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3D Printed House Tour: ICON Finishes Nation’s “First” 3D Printed Housing Development https://ift.tt/2WylxY8 Additive construction startup ICON has gone from 3D printing rocket pads to launching like a rocket, recently raking in $207 million in Series B funding. This occurred in the very same month that it unveiled both North America’s largest 3D printed structure and a prototype Mars habitat. Now, as a part of one of the first multi-home housing developments, two more homes have been 3D printed by ICON and they have just hit the market, via Kansas City developer 3Strands and Austin-based Den Property Group. The East 17th Street Residences development located in East Austin is made up of four homes with first floors that are 3D printed before conventional construction methods are used to complete the second stories. The smaller two of the community measure around 1,000 square feet and feature two bedrooms and one-and-a-half baths. One of those homes has already been sold and the other is now under contract, leaving ICON to finish the other two, larger units. They consist of the four-bedroom, four-bathroom single-family, dubbed “The Treehouse Residence”, measuring 1,928 square feet and the four-bedroom, three-bathroom Skyview Residence, measuring 1,521 square feet. 3DPrint.com was given an amazing opportunity to do a virtual tour of the new homes. 3Strands CEO Gary O’Dell explained that his firm, established in 2012, turned to ICON in 2018 when it had trouble getting its affordable homes if the ground and began looking for a new approach to developing less expensive houses. When it realized how viable ICON’s additive construction technique was and how professional the team was, they began planning to develop the land 3Strands owned in East Austin. The first floor was thought up by Logan Architecture and brought into reality using ICON’s Vulcan construction system. According to the company, the material from which the home is made are both stronger and longer lasting than traditional building materials. Moreover, ICON suggests that their 3D printed structures can withstand fire, flood, wind and other natural disasters even more than conventional built homes. ICON senior project manager Conner Jenkins explained that, to install non-printed features the company is exploring a number of paths. To install electrical outlets, for instance, the firm cut out slots for the box while the concrete is still wet. Electrical wiring can additionally be dropped in from above. For windows, the Vulcan system printed all four sides of the jambs and the frame was inserted after the fact. Jenkins told us that the reason behind 3D printing just the first floor had to do with the desire to get into the mainstream housing market, though their technology isn’t quite at the level of printing multi-story homes. “This represents our into the open housing market. It’s an interesting juxtaposition to see more traditional construction literally stacked on top of our process. So, that was part of it,” Jenkins said. “The other part of it was we aren’t printing two stories yet. Our printer can only reach the first story now, but we wanted to jump into the house market with housing that would sell well.” Based on the response so far, O’Dell believes the new homes will sell well. Comps in the area are closer to $1 million, making the $740,000 and $785,000 homes from 3Strands remarkably less expensive. With that in mind, O’Dell said, “We think young families with kids or couples without kids will be interested in these. There’s a lot of room. It’s hard to predict, but I think when we sent out our original email, we had something like 800 people sign up to express interest. They were hounding us, ready for the houses to open to the public.” The 3D printed living room for Unit 3. Image courtesy of ICON. Austin designer Claire Zinnecker was responsible for the interior finishes and fixtures, relying on a modern West Texas feel, including natural woods, metal finishes and earthy tiles. The result was an interesting juxtaposition of textures and tones, with the layered, grey cement appearing opposite the smooth, white walls. Pops of warm tones were present throughout the house in the form of brown wood cabinets in the bedrooms and red clay tile floors in the bathrooms. Altogether, the printed walls blended seamlessly into a contemporary aesthetic, with the curves and textures reminding visitors that this home was wholly unique. Concrete is, of course, an overwhelmingly popular material choice for modern homes. Therefore, when it comes to a new technology meant to reduce cost, labor, and ecological footprint, it is important to consider the overall greenhouse gas emissions associated with the material. Around the world, the production of concrete is said to have a carbon footprint behind only that of the U.S. and China. The exterior of Unit 2. Image courtesy of ICON. Jenkins was quick to point out that this large impact represents the industry as a whole, meaning that small startups like his have a marginal effect compared to the construction giants of the world. Nevertheless, he said that the company is aware of the need to develop new, more sustainable options and that, with such a novel business, ICON has the opportunity to take this challenge head-on and reshape the construction industry in more than just building techniques, but in materials as well. For this reason, the startup has a team of engineers working on this problem. Given the industry excitement around ICON, its team, and the support it has received from such federal divisions as NASA and the Department of Defense, the first 3D printed housing development is just another first for a company that is gaining significant traction in a quickly growing industry. What happens next will surely be just as exciting. Printing via 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing https://3dprint.com August 31, 2021 at 09:06AM
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Ricoh & IBM Launch New Workflow Solution for 3D Printed Anatomical Models https://ift.tt/3gIUTT9 This spring, Ricoh USA, Inc. partnered with enterprise imaging solution IBM Watson Health to develop an end-to-end solution for 3D printing anatomical models. It seems this partnership is continuing, as today Ricoh USA has announced RICOH 3D for Healthcare, a new workflow solution that integrates with IBM iConnect ® Access from IBM Watson Health to make it easier to develop, design, and fabricate accurate 3D printed anatomic models. With easier access to custom, patient-specific anatomic replicas, physicians will be able to better connect with their patients over complex surgical procedures, and get a closer look at what they’ll be working on in the operating room as well.
