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Freeformer industrial 3D printer creates complex items in batches, can combine soft and hard parts
Regular 3D printers (from pens to desktop models) debut quite frequently these days, but a new machine named Freeformer was created with industrial-grade manufacturing in mind. The device was designed by German company ARBURG and employs a proprietary process called ARBURG Plastic Freeforming or -- we swear this acronym's not a typo -- AKF. It takes 3D CAD data and uses it to make functional parts out of liquid plastic without the need for molds. The Freeformer has a stationary nozzle that relies on piezo technology to spray plastic in layers on a moving platform, and it does so until the entire shape is done. Unlike many other 3D printers, though, this one can create geometrically complicated items with a combination of soft and hard materials. Not only that, but it can produce these in small batches, too. The first Freeformer units will be available commercially early next year, but we bet they won't be included in anyone's list of affordable 3D printing machines. Folks in Germany, however, can check it out at the K Trade Fair in Düsseldorf, where it'll remain on display until October 23rd.
Ask Engadget: best mobile printer?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, then here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from Ryan, who needs a device that'll save him time out on the job. If you're looking to ask one of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "Hi. I'm an electrician that travels around in a van all day. Right now, I can either write receipts by hand or email to my customers after the fact. Is there any printer that I can use in the van and print from a phone or tablet? I only need to print out black and white on standard 8.5-inch by 11-inch paper, but nothing online seems to be what I need. Any help you can provide would be great, thanks!" Well Ryan, we always feel a bit icky recommending printers, since we all know that they are the devil's work, but you've got a specific need, so we shall do our best. Assuming you can grab a power inverter and therefore use any consumer-level printer that runs WiFi Direct or AirPrint (if you have an iOS device). Some examples include Brother's HL5470DW or the HP 1102W. Beyond that? Well it's time to turn this shebang over to our commenters, who will be happy to share some knowledge.
Samsung's concept printers don't need Bluetooth, come with built-in sound
Printers aren't the most interesting to use or look at, but we've got to give Samsung credit for at least trying with its latest concept mobile printers. The oval device in the pic above is called Wave, and it can access files saved on a phone directly through the dock, letting you print even without WiFi or Bluetooth. Audiophiles might want to cast their eyes upon the other machine in the pic, however, as it's not just a printer but also a sound system that can charge phones. Samsung's scheduled to showcase both of them along with its other, less avant-garde printing tech on September 6th at the IFA 2013. Sadly, we don't believe the Korean company has immediate plans to bring them to market, so you'll have to make do with the usual fare for now.
Microfactory adds milling and etching to its 3D printer (video)
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.
Formlabs debuts Mac software for Form 1 high-res 3D printer, adds mesh repair
Somewhere out there a handful of Form 1 high-res 3D printer backers are jumping for joy now that Formlabs has launched a Mac version of its PreForm software. You might remember Form 1 as that project that made a killing on Kickstarter in 2012, raking in over $2 million, or more than 20 times its goal. The 3D model creation program was initially available only for Windows, but the firm will now simultaneously publish updates for both operating systems, starting with this latest release. In addition to support for Apple hardware, version 0.8.4 comes with the capability to automatically patch up holes and irregularities on 3D models, so they can be printed out quickly and smoothly. Both flavors of PreForm are up on Formlabs' website, where the 3D printer itself is available for preorder with a $3,300 price tag and a November 2013 shipping date.
Stack printer concept ditches the tray, eats columns of paper instead
Let's face it: even clever 2D printers aren't usually fun to watch. Mugi Yamamoto's Stack concept livens things up a bit, however. Instead of relying on a tray, the printer swallows paper from a column underneath -- like an animal that only eats company reports. The trayless design isn't just for novelty's sake, though. Stack is more portable than its conventional peers, and it's much less of a hassle to reload. Yamamoto has had a working Stack prototype for months, but he now tells Wired that he's looking for companies that could produce a commercial version. We're hoping that someone takes him up on his offer; it could add a little more excitement to our office printing jobs.
