This week, we got to learn more about the specifics of 3D printing—everything from how a 3D printer actually works, to how different designs are shared and eventually materialized. While the videos were insightful, I really enjoyed hearing from Jeff Ginger, who talked about the various projects that have taken place at the CU Fablab. What I found most interesting from the discussion we had was his strategy for making the Fablab a very open and inviting environment on campus. He spoke about how other 3D printing labs at Illinois already catered towards engineers and business students for more entrepreneurial or scientific endeavors—as a result, he wanted the Fablab to serve as more of a community-oriented space for newcomers, as well as local artists to tinker around.

In learning more about some of the artists who use the Fablab’s resources, I was excited to think about the various possibilities for my own projects. I explored the CU Fablab’s Instagram tag and found some more art ideas such as:

1. Laser printed notebook covers:

Notebook laser-ing in progress!

A post shared by Emily DeCicco (@decicco17) on Sep 14, 2016 at 5:43pm PDT

2. Embroidered patches:

Making more patches! #sadfood #sadicecream #irononpatch #snacks

A post shared by Mad Maxx (@xxmedium) on Apr 12, 2016 at 4:31pm PDT

3. Screen printed apparel:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZU48kOliYh/?hl=en&taken-at=17728958

As much as I enjoy reading about the various scientific advancements and industry transformations attributed to digital making, I look forward to learning more about how it intersects with some of my own more “right brain” hobbies like painting or sewing.

We also had the chance to 3D print our own group logos during class this week. My team, Synergy, chose a puzzle piece as our logo. Here is the final product of what we printed (which only took 1.5 hours!)

Hello world,

My name is Roger Hernandez, and I am very excited for this course as I have been hoping to learn more about 3D Printing and making physical things as opposed to just thinking and discussing about concepts like we do in most classes. Ever since I saw my friend who happens to be an art major make a bust of himself with a 3D printer I have been very intrigued with learning more and more about it.

Something that further sparked my interest in what we are going to begin to work with and learn in class was what the guest speaker Arielle Rausin showed us in our first class about the 3D printed racing glove she made that began as just a class project but blossomed into her career. Its just so amazing to think about all the doors that 3D printing can open and how things will become more easily accessible, easy to create and easy to replicate with more accuracy in the future with this new technology at our disposal. Additionally, as professor Vishal has mentioned, this software and physical technology is becoming more affordable and will continue to become more affordable in the future.

Some exciting creations from the website Pinshape that I found that can be 3D printed are:

1.  iCable Guards (https://pinshape.com/items/17951-3d-printed-icableguards-free-4-eva)

   This is a very interesting creation that is basically a protective cover for the ends of charging cables that helps remove the issue of charging cables ripping and not working from folding it incorrectly. It is a great design that I can’t think of changing to better but potentially adding some length to it would be beneficial as currently it is a very short guard that may not remove the issue completely but will delay the ripping from the cable for some time which is still very helpful.

2. Wall outlet shelf (https://pinshape.com/items/6272-3d-printed-wall-outlet-shelf)

   This design is for a shelf that you can place over a wall outlet when using a charger for some device that is great for when you have short charging cables but do not want to leave your phone or device on the floor. You can put this above the outlet and lay your device on it while the outlet is in use. One modification I would make for this design is adding some protective bumpers on the sides of the shelf for the device to not fall off from the shelf while being used.

3. Smartphone hugger (https://pinshape.com/items/34527-3d-printed-smartphone-hugger)

   The design is a U-shaped object that acts as a stand for phones or devices that is great for not only those iphone video watchers who need a stand for optimum viewing, but also for those who need a safer and easy way to wrap wired headphones that are not being used. I would try to change the design to be foldable in order to be stored easily.

4. Violin (https://pinshape.com/items/24608-3d-printed-violin)

   This is a design of a life sized violin that according to reviews can actually be used which is very impressive to think about as these instruments many times costs an immense amount of money to purchase. I would modify this design to different usable sizes since some reviews mentioned that they could not make the violin if they did not have a big enough 3D printer.