Though Japan-based Ricoh has been working with 3D printing since 2014, it wasn’t until 2017 that the multinational imaging and electronics company announced a shift in focus to AM technology, and shift it has. This year alone, Ricoh and its branches in various countries have worked on generative design, composite 3D printing, materials, and more, and in 2019, Ricoh bought 34.5% of Baltimore-based bioprinting company Elixirgen Scientific, Inc. That move towards bioprinting and the healthcare industry hasn’t slowed down either, with the company creating a DNA plate for genetic testing and continuing to work with IBM on 3D printed anatomical models. With the 3D printed lifelike replicas resulting from this new end-to-end workflow, healthcare providers around the country will have the capability to develop and print patient-specification representations of bone and tissue, which will act as what Ricoh calls a “physical simulator” to give physicians a closer look inside a patient’s anatomy, and help them explain procedures to their patients. Any facility that has access to IBM iConnect Access should be able to pick up the 3D printed model process pretty quickly, because it uses the existing enterprise imaging solution that’s already used to view patient’s studies.
As you can see in the image above, the RICOH 3D for Healthcare workflow is fairly simple, starting with a 3D print request from the surgery/radiology care team. 3D print files can be uploaded to Ricoh’s HIPAA-compliant portal, and Ricoh will then prepare segmented files for 3D printing. Once the care team provides final approval, the files are sent to Ricoh’s production specialist partners at Stratasys for printing. Ricoh’s 3D printing service can be accessed directly from IBM iConnect Access, which streamlines the process, and after the 3D printed model goes through Ricoh’s quality control measures, it’s packaged up and sent out for overnight shipping. It is important to note, however, that these 3D printed models are for non-diagnostic/treatment use only. RICOH 3D for Healthcare offers fast, accurate 3D printed anatomical models that only require a small initial cost. In addition, surgical education simulation labs and medical schools can also use the new workflow, and connect students and residents with lifelike, cadaver-free replicas of specific case studies. This new solution from Ricoh USA and IBM Watson Health will be available starting in September, and will also be demonstrated at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) 2021 Annual Meeting in San Diego this week, in Booth #4251. Printing via 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing https://3dprint.com August 31, 2021 at 08:36AM
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The State of the Korean 3D Printing Market https://ift.tt/3zxCEr8 I am Inbo Song, the CEO of 3DGURU, which provides information about global trends, related technology, case studies, and 3D printing news to users in South Korea, as well as provides 3D printing consulting services and sells 3D printers and scanners. In 2019, 3DPrint.com, gave me an opportunity to glance at the status of 3D printing in Korea. In this article, I intend to cast light upon Korean government’s plans for support and investments for the 3D printing industry, and give a brief description of 3D printing sales in the first half of 2021. The Prime Minister of South Korea held the 12th Information and Communication Strategy (ICT) Committee in June 2020 to discuss the 2nd Basic Plan for 3D Printing Industry Promotion along with four other issues. The Ministry of Science and ICT is required to establish “a basic plan for the promotion of the 3D printing industry” every three years in accordance with Article 5 of the 3D Printing Industry Promotion Act, so a new three-year plan (2020-2022) was announced at this meeting The three main points of the plan were: 1. to extend the range of the application of 3D printing technology to include various private markets, such as the medical field; 2. to secure advanced 3D printing technologies, such as the ones related to hardware (H/W), software (S/W), materials, and processes through R&D; 3. to improve the business environment and education of the 3D printing industry, which is currently centered on many small- and medium-sized enterprises and specialized companies. The expected effects are the expansion of the domestic market, growth of 3D printing companies, and strengthening of technological competitiveness. The Korean 3D Printing Market, 2020The Korean 3D printing market size in 2020 was about $348 million, a reduction of 17% compared to 2019. As expected, the main factor for this decrease is regarded to be the COVID-19 pandemic. All sectors showed decline as illustrated below. The market share by industry is highest in the public sector, followed by the automotive, medical, and general machinery industries. The public sector includes the central government, local governments, research, and education institutes. The market share of domestic and imported 3D printers were 46.2% and 53.8%, respectively. As for Desktop 3D printers, domestic products sold more than the imported, while as to industrial ones, the sales of the imported were relatively higher. The usages of 3D printers were, in order, making prototypes, education, research, and manufacturing finished products. The biggest benefit was reduced product development time. Then, what were the main obstacles to 3D printing adoption by Korean companies? They are shown below. Korea’s 2021 Plan for 3D Printing PromotionThe Korean government announced its intention to invest about USD$86 million in the 3D printing industry in 2021. $19 million will be allocated to accelerating the practical use of 3D printing, $20 million to securing advanced technology, and $46 million to establishing the industrial foundation for innovation-driven growth. The Korean government is attempting to develop the 3D printing industry in the country by distributing its financial support to various government departments. The measures include funding different industry groups, educational support, encouraging technology development, and manpower training. However, more practical support measures for SMEs are needed. 3D Printing Sales Performance for H1 2021Although sales performance data has not yet been collected, Korea’s 3D printer sales performance in the first half of 2021 is expected to be poor overall. Korea’s export performance for the same period not only overcame the various difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic situation, but also reached an all-time high. However, South Korea’s domestic market has not yet recovered. It is very likely that the biggest reason for the sluggish sales is the slump in the domestic market due to COVID-19 pandemic. Most countries around the world recorded negative economic growth in 2020 due to the pandemic. Korea’s economic growth rate in 2020 was -1%, the best record among OECD countries, and the financial debt of the Korean government is not as bad as the other OECD countries. Therefore, I hope that the Korean government will implement a more active policy to revitalize the domestic market. Printing via 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing https://3dprint.com August 31, 2021 at 08:06AM
