Rapid Prototyping

INUS Technology, Inc., a world leader in 3D scanning software, announced the latest release of its turn-key Software Development Kit (SDK) for 3D scanning application development. The updated version of Rapidform.dll™ helps you rapidly deploy industry-proven point, mesh and surfacing functions into your software products with minimal effort.

This latest version focuses on making mesh operations easier and more powerful. The SDK now includes Rapidform’s advanced rewrap, adaptive remeshing and curvature flow improvement algorithms, making mesh optimization easier.

INUS Technology has spent more than a decade creating and refining point cloud and mesh processing tools to deliver great results from any type of 3D scanner. With Rapidform.dll, third party developers can take advantage of this expertise and integrate the technology into their own apps.

New features in the SDK include:

• Mesh topology improvement tools

• Mesh editing capabilities, such as mesh Boolean operations and mesh cutting

• Advanced triangle normal repair (to fix common issues with mesh direction)

• User interface APIs for large point cloud and mesh display and selection tools

In addition to the extensive point cloud, mesh and NURBS surface capabilities found in Rapidform.dll, there is also a set of APIs for dental and prosthodontic design from 3D scan data. Developers can create custom dental CAD programs that enable prosthesis design specific to each patient.

Rapidform.dll Dental is a superset of the standard SDK that makes developing custom applications for coping, pontic, crown, bridge and custom abutment design fast and easy.

INUS Technology Inc.

www.rapidform.com

Source: :: Make Parts Fast ::

Creaform introduced the latest addition to the wide range of technologies it develops and manufactures, the MaxSHOT 3D optical coordinate measuring system.

The MaxSHOT 3D adds the accuracy and speed of photogrammetry to the range of applications already possible with Creaform technologies, especially when it comes to larger parts. It combines the MaxSHOT 3D photogrammetric video camera and the VXshot processing software.

According to product director Jean-François Larue, the software is innovative and simple to operate. The system features real-time visualization and validation of acquired data and an entirely guided step-by-step operation, it allows even those new to photogrammetry to quickly and easily generate a high accuracy positioning model of an object.”

In concrete terms, using the MaxSHOT 3D with a Handyscan 3D self-positioning scanner, a MetraSCAN optical CMM 3D scanner or a HandyPROBE arm-free CMM translates into shorter measuring time on larger parts, accelerated positioning of the device around the part and higher measurement accuracy.

Creaform
www.creaform3d.com

Source: :: Make Parts Fast ::

threeRivers 3D, Inc., a manufacturer of standard and custom 3D imaging systems, introduced the LC-2-MACRO. This scanner was developed for 3D scanning small parts such as dental molds, hearing aid impressions, jewelry and other highly detailed parts.

“The addition of this scanner to our product line provides our customers with even more flexibility,” commented threeRivers 3D President & CEO Mike Formica. “It was developed in direct response to their request for an affordable 3D scanner specifically engineered for small parts scanning.”

It has a working volume of 4 in. x 3 in. x 3 in. and a point spacing of 80 µm, enabling it to capture very fine details. Sharing the same state-of-the-art high-speed architecture as the LC-2, the –MACRO version has a scan time of 5 seconds for a single view, a resolution of 1.2 million points and includes an automated rotary turntable for fast, easy 360 degree scanning.

Actual scan of a penny with the LC-2-MACRO scanner

An Ethernet interface makes the scanner simple to setup and configure and provides fast, reliable data transfer. It weighs less than 5 lb, and easily fits on a desktop or can be integrated into a process line; its light weight, small form factor and tripod mount make it suitable for remote scanning jobs.

threeRivers 3D, Inc.
www.3rivers3d.com

Source: :: Make Parts Fast ::

Stratasys Inc. (NASDAQ: SSYS) announced the launch of its Dimension brand’s eighth annual Extreme Redesign 3D Printing Challenge. The global contest encourages students to submit an innovative new product design, a redesign of an existing product, or an original or redesigned work of art or architecture.

Educators worldwide have recognized the annual design and 3D printing contest for its positive impact on students. “Students have the opportunity to put their critical thinking skills to the test, as well as to demonstrate their creativity with this design contest,” said Jesse Roitenberg, Stratasys Education Channel Manager. “Each year they demonstrate they are up to the challenge, with the unique submissions we receive.”

Dimension 3D Printing will award nine student winners either $2,500 or $1,000 scholarships in the categories of Middle School and High School Engineering, College Engineering, and Art & Architecture. Designs are awarded based on creativity, usefulness, part integrity and aesthetics. Instructors of the three first-place student winners will receive an Apple iPad for use in the classroom. Since the contest’s inception, more than $90,000 in scholarships have been awarded to students.

Each submission must:

• be a sound mechanical design

• be realistic and achievable

• include a clear written description of the design.

This year’s contest will also feature an award category in which students may compete for a bonus prize. Students who incorporate a school-spirit theme into their designs will have a chance to win a $250 gift card.

For video, photos, and descriptions of previous winning designs, visit Extreme Redesign 3D Printing Challenge. For contest rules and regulations, visit ER Rules & Regulations.

Dimension
www.dimensionprinting.com

Stratasys, Inc.
www.stratasys.com

Source: :: Make Parts Fast ::

Shoes are not a typical design project for engineers. But 3D printers show that just about anything is possible. In this example, it also shows how these printers free your mind to explore other ideas and possibilities.

Marloes ten Bhömer is an acclaimed designer of provocative and otherworldly shoes. For some of her work, she uses a 3D printer from Object Ltd. Because of the multi-material printing capability of these 3D printers, she can design and manufacture her shoes to be modular so that they can be dismantled and reassembled for the purpose of replacing parts. One example is the Rapidprototypedshoe.

“My work is very much about liberating design – I use new materials and methods because this helps to break away from conventional approaches,” said Marloes ten Bhömer. “The rapid prototyping process stimulated the idea for this shoe, as the name suggests. I explored the technology and saw that rapid prototyping – adding material in layers – rather than traditional shoe manufacturing methods – could help me create something entirely new within just a few hours.”

Further research led ten Bhömer to Objet’s Connex range of multi-material 3D printing systems. “These printers make it possible to print an entire shoe – albeit a concept shoe – including a hard heel and a flexible upper in one build, which just isn’t possible with other 3D printing technologies,” stated ten Bhömer. “The shoe is printed as a single entity so the parts come off the printer already assembled, and you can still take the shoe apart later on. It is inspiring and opens up the possibility of interchangeable heels and creating custom designs. Also, the possibility of repairs allows for a more realistic product and changes the idea of rapid prototyping into rapid manufacturing.”

Designer shoes are easy to manufacture and assembly thanks to 3D printing

The Connex line of Objet 3D printers can combine rubber-like materials and rigid materials in a single prototype; they are used extensively in the footwear industry. Said Gilad Gans, executive vice president of Objet, “As an affordable alternative to factory-produced samples, the process encourages users to review more design alternatives, increasing the potential to produce a more creative or better designed concept.”

“Cost-wise it does make sense to use these printers, particularly for haute couture shoe design,” said ten Bhömer. “I can have prototypes printed in multiple materials with no expensive set-up costs and no minimum quantities. I also have great confidence in the quality of digital prototyping – with conventional shoe mould making, the heel is matched to its left or right counterpart by eye, so there’s always room for error and it can be a slow process. By making the moulds digitally you know the left and right shoes are an exact match and it’s also economical and easier to scale seven different sized pairs, as required for a commercial line of shoes, using specialist software and Objet 3D printing.”

Objet Ltd.
www.objet.com

Source: :: Make Parts Fast ::