Hi everyone!

My name is Bridget and I am looking forward to this class. I think it will be unlike any other class I have taken because of the high tech material we are discussing, specifically 3D printing. I am eager to learn more about 3D printing and eventually be able to print my own items. Our class project will be a great way for us to hands on learn and be creative. I think technology can be very intimidating, but after two sessions of class I feel more confident understanding the concepts. The future of technology is scary, but this class will prepare me for all the possibilities that will come in the world and my career.

Takeaways:

“The Maker Mindset” article stood out to me the most. It made a bold point about the education system and how 3D printing can positively influence students. 3D printing allows a growth mindset for kids who thrive in an environment of creativity. Currently, our education system is a fixed mindset that believes our capabilities are set and we need to excel academically. With the current technology trends, it is obvious that people who think more abstractly are succeeding. This is called a growth mindset. It makes me have hope for the future direction of our society knowing that kids are adopting the maker mindset; a can-do attitude.

The “How to Make Almost Anything” article used a microwave as an analogy to 3D printing. It said that microwaves did not replace a kitchen they are just convenient and an addition to cooking. This made a lot of sense to me. I interpreted it as 3D printing will not take over the world, but it will guide us in another direction to be more creative with ideas and develop future innovations. Knowing all the possibilities 3D printing has to offer is exciting. I am most interested to learn about how it can help mankind with health care. For example, John Hornick explained that doctors were able to print a miniature heart. I found that fascinating because 3D printing could change the future of medicine and save lives.

Design 1: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2773219

This is multi-use cord holder would be great for students living in dorms or apartments because it helps organize cords. As a student, I feel like I have extension cords all over my room and it would be useful to attach them to a holder. Also, my roommate just got a puppy that loves chewing on everything. This would help keep the cords out of the way. I would add four screw holes to the rectangle to ensure that it holds the cords into the wall.

Design 2: https://www.shapeways.com/product/NT9URUCJ4/earpod-attachments-for-active-people?optionId=43788262&li=marketplace

These are ear pod attachments that help keep headphones in your ear. I would use these everyday for working out, walking to class, homework etc. I think they are a practicable item. What I like about the design is that they are inside your ear. I have used some before that wrap around your ear, which is uncomfortable. These look slick and innovative. From the picture they do not appear too secure, if that were true I would work with this prototype to make them secure and comfortable for the consumer.

Design 3: https://www.shapeways.com/product/JQ6B2VWEG/padfoot-stand-for-ipad-1?optionId=1692859&li=marketplace

This is a very innovative product for an IPad. I constantly have the problem of holding my IPad with my hands or a chunky stand. I remember being on an airplane trying to stand my IPad and the tray area was too small for the stand. High schools would benefit from these stands because a lot of students use IPads and this way they can use it as a laptop in class. If possible, I would connect the piece to the IPad from the back. This would make it even more discrete.

Design 4: https://www.shapeways.com/product/56XNYUS4R/finger-fork-by-j-c-karich?optionId=9747450&li=marketplace

This product is so cool! As a student, I always take lunches to go and I am constantly looking for utensils to eat my food with in class. In the morning when I am in a rush I take a silver utensil, which is a huge pain. This finger fork is small and silly, but would help the environment because it reduces the usage of plastic utensils. I could throw it in my bag and be able to reuse it. I like to bring a yogurt to class, so a spoon would be another good idea.

Hi everyone! I know we all introduced ourselves in class, but since it’s hard to remember, I’ll tell you a little bit about myself. I’m a senior majoring in Marketing and ISIT. I’m very happy I was able to secure a place in this course, as the world of 3D printing (and overall Digital Making) has always intrigued me. Being able to learn to use these machines to produce not only existing designs but also my own creations is very exciting to me, and I cannot wait to get started!

