The Digitizer Arrives!

Earlier this week, the MakerLab received one of the first shipments of MakerBot's new Digitizer 3D Scanner! This revolutionary new device converts physical objects into digital files. In essence, it is a 3D copy machine! The Digitizer was extremely easy to set up and  the scanning software is very user friendly. Within a few minutes after unpacking, we were ready for our first scan: a gnome that was 3D printed on an early MakerBot Cupcake 3D printer.

The process took around 10 minutes and involved a laser scanning of the gnome, which slowly rotated clockwise on the Digitizer's turntable. We then sliced the file using MakerWare, saved it on an SD card, and printed the digitized gnome using one of our MakerBot Replicator 3D printers.

The photo below shows both the original 3D printed gnome (in white) next to its scanned copy (in yellow). The scan is quite similar to the original 3D printed object and captures many of its details. Overall, we are quite pleased with the Digitizer and are proud to add it to our arsenal. This new device allows our lab to turn physical objects into digital files that can be easily modified and/or physically printed. If you are interested in taking the Digitizer for a "spin," just stop by our lab.

MakerLab is Coming to Chicago

On Thursday, October 10, Aric Rindfleisch, Executive Director of the Illinois MakerLab will be visiting Chicago to discuss the 3D printing revolution and how the College of Business at the University of Illinois is taking a leadership role in this domain through the establishment of the world's first (and only) business school 3D printing lab, the Illinois MakerLab. For more information and to make a reservation to attend this event, just click on the announcement below. We hope to see you there.

Things we Make: Adjustable Wrench

One of the most impressive aspects of 3D printing is the capability to create complex mechanical objects with moving parts in a single print. Unlike traditional manufacturing techniques which produce component parts that must be put together, with 3D printing, there is no assembly required! To illustrate this feature, we have recently begun to use our 3D printers to produce adjustable wrenches that actually adjust! The process is simple: We just download the design file from Thingiverse (Thing 139268 by barspin), put it on an SD card, insert the card into one of our MakerBot Replicators, and hit print.  We then sit back and watch, and 40 minutes later, we have a fully functional adjustable wrench. To see our wrench in action, stop on by our lab. Or if you have a 3D printer, a laptop, and an internet connection, you can print your own.  Welcome to the future!

MakerLab Draws Crowds at MakerFaire

Last Saturday, Aric, Danny, Nick & Vishal represented the MakerLab at the Urbana-Champaign Mini-MakerFaire. We demonstrated 3D printing, displayed many of the objects that we have printed in our lab, and handed out our famous Illinois MakerLab keychains. The event was attended by a large number of families, most of whom had never seen 3D printing in person before. If you missed us at the MakerFaire, please feel free to stop by our lab for a free tour.  

MSTM Students Visit MakerLab

Last Friday, over 100 Masters of Science of Technology Management (MSTM) students visited the MakerLab. Our Gurus demonstrated 3D Scanning and Printing and helped teams of students print out a variety of objects. As shown in the photos below, the MSTM students were captivated by the magic of 3D printing. Introducing students to this amazing new technology is one of key priorities. One of the students, Doreen Tseng, blogged about the visit to the MakerLab. If you have interest in reserving the MakerLab for your class, please let us know!

Things we Make: Birdhouse

In addition to making useful items for humans, 3D printing can also be used to make things for our animal friends. For example, in 2011, MakerBot sponsored a competition to design 3D printed shells for hermit crabs. More recently, MakerBot held a competition to see who could design the best birdhouse. The winning design was submitted by Erik Durwood and is freely available at Thingiverse. We recently printed this birdhouse and are proudly displaying it in our lab (see below). As shown in the photo, the design is inspired by the American Craftsman Bungalow movement and is richly detailed. Now all we need are some birds!