America
World's first compact rotary 3D printer-cum-scanner unveiled
San Jose, Feb 16
The world's first compact 3D
printer-cum-scanner that can also scan items has been unveiled at the
American Association Advancement of Science (AAAS) annual meeting in San
Jose, California.
Blacksmith Group start-up at Nanyang
Technological University (NTU) launched Saturday the user-friendly
all-in-one device, named the Blacksmith Genesis.
The $2,200
device allows users to scan any item, and then edit the digitised model
on the computer and print it out in 3D, Lester Kok, assistant manager of
NTU's Corporate Communications Office, told Xinhua news agency Sunday.
"Most
3D printers sold on the market now are not really user-friendly as
their 3D models and blueprints usually have to be designed from scratch
on the computer," Kok said, "but Blacksmith Genesis doesn't require much
knowledge of 3D software."
Unlike other commercial 3D printers,
Blacksmith Genesis uses an innovative rotary platform for its printing
and scanning. This patent-pending revolving platform allows for true
360-degrees scanning, and can print items up to 6,650 cubic cm, twice
the size of those printed by other similar-sized 3D printers in the
market.
With a fine resolution of 50 micrometres, the
reproductions will be twice as detailed compared to other compact 3D
printers. Likewise, scanning of objects with its five megapixel camera
takes only six minutes, twice as fast as other 3D scanners in the
market.
Another unique feature of Blacksmith Genesis is its
remote live monitoring and automatic error detection using an in-built
camera. Users can also monitor the printing process on their smartphone
from anywhere in the world through an internet connection, and will be
able to start or stop printing at any time.
"While low-cost 3D
printers are accessible to the public, they are still very hard to
programme and assemble. Having an affordable, high-quality 3D printer
that is easy to use is what the market is missing and this is where
Blacksmith Group will bridge the gap," Chua Chee Kai, the mentor for the
Blacksmith Group, said in a press release.
The 3D
printer-cum-scanner was created in Singapore with the help of a
crowd-funding campaign, raising over $80,000, and its US supporters will
be able to get it as early as March.