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AM Investment Strategies Profile: Stratasys https://ift.tt/3kEl2DH Stratasys CEO Yoav Zief will be taking part in the SmarTech Stifel AM Investment Strategies event on September 9th. We’re incredibly proud that we’ve got a set of very exciting industry leaders together for that event. Yoav will be there representing Stratasys, a publicly traded firm responsible for inventing and commercializing material extrusion 3D printing technology, also called fused deposition modeling (FDM). For a large part of its 32-year existence Stratasys relied on FDM as its single technology pillar. Then, it merged with Israeli company Objet with its PolyJet 3D printing technology. Where FDM is not so detailed and smooth, PolyJet is. But while PolyJet parts are rather fragile, FDM parts are strong and tough. These two complimentary processes where developed and deployed worldwide through a global reseller network. Very recently, Stratasys acquired Origin, a digital light processing (DLP) technology firm with open materials and a focus on large batch manufacturing. This means that it has a competitive, fast machine to make detailed resin parts for casts, molding, hearing aids, thermoforming inserts, and other small parts that are being used in their millions. Stratasys also bought RPS a large stereolithography (SLA) company that has made high speed SLA machines for Formula 1 teams and other clients. This means that the firm can now also offer large resin parts for casting, end-use parts, and prototyping. Stratasys also invested in inkjet head maker Xaar, whose print heads are being used for Selective Absorption Fusion (SAF), a high throughput powder bed fusion (PBF) technology that Stratasys is in the process of commercializing. Stratasys now has machines in all of the mayor polymer 3D printing technologies. At the same time, it also runs a service, Stratasys Direct Manufacturing, which allows companies to 3D print parts. 3D Systems has just sold its service division and seems to be pivoting towards healthcare. Stratasys, on the other hand, is coming out with many application-specific machines. So, a dental version of a PolyJet printer optimized for dental users, for example. While it is keen to be active in and expand its aviation and space segments, it seems to be broadly focused on all of the relevant industries and applications. What it does not yet do is metal printing. The company has invested in some metal printing and told the world about its Layered Powder Metal technology in 2018. It’s unclear if and when this will be released. Stratasys’s MakerBot subsidiary unit also makes professional material extrusion printers around the $5,000 mark. That unit can still grow as a well if it takes on more enterprise customers. The firm’s entry-level MakerBot offering has become much more reliable recently and could find its way into more offices. Stratasys has a huge advantage in my mind. It has a good, trusted global reseller network. These can now cross-sell their existing customers an array of products. Existing resellers can also now expand their businesses in dental, hearing aids, and other areas because of the new technologies that they can offer. This is a significant opportunity for the firm. In the same vein, I think that post-processing can be a huge opportunity for the firm. Support removal, de-powdering, and surfacing models is a huge spend for the industry. A significant share of part costs are to be found in post-processing. Offering these machines to its network would make more business cases possible, reduce part costs and be a new source of revenue. With regards to the several 3D printing processes, there is a risk that the company has to now spread its R&D budget over a number of different technologies. Will they have the spend to advance them all simultaneously? It is also making maintenance and service much more complex than it used to be through adding dozens of machines and different technologies. The company has a made a series of bold moves in the past few years. Its new product lineup and technology offering will take time to crystallize and spread around to its partners. But, then we can see if the company has found a new font for long term growth. Stratasys CEO Yoav Zief will take part in the SmarTech – Stifel AM Investment Strategies 2021 summit on September 9, 2021, where he will be able to shed more light on the overall market and his company’s role in it. Register for free here. Printing via 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing https://3dprint.com August 31, 2021 at 07:36AM
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Rocket 3D Printing Takes Off: Rocket Lab Debuts on Nasdaq https://ift.tt/38q44TZ “Space is open for business,” said Peter Beck, CEO and Founder of next-generation launcher manufacturer Rocket Lab during the company’s debut on the Nasdaq. In honor of the occasion, the soon-to-be-billionaire rang the market opening bell from Rocket Lab’s headquarters and manufacturing facility in Long Beach, California, in a virtual event. Trading for the first time under the ticker symbol “RKLB,” the leading space systems company hit the public market as it hopes to take the next step towards unlocking the future potential of space exploration by providing end-to-end mission services, including complete satellite build and launch solutions, for rapid, frequent and reliable access to space. The company, which announced plans to go public back in March 2021, confirmed the closing of its merger deal with Vector Acquisition Corporation, a publicly-traded special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) led by veteran technology investor Alex Slusky, early morning on August 25, 2021. Just a few hours later, Rocket Lab shares opened at $11.58 in the company’s debut, valuing Rocket Lab at roughly $5 billion. However, after dropping nearly 10% and closing the trading session at $10.43, market capitalization was $4.76 billion. The business merger deal was finally approved during an annual meeting of Vector shareholders on August 20, 2021. Later, Rocket Lab revealed that the closing of its common stock PIPE (short for private investment in public equity) of roughly $777 million would be destined towards the acceleration of organic and inorganic growth in Rocket Lab’s space systems business, as well as helping drive the development of its reusable eight-ton payload class Neutron rocket, and support potential future expansion into space applications