Four Short Takes On 3D Printing (3D Printing Explodes In China, 3D Gummy Candy Printers, This New 3D Printer Can Print Its Own Parts, How Europe Will Tackle The Intellectual Property Issue)

#1 - 3D Printing Explodes in China

Nick Hall | May 21, 2016

<See the original article at: http://3dprintingindustry.com/2016/05/21/3d-printing-explodes-china/>


China is the world’s centre of mass manufacturing and now it is embracing 3D printing. A new report has revealed that China will overtake the US in terms of 3D printer sales this year. So what does this mean for the industry as a whole? A report from journal 3D Printing World has some potential answers.
The sheer size of China’s population means that the potential business for companies selling equipment is mind-blowing. Last year 258,000 printers under $5000 were sold globally according to Wohlers Report.

"China was slow on the uptake with 3D printing, but it is catching up fast. 31.4% of companies are using 3D printing for protyping purposes, compared to 21% in 2014." Source: http://3dprintingindustry.com/2016/05/21/3d-printing-explodes-china/

#2 - 3D Gummy Candy Printers Have Arrived (+Video)

Whitney Filloon | May 20, 2016

<See the original article at: http://www.eater.com/2016/5/20/11720338/3d-printing-food-candy-future>


Cavities never looked so high-tech
3D printing may or may not be the future of food, but for now it's at least the future of fancy candy. A 3D printer designed to print custom gummy candy hits the U.S. today. Designed by a UK company, the printers will be featured at several locations of the high-end sweets emporium Dylan's Candy Bar, which is owned by Dylan Lauren (daughter of fashion mogul Ralph Lauren).

"Magic Candy Factory." Source: http://www.eater.com/2016/5/20/11720338/3d-printing-food-candy-future

#3 - This New 3D Printer Can Print Its Own Parts

Brooke Crothers | May 19, 2016

<See the original article at: http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2016/05/19/this-new-3d-printer-can-print-its-own-parts.html>


Hewlett-Packard’s introduction of a new 3D printing system could be a watershed for manufacturing, if its vision pans out.
Today, 3D printing is largely limited to making items like low-quality smartphone cases and toys by the handful. But HP says its new Jet Fusion 3D 3200 and Jet Fusion 3D 4200 printers are in another league and will make it possible to do “mass customization” for customers like BMW, and even do short-run manufacturing.
HP says up to 50 percent of the custom plastic parts for the Jet Fusion 3D printers, for example, will be printed and produced with the HP Multi Jet Fusion printer system itself.

"The full 3-D-printing system based on HP’s Jet Fusion technology." Source: https://www.technologyreview.com/s/601472/can-hp-make-3-d-printing-into-a-mass-manufacturing-technique/

#4 - How Will Europe Tackle the IP Problem in 3D Printing

Nick Hall | May 21, 2016

<See the original article at: http://3dprintingindustry.com/2016/05/21/how-will-europe-tackle-the-ip-problem-in-3d-printing/>


The issue of Intellectual Property just won’t go away and we all know it’s a major problem that the 3D printing world will have to deal with. Now a new paper from the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Law, the Admanl Project and Tekes hopes to shed some light on the matter.
3D printing technology is getting better and cheaper. Since 2007, universities and collectives have worked on open-source software and DIY assembly kits. A number of patents have now expired, too. So entire desktop manufacturing processes and 3D printing are now within reach of the average home user.

"This whitepaper examines the relationship between copyright and 3D printing, focusing specifically on how copyright could be used to hinder the development and growth of 3D printing. A PDF of this paper can be found here." Source: https://www.publicknowledge.org/news-blog/blogs/whats-the-deal-with-copyright-and-3d-printing