Lewihe 3d printer from Spain is optimized for flexible filaments

Lewihe is new 3d printer from Spain which focuses on fast printing with flexible filaments like FilaFlex.

Lewihe 3d printer tech specs:

• Print area 185 x 185 x 185 mm (7.28 x 7.28 x 7.28 in), Lewihe ProXL model 350x250x185 mm (12.6 x 9.84 x 7,28 in)
• 50 microns layer resolution
• 1.75 mm filament diameter
• 0.4 mm nozzle diameter
• Plug and Print PLA, ABS, LAYWOOD, FILAFLEX and others
• Open source software
• STL and OBJ supported objects
• Wight: 8.5 Kg
• Closed aluminum chassis
• CORE XY system
• SAV Mk-I 
• External power supply
• USB
• WiFi +On board camera (optional)

Lewihe is on Indiegogo: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/lewihe-3d-printer

Lewihe homepage: http://www.lewihe.com/

Comparison of Lewihe models with other leading 3d printers:

Larger Lewihe model will be able to print full size FilaFlex shoe:

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Make a low cost DIY hydroponics system with 3Dponics modules and used plastic bottles

As I wrote in previous DIY aquaponics post, I'm researching from my future projects. I discovered 3DPonics which is modular system of 3d printed elements that enables you to create low cost home hydroponic system for growing plants in used plastic bottles.
Growing vegetables in most types of plastic bottles and containers is considered safe.

The system is completely free and open source. I'm huge supporter of open source movement and this is very important point for me. I think it is alos possible to "upgrade" it with a fishtank to get fully aquaponic growth system.

It looks like an ideal setup for small spaces bot indoor and outdoor. Maybe I'll build this for next growing season. I'm gathering plastic bottles for other projects and have seed material for old types of tomatoes and peppers. Growing your own food is like growing your own money.
Maybe next year ...

Check it out:

Kickstarter campaign (probably used as promotion tool) promotion video:




Here is a hydroponic system based on 3dponics on a small apartment balcony:




Here is short guide on how to build the system:




Project homepage: http://www.3dponics.com/

3DPonics Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/3dprintler/3dponics-community-for-crowdsourced-3d-printed-hyd/

You can watch 3dponics system on a balcony via live cam: https://www.dropcam.com/p/3dponics

All instructions and files can be found at: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:376158

3dponics hydroponic system indoors 

3dponics hyrdroponic system on a balcony

3dponics system overview 

You could also 3d print the most of the water pump and make DIY peristaltic pump or other type:

Peristaltic pump 3d printed and powered by standard NEMA motor: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:414192

Go explore DIY water pumps for your aquaponic / hydroponic systems here:

http://www.thingiverse.com/tag:peristaltic

http://www.yeggi.com/q/water+pump/


Here is my first post on using 3d printed parts in aquaponic / hydroponic food growing that also has some introduction videos on the topic:

http://diy3dprinting.blogspot.com/2013/06/using-3d-printing-in-aquaponics.html

Update (30.9.2014.):

Here is detailed video interview about 3Dponics with Luke Rudkowski, This video describes the system, philosophy behind it and future developments. Open Source everything!

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Small DIY aquaponic system producing food on small aquarium with 3d printed modules

I do have a relatively large food garden at my home, but growing food is time consuming and subject to many factors such as weather and diseases. This year was terrible, we had a very small harvest but we invested a LOT of work. This made me more interested in aqaponics and hydroponics.

I wrote about 3d printed aquaponics before but I researched more and found this small system.
It grows plants as part of small fish aquarium (10 gallon=37 liters) in 3d printed modules.

It loos good enough to start experimenting with spices, herbs and salads. Maybe also as a seed starter.

All the parts are here:

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:163468

If you really want a small DIY aquaponics system that fits anywhere you can try with this one from Cascaqua that will enable you to grow some salad or spice herbs and features an organic moder design:

Cascaqua homepage with files:

http://avooq.com/product/cascaqua/


BTW:

If all else fails in your garden, Jerusalem Artichoke ALWAYS grow and require no care. They are tasty also and can be eaten raw.

UPDATE:

3DPonics system: http://diy3dprinting.blogspot.com/2014/08/make-low-cost-diy-hydroponics-system.html

if you want to make your own growing strips for aquaponics, check this DY extruder:

http://diy3dprinting.blogspot.com/2014/08/diy-extruder-for-hdpe-aquaponic-plant.html

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New from Adafruit: 3d printable DIY virtual reality headset

Adafruit is continuing to make this cool wearable electronics projects with parts you can customize and 3d print at home.
Here is a cool VR eyewear project made with Ninjaflex flexible filament and PLA. It could also be classified as home made Oculus Rift.