enabling data delivery and services from space. Targeting space exploration, Beck took his childhood vision of conquering space and turned it into a commercially viable, 500-employee rocket company in just over a decade. Since its foundation in 2006, Rocket Lab became a multinational company with a rich history of developing propulsion systems and launching vehicles for many government and commercial customers. The New Zealand-born engineer said Rocket Lab spacecraft has “simplified space,” making it easy and affordable for companies, scientists, governments, and entrepreneurs alike to get their ideas to orbit. After becoming the first private company to reach space from the Southern Hemisphere, Rocket Lab has gone on to deliver over 105 satellites to orbit for more than 20 public- and private-sector organizations and completed 21 missions for a wide range of customers, including government agencies like NASA and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), branches of the military like the U.S. Air Force, and commercial businesses, such as Capella Space. Although 3D printing is currently regarded as one of the go-to technologies for rocket engine production, Rocket Lab was the first small launcher developer to heavily rely on 3D printing for parts. In 2015, Beck revealed Rutherford, the world’s first oxygen/hydrocarbon electric-pump-fed rocket engine to use 3D printing for all of its primary components, including everything from its injector pumps to its main propellant valves and the regeneratively cooled thrust chamber. As the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually, the company’s flagship two-stage Electron orbital launch vehicle is powered by the in-house designed and produced additively manufactured Rutherford engines. The first and second stage engines are identical, except for a larger expansion ratio nozzle for stage two for improved performance in near-vacuum conditions. Since its first launch in 2017, Rocket Lab has released additional performance from its Rutherford engines boosting the Electron’s total payload lift capacity to 300 kg (660 pounds). Focused on its mission to develop spacecraft to satisfy all earthly demands in orbit, in late 2020, Rocket Lab tested its novel space tug called Kick Stage. Designed to deliver small satellites to precise and unique orbits, whether flying as dedicated or rideshare on Electron or another vehicle, the Kick Stage’s in-space transportation capabilities, which span deploying satellites to precise orbits as well as orbit raising or lowering, inclination changes, and de-orbit capability is a streamlined path to space. The Kick Stage’s propulsion system consists of Rocket Lab’s in-house designed and built 3D printed Curie engine. With flight heritage across more than a dozen orbital missions, the pressure-fed engine is a storable, re-startable, bi-propellant liquid propellant engine integrated with lightweight composite propellant tanks and valves into a single compact module. Headquartered in California, Rocket Lab operates launch sites in Māhia, New Zealand, and Wallops Island, Virginia. It has more than five acres of manufacturing facilities and test complexes and employs advanced manufacturing techniques, including 3D printing, to enable high-rate production of satellites and launch vehicles. Aside from designing and manufacturing the Electron launch vehicles and Kick Stage space tug, the company created the Photon satellite platform for delivering a satellite-as-a-service solution that eliminates the typical high cost, time, and complexity customers face when building their own satellites. Rocket Lab offers the whole packaged deal to customers as a turn-key solution so that they can buy launch, satellite, ground services, and on-orbit management all at once. There are currently two operational Photons in orbit, with additional missions to the Moon, Mars and Venus planned, including the Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment (CAPSTONE) mission to lunar orbit in support of NASA’s Artemis program. As well as providing the Photon program for NASA’s space operations in the recently approved Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers (ESCAPADE) mission to Mars. Printing via 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing https://3dprint.com August 31, 2021 at 07:06AM
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12 Best Online Portfolio Examples and How to Build Yours https://ift.tt/3DEGjpJ If you’re in the market for a new job or hoping to land bigger, better clients, a portfolio website is a must-have. It’s the ultimate way to showcase your work while also letting your personality shine through. Plus, unlike social media and other platforms, portfolio websites give you complete control. But having full control can feel overwhelming when you’re getting started with the design process. Plus, with so many portfolio sites out there, how can you stand out? If you’re wondering what separates the good from the bad, or just need some web design inspiration, read on. We’ve rounded up examples of top-notch portfolio sites from writers, designers, photographers, and more. Table Of Contents
Did you know? With GetResponse Website Builder you can build your online portfolio and showcase your work with ease! It comes packed with ready-made templates and an AI Wizard that’ll create an entire site for you in a matter of clicks. Check out this quick video to learn more about the tool and start building your online portfolio today. Here are 12 of the best portfolio examples we’ve seen1. Kristin Wong, writerWhy’s this a good example to follow?When you pull up Kristin Wong’s website, it’s immediately clear that she’s legit. She prominently features big, recognizable names in her industry using copy and logos — The New York Times, Glamour, CNN, The Cut, etc. And it’s all shown “above the fold” — a term originating in the newspaper industry that essentially refers to information a reader sees at first glance. With newspapers, that meant the front-page headline. With websites, it means the top part of the page that’s visible without scrolling. Why does this matter? Because the most recent research from Nielsen/Norman Group shows users spend about 57% of their page-viewing time above the fold, and 74% of viewing time in the first two screenfuls. Then, they mostly scroll through the rest of the content before perking up again near the footer. Speaking of which, Wong uses the footer on her personal portfolio to her advantage as well, featuring screenshots of her Instagram account that show off her work and a high following — social proof that she’s a well-regarded writer. Key lessons from this example
