Author: Robert Schouwenburg

DMCA does not cut it for 3D printing

A form or function cannot be copyrighted and only patterns on objects can fall under copyright. This means that the Safe Harbor provision of the DMCA cannot be applied to 3D models. The challenge of applying copyright on 3D models is a problem for everyone - service providers and creators alike.

3D on the web — WebGL to the rescue

There is at last progress on bringing 3D to the web. For years, different companies have tried to solve this problem, but the solutions — often with proprietary browser plugins — were cumbersome and limited. With the creation of WebGL, there is finally a way forward.

Pirated 3D Models

Some people ask me what keeps me up at night. One of the answers is Intellectual Property and personal fabrication. At the moment we get about one DMCA Content Notice Take Down request a week at Shapeways.

Design meta language

One of the problems in 3D design is that 3D models file formats do not — or to a limited extend — capture any design intent. The technical requirements for manufacturing a part or product are hard to extract from a design let alone the functional requirements. We need a better way to capture them.

3D printing in space

The problem with space flight today is that we need to haul everything into space. This is expensive. If we want to wander beyond our earth and into our solar system, we need to be able to manufacture in space.

3D printing: so what’s it called?

Any new technology suffers from the problem what to call itself. 3D printing is no exception. Here are few terms I see used in the industry.

Who invented 3D printing?

That is an excellent question. Multiple people invented 3D printing technology around the same time. Some articles on the internet state that Chuck Hull was the inventor of 3D printing. I did some research on the patents in this area and here are my findings.

Design exploration and co-creation by consumers

One of the challenges with 3D printing and on-demand manufacturing, is how to make 3D design accessible. There are two major directions for co-creation. Let me explain.

A new file format for 3D printing

ASTM is developing a new universal 3D printing file format to replace the defacto standard STL. The effort was headed up by Hod Lipson. The new file format offers much more options and control to specify attributes for 3D printing of 3D models.

Scott Summit on future of 3D printing

I came across again this video and I thought it is a good idea to share it on my blog. In this video Scott Summit gives his vision on the future of 3D printing from a design perspective.