Rapid Prototyping bureau releases complimentary Automotive Report

With the UK Automotive industry reporting growth in 2011, Rapid Prototyping bureau Laser Prototypes have released the latest in their series of Additive Manufacturing reports, focused on Rapid Prototyping as a tool for the Automotive Industry.

Boasting a strong history the UK Automotive industry appears to be fighting back against the global economic slowdown with Nissan Renault reporting a record 10% growth in sales during 2011. Premium brands too have experienced strong growth in 2011 with Rolls Royce quoting a 31% increase in UK sales.  The 107 year old Automotive giant attributes this sales increase to a strong dealership network and manufacturing developments, however it was the design launch of two bespoke collections that were cited by Rolls Royce as a key factor for the 2011 growth.

With continual development of product range central to the growth of UK automotive firms, this industry report highlights how Automotive leaders such as Aston Martin and Chrysler have used Rapid Prototyping technologies to minimise production errors and speed up the traditional design process. Learn just how tough prototyping models really are and uncover the materials and processes that help Automotive designs become a reality.

A complimentary copy of this report can be found in the downloads section of our blog.

Rapid prototyping reaches the home

Despite the potential for 3D printing in the home, high machine costs and the bulky nature of 3D printing equipment have kept this technology out of reach for the regular consumer. However all that is set to change with the introduction of The Cube.

In 1986 3D Systems founder Chuck Hall, developed the worlds first Stereolithography machine, so it is only fitting that this revolutionary personal printer should come from the creative minds at 3D Systems. Ready to print straight out of the box, users can simply download their design onto the printer and watch as the The Cube prints small objects (within a 140mm build platform) in a variety of colours.

In addition to catering for cost and space constraints within the home, The Cube caters for users with all levels of design experience thanks to the complimentary membership to Cubify.com, an online community which allows designers and users alike to share experiences, inspiration and (most important for those with no design experience) their designs.

With The Cube expected to go on sale early in 2012 we look forward learning just how consumers choose to use this technology, until then why not learn more on it from Rajeev Kulkarni ( VP of 3D Systems)

Giving 3D Printing a human touch!

Design Academy Eindhoven graduate, Joon Han Lee has married traditional craftsmanship and 3D printing with the creation of Haptic Intelligensia. A human/robotic hybrid, Haptic Intelligensia allows the user to transform virtual objects into physical representations using tactical feedback.

The apparatus consists of a closed box accessible through a pair of rubber gloves, and a glue gun attached to a haptic computer controlled arm. As with fully automated 3D printing technology, a computer drawn object is created and and algorithm devised, it is here the similarities end.

The glue gun, controlled by the user is then guided via the robotic arm, which alerts the user when they are touching the contours of the virtual object through haptic feedback. Overall control of the glue gun, rests with the user who can decide how much or little glue is to be used along with whether or not to obey the sensory guide.

Resulting objects are therefore entirely dependent on the individual, with no two objects ever the same.  See the video link to view the Haptic Intelligensia in action and to hear from creator Joon Han Lee.