Hasta La Gadget!

In another confirmation that Elon Musk lives life differently from the rest of us, he’s just posted a new SpaceX video that’s straight out of a sci-fi movie. In it, he demonstrates designing parts for a rocket the company could use just with hand gestures using a Leap Motion controller. After that, we move to a 3D projection of the part, free standing glass projection just like Iron Man, and even an implementation with the Oculus Rift VR headset. While much of its appeal is watching a billionaire play with the latest tech toys, the video gives a peek at what’s possible with technology that’s actually available to a rapidly growing number of people. Inspiring stuff — we’ll see if we can finish the Hyperloop concept with a Kinect and an old Virtual Boy.

Filed under: Misc

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Source: SpaceX (YouTube)

For all the wonders we’ve seen 3D printers extrude, traditional copy machines still have something to lord over products like the MakerBot Replicator: convenience. Users hoping to duplicate real world objects need multiple devices and specialized software expertise to scan in items, tweak their parameters and print up a copy — and sharing objects remotely isn’t much easier. That’s where AIO Robotics comes in. The company’s Zeus 3D copy machine promises to scan, print fax and copy 3D objects with a touch of a button.

The all-in-one device was announced late last month, but just launched on Kickstarter today, pricing the complete kit at $2,500 for US backers. The setup is designed to make 3D printing, scanning and sharing easy, automatically calibrating the scanning elements with the printing elements and allowing all functions to be easily performed from a single touch sensitive control panel. The device is supposed to be so easy to use, a child could use it — and sure enough, the project’s demo video contains an adorable clip of a child faxing is Play-Doh creations to his Dad. We’re still a long way off from picking up user friendly replicators at Office Depot, but Zeus could be a step in the right direction. Check out the Kickstarter page for yourself at the attached source link.

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Source: Kickstarter

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

Whether you’re looking to print an Aston Martin or a birdhouse, Microsoft promises you’ll be able to do it more easily with Windows 8.1. Redmond is looking to iron out the wrinkles currently associated with 3D printing — like metadata loss during exporting and limited communication between apps and printers — and make 3D printing more like 2D printing so it becomes “more seamless and ubiquitous.” The software giant’s plan for making it all happen? Defining a standardized feature set that represents what current and future printers can and will do, for one. Microsoft is also pushing for the use of its own 3D data format (3MF) that addresses the current’s (STL) shortcomings — most notably its lack of support for different colors and materials. October 17th probably won’t be the day 3D printing explodes, but these are certainly welcome steps toward that happening. Now, if Ballmer and co. could just bring the price of the printers themselves down then we’d really be in business.

Filed under: Software, Microsoft

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Source: Extreme Windows Blog (Microsoft)

One’s an anomaly, two’s a trend, right? And certainly after 3Doodler managed to collect a staggering $2.3 million on Kickstarter (after a modest $30,000 goal), no one would be particularly surprised to see a few other folks rushing to grab a piece of the 3D printing pen action. Really, it’s a fairly simple idea with impeccable timing, a glue gun-like device that melts plastic and essentially lets you draw in mid-air as it cools, arriving in the midst of a desktop 3D printing explosion.

From what we can tell, the SwissPen is an awfully similar product with two distinctions. First, the company proudly flaunts the fact that the device was designed and is assembled in Switzerland, a fact it assures us is reflected in the quality of the product. Second, the $103 pen (plus international shipping) is expected to ship in October, which puts it well ahead of the $99 3Doodler’s anticipated February ship date. The first batch, the company cautions us, is pretty limited — which is likely to be less of a concern with the 3Doodler, given that company’s rather generous backing. It’s creators assure us, however, that they’re hard at work on accessories, new colors and more for the device.

Update: 3Doodler contacted us to clarify the ship date. Those who backed the pen will be getting their device next month. February is being listed as the “latest shipping date” for folks who pre-order the device now.

Filed under: Peripherals

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Source: SwissPen