Photo credit: ESA
The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Rosalind Franklin ExoMars rover now has a miniature counterpart that you can 3D print at home, called ExoMy. All of the blueprints and software for this rover can be downloaded for free so that anyone with access to a 3D printer can assemble and program their own ExoMy. When built, it stands 42cm high and reproduces many key features of its 2m tall ExoMars, including a drill, solar panels across its back wings and a camera mast. Read more for a video, additional pictures and information.
Whether it be for Halloween or just any other special occasion, looking like someone else just became a lot more creepy, thanks to Japan-based Kamenya Omoto. This store specializes in masks and is actually paying Tokyo residents $380 USD for their faces. The only catch is that you’ll remain anonymous and they’ll create a hyper-realistic, 3D-printed version of your face to sell to anyone for $750 USD. Read more for a video, additional pictures and information.
Engineers at France-based Micrlight3D have 3D-printed the world’s smallest Millennium Falcon, and it measures just 100 microns long. To be more specific, it’s exactly 70.8-micrometers wide, 23.4-micrometers tall and was made with a printing resolution of 200nm. The team used a µFAB-3D-Advanced system that 3D prints a new polymer material developed by the company which works with a green laser that operates at 532nm, a higher resolution than traditional red laser systems. Read more for more tiny Star Wars creations that Microlight3D created.
Photo credit: BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group
BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group partnered with construction technology company ICON, SEArch+ (Space Exploration Architecture) and NASA to develop “Project Olympus,” a space-based construction system that could support future exploration of the Moon. The main goal is to ensure the safety of astronauts and to do so, the team believes that 3D printing with indigenous materials is the best way to go. This will not only offer a practical solution, but also prove to be critically vital to human survival both Earth and in space. Read more for a video, additional pictures and information.
The SainSmart x Creality Ender-3 3D Printer is touted as best in class, and you can get one for $154.50 shipped with promotional code: ENDER3SD25, today only, originally $229. The entire machine consists mainly of injection molded, CNC machined, and extrusion manufactured parts to ensure reliable operation. Its standard brass nozzle allows printing with most types of 1.75mm 3D filaments and SainSmart flexible TPU filament. Product page – be sure to enter promotional code: ENDER3SD25 during final checkout for the additional discount. Read more for a hands-on video review and setup guide.
Kamp C in Westerlo, Belgium recently welcomed the largest 3D concrete printer in Europe to create a 2-story house as part of its C3PO project. It spans ninety square meters and is three times stronger than a traditional brick house, thanks to the compressive strength of the material. Aside from the fibers in the concrete, only minimal shrinkage reinforcement was used, since this printing technique does not require concrete formwork. Read more for a video, additional pictures and information.
ELEGOO Mars UV Photocuring LCD 3D Printer comes bundles with the latest version of CHITUBOX Slicing Software to get you started quickly, and you can get one for $199.99 shipped, this week only, originally $299.99. Thanks to its unique steel ball design, you only need the Z-axis to return to zero, then lock the leveling screw to start printing. Its 3.5 inch touchscreen lets you preview the model straight from the SD card. Product page. Read more for a hands-on video review and additional information.
Mechanical engineer Ian Davis was involved in a work accident last year that caused him to lose four of his fingers on his left hand, and to top things off, his insurance didn’t cover a prosthetic. Insurance stated that for him to be eligible for a prosthetic, his palm would have also required amputation, as the fingers are “not medically necessary”. So, he got into 3D printing to build his own partial prosthetic. Read more for two videos and additional information.
Israel-based startup Redefine Meat aims to launch 3D printers that will let food distributors make plant-based steaks mimicking real beef next year. Called “Alt-Steak,” this meatless alternative will first make rounds at high-end restaurants this year before shipping its industrial-scale 3D printers to meat distributors in 2021. Read more for a video and additional information.
Photo credit: Mantis Robot
LEGO Technic sets are great for creating interactive sets, but there isn’t one yet that lets you build a life-sized go-kart. So, Matt Denton decided to take things into his own hands. With the help of 3D-printers, he managed to piece together an XXL LEGO go-kart with pieces that are scaled up 8.43 times the size of their real-life counterparts. Read more for a test drive video and additional information.