3D printing takes shape

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    Developments in 3D printing, which used to be extremely expensive and only in reach of heavy industry, are putting the technology in the hands of the public and small businesses. HP aims to deliver a 3D printer later this year, and manufacturers catering to hobbyists are starting to push out products.

    If those machines are still too expensive — mainstream models can cost around £10,000 — then there are several companies that will print out 3D models of a design submitted online.

    One of these online 3D printing service providers, Shapeways, announced that it has received $5m (£3.2m) in funding and has moved its headquarters from Eindhoven in the Netherlands to New York. The service, which is two-year-old spinoff of Royal Philips Electronics's Lifestyle Incubator, lets people put together their own designs, which they upload for Shapeways to print out and ship.

    Photo by: Shapeways

    Caption by: Karen Friar

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    There are two ways that 3D printers can produce a model: by chipping away at a block of material or by building it up layer by layer.

    Shapeways uses the second method for its products, such as this spiral in white matte glass. It uses several different kinds of printers in its business, including Eos, Objet and Z Corp machines.

    Photo by: Shapeways

    Caption by: Karen Friar

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    The company, which said it fulfills orders for 10,000 products per month, provides 3D printing in stainless steel, glass, sandstone and a range of plastics. The 36-pencil bowl above has a base of black plastic.

    Photo by: Shapeways

    Caption by: Karen Friar

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    The use of 3D printing for building prototypes is well established in manufacturing industries. Shapeways gives smaller-scale modellers and CAD designers the same capability, with a database of adaptable 3D parts. The database includes axles, gears, hinges and springs as well as items designed by the Shapeways community.

    Photo by: Shapeways

    Caption by: Karen Friar

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    Customers can also sell their designs in a Shapeways storefront for others to have printed. The service allows small designers to set up a business without production and delivery overhead.

    This Steve Jobs bust by designer Sevensheaven is offered via one of Shapeway's 1,000 or so shops.

    Photo by: Shapeways

    Caption by: Karen Friar

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    The items for sale range from Austrian cavalry hats and other vintage military add-ons for Lego characters to candleholders to jewelry. Many items, such as this gold-plated stainless steel ring, can be customised before printing.

    Photo by: Shapeways

    Caption by: Karen Friar

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    Open-source 3D printers MakerBot introduced a 3D printer kit within reach of hobbyist creators. The MakerBot Thing-O-Matic, which connects to a computer over a standard USB cable, is priced at $1,225 (£775).

    The self-assembly machine, which will start shipping in November, comes with software for automated printing in plastic. It will print a complete series of items with one click, according to the company.

    Photo by: Shapeways

    Caption by: Karen Friar

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    In a sign of the technology's growing popularity, 3D printers were everywhere at Maker Faire in New York on Monday. This high-end one, from 3D Systems, is capable of printing out complex models and figures, including giant chess pieces.

    Caption and photo credit: Caroline McCarthy/CNET News

    Caption by: Karen Friar

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The use of 3D printing for building prototypes is well established in manufacturing industries. Shapeways gives smaller-scale modellers and CAD designers the same capability, with a database of adaptable 3D parts. The database includes axles, gears, hinges and springs as well as items designed by the Shapeways community.

Caption by: Karen Friar

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