Though I’ve been interested in this world for a long time, I’ve only scratched the surface in terms of information I’ve sought out for myself. That being said, I loved the chance to listen to Ms. Rausen and Mr. Hornick. Both had such unique and fascinating experiences with digital making and offered fantastic insight and stories for the class as a whole. Mr. Hornick’s examples of things that have been digitally printed fascinated me, such as the jet engine and human ears or other organs. I didn’t think about the fact that this could be a game changer in terms of rarely needed (or less in-demand) products. When Mr. Hornick explained that it makes less sense to have a whole factory (which is time and capital intensive to build and maintain) for things that do not need to be mass produced. I also didn’t think about how much the way Digital Making is putting more and more power in consumers hands. With access to a digital printer, for example, I can make my own passive speaker cheaper and more customized (which I actually plan to do) than one I was considering ordering on Amazon.

On that topic, I thought I’d include a few of the passive speakers (basically just an amplifier for the speaker your phone already has) that I am interested in making.

The speaker above is interesting to me because of the two-part design, and also just because it’s an amusing design. I might like to change how large the funnel is. Although this design is probably louder than if it were smaller, the smaller design would be more convenient for storage sake.

This design is more convenient in that it is small enough to put in a bag or to store at home, and it is less complex to make than the other example.  I would make it my own color, but other than that, it definitely serves it’s purpose well.

Thingiverse has impressed me in the variety of products I can feasibly make for myself. More examples are below.

This is a hair stopper that goes over a drain. I would not change this at all, except perhaps the color, because it serves its purpose perfectly. As a female with long hair, too much hair in the drain is a definite issue.

This is a phone holder, that I would find useful when watching videos. I would love to add a smiley face to the head.

Finally, this is a beautifully designed cup, that I included because, while it definitely is useful, it’s also very aesthetically impressive. I would use this cup all the time, and would possibly like to print other animals of my own design.

Hi class! I’m Madeline Lager and I am looking forward to making things with you all this semester! I feel as if I have already learned so much about the digital making world and what it all has to offer. I’m excited to discuss our thoughts together on this forum and explore what each other has learned throughout the course.

First, I will discuss what I took away from the different articles we read before class last week. What I had not realized before was just how personal digital making is. It may not reach the ideal economies of scale by producing more products, but the things can be made for a more focused and smaller target market. As I was thinking of things I could make in this class, I was going in the wrong direction trying to think of things I could make for hundreds or even thousands of people. However, this is not necessary and I can make a smaller group of people happy with a product I create in this class.

Additionally, I liked how one of the articles discussed sending data across the world and how we are able to print something that was sent to us from thousands of miles away. This was fun to investigate further in class when we explored the different websites that share products to 3D print. Specifically, I browsed pinshape.com and grabcad.com. Both of these websites offered different products that I would enjoy printing and can see myself using in day to day activites. It was exciting to see all the possibilities that are available through 3D printing.

One thing I was excited to see on pinshape was a cable guard for your phone charger. As my team was brainstorming ideas this is actually something I had thought that I wanted to print. It prevents your phone cord from fraying and becoming useless which has been a recurring problem for me and my phone chargers. To make it more suitable, I would change the guard to be able to fit any size and shape of phone charger.

Another item I saw on pinshape was straw cups. These reminded me of cups I used to have in my childhood and would love to recreate them in this class! I would maybe make them look a little less childish to make them more usable for my age.

Next, the glasses holder is a product I would love to print and use for myself. I often find myself just throwing my glasses on my desk which can cause them to scratch and break. I loved this product when I saw it on the website and thought it was a great idea. I would make the product more feminine perhaps to make it look cuter if it is sitting on my desk all the time.

Lastly, the iPhone shelf holder is another product I can see myself using. I think it would be fun to make different sizes so I could even use it for my laptop and other devices that require charging.

Overall, I am very optimistic about this semester. I can’t wait to see all of the exciting things our class makes throughout the course!

