, for a lot of reasons, but one of my personal favorites was getting to kick around Thingiverse researching some of the amazing things that people are already making with hobby-class 3D printers. At first, the idea of printing useful hand tools in fused plastic filament seemed unlikely to me (and indeed, many of the standouts in the T-verse Tools category include metal bits, blades, or other embedments that take the heavy wear), but, as usual, the creativity of the Thingiverse community surprised me. Here I’ve collected just a few of my standout favorites for your enjoyment.

Continue Reading Sean Michael Ragan8
DreamVendor Prints Custom 3D Objects

DreamVendor Prints Custom 3D Objects

Students at Virgina Tech can make their 3D-modeled dreams into little plastic realities thanks to the DreamVendor, a free 3D-printing vending machine in the College of Engineering, powered by four MakerBot Thing-O-Matics. The machine was created by Virginia Tech’s DREAMS Lab (Design, Research, and Education for Additive Manufacturing Systems). From their site: The DreamVendor is […]

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Massoud Hassani’s Mine Kafon

Massoud Hassani’s Mine Kafon

Built using simple materials like bamboo and biodegradable plastic, Massoud Hassani’s Mine Kafons are kinetic sculptures that save lives. Carried by the wind, the tumbling dandelion-shaped orbs cover large swaths of land scattered with abandoned land mines. As the plastic pads that cover its outer surface detonates the ordnance, the device absorbs the impact of the blast with minimal damage.

Continue Reading Adam Flaherty36