Microfactory adds milling and etching to its 3D printer (video)

DNP Mebotics hopes to kickstart Microfactory 3D printer  milling machine with crowdfunding

The gang of multi-function 3D printers — that is, ones that can also mill and etch your new creations — just grew by one. Mebotics Multifactory is a customizable device from a team of talented makers out of Boston’s Artisans’ Asylum (including Judah Sher, who created this amazing Distro cover for us) that also has an onboard computer loaded with an open source OS that connects to a phone or tablet via WiFi for remote operation. If it works as intended, you’ll be able to print out four-colored plastic masterpieces, as well as etch wooden and metal creations even if you’re in another continent. Unfortunately, it’s not something you can snag at Bed, Bath and Beyond, but the company is running a pre-sale on Kickstarter. Interested parties will need to pledge at least $3,495 to reserve a unit, but be warned — the project has set a lofty $1 million goal.

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Source: Mebotics, Kickstarter

Cornell scientists 3D print ears with help from rat tails and cow ears

Cornell scientists 3D print ears with help from rat tails and cow ears

Science! A team of bioengineers and physicians over at Cornell University recently detailed their work to 3D print lifelike ears that may be used to treat birth defects like microtia and assist those who have lost or damaged an ear due to an accident or cancer. The product, which is, “practically identical to the human ear,” according to the school, was created using 3D printing and gels made from living cells — collagen was gathered from rat tails and cartilage cells were taken from cow’s ears. The whole process is quite quick, according to associate professor Lawrence Bonassar, who co-authored the report on the matter,

“It takes half a day to design the mold, a day or so to print it, 30 minutes to inject the gel, and we can remove the ear 15 minutes later. We trim the ear and then let it culture for several days in nourishing cell culture media before it is implanted.”

The team is looking to implant the first ear in around three years, if all goes well.

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Source: Cornell Chronicle