Hasta La Gadget!

3D printers are pretty awesome, but none are quite amazing as this particular one that crafted a tiny spaceship that sits at 125 micrometers long, which is about the diameter of a human hair. The printer that made the spaceship was unveiled at the Photonics West Fair by Nanoscribe, which is a German company that specializes in nanophotonics and 3D laser lithography.

The spaceship is a replica of a Hellcat from the classic 90s video game Wing Commander. the ship took around 50 seconds to print and it measures 125 micrometers long x 81 micrometers wide x 26.8 micrometers tall. The printer used two-photon polymerization in order to craft the spaceship. This process uses short laser pulses, which activate photo-sensitive liquid polymer.

Of course, this thing can’t actually fly, but it goes to show just how tiny you can actually 3D-print things. Of course, the printer can print other things besides nifty spaceships. Other products that include tiny proportions are biological scaffolds and ultralight metamaterials.

The video above shows the entire 50-second process of building the spaceship from start to finish. You can see the laser pulses travel from the bottom to the top and witness the spaceship being built right before your eyes. While it doesn’t look like much at first glance, knowing that the object is the width of a human hair is simply incredible.

[via DVICE]

Laser 3D-prints tiny spaceship the width of a human hair is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Like all-in-one PCs, TV and Twitter? NEC’s new desktop PCs might just hit the spot — if you live in Japan, that is. The company just launched its spring 2013 lineup of Valuestar systems which will be available in two display sizes on February 7th. Valuestar W computers pack a 23-inch screen and Core i7 processor with the 3D-capable VW970/LS costing ¥235,000 ($2,550) and the 2D-only VW770/LS listing for ¥215,000 ($2,330). The Valuestar N series boast a 21.5-inch display and come in three versions: VN770/LS with Core i7 for ¥195,000 ($2,110), VN570/LS with Core i3 for ¥160,000 ($1.740) and the ¥125,000 ($1,360) Celeron 1000M-equipped VN370/LS. While there are no details on RAM or storage options, all PCs run Windows 8 with Office 2013, and feature TV tuners, Blu-Ray drives (DVD on the VN370/LS), DLNA support, Yamaha sound systems, built-in video tutorials and access to music.jp’s service. The 23-inch models provide instant-on TV functionality with three TV tuners (two for recording, one for viewing) while 21.5-inch units include dual TV tuners. NEC offers several ways to control the computer’s TV functionality: via standard remote control, using gestures (except VN370/LS), with a custom smartphone / tablet app and even from Twitter. Yes, you can now DM your Valuestar system (even when it’s turned off) and tell it to record TV — you can also have it monitor Twitter for certain keywords / TV shows and overlay a popularity meter. What could possibly go wrong?

Filed under: Desktops, Home Entertainment, HD

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Via: AV Watch (translated)

Source: NEC

Can 3D glasses get any less fashionable? Of course they can! And here’s some proof. Today, SensoMotoric Instruments (SMI) teased its new Eye-Tracking 3D Glasses, which use a pair of small cameras mounted to the eyeglass rim to keep tabs on your gaze, adjusting perspective as you look about a scene. The rig uses ActiveEye technology from Volfoni, and can detect eye distance as well in order to provide a 3D-viewing experience that’s optimized for each user. Adding some optional hardware, including optical targets (as seen in the video after the break), can enable 6D head tacking support, for an even more immersive experience. Naturally, the solution is a bit cumbersome, and while pricing hasn’t been announced, we don’t expect it to come cheap — it’s definitely something you’d be more likely to see implemented as part of a virtual reality system, rather than a device you’d use at home. So, while you may never see such a product in the flesh, you can still get an idea of how it’ll work in the video after the break.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Wearables

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Source: SMI (PR Newswire)

It didn’t take long for hackers to use the Kinect to create 3D models by scanning real world objects. Microsoft has also pitched in to the scene, but an upstart company from Austin, Texas could introduce the next step in affordable 3D modeling. They’re working on a portable 3D camera that can scan objects and show the resulting 3D model in real-time.

Lynx Laboratories believes that its Lynx A camera is vastly different from similar efforts because it packs significant power in a portable and affordable device. Those are relative terms of course – after all, the Lynx A measures 11.5″(H) x 8″(W) x 1″(H) and weighs 6 lbs. That’s because aside from its 3D sensor, the camera has a 14″ LCD, a 2.6GHz Intel Core i5 CPU, an unspecified “powerful” GPU, 500GB of storage, two USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI out, two joysticks and four buttons. It also has a battery that’s good for up to 4 hours. So what can this chunky point and shoot do? You can use it to scan physical objects or surfaces and also for motion capture.

As of this writing, you can reserve your own Lynx A camera by pledging at least $1,799(USD) on Kickstarter. I can’t wait for all this neat 3D tech to become mainstream.

[Lynx Laboratories via Engadget]

Every time we write up a 3D printer, we get a deluge of folks asking just how easy it is to render a 3D model. The answer is, unless you’re well-versed CAD, not very. Austin-based Lynx Laboratories is working to help bring the learning curve for 3D rendering down a bit, with the Lynx A, a “point-and-shoot 3D camera” it claims is even easier to use than many standard digital cameras. The list of things the tablet-shaped device can do is impressive, indeed, including digital measure, architectural rending, object modeling and motion capture — the latter of which has some interesting applications in the movie and gaming spaces. The project’s Kickstarter is now open, steadily heading toward its $50,000 goal, with 44 days to go. A starting pledge of $1,799 will get you one of the 14-inch devices to call your own. Not convinced? Perhaps the video after the break will put you over the 3D edge.

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Source: Kickstarter