Zink's hAppy and hAppy+ smart app printers cater to gleeful labelers
It's been a hot minute since a new Zink printer made it through the wringer, but here we are staring at the latest duo. Designed to be coddled and cuddled by craft gurus and those who place an exceptionally high value on organization, the hAppy and hAppy+ smart app printers utilize the outfit's full-color, ink-free zRolls for printing. Each one is WiFi-enabled and engineered to travel well, with the $199 base model supporting print transfers from iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Android devices. On the stock hAppy, you simply download a corresponding app, design what you need printed, and send it over the air. The $299 hAppy+, however, ships with Android in the device, allowing you to fiddle around with its touchscreen and create print designs without any other hardware involved. Of course, we're guessing that you'll be quite limited on what masterpieces you'll be able to muster on such a small canvas, but hey -- who are we to judge your creative prowess?
Windows 8.1 to support 3D printing through native API
As quickly as 3D printers have taken off, they haven't had true OS-level support. Microsoft is fixing that with Windows 8.1: a built-in API will let developers weave 3D printing into their own apps. While the experience will be slightly more complicated than firing up an old-fashioned inkjet, it should include familiar-looking printing dialogs and persistent settings. The only real challenge will be picking up a 3D printer in the first place -- but that's getting easier by the day. %Gallery-192352%
ToughWriter prototype brings color printing to the cockpit, we go hands-on
You might be surprised to hear that many current aircraft already have the ability to print documents at 30,000 feet. Long-haul airliners like the Boeing Dreamliner and Airbus A340 A380 ship with a ToughWriter flight deck printer installed and ready to go, but the device has been limited to black and white output, which can be a bit restrictive when it comes to spitting out charts and weather information. Astro-Med, the company behind the cockpit printer currently churning out reports in thousands of commercial, business and military planes, has a spiffy new model on the way. We spotted an early prototype on display at the Paris Air Show this week, and while it's still a ways off from being cockpit-ready, the device works quite well, printing to ZINK paper at about 30 seconds per page, compared to 5 seconds for the monochrome version. Unlike the printers we're accustomed to using on the ground, a ToughWriter must be installed before an aircraft is certified, so it's really something you need to factor in before the FAA signs off on your plane. In other words, don't expect to simply swap in this new color model once it hits the market. It's also an expensive acquisition -- it wouldn't be unreasonable to expect pricing in the $25,000 range, though that detail has yet to be announced. The version we saw in Paris is very much a work in progress -- it far exceeds the maximum size allowed, and it's heavier than the targeted 10 pounds, too. It does print quite nicely, though, and once engineers manage to squeeze the printer into a smaller housing, it'll likely include AirPrint so pilots can print from their iPads, and possibly Android wireless support, too. Astro-Med reps weren't able to tell us when the color ToughWriter will take to the skies, and considering the certification involved, it could be a few years out. Catch it in action in the gallery below.%Gallery-191672% Update: We originally reported that the monochrome ToughWriter model is installed in the Airbus A340, however the correct aircraft type is A380. The error has been corrected.
Mataerial 3D printer escapes the tyranny of layers, changes colors on the fly (video)
Anyone who has used conventional 3D printers knows that they work by stacking layer on layer, limiting just what they can create and where. Mataerial's upcoming printer, started by Joris Laarman Lab and IAAC, doesn't abide by those petty rules. Its robotic arm draws instantly solid 3D curves rather than 2D slices, shedding the need for direct support or even a horizontal surface. It's also not bound by traditional approaches to color. As Mataerial injects dye at the last moment, it can switch hues mid-stream and introduce subtle gradients. We've reached out for launch and pricing details, but it's reasonable to presume that such advanced control won't come cheap -- we'd look to the 3Doodler for more affordable in-air artistry.