2. Daniel Grindrod, cinematographerWhy’s this a good example to follow?As a cinematographer, Daniel Grindrod uses a high-quality, cinematic highlight reel to hook visitors on his personal website. In fact, as soon as you pull up Grindrod’s site, the video begins to play, immediately drawing you in. And there’s nothing else on the homepage — just his name, the menu, and the video. Visitors can then click through the simplified menu to see other examples of his work, categorized into video or still form. And Grindrod’s site includes an active, up-to-date blog that demonstrates industry authority, improves SEO, and drives organic traffic to his site. Blogging helps boost SEO by making your website a relevant answer to customers’ questions via search. And blog posts that use a variety of SEO tactics often rank higher in search engines, leading more customers to your site. Key lessons from this example
3. Arlen McCluskey, UX designerWhy’s this a good example to follow?Everything about Arlen McCluskey’s site reads techy web designer, from the vibrant color scheme and blurred background to the typography. And while it seems almost minimalist on the homepage, when visitors click through one of his projects, it’s full-on substance. McCluskey dives deep into each project’s challenges, goals, and outcomes, almost like a case study — giving potential clients a fully developed idea of both his ability and approach. And like previous examples, McCluskey’s portfolio mentions big-name clients like AirBnB, Dropbox, Segment, and Xero above the fold. Portfolios like these are especially important to those in UX design like McCluskey. As Nick Babich, Editor-in-chief at UX Planet, says, “In UX design, portfolios matter more than degrees. Employers and recruiters will use your portfolio to determine your experience and aesthetic and, most importantly, your ability to solve real-world business problems.” Key lessons from this example
4. Raewyn Brandon, graphic designWhy’s this a good example to follow?For starters, you can tell what Raewyn Brandon does right off the bat — “Raewyn Brandon is a Tauranga based Graphic Designer – Available for projects worldwide.” This copy itself gives you everything you need to know in two simple lines. And the crisp, uncluttered white space directs your eye to the text. Brandon’s graphic design portfolio showcases her design skills, which is important considering her line of work. Her expertise shines through the simple, clean layout she used and her mastery of color. Plus, Raewyn showcases her impressive client work at the top of the page. Visitors can click through to see a full run-down of each project, complete with quality images and descriptions. The menu, horizontal at the top of the page, is also clear and client focused. She categorizes her work into either print or brand, so potential clients can easily find the type of samples they need. And her about section is excellent. The copy is personable but also client focused, emphasizing the benefits of her work rather than just talking about herself. She includes a warm, stylish photo of both herself and her workspace that draws you in. Key lessons from this example
5. Anton Cristell, graphic and interior designerWhy’s this a good example to follow?When you first open Anton Cristell’s site, you’re faced with a blank page. At first, it seems like it’s not loading — not typically the most desirable first impression. But as soon as you move your mouse (or thumb), you realize it’s an interactive canvas, allowing you to draw on it. This unique and memorable approach grabs the visitor’s attention, almost daring them to click through to see more. The top left features just his name — the only thing on the page. Once you click his name, two links show up – Works and About. Cristell’s work, showcased on his project page, is extensive, and clicking through each link displays photos of each design project. His about page also explains a bit about his approach and blending of graphics, design, and architecture. Key lessons from this example
6. Tara Pixley, photographer and visual journalistWhy’s this a good example to follow?Tara Pixley, a photographer and video journalist, is the first in this series with a sidebar menu — useful because her work is complex, requiring several drop-down menus within the sidebar. If it were at the top, it would create a confusing user experience. Being on the side, however, allows for easy navigation while keeping her photography front and center. This balances the complexity of the menu with the simplicity of the design. Typically, it’s better to keep menus simple. Many websites follow the mantra of the “Magic Number 7 +/- 2” — which refers to research showing humans can only retain 7 items at a time in short-term memory. But In Pixley’s case, she’s targeting major journalism outlets and high-profile organizations. So the complexity is appropriate for the intended audience. Plus, Like Raewyn Brandon, Pixley’s site utilizes plenty of white space to clearly communicate what she does while simultaneously showcasing her artistic prowess. Key lessons from this example:
Editor’s note: Want to build a website just like this one? Here’s how you can build a photography website with our intuitive website builder. 7. Robby Leonardi, illustrative designer and animatorWhy’s this a good example to follow?Robby Leonardi’s site is one of the coolest around. An illustrative designer and animator, Leonardi puts his site to work by gamifying his resume. Users scroll through the interactive site using either a mouse or the down arrow on the keyboard. He breaks his resume down into “levels” with the first being an about section where users find out he’s from New York and an NBA fan. In level two, the character runs through an underwater world listing his graphic and web software skills, along with gaming and coding language chops. Level three shows Leonardi’s work experience with visual charts breaking down how much animation, code, and graphics were involved in each position. In the last section, the character floats up in a hot air balloon showing banners that highlight his awards and publications. The balloon “lands” at a contact section, complete with fun little fireworks and a celebration like you won the game. Key lessons from this example
8. ToyFight, designersWhy’s this a good example to follow?ToyFight goes to show you that portfolio pages aren’t only for solo acts. They can also be used for agencies and organizations. Using vibrant colors, unique figures, and visual storytelling, this portfolio makes you want to keep scrolling just to see more of it. ToyFight’s website also uses cheeky visuals and conversational copy to get their personalities across. Testimonials are “sweet nothings,” for example. And they describe themselves as “creative rustlers” and “basically, your new BFF.” Plus, ToyFight’s mobile optimized site features its own logo design and a full page of client design work. Key lessons from this example
