Custom historical recreations!

http://www.polygonz3d.com

This re-created Caterpillar 20 was modeled by Polygonz 3D from dozens of reference photos of actual CAT-20 tractors in the wild - in various states of decay. After the modeling project was complete, the client used a aerospace grade metal 3D printer to produce a 1/48 scale miniature.

http://www.polygonz3d.com

Affordable open source DLP 3D printer!

Meet the LittleDLPer, an affordable, open source DLP (Direct Light Processing) 3D Printer. DLP Projector based printers have been gaining in popularity in the last few years. The projector shines on the surface of a liquid plastic resin that hardens when exposed to a certain wavelength of light. The light draws and hardens a layer at a time until the entire model is built.

The LittleDLPer has been designed from the ground up to simplify the resin printing process, says Brad Hill, founder of LittleDLPer. To make it easy to self source, the LittleDLPer uses lasercut materials and standard T-Slot extrusion so you can easily build your own from scratch. It also uses high quality components such as linear slides and integrated leadscrew steppers to improve the reliability, according to LittleDLPer.

The LittleDLPer focuses on smaller high quality prints so its build volume is only 60mm(X) 40mm(Y) 100mm(Z) (2.4 x 1.6 x 3.9 inch). It takes approx 2 minutes to print 1mm at .05mm layer height. A 40mm (1.57 inch) tall print would take about 80 minutes to complete.

The LittleDLPer will be compatible with most general UV curing resin on the market. In order lower the barriers to entry for those looking to get into the world of DLP printing, Hill says the price of the LittleDLPer kit (projector not included) will be under $500, and an assembled 3D printer should be just under $1000. The startup plans to show off the LittleDLPer at Maker Faire Kansas City Jun 28~29.

Wal-Mart to get into 3D printing game!

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) Chief Executive Officer Doug McMillon said the world's largest retailer may use 3D printers for producing supplies and may also target a 3D printing acquisition.

McMillon expressed interest in buying 3D printers that could be used in stores for customers to quickly print new design or new product. Speaking on stage Wednesday at the Code Conference in Rancho Palos Verdes, California., McMillon said the company has recently tested 3D printers in several stores, showing customers how it works and letting them create their own 3D printed 'mini me'.

"3D printing is interesting to me," said McMillon. McMillon believes 3D printing could help its distribution centers speed up shipments. "We can use 3D printing over time for replacement parts."

Polygonz 3D on the web!

http://www.polygonz3d.com

http://www.polygonz3d.com

Denver Mini Maker Faire 2014

http://www.makexyz.com/printer/polygonz3d

Buddhist statue restored with help of 3D printing

The Qianshou Guanyin or Thousand Hands Goddess is part of the Dazu Rock Carvings which dates back to the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). The entire stone-carved statue of Buddhist statue, including the statues of four attendants, is 7.7 meter tall and 12.5 meter wide. It is carved in a 15~30 meter high cliff and is the largest Thousand Hands Goddess statue in the world, covering nearly 88 square meters of floorspace.

The Thousand Hands Goddess is undergoing major restoration work, funded by the Chinese government. Rather than using a traditional method involving molding and casting, researchers used a 3D scanner and other low cost tools to capture the shape of the statue and build a 3D digital file of the statue. In order to create this super large prints, they sliced the 3D model into sections, printed out each component and then glued them together.

2014 annual growth of 34.9% for 3D Printing - highest in 17 years!

Wohlers Associates, a research consultancy focused on additive manufacturing and 3D printing, announced this week the publication of Wohlers Report 2014. Wohlers has been tracking this industry for over the 25 years. This report marks the 19th consecutive year of its availability and provides an in-depth review and analysis of the additive manufacturing and 3D printing worldwide.

The 2014 report includes industry growth, competitive products and services, and a futuristic perspective on an industry that has created tremendous interest and excitement in the recent past.

Wohlers Associates reports that the market for 3D printing, consisting of all products and services worldwide, grew to $3.07 billion last year. Compared with an averaged 27% growth rate over the past 26 years, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 34.9% is the highest in 17 years. The CAGR for the past three years (2011–2013) was 32.3%