CES 2019: SHINING 3D Showcased Latest 3D Printing, Scanning, and Digitizing Solutions

CES 2019 came to a close on Friday in Las Vegas, and from all of the announcements we’ve heard recently, the show floor was a pretty impressive place to be last week. Top Chinese 3D printing and digitizing company SHINING 3D was also at CES, on hand to show off its latest 3D scanning and digitizing solutions.

Founded in 2004, the company was China’s first listed OTC stock company in the 3D digitizing and 3D printing industries segment. SHINING 3D creates, manufactures, and commercializes a large range of 3D technologies, including 3D printers, an online 3D cloud platform, 3D scanners for multiple industries and applications, 3D materials, and 3D design and manufacturing services. In addition to Hangzhou, the company also has facilities in Germany and the US.

At last year’s CES, the company introduced two new accessories for its popular EinScan Series of 3D scanners. This year at the event, SHINING 3D showcased its EinScan Pro 2X series of multi-functional handheld 3D scanners, which were first introduced in November at formnext 2018. In addition, the company also introduced an all-inclusive array of solutions that cover “3D Digitizing – Design & Simulation – Additive Manufacturing” for several different industries.

The EinScan Pro 2X and EinScan Pro 2X Plus 3D scanner models have higher quality data and an increased scanning speed: able to process up to 1,500,000 points per second (30 fps) under the Handheld Rapid Scan Mode. In addition, with a more optimized interface and workflow and enhanced algorithm in the new EXScan Pro software, the 3D scanner series makes it possible to scan objects of varying sizes much more quickly and easily. These two new 3D scanners, along with add-ons and the rest of SHINING 3D’s EinScan series, were displayed at CES 2019.

At the show last week, the company also showcased the results of its expanding collaborations with several of its partners. For instance, SHINING 3D is partnering with Siemens PLM Software on a new product development solution. The Solid Edge SHINING 3D Edition makes it possible to use simulation, reverse engineering, and generative design together with CAD tools in the same platform.

Additional partner solutions presented at CES 2019 include:

  • Virtual Display Solution – ability to easily generate and create high-quality 3D models with full-color texture.
  • Human Body 3D Scanning Solution – applied in orthotics, prosthetics, footwear, custom made equipment, etc.
  • Art & Culture Solution – applied in digital archiving, restoration of cultural relics, recreation of sculpture work, etc.
  • The Solution for Education – offers the education bundle from 3D scanning to 3D printing, inspiring the next generation through 3D technology.
  • Revolutionary Nail Scan Solution – brings new opportunities and innovations for the nail beauty industry. Visitors to SHINING 3D’s booth were able to experience a new nail 3D scanning experience.

Discuss this news and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com or share your thoughts in the Facebook comments below.

[Images provided by SHINING 3D]

The Golden Age of 3D Printing: Innovations Changing the Industry #3DPrinting

The Golden Age of 3D Printing Innovations Changing the Industry ArchDaily

This interesting article from Arch Daily goes over some advancements in 3D printing. From unique materials, techniques and subjects, its clear 3D printing is primed to hit it’s stride.

3D printing itself is no longer a new technology, but that hasn’t stopped researchers and innovators around the world from coming up with new applications and opportunities. Some experiments with new materials have been driven by sustainability concerns and others are simply the result of imagination and creativity. Others have chosen to invest their time utilizing more traditional materials in new ways. Materials, however, are just the beginning. Researchers have developed new processes that allow the creation of objects that were previously impossible to print and, on a larger scale, new building typologies are being tested – including a Mars habitat!

Read more!

3D Printing and the Law Interview with Rania Sedhom

The law and 3D printing is a very exciting emerging area of interest for many. What exactly happens with to 3D printed products and liability or IP? Most people in 3D printing don’t want separate laws for 3D printing or 3D printed goods. But, in 3D printed guns we’ve seen lawmakers jump into the crazy clown car of legislating by press release and make separate laws for 3D printing. What will the future hold? Rania Sedhom of Sedhom Law Group reached out to us to share her insights.

Lawmakers seem intent on creating new legislation specifically for 3D printing. Do you agree with that?

Yes, I do. While the technology is a mesh (pun intended) of software and textile, it is unique and needs its own legislation.

Does IP really need to change due to 3D?

Yes, IP law allows individuals to change a currently protected item or idea and then protect it as its own. Many individuals understand what changes and/or improvements are required for ideas and thought product utilized without 3D technology. However, guidance is needed for how much change is needed using 3D technology in order to brand it as “new” or “adequately changed.”

What issues do you see arising due to 3D printing?

3D printing will eventually help counterfeiters produce products that are more difficult to spot as fake. When utilization of 3D technology is replication. Most of us will likely use that technology to reproduce a missing button for our shirt or beading for our sweater. However, counterfeiters will be able to reproduce the entire item. As with all technology and advancement, it can be improperly cannibalized by criminals.