I would like to see some people who made some of Adafruit wearble projects and how they use them.

Detailed construction guide: https://learn.adafruit.com/3d-printed-wearable-video-goggles/

All the files: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:417201

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Gartner's 2014 Hype Cycle and 3d printing technologies (just moving down the curve)

Gartner's 2014 Hype Cycle is out? So where is 3d printing? It is moving slowly down the curve. All technologies are advancing in small steps. Most interesting moment is consumer 3d printing starting to go down from the peak and entering into "Trough of Disillusionment".  Gartner's assessment is probably right, there are probably many people who bought a 3d printer and feed disappointed it is not a Star Trek Replicator.

Here is more detailed view focusing on many 3d printing technologies, and it predicts wide adoption of home machines and industrial scale additive manufacturing in 5-10 years range.  3d printing in schools and classrooms is falling behind and will be adopted in more than 10 years according to Gartner.

Here is Gartner's for 2013: http://diy3dprinting.blogspot.com/2013/08/3d-printing-in-gartner-2013-hype-cycle.html

Source and more information: http://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/2819918

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3D CHALLENGE AUGUST 2014 MODERN MINIMALIST ECO HOUSE

3D WORLD CONTEST

We are delighted to announce the 3D challenge for August 2014,  with a huge thanks to  Romain Demerville for allowing us to use his wonderful 3d model. 
Minimalist Modern Eco House,  is a project that perfectly interprets the architectural trends of recent years: concrete, stone, wood, large glass window  "plein air"  effect, simple geometric shapes, but very well balanced that return a stylish image worthy of a great designer.
Here are some views of the 3D model, extracted from sketchup, in jpg format

panoramic view 

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Formlabs guide on how to enable wireless printing on multiple Form1+ machines

Formlabs just released a guide on how to print on multiple (up to 4) Form 1+ printers wirelessly using the IOGear Wireless 4-Port USB Sharing Station
You can call it a type of in-house product hacking. Good work Formlabs! Other companies wouldn't share such information probably...

http://formlabs.com/company/blog/2014/08/05/wi-fi-and-wireless-printing/

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HouseholdHacker made a watermelon keg with 3d printed dispenser

Here is a fun summer project :-) This will really make your investment in 3d printer pay for itself :-)




HouseholdHacker developed it with Robo 3d.
Watermelon Dispenser: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:423539

http://www.robo3dprinter.com/pages/household-hackers-watermelon-dispenser

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Detailed review of Makerfarm Prusa i3v

Here is a very detailed review of new Makerfarm Prusa i3v by well known ZennmasterM (Michael).  The biggest difference between new i3v and older Makerfarm Prusa i3 is linear rail v-slot used to carry the extruder. It is faster and smoother. The printer is priced ad 570 USD.


Makerfarm Prusa i3v product page:

http://www.makerfarm.com/index.php/prusa-8-i3v-kit-v-slot-extrusion.html/

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New Disney technology will make your 3d models have a perfect hair and stable spin when you print them

... if they ever release them to public. Now they are just papers, calculations and presentations with no public code.

Disney presented two new technologies related to 3d printing. First one is more accurate hair 3d capture and reproduction and second is optimization of the models internal mass so they can be spun perfectly on one axis.

Now the 3d scanning and 3d printing of human figures in Disney will be more detailed for hair:



Disney research page:
http://www.disneyresearch.com/project/stylized-hair-capture/


3d models can be optimized so that the moment of inertia is balanced in 3d printed objects:




Disney research page:
http://www.disneyresearch.com/project/spin-it/

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Yobi3D is new 3d model search engine

Yobi3D is new 3d model search engine. It searches for 3d models on other repository sites based on input keyword.
I took a look at those models and many of them are not optimized for 3d printing.
I noticed that many other sites call each new 3d model search engine a "new Google" for 3d models. Qhat will happen if Google has 3d model search function? Will all those sites go out of work?
Still, I welcome any new site.

http://yobi3d.com/

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How they 3d print all that stuff at Shapeways

Very nice promo video Shapeways! What a nice bunch of smart good looking people!
On more serious note: I was not aware that they only 3d print wax molds for metal objects and cast them afterwords.

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How to make flexible electronic circuits of conductive fabric circuits with Ninjaflex

Mikey77  is well known for his tutorial on how to 3d print an electronic circuit. Now he has a new tutorial worth checking out if you are into  DIY electronics. It's a method on etching and making flexible or conductive fabric electronic circuits by 3d printing a Ninjaflex flexible filament on them and etching the surplus away.

Full guide:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-Flexible-Circuit-Boards-Using-A-3D-Printer/?ALLSTEPS

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