3D Holographic Projection Technology Projects Future of Screenless Display

3D holograms are ready to transform the way people access media content or share them, and so is the industry.

Gone are the times for wondering if holographic displays were the outcome of an outer space technology, seeded into fantasy by Star Wars. Whether Tony Stark, or not, individual consumers might be able to lay their hands on similar fascinating devices available in market. A much toned-down version of what motion pictures describe, is brought by manufacturers at a certain price. The screenless display market segment currently offers eyewear that create virtual reality through 3D holographic projections. More advanced options, of flaring up an entire responsive display system at the touch of a button, are yet to come. According to a report by Allied Market Research, analysts expect substantial rise in adoption and eventual growth of 3D hologram segment in recent future.

A 3D Printed Sundial Displays Time Like a Digital Clock

Using a clever mix of 3D printing and a few well-placed shadows, this sundial designed by Mojoptix projects the actual time as if displayed on a digital clock. The plastic component that casts the shadow called a gnomon is printed with extremely tiny holes that create pinpoint dots of light in the form of digits as the sun shines through during the day.

The sundial does have its limitations. The time only shows in 20 minute increments and it only works from 10am to 4pm during the day. Regardless, the results are no less miraculous when you see it in use in the video below (skip to around 13:00 to see it in motion).

The completed device is available for purchase here, or you can download the design files and print your own. (via My Modern Met)

MIT scientists devise way to 3D print hair

These days, it may seem as if 3-D printers can spit out just about anything, from a full-sized sports car, to edible food, to human skin. But some things have defied the technology, including hair, fur, and other dense arrays of extremely fine features, which require a huge amount of computational time and power to first design, then print.

Now researchers in MIT’s Media Lab have found a way to bypass a major design step in 3-D printing, to quickly and efficiently model and print thousands of hair-like structures. Instead of using conventional computer-aided design (CAD) software to draw thousands of individual hairs on a computer — a step that would take hours to compute — the team built a new software platform, called “Cilllia,” that lets users define the angle, thickness, density, and height of thousands of hairs, in just a few minutes.

Using the new software, the researchers designed arrays of hair-like structures with a resolution of 50 microns — about the width of a human hair. Playing with various dimensions, they designed and then printed arrays ranging from coarse bristles to fine fur, onto flat and also curved surfaces, using a conventional 3-D printer. They presented a paper detailing the results at the Association for Computing Machinery’s CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems in May.

Could the technology be used to print wigs and hair extensions? Possibly, say the researchers. But that’s not their end goal. Instead, they’re seeing how 3-D-printed hair could perform useful tasks such as sensing, adhesion, and actuation.

3D printed, self-driving minibus to hit the US roads – Press TV

3D printing is gaining more popularity around the world. Human organs, homes and other things are produced with a 3d printer. But have you seen vehicles being printed?

Now, an American Company has created a self-driving minibus with the help of the 3d printing technology. It’s called Olli and is capable of carrying up to twelve passengers. The bus takes only 10 hours to be printed and an hour to assemble.

Olli was designed as an on-demand transportation solution that passengers can summon with a mobile app and the cool thing about this autonomous electric is that you can easily tell it where you're heading in natural language.

The company’s co-founder John Rogers is planning to build hundreds of micro-factories all over the world that can 3D-print Ollis.

SOURCE  PRESS TV

Airbus Unveils 3D Printed Unmanned Test Aircraft

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus unveiled its fully 3D printed Unmanned Test Aircraft at the ILA Berlin Airshow. The 3D printed UAV, named THOR (Test of High-tech Objectives in Reality) is a flyable 4×4 m subscale model plane and demonstrates the opportunities for future fast track product development using ALM (Additive Layer Manufacturing).

The unmanned aircraft was first tested in November 2015, taking flight for 40 km from Hamburg to Airbus’ plant in Stade, Germany. Constructed in just four weeks, THOR weighs 25kg and has a length and a wingspan of approximately four metres. Following successful tests, 18 missions have been scheduled for 2016.

According to Peter Sander, head of emerging technologies & concepts at Airbus in Hamburg, Germany, the aircraft will serve as a test platform for high risk and aerodynamic investigations, which will be used to further prove the viability the concept of a 3D printed UAV. THOR is comprised of around fifty 3D printed parts, two electric motors, and a remote control.

Confederate Motors Opens the Throttle on Design with Help of On Demand Manufacturing

Breathtaking concept aside, a design is only as good as its ability to transform from an idea into the real world. For idealists, this nagging truth is as deflating as it is tedious. Fortunately for the design purists at Confederate Motors, 3D Systems’ On Demand Manufacturing Service provides a parts production solution that lets their imaginations take to the open road.

Founded 24 years ago on the romantic ideals of uncompromising authenticity, Confederate Motors is a small-batch manufacturer of some of the finest American road bikes ever to burn rubber. A likeminded crew of designers and engineers, the Confederate Motors team brings next-level passion to what they do. Their bikes’ distinctive, “skeletal minimalism” style features an interworking display of components that is both sculpture and machine. Hugging unbridled creativity at every turn, the only limitation Confederate Motors has ever acknowledged has tied back to the fulfillment resources at its disposal. Enter the fortuitous find of 3D Systems’ on demand offerings.

3D Printing next big game-changer

 As 3D printers are become more affordable and versatile, they are destined to disrupt multiple industries. Here's what you need to know about this quickly accelerating technology.

The MakerBot Replicator 2 enables users to make big objects, up to 410 cubic inches. It was released in 2012 and was designed for the desktop of an engineer, researcher, or creative professional.

Image: MakerBot

 The world of 3D printing is exciting. With more affordable machines, creative entrepreneurs, innovative startups, and new materials, the industry is rapidly evolving.

Since the invention of the 3D printer in 1983 by Chuck Hull of 3D Systems, companies have popped up all over the globe, attempting to make the most innovative machine. Here are 10 reasons why 3D printing matters—maybe you'll decide the equipment is a worthy investment, or maybe you'll just be convinced this futuristic technology will one day have a place in your business or home.

SEE: Photos: 3D printers and the amazing and quirky things they make

1. 3D printing is a key industry to watch in 2014

Enthusiasm is high, and so is the market for 3D printing in both consumer and enterprise space. According to Gartner research, printers under $100,000 were expected to grow almost 50 percent in 2013, and will increase 75 percent this year. Right now, enterprises are using the printers to prototype objects, but we'll see an increasing amount used to make product designs this year.

SEE: 3D printing: A primer for business and technology professionals