May 7, 2012 – 3D Systems Corporation has acquired FreshFiber BV, a leading 3D printed consumer goods brand, based in The Netherlands.

FreshFiber is the leading 3D printed consumer electronics accessories brand sold on-line and in retail stores.  3D Systems advised they plan to enhance GreshFiber’s portfolio through their technology and manufacturing infrastructure as well as growing Cubify.com platform.

FreshFiber offer extraordinary 3D designs, see video below… 

US Bloomberg Businessweek spent some time with 3D Systems and wrote an insightful article about being able to make whatever you want.

Read Article

Typography

3D printing of typography brings a whole new level of creativity and imagination.  For graphic designer and typographer, Luca Ionescu, inspiration comes from the need to make things better or try something new.  That’s why he approached 3D Systems Asia-Pacific to push the boundaries of technology to 3D print his “Steady As She Goes” (see below image) piece.

To produce the art piece, our Prototyping Technician recommended 3D Systems SLS technology and DuraForm ® PA plastic material for the following reasons:
- Unlimited geometric complexity
- Durability (longevity of art piece)
- SLS requires no extra finish
- SLS finish was akin to coral and bone structures of design

Our technician points out that re-work of CAD data by an expert is an essential part of any complex geometry piece to optimize the CAD for SLS build.  Dimensions: 339mm X 492mm

Luca runs Like Minded Studio where he has attracted the attention of Australia’s most creative agencies and high-profile clients from Coke to MTV.  Luca predicts that typography pieces will be made from a variety of both physical and digital methods, including rapid prototyping.

“The possibilities of using 3D printing break the conventions of typography wide open to a new realm of expression through sculptural typographic pieces.  I think as creative’s in design, art and advertising start using different technology to communicate to the audience, type will become more dynamic and interactive,” Luca explained.

click here for more images of the art piece.

Atom 3D Printed Guitar

The Atom 3D printed guitar: A Les Paul style guitar with an internal atom and spinning electrons. It features a wooden core (choices of Mahogany, Alder or Mable) and a number of options for hardware, etc.

The creater of the Atom Guitar was Olaf Diegel, a design engineer passionate about 3D printing and a professor of mechatronics at Massey University in Auckland, New Zealand.

The bodies are printed, using Selective Laser Sintering, by 3D Systems in the USA, on an sPro SLS system. Les Paul stated “this is still a work in progress as we finalize the design and begin the assembly of the first prototypes, just to wet your appetite…”

http://www.bloomberg.com/video/90540409/ - Watch reporter play the guitar

My Robot Nation is a leading consumer technology platform that provides intuitive, game-like content creation for 3D printing.

The acquisition of My Robot Nation is a perfect addition to 3D Systems Cubify.com online repository of 3D models.

What does that mean for the My Robot Nation?  More possibilities, more features, more new kinds of 3D creations … basically: MORE AWESOME!

In times, where some industries suffer crisis, the program predicts a wave of innovation and names 3D Systems Melbourne with its onsite 3D Printing equipment the “facility of the future”. Have a look…

Here’s a brilliant video by Dr. Lawrence Bonassar, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Cornell University.

Click on above image to see the cutting-edge process Dr Bonassar has developed using a 3D Printer and “ink” composed of living cells to create body parts such as ears.

3D Systems Asia-Pacific offer two post process finishing options for
Aluminum 6061 and 7075 materials.

1.  Anodizing Aluminum is an electrochemical process in which an oxide
(anodic) layer is chemically applied to aluminum to alter the materials properties. 

Benefits:

• Oxide layer  is hard
• Increased corrosion and abrasion resistance
• Provides electrical insulation
• Acts as an excellent base for decorative finishes
• Parts can be dyed in a variety of colours
   

Anodizing Aluminium Finish

 2. Electroless Nickel Plating is an autocatalytic chemical process that
deposits a nickel-phosphorous layer to an aluminum part. 
We offer low-phosphorous electroless nickel plating. 

Benefits: 

• Corrosion protection and wear resistance
• Soliderability and increased hardness
• process creates an even coating on the part
• Leaves the brightest and hardest deposits

Electroless Nickel Plating Finish

click here to find out more about our CNC machined parts service.

Designers and engineers around the world use 3D Systems printers to impressively communicate their design concepts under ever-tightening deadlines. 

Seabird Aviation Australia designed and developed the aircraft SEEKER, a most unusual design compared to standard aircrafts.  Described as a cross between a helicopter and a glider, it was purpose built for surveillance and patrol operations.

Using SLA (stereolithography) technology, 3D Systems Asia-Pacific created a scaled replica model of the Seeker for Seabird to display at the world’s most professional aviation show in Beijing, China.

click here to read the full story and see a video of how the SEEKER model was made using 3D Printing technology.