9. Ashley N. Diers, illustratorWhy’s this a good example to follow?Ashley N. Diers is a letterer, illustrator, and adventurer. Her site showcases her work above the fold and even includes a call-to-action (CTA) button as well. The examples of her work include descriptions that show up when you hover over it, eliminating the need to click through and creating a simple user experience. Plus, Diers’ site is unique in this list because it includes links to buy her products. In addition to working with clients, she also sells her wares on Etsy and Redbubble — both featured prominently in the top menu. Key lessons from this example
10. Elna Cain, writerWhy’s this a good example to follow?Elna Cain’s portfolio site leads with a smiling photo of herself along with a clear value proposition in animated type, immediately drawing your attention. She also includes social proof above the fold, letting visitors know she’s written for major brands in her niche, along with glowing testimonials further down the page. Cain’s portfolio page is extensive but features visual snippets to make it more digestible. It’s also up-to-date, featuring a 2021 article right at the top. She also includes a “hire me” tab in her menu which communicates clearly that she’s available to work. Key lessons from this example
11. Ximena Vengoechea, researcher, writer, and illustratorWhy’s this a good example to follow?Talk about using white space! Ximena Vengoechea takes it to the next level. Her portfolio is simple and clean, letting her illustrations shine through using a unique slideshow format on her homepage. Vengoechea uses her top menu to divide her portfolio into categories, making it easier for potential clients to find what they’re looking for. Within each category, Vengoechea lists clients within the industry that she’s worked with like Culture Lab, Designer Fund, and Fast Company, providing social proof for her unique work. And the handwritten illustrations throughout her site make it feel personable and inviting while showcasing her artistic skills. Key lessons from this example
12. Ian Enders, software architectWhy’s this a good example to follow?Ian Enders’s portfolio is a good example of a super simple, one-page website. It’s also interesting because it doesn’t showcase his work in the way most portfolio sites do. Instead, Enders’ portfolio works a bit more like a resume (he actually has one linked) written in a snarky, hipster tone. Rather than showing his actual work, Enders is displaying who he’s worked for, linking to companies within the copy itself. This likely works for him as he seems to be using his portfolio to land jobs with potential employers instead of clients. Why bother to create a portfolio in this case? According to Tom Scott, Co-Founder at Fearless, “In an age where there is more emphasis on hiring people who match the culture of the business, a portfolio is a perfect opportunity to show that you’re a cultural fit.” Key lessons from this example
Questions you may have regarding online portfolios:How do I make a portfolio?Making a portfolio isn’t nearly as hard as it used to be thanks to easy-to-use website builders that eliminate the need for coding or website design skills. Take the GetResponse builder, for example. Using basic information about your skills, the AI technology generates at least three personalized portfolio templates for you to choose from in just minutes — simplifying the design process. After that, it’s just a matter of adding your work and using the beginner-friendly editor to get it just right. This video will show you how this works in action. If you’d like to test the tool by yourself, you can do so on our Website Builder product page (no registration needed). What should an online portfolio include?An online portfolio should include a homepage with a clear value proposition, call to action, and testimonials. It should also include a portfolio page featuring your best work, an about page, and a contact information page, and a services page. Portfolios should also link to relevant social media profiles like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Here are some examples of ready-made portfolio website templates you’ll find in GetResponse that include these page types: How do I build a strong online portfolio?As these examples have shown, impressive online portfolios share some common elements. First, they should demonstrate your expertise quickly, featuring some of your best work on the first page. They should also include elements that boost conversion rates like videos, CTA’s, and social proof. And they should communicate both your personality and style using a combination of text and design. Lastly, including and maintaining an active blog is a good way to demonstrate expertise while driving traffic to your site. ConclusionPortfolio websites are a must-have in today’s digital world. They showcase your work and serve as an online resume and client magnet. So whether you’re a freelancer, entrepreneur, or full-blown agency, we hope these examples provided some design inspiration. Now get out there and start building your own portfolio! Best of luck! Printing via GetResponse Blog https://ift.tt/2Xap2TD August 30, 2021 at 10:07AM
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Startup Accelerator, Singapore: Hyperganic, Molyworks, Additive Flight Solutions https://ift.tt/3yuvaUy In this series, we’re looking at the startup scene in Singapore by identifying some of the 3D printing companies being founded and grown there. HyperganicHyperganic always kind of confuses me a bit. The Munich and Singapore-based firm has an algorithmic way to generate bio-inspired shapes with the help of artificial intelligence. Nature-inspired forms in all their complexity can be evolved by the firm’s algorithms into optimal structures for your next part. By marrying generative design with additive, the firm is kind of going down a path which others have tried using Rhino, Grasshopper, and Autodesk products. It would be a bit like having your own Neri Oxman living in your PC. In this case Hyperganic’s theories and ideas are all very exciting, but can the firm outperform other commercial tools? Conceptually it seems lovely, but what will this mean for designers and engineers and what benefits will it bring? MolyworksI’m much less ambivalent about Molyworks, a startup that I love. The US-based and Singapore-active company is developing a containerized recycling system that can turn scrap metal into 3D printing powder. As well as the obvious environmental benefits that could occur, this also means that, in remote areas, militaries or other firms could rely on local scrap. For Singapore, Molyworks means that it has its very own powder supply and this could also motivate large firms and companies to look at making their own powder. If we’re going to be producing large quantities of 3D printed parts, then we should look at reducing the cost of these parts and the cost of powderization. So, I completely love the concept for Molyworks and hope that they can grow their business internationally.
