Area man finds practical use for math
[Patrick Fenner] realised that a bit of mathematical modelling could lead to better designed hinges. This could mean fewer rounds of trial-and-error prototype tests, which would reduce the cost of using lattice hinges in a project, and better fatigue resistance, meaning the hinges could be used for moving parts instead of just for static bends.
Is the future of 3D printing in a smarter use of materials?
Netfabb, a digital fabrication software company, made this video demonstrating the capillary effect of a 3D printed structure designed with their software. At first glance, it may not be too impressive to see liquid rise slightly, but it demonstrates enormous potential.
With traditional manufacturing, material is a solid mass, but 3D printing allows material to be produced with various densities and extremely complex structures. In this blogger’s opinion, this may be the true future of 3D printing.
Via Shapeways
Rainbow Ceramic, Stainless Steel, and Gold Plate
We’ve updated some of our 3D printing material info pages with gorgeous (and useful) photos.
4 new photos including Shiny Gear, Empty Cube, and both positive and negative text examples.
RepRap offshoot uses SLS to make wax positives for metal casting
Andreas Bastian has been making some fantastic progress on his DIY SLS printer.
The goal of this project is to provide a method for rapidly manufacturing complex pieces in metal by manufacturing a wax “positive” of the object, which is then used to make a mold for the lost wax casting process. Current metal rapid manufacturing techniques rely on high-power lasers, plasma jets, or electric arcs to sinter metal powder. This approach sidesteps the higher costs and dangers of these high-power systems in favor of a relatively low power laser-sintering technique.
Using a home-built laser sintering wax printer to cast complex metal pieces at home: the DIY-force is strong in this one! Now all he needs is a DIY microwave smelter.
new fabrics & plywoods
We’ve added four new materials to the NZ making hub!
First up is a new 3mm thickness of Hoop Pine Plywood. It’s an interior grade level plywood and produces very crisp laser engraving results. Good for furnishing and accessory designs like boxes, small furniture, shelves, displays etc. A P1 size is just $4.30. Get a sample for $3NZ.
Next we have 1.5mm thick Upholstery Leather in Driftwood. It’s vegetable tanned and finished with oils and waxes. The underside has a soft suede finish, great for use with bags, wallets, shoes, or decorative pillows. Prices start at a little under $14 for a P1 size piece. Get a sample for $3NZ.
Best of the Blog 2011 – Materials
Digital manufacturing techniques like 3d printing, laser cutting, and CNC routing are pretty amazing, but they’re only as good as the materials they use. Thankfully we live in a time where research efforts are bringing out new materials all the time. Here’s a round up of some of the best news in materials in 2011, including some giveaways and special deals.
Sugru is every hacker’s favourite silicone rubber material. Here’s a story on how you can use it mold precise flexible parts like a pro. And hey, get in quick and you can win a multi-colour pack of Sugru to play with.
rocketships, sliceforms, perfect packaging, and file optimization
We’re throwing our second Prototyping Party and giving away FREE cardboard for the rest of the month when you make something with Ponoko.
To give you some design ideas we put together a post of 20 inspirational designs made from cardboard.
With just two a little over two weeks left on this promotion, it’s time to get down to business. So here are 6 resources to get you started.
discounted new materials from our Italian making partner
Vectorealism, Ponoko’s partners in Milan, have added four new acrylics to their materials catalog. And each one is 30% off through the rest of January!
There’s a gorgeous gold mirror acrylic. A really cool looking frosted black acrylic. A no-shame cherry red acrylic. And a bright lime-green acrylic. Nice!
getting creative with cardboard
If you haven’t heard, we’re making our cardboard materials FREE all month when you make something with Ponoko.
Cardboard is a *great* material for prototyping your design and making it in another material later. But that doesn’t mean you can’t use cardboard in a final product. Check out these 20 inspirational designs made from good old fashioned recyclable cardboard.
Artist Mark Langan creates stunning works of art entirely out of cardboard — from original gemoetric designs, to masterpiece interpretations, to corporate logos and signage.
This student project Anirudha Surabhi demonstrates the impact resistance of corrugated cardboard. His Kranium cardboard helmet stood up to four times the amount of impact withstood by typical polystyrene shells. (Video of a DIY arduino powered test in the original post.)
37 in 2011
Materials are the spice of life when it comes to making your own stuff. And this year we added THIRTY SEVEN new materials to the Ponoko making hubs (not including new material thicknesses)!
Before we jump into this, one of the best ways to see what materials you can use to make stuff is to check out the Ponoko sample store.
[ USA store here ] [ NZ store here ]
Not only do you get a survey of all the materials we offer, but you can purchase samples for pretty cheap. These samples will show you the quality of the materials as well as the performance of the making process (e.g. laser-cutting, cnc routing, 3D printing.)
So here’s a roundup of all the awesome materials we added in 2011.
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