Formlabs ships first Form 1 3D printer, Kickstarter backers should see theirs next week
Some might say it's been a long, long while since October -- with "some" referring to the swath of Kickstarter backers who've been waiting oh-so-patiently for a Form 1 to call their own. Formlabs has just confirmed via a company blog post that the very first Form 1 3D printer shipped out today, as the Collector's Edition Form 1 and half of the Initial Formation tier of pledges hopped on a variety of delivery trucks. The rest of you backers can expect to begin printing "by the end of next week." For those keeping count, the Form 1 is actually a few months behind schedule, but in all honesty, that's pretty good considering the up-and-down nature of crowdfunded projects that manage to find the limelight. The outfit is reminding folks that Form 1 units are shipped as they're produced, fulfilling Kickstarter rewards and preorders by priority. Specifics on group deliveries won't come for a few more weeks, but those in the Bay Area can swing by Maker Faire (or ICFF if you're in the Big Apple) to catch an early glimpse. Oh, and if you're just now hearing of this thing? You can place a $3,299 order right now, but you probably won't get it until July. Them's the breaks, kids!
HP and Samsung offer setup-free printing on the Galaxy S 4, with others to follow
As ubiquitous as wireless printing has become, there remains the occasional hoop to jump through for printing from mobile devices if you don't happen to have either a special app or iOS gear that supports AirPrint. HP and Samsung are teaming up to remove many of the headaches for the Galaxy S 4: when the phone launches in April, it should have setup-free WiFi printing to almost 200 HP inkjets and LaserJets, as long as any given printer is either on the same network or is otherwise accessible through direct printing. Don't expect ubiquitous support, though. Beyond being limited to the one phone, you'll have to stick to some of its preloaded apps, including the browser, contacts, email client, photo gallery, Polaris Office and S Note. It's far from a truly universal solution, then, but the two partners are at least promising zero-setup printing on both the Galaxy S III and the Galaxy Note II through firmware updates coming later in 2013. We'll take the approach if it saves time snagging an old-fashioned boarding pass or some concert tickets.
Adafruit's new Internet of Things Printer goes wireless, uses Raspberry Pi (video)
Adafruit's just outed a new Internet of Things Printer kit that's traded in its ethernet connection for WiFi. Instead of using an Arduino Uno like its wired sibling, the new DIY hardware is built with a Raspberry Pi Model B running Raspbian Linux. Programmed in Python, the software on the box wields the Python Imaging Library, which gives folks flexibility when it comes to typography and graphics, and can leverage the language's raft of libraries. If you're not in the mood for coding, however, the contraption brings a few sample applications that'll print out daily weather reports, sudoku puzzles, tweets and images on 2.25-inch wide receipt paper. The project rings up at $189 -- $100 above its predecessor -- but it isn't up for sale quite yet.
Zink slips WiFi-enabled 'Print' printer into the FCC's database
Last time we heard from Zink, it was introducing some sort of digital camera in concert with Lady Gaga. Perhaps not-so-coincidentally, that was unveiled at CES earlier this year. If we're assuming a yearly refresh cycle, it looks as if the company is planning its next major product launch for CES 2013, judging by a report of a new piece of kit that just surfaced at the FCC today. Simply entitled "Print" (or "Happy Print," as the documentation occasionally states), the (presumed) printer will support 802.11b/g/n WiFi transfers, though there's a USB option for those who prefer the tethered route. We also get the feeling it can be powered via an included battery pack, enabling IRL Instagrams to be printed out right there on location. There's no user guide to speak of, so further functionality is apt to be kept under wraps until its official reveal. If we had to guess, we'd say that day is coming soon rather than later.
HP's new all-in-one printer adds more to that 'all', turns into a WiFi hotspot
While all-in-one printers usually tote print, copy, scan and fax capabilities, we're hardly ones to complain if we get something more. The aptly-named HP Hotspot LaserJet Pro M1218nfs also crams in a WiFi hotspot -- opening up the world wide web for access on up to eight devices at a time. Other than swallowing a wireless hub, the laser printer also boasts Apple AirPrint along with HP's ePrint and wireless direct for tether-free printing. Out in India for 18,306 rupees ($330), we're awaiting word on stateside availability. Now it isn't really up to us to say if that NFS in its monicker points to speed, but a quick tap on the source link is enough to throw up the full specs.