Additive Flight SolutionsAdditive Flights Solutions is a joint venture between Singapore Airlines Engineering and Stratasys. By taking the flag carrier’s engineering nous and marrying it with a 3D printing OEM, the company can hopefully be a combination of both their strengths. With Stratasys now having stereolithography, digital light processing, and powder bed fusion, as well as fused deposition modeling and inkjet, the company can have an easier time of it. But, what if what would be best for Additive Flight Solutions may not be the best for Stratasys? Thats the major caveat here. Apart from this, the combo looks like a promising one, especially since in maintenance, repair, and overhaul, it focuses on the relatively easy world of polymer, in-cabin parts. Singapore is already a hub and could develop an edge in 3D printing components. It’s also interesting that Stratasys is a part owner of a vertical-specific 3D printing service in Singapore. The parts seem quite quotidian, but this is I think not only the point but also a considerably straightforward path to market entry for the JV. Printing via 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing https://3dprint.com August 30, 2021 at 09:06AM
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24/7 3D Printing Possible for Ultimaker 5S Thanks to Quinly Software https://ift.tt/2WuWqFC Do you want to run your Ultimaker S5 the smart way and have it printing 24/7 without an operator? 3DQue Systems Inc. is working to make that possible with the latest version of Quinly. 3DQue is a startup engaged in delivering lights-out manufacturing capabilities to entrepreneurs, engineers, and companies by making 3D printers intelligent enough to run 24/7 without requiring observation. Quinly is the upgrade that automates the process of queuing print jobs and removing parts. 3DQue has just completed development of a Quinly automation prototype for the Ultimaker S5 and is now testing it for remote management of Ultimaker S5 3D printers. Currently, Quinly is available for Ender 3 V2 and Pro 3D printers, as well as the Prusa MKS3+, and the reviews have been outstanding. It’s made clustered manufacturing farms and mass production a distinct reality and economical solution for myriad reasons. In December, the startup introduced its next step in those goals, the Pi Kit for Quinly. The Ultimaker S5 has already been considered by some as a leading dual extruder 3D printer, with rich features such as auto bed leveling, extensive material compatibility, enclosed environmental controls and dual material capacity, so it only makes sense to pair it with Quinly. 3DQue is utilizing these refined features through Quinly, an easy-to-install virtual operator, to continually produce high quality parts at scale. Quinly Pro and Enterprise software can flawlessly change materials and automatically detect and correct print failures and deliver parts by establishing an easy-to-handle distributed network of Ultimakers via a centralized queue which dispatches jobs when printers are available. (insert photo quinly 2.jpg) With the newest edition to the Quinly line of managed printers, users can receive real time reporting on completed jobs, prints in progress and next in queue. Users also have the ability to instantaneously check print job progress through live video feeds. This results in a high-performance industrial printer which is intelligent enough to endlessly run itself without human oversight. Customers and third-party testers purport that Quinly decreases labor as much at 97%, suggesting a 2x-4x increase in throughput. 3DQue anticipates seeing even larger productivity increases by adding the S5 Pro Bundle, once manual tasks like filament switching are eliminated.
If you own a Ultimaker S5 or Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle and would like to become a beta tester, you can contact [email protected]. Thanks to company’s like 3DQueu Systems, functional and end-use commercial, industrial, and consumer goods can be manufactured, accelerating innovation at scale anywhere in the world at low cost. Perpetual Printing, 3DQue’s YouTube channel is a fantastic resource for people interested in high-volume 3D printing. 3DQue’s efforts are also a part of a larger trend of automation in the 3D printing industry, though focused specifically on desktop systems. This year, SmarTech Analysis put out the industry’s first report on the subject of automation with regard to additive manufacturing, which you can learn more about here. Printing via 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing https://3dprint.com August 30, 2021 at 08:36AM
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AM Investment Strategies Profile: Formlabs https://ift.tt/3kG7k3n Formlabs CEO Max Lobovsky will be taking part in the SmarTech – Stifel AM Investment Strategies 2021 summit on September 9, 2021. Formlabs began when MIT students Lobovsky and David Cranor decided to found a 3D printing business. The pair looked at all of the available technologies and concluded that stereolithography (SLA) wasn’t available on the desktop. In turn, they found a way to intelligently engineer an SLA/vat polymerization system that would work reliably for desktop users. The pair needed investment and after a long journey found it from Khosla and other significant investors. For the next step they turned towards a then unproven crowdfunding platform, Kickstarter. The young company found over 2,000 backers who gave it over $2.9 million. Formlabs made good on its promises and launched the Form 1 3D printer. Whereas desktop material extrusion printers were all open and often didn’t come with company software, Formlabs wanted to control every aspect of the 3D printing experience. Therefore, machines are closed (in principle, some can use external resins) and are made to work with Formlabs’ very own Preform software. Additionally, the company has industry-leading user experience and UI. Formlabs 3D printers just work and, time and time again, print out small, detailed parts well. Formlabs then developed the Form 2, a much more complete system. Post-processing for SLA requires washing parts and UV curing them, so the company came out with a unit that could do that. Then, with the much larger Form 3L system for $11,000, as well as the Form 3B for medical and dental and Form 3BL