The potential of 3D printing is bound only by the creativity of the user. Wednesday’s class taught me to broaden my horizons and open my mind to the endless possibilities that 3D printing creates. Before entering BADM 395, I thought 3D printing was an esoteric technology that would take at least five years to develop into maturity. I now understand that the speed and ubiquity of 3D printed technology is accelerating and has passed its early adopter phase. I hope to implement 3D printing to fix important issues in our society.

My first takeaway from BADM 395 came from guest speaker Arielle Rausin. Rausin’s use of 3D printing to develop form-fitting wheelchair racing gloves opened my mind to the various uses of the technology. If 3D printing can be used to help disabled racers, could it also be used in prosthetics for amputees? Or braces from those suffering from spina bifida? Those most disadvantaged in our society could reap the most benefits from 3D printed tools.

In the article “The Maker Mindset,” Dale Dougherty makes a compelling case that 3D printing technology should be taught in schools to prepare children for the impending technological shift. While adults can become rigid and complacent, children tend to think outside the box and have a propensity to learn. Because of this, children have a growth mindset, meaning impediments are perceived as opportunities to learn and problem solve. Being in the maker mindset requires you to expand your possibilities as you expand your knowledge.

At first, I was pensive about the futuristic notion purported by John Hornick in “Zero Marginal Cost.” The idea of truly reaching zero marginal cost has serious implications for the field of economics and could lead to an economic catastrophe if not well-planned. Just as horse labor became obsolete with the progression of the internal combustion engine, will humans face the same fate with the progression of 3D printing? Or will humans create new jobs to occupy us in the post-zero marginal cost world?

I found 4 interesting objects on Thingiverse that peaked my interest.

1. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1385312

This 3D printed marble machine by Tulio interested me because of my love of marble tracks. I used to build elaborate marble tracks in my basement when I was a kid, complete with jumps and an elevator. I have an extensive collection of marbles at home I would love to send down this marble machine.

2. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:36321

This 3D printed earbud wrap would help me reduce the clutter of my room. I have far too many earbud cords and power cords congesting my living room. With proper cord management, however, I can eliminate this problem.

3. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2545456

This 3D printed sunglasses holder would improve the safety of my car. When I return home, I often forget to bring a pair of sunglasses with me to drive, compromising my vision. If I had this holder, I could eliminate one potential hazard of driving.

4. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2369887

This 3D printed Pokémon Chess set is by far the most intriguing item to me. I have had a profound love for both Pokémon and chess since I was 4 years old, but never had a way to couple them. This Generation 1 based chess set is the most unique chess set I have ever seen.

This week’s class got me very excited to start using and learning about 3D printers. At first, the initial idea of 3D printing struck a chord with the creative side in me – but I definitely questioned its ease of use and practicality in the real world. After just two classroom sessions, readings, and exploring, I am inspired by the possibilities that this technology will bring to my world.

I think the greatest source of my inspiration comes from the article ‘The Maker Mindset’ by Dale Dougherty. Dougherty makes a strong case for 3D printing to take a front seat in education, discussing how the skills gained in a 3D printing lab combine several elements that explore our creativity. He wrote at length about growth versus fixed mindset, its position in today’s education, and outlook towards the future. Having a growth mindset is all about understanding new challenges as opportunities, rather than impermeable obstacles. The idea of 3D printing alone can potentially be overwhelming to people with fixed mindsets. Having a growth mindset allows one to take on the world of possibilities that 3D printing undeniably breeds. We need a world of creators, doers and problem solvers. These people will be foundational to the advancement of our society. Therefore, the case for 3D printing in education is an easy one: to have our students explore the endless possibilities of creating something out of nothing is to give them the tools to solve our world’s most pressing issues. It is not to say that 3D printing will solve global warming, but it is to say that the creative exploration of it may lead to important discoveries.