Solidoodle 3 goes up for pre-orders with 512 cubic inches of 3D printing prowess
The potential for home 3D printing has regularly been limited by size; even MakerBot's Replicator 2 can only go so far in matching our ambitions. Solidoodle sees that deficit as a chance to make its name in a still very young industry. Its new Solidoodle 3 printer covers an extra two inches in every dimension than the Solidoodle 2, doubling the printable area to an extra-large 512 cubic inches. The 8-inch by 8-inch by 8-inch space isn't as long as what's inside the MakerBot challenger, but it's larger overall and improves on Solidoodle-built ancestors with a newer spool that cuts back on tangles in the plastic filament. Should any projects be too big for existing 3D printers' britches, the Solidoodle 3 is up for pre-order today at a size-appropriate $799. Do brace for a long wait, however: at 8-10 weeks before shipping, the company doesn't expect any deliveries until January.
Software updates: HP Printer Software 2.12, Java 2012-006
There are some goodies in Software Update/the Mac App Store tonight: Apple has released the HP Printer Software Update 2.12, adding support for additional HP printers, and the Java for OS X 2012-006 1.0 update. The Java update implements a fairly important change in the ongoing transition from Apple's homegrown JVM to the Oracle-provided version: it uninstalls Apple's browser plugin for Java from all browsers. After the update, you'll see "missing plug-in" alerts if you surf to a page with an embedded Java applet. Clicking the alert will take you to Oracle's site to download the replacement plugin. The Java Preferences application is also removed by the update, as it is apparently no longer needed.
Slickdeals' best in tech for October 8th: Lenovo IdeaPad Y480 and Canon wireless all-in-one printer
Looking to save some coin on your tech purchases? Of course you are! In this round-up, we'll run down a list of the freshest frugal buys, hand-picked with the help of the folks at Slickdeals. You'll want to act fast, though, as many of these offerings won't stick around long. If you weren't able to get all of your gadget shopping done this weekend, a handful of new tech deals could do the trick. A 14-inch Lenovo IdeaPad laptop and Canon PIXMA wireless all-in-one printer might be just what you need to enhance that home office setup with just a few clicks. There's also three more links eager to accept your funds, so head on past the break to take a look. Remember to watch out for those coupon codes and rebate forms.
Kodak dropping out of the consumer inkjet printer business in 2013
More gloomy news from Kodak: the company just announced that it will stop selling consumer inkjet printers in 2013 and instead focus its efforts on commercial printing products. This decision hardly comes as a surprise: Kodak filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this year and attempted to auction off a stockpile of patents valued at up to $2.6 billion. The company stated on Friday that it expects to take a $90 million hit due to its floundering inkjet business. Kodak's garage sale attracted interest from unlikely alliances in the form of Apple and Microsoft versus Google and Samsung, but reportedly only reeled in disappointing offers under the $500 million mark. Hoping to rebound next year as a "lean," mean, successful machine, we'll just have to wait and see what develops for this fallen photography frontrunner.
Deezmaker 3D Printer Store opens in Pasadena, will sell you a slice of the future for $600
If the MakerBot store in Manhattan is the East coast's vanguard for 3D printer stores, Deezmaker's just-opened store in Pasadena, California is the equivalent pioneer for the West coast crew. As of now, you can walk through the doors at 290 North Hill Avenue and at least see the store's own Bukobot printer in action, even if high demand through Kickstarter pre-orders precludes walk-in sales for the next few weeks. When you can make that impulse purchase, however, you'll find the Bukobot at a relatively cheap $600 and may see some alternatives during your visit. Store owner and Bukobot creator Diego Porqueras stresses to Ars Technica that he wants Deezmaker lasting for the long haul, and he may have chosen just the right area to make that happen -- the shop is a stone's throw from the experimenters (and simply curious) at Caltech, NASA's JPL and Pasadena City College. No matter how it all shakes out, we're hoping that the two near-simultaneous store openings are the start of a larger trend that takes 3D printing into the mainstream.