for volume production in those sectors. The firm also spent a lot of time developing resins and even bought its very own resin producer to tightly control this process. Formlabs wants to control everything and make the entire 3D printing experience seamless. This desire and strong focus on excellence has given it a family of tightly managed printers that work well. It continues to dominate the desktop SLA segment, although low-cost Chinese and Prusa SLA systems may eat into that at one point. The firm is forging ahead with the Fuse 1, a desktop powder bed fusion system. The Fuse 1 is $18,000 and, for $31,000, comes with all of the post-processing equipment that you need. The system took much longer than expected to make, but initial impressions are good. Rather than go for a SPAC, Formlabs opted for further VC rounds collecting more than $253 million. The company has spent the money making materials, printers, and rolling out a global organization. Formlabs seems ideally poised to do well on the desktop. Machines would seem to have good margins. Through tight control over materials, the company is doing much better than peers in selling and profiting from feedstock, as well. This should make it much more profitable and give it much more cash than comparable material extrusion companies, who have lower cost machines and make very little on materials if anything. For jewelers, designers, dentists and businesses involved in casting, Formlabs is a natural choice. Customers enjoy their support, service, and the overall experience. This points to it being difficult to dislodge Formlabs through competing products. For certain groups, especially large corporate innovation labs, prototyping labs, and workshops, the Fuse 1 will be a natural sell to place adjacent to those already-deployed Formlabs systems. This ability to cross sell to existing customers should be a lucrative opportunity going forward. This is especially the case since customer loyalty and satisfaction with Formlabs are very high. The company should always be a bit paranoid about new entrants. Most Chinese material extrusion firms are now also offering DLP or SLA 3D printers and these will improve over the years. Obviously, if it sits still, it will be dead. But, between its $3,000 Form 3 systems and the next market segment, there is about $12,000 in sales price. So, the company can still go further fleshing out its existing product line. Above this, highly productive $70,000 DLP production systems have been slow to change, so there could be more opportunities there. In powder bed fusion, Sinterit and Sintratec have made little impact with lower priced systems. That market still needs to be developed. But, an integrated offering with comparatively little hassle seems to be the way to do it. At the same time the company could do more for industry-specific solutions and materials for hearing aids, casting, thermoforming, and much more. This is one company poised for growth and potentially and IPO. Formlabs CEO Max Lobovsky will take part in the SmarTech – Stifel AM Investment Strategies 2021 summit on September 9, 2021, where he will be able to shed more light on overall market and his company’s role in it. Register for free here. Printing via 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing https://3dprint.com August 30, 2021 at 08:06AM
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Ceramics 3D Printing to Be Advanced via Fortify & Tethon Partnership https://ift.tt/38pZc16 Fortify, a 3D printing startup based in Boston, is partnering up with ceramic 3D printed materials expert Tethon 3D to help develop technical ceramics for 3D printing, as well as advance the adoption of ceramics in various AM applications. As some analysts predict, the 3D printed technical ceramics market is just on the verge of a lengthy period of growth, and according to Fortify, the compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) for these materials from now until 2027 is likely to reach 33%. By partnering with Tethon 3D, Fortify hopes to speed up the progression from using conventional methods to manufacture technical ceramics—a current $8 billion market—to 3D printing.
Fortify’s patented DCM (Digital Composite Manufacturing) platform combines proprietary systems for mixing and magnetic alignment with digital light processing technology in order to print composite parts with optimized mechanical, electromagnetic, and thermal properties—basically achieving a higher level of part performance by introducing functional additives to photopolymers. Its partnership with Tethon 3D will allow both companies to serve various industrial applications, in addition to classified projects with government agencies. Earlier this summer, Tethon 3D installed one of Fortify’s FLUX CORE 3D printers in its Omaha, Nebraska development facility, and has been using it, together with the startup’s Flux Developer software, to develop two new materials: Low Shrink Aluminum Silicate (LS-AS) and Fortify High Purity Alumina (HP-A 99.8), which supposedly have the lowest shrink rate of similar materials on the market and will be released at the upcoming RAPID + TCT event in Chicago.
There are many applications for ceramic materials, such as environments that require high wear, broad chemical compatibility, and extreme temperatures, and we’ve learned that technical ceramics in particular will continue to work where polymers and metals would have long since failed. Ceramics growth has been typically slowed by manufacturing challenges, but 3D printing makes it possible, and even easy, to fabricate complex geometries out of this class of materials. By combining Fortify’s advanced 3D printers, which are designed to work with loaded resins, and Tethon 3D’s expert knowledge in formulating high performance technical ceramics for 3D printing, the two US companies can ensure high throughput printing of heavily loaded ceramic materials for producing end-use parts.
You can visit Fortify at Booth #E8652, and Tethon 3D at Booth #E9022, at next month’s RAPID + TCT at McCormick Place, as both companies will be showcasing the various 3D printed ceramics achieved through this new partnership. Printing via 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing https://3dprint.com August 30, 2021 at 07:36AM |
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