Below, I have picked out 4 every day items from thingiverse and will discuss each.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2595008

The first thing that caught my eye was this webcam cover for computer security. I feel like it would be a good use of a 3D printer as a tool because it would be relatively simple to make, and represents a large upgrade from those who use a sticky note or other self-created camera cover. The functionality is nice because it allows for a quick cover and uncover without removal. Simple in its functionality, I don’t see anything I would change about this device.

https://www.thingiverse.com/make:439491

The second thing that caught my eye was this movable sinus rinse drying rack. I connected with this creation because I often have a stuffy nose, and use a sinus rinse device that I cannot seem to find a place for (and am often lazy to clean). To improve this device, I might create a handle so that the entire print can be used in the same process as the sinus rinse. This way, it may function beyond the capacity of merely holding the bottle and nozzle.

https://www.shapeways.com/product/2A96R3GDV/buckle-anchor?optionId=42990867&li=curatedproductGroup

The next item I found that resonated was this anchor belt buckle. On Thursday, my only belt’s buckle broke off while I was attempting to reverse the belt from brown to black. It would be so cool to 3D print myself a new, custom belt buckle to replace it. I would improve upon this design by designing my own belt buckle, perhaps with my initials JP.

https://www.shapeways.com/product/4ZVWBNJN3/apple-lightning-to-headphone-cable-protector?optionId=61941632&li=marketplace

This is an example of an improvement on a product that I need more frequently than is available. Commonly referred to as a dongle, this device allows new iPhone users to listen to music with wired headphones, despite the device’s lack of an auxillary input. The device connects to the charging port on one end, and the headphones on another. The shape used by this designer is a little tothick for my liking, so I would create a thinner, smaller version of my own. Still, it makes perfect sense to use a 3D printer for this type of gadget because the item is something that I need often, but is rarely available.

Hello!

My name is Maddi Wethall and before coming to this class I didn’t have much interest in 3D printing or the way it can impact the business world. However, after the two speakers, the multiple videos and the conversations I have had with other students, I am extremely excited to get started and learn as much as I can about 3D printing.

The main takeaway from the readings and discussions in class is the power of experimenting and being creative. The only reason Arielle Rausin has become so successful in her customized wheel chair racing gloves is because she took a chance and allowed herself to think out of the box. I think society today is very logical and straightforward, therefore we are afraid to think out of the box. However, with 3D printing, that is your only choice. Neil Gershenfeld talks in his article, “How to Make Almost Anything,” about the importance of creativity and curiosity.

I also found it interesting when John Hornick was talking about the “Zero Marginal Cost,” meaning that making one print is just as expensive as making one million. This is a huge benefit of 3D printing.  This idea of zero marginal cost allows the consumers to become the makers and designers of their own products. Hopefully, 3D printing can become more popular and allow us to save resources and ultimately helping our environment.

While looking at Thingiverse and Shapeways, I have found four interesting objects that I think could really benefit my every day life.

#1 Tea Helper

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2765102

The tea helper lifts up the string from the tea bag, not allowing the tea to leak through the string. This is a simple, yet effective tool that could benefit your every day life. You can customize the grasp of the tea helper to fit your exact coffee mug.

#2 Guitar Mount Pick Holder

https://www.shapeways.com/product/AASRY2NEE/guitar-mount-pick-holder?optionId=5380507&li=featured

This pick holder jumped out to me right when I saw it. When I play the guitar, often times I put the pick in the strings of the guitar when I am done with it. This causes it to easily fall out or get stuck in the guitar’s hole. With this pick holder, it allows you to place your pick on your guitar without the chance of it falling out.

#3 EarPods Attachements

https://www.shapeways.com/product/NT9URUCJ4/earpod-attachments-for-active-people?optionId=43788262&li=featured

This one definitely stood out to me the most because this is what I suggested to my group about making for our project (I guess everything HAS been thought of!). Apple headphones are not customizable and are expected to fit in everyone’s ears, which is obviously not possible. So, these earpod attachments allow you to have customized headphones without the insanely expensive price.

#4 DIY Hue Living Color Light

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2773413

This device allows you to add “mood lighting” to any room you’re in! Most college apartments have strong, florescent lights, so it would be nice to have a customized light that allows you to have dimmer, more comfortable lighting.

Thanks for reading and looking forward to reading yours as well!