Why are you interested in the space?

It is going to expand the fashion world and the entire definition of fashion! Now, fashion companies and designers are working with chemists and architects in order to, for example, create new textiles and shapes. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

If I’m a small independent designer and I want to share a 3D printed design but still profit from selling physical copies what can I do?

It is difficult to respond to this question fully without writing several pages. However, the long and the short of it revolves around agreements. An agreement delineating the owners of the 3D software and which rights they are selling to the designers, an agreement specifying the owners of the resultant design and an agreement related to sales. If the designers are selling online, they should ensure that their Terms and Conditions are clear, particularly related to what consumers may or may not do with the product. For example, can they make derivative products and, if they do, who owns that derivative work. Currently, not many households have their own 3D printers, but this will change over time. I think that 3D printers will be more popular than regular printers and that nearly every household will ultimately have one of varying size.

How can I as a cash strapped inventor best protect my idea from getting stolen?

Seek legal advice. Several attorneys offer complimentary consultations in order to help newly minted inventors understand their rights and responsibilities. An attorney who is interested in working with startups usually has alternative pricing models so that the inventor can benefit from legal representation with appropriate fees and costs.

In fashion, there is no copyright but the fashion industry works?

There are several protections for the fashion industry. If a product is made utilizing a specific process, or technology, a patent is possible. The designer’s logo can be trademarked, pictures are protected, and certain blog posts and other writings can be copyrighted.

Should 3D printing work the same way?

3D printing is a technology. And, as such, it may be treated differently. The process utilized in printing the item will be the main source of ownership and the new textile created will be the main source of ownership for the brand and/or designer.

Is the file or the print the actual design?

I think this is where we need guidance from the regulators. The answer is complex. Did I, a designer, requisition the file that allows me to print the product? If yes, then the file is what needs to be protected? Did I, the designer, utilize a file that is available to all to produce my product? Then the way that I produced the product may be protected.

How can we make sure that the right people get attribution?

This likely won’t change – through contracts and trust.

Researcher and 3D Printing Enthusiast Authors Chapter in New Book on 3D Printing in Education

Dr. James Novak, a postdoctoral researcher, industrial designer, and self-professed 3D printing geek, started a blog called edditive back in 2014 as a way to document his 3D printing projects. He recently got in touch with 3DPrint.com to let us know about his latest project – he wrote a chapter in a newly released book about 3D printing, titled “Interdisciplinary and International Perspectives on 3D Printing in Education.”

“Obviously 3D printing is changing education in many ways, but it is also challenging for teachers and schools to understand and bring into the classroom,” Dr. Novak told us. “This book can help fill this gap in knowledge.”

The book, which is nearly 350 pages long, covers a wide variety of academic topics, including:

  • 3D printing
  • STEM Education
  • Professional Development
  • Millennial Learners
  • Conceptual Frameworks
  • CAD Software
  • Augmented Reality


The book is a collection of research which can be used to assist during discussions related to interdisciplinary fields and educational perspectives from all around the world, all the way from kindergarten up through institutions of higher learning, to, as the description reads, “inform the uses of 3D printing in education from diverse and broad perspectives.”

“Although 3D printing technologies are still a rarity in many classrooms and other educational settings, their far-reaching applications across a wide range of subjects make them a desirable instructional aid,” the book’s description reads. “Effective implementation of these technologies can engage learners through project-based learning and exploration of objects.”

The book was designed and written specifically for educators, instructional designers, practitioners, and researchers. Dr. Novak’s 22-page chapter is titled “Re-Educating the Educators: Collaborative 3D Printing Education,” and, as he told us, “covers research into how to upskill school teachers in 3D printing through collaboration with universities.”

“I have been running workshops for teachers for 5 years based at universities in Australia and in the chapter I detail the contents of a one day workshop for school teachers, broken up into 3 sessions, and all involving hands-on activities,” Dr. Novak explained to 3DPrint.com. “This could be adopted by any other trainers of teachers, and the book as a whole will interest a broad range of 3D printing researchers and practitioners, as well as curriculum planners and educators of all levels.

“The majority of 3D printing news articles focus on new technological achievements in the industry, and this could be a good opportunity to provide some new resources to the educators involved in training the next generation of designers, engineers etc.”

Dr. Novak’s book chapter uses images from some of his one-day workshops, which he also discusses in the book, and the goal behind the chapter is to call attention to some of the many real challenges that plague teachers who are attempting to adopt 3D printing in the classroom. The chapter starts with a summary of how Australian schools are adopting the technology, and moves on to new research and peer-reviewed literature about how short, intensive courses are helpful in offering teachers “meaningful training” in regards to 3D printing.

“Despite increasing pressure from Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) policies, there is little support offered to schools and teachers to learn 3D printing and associated skills such as Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and 3D scanning,” the chapter introduction reads. “Such technologies have traditionally been the domain of designers and engineers, trained through years of university and commercial practice, and may be daunting for many teachers, particularly those in disciplines where computing and technical expertise is minimal. It is unrealistic to expect teachers to add lengthy training courses in these technologies to their already busy workload, so novel methods of training, driven by bottom-up engagement, must be implemented to ensure teachers and students benefit from the opportunities presented by 3D printing.”

Other interesting chapters in the book include “3D Printing Glitches: Learning From Manufactured Errors,” “Girls and 3D Printing: Considering the Content, Context, and Child,” and “Creating Tactile Graphs for Students with Visual Impairments: 3D Printing as Assistive Technology.”

While this is all well and good, when I saw the price of this book I nearly had a heart attack – the list price for a hardback copy is $195, and while the price drops 20% to $156 when you purchase it through the IGI Global Online Bookstore, that’s still a pretty penny…and even more than it costs to purchase your own entry-level 3D printer! So you’ll need to decide if the knowledge in this book is worth breaking the bank for…or you could just purchase Dr. Novak’s chapter in PDF format for less than $40.

What do you think? Discuss this book and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com or share your thoughts in the Facebook comments below.

[Images provided by Dr. James Novak]

Aries-L Patient Specific 3D Printed Spinal Device Implanted for the First Time

On Tuesday, January 8th, Dr. Samuel Joseph, Jr. and Dr. Andrew Moulton of Joseph Spine became the first in the world to implant the 3D printed titanium Aries-L interbody fusion device from Osseus Fusion Systems. The device features a proprietary multi-axis mesh and optimized micro-surface topology that are designed to facilitate fusion, as well as a lattice structure that helps increase the implant’s porosity to 80 percent. This allows for excellent in situ radiovisibility, especially compared to other titanium implants. The Aries-L is designed to aid in faster recovery thanks to its anatomic profile, anti-migrational teeth and streamlined insertion.

“As a surgeon, it’s very exciting to participate in the device development process and see your ideas brought to life so quickly,” said Dr. Joseph, Founder of Joseph Spine. “Today we were able to successfully implement this cutting edge, patient-specific spinal implant that addresses the complex anatomy of the spine and the delicate nature of it surrounding structures.

“Through 3D printing we are able to manufacture spinal implants that are customized to the patient. Meaning the size of their disc, the size of their vertebra, how high  the vertebra may be, as well as the curvature they may have in their back we are trying to create. With this cutting edge technology we can offer our patients implants such as the Aries L Interbody Fusion Device which can be created at a certain height, a certain length, as well as a certain angle, which offers our patients better, customized care, which results in better outcomes for the patients.

“Working with Osseus and utilizing their technology for spinal implants provides us with a great opportunity for superior patient care. Osseus understands that the future of advanced spine care is in the technology of custom implants as well as creating partnerships with doctors to create customized implants that offer:

  • better solutions for our patients with spinal problems,
  • in a way that is more effective,
  • that is less traumatic to the patient’s body,
  • with a minimally invasive technique, which also becomes,
  • more cost effective as it may reduce
  • the amount of biologics necessary to allow for bones to heal

This, in turn allows better outcomes for our patients.”

No details were provided about the patient who received the implant, but it can be expected that he or she will benefit from faster recovery time as well as reduced risk of complications. The Aries-L is only one of Osseus’ novel healthcare technologies, which also include the Black Diamond Pedicle Screw System, a fixation system technology; the White Pearl Preferred Angle Anterior Cervical Plate, a cervical spine fixation device; and the Red Ruby Anchored Cervical Interbody, a revisable cervical interbody system. Osseus was founded to develop solutions for minimally invasive spinal surgery using advanced technology like additive manufacturing.

Discuss this and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com or share your thoughts below. 

 

 

3D Printed Sponge Aids in Chemotherapy

Medical innovations due to 3D printing are booming these days, with all sorts of new devices improving patient-care. While most of these new applications are based in bioprinting, a lot are simpler medical devices like implants. Today’s story fits more with the latter category and, while simple, it is a brilliant device. Steven Hetts, interventional radiologist […]

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Dutch 3D printing services expand as Oceanz acquires Heijcon 3D Solutions

Oceanz, a Dutch 3D printing service bureau, has announced the acquisition of fellow bureau Heijcon 3D Solutions to accelerate additive manufacturing in the Netherlands. “With this acquisition we can better meet the needs of our customers,” said Erik van der Garde, CEO of Oceanz. “In addition to professional 3D printing, we now offer even greater possibilities […]