#3DPM & ProjectEGG 2014 update!

Late last year, #3DPM and ProjectEGG began a partnership founded on shared ideals. Michiel van der Kley gave us our inaugural end of year interview with a mover and shaker in 3D printing. It's still there, and what he had to say still resonates even weeks after he gave the interview.

'Lord' Terry Yeung of Oxford - we salute you!

3D Printing Network received it's first stone today, as official U.K. hub for ProjectEGG. We're ready to receive more! Keep them coming!

A rainy day here but stone 2876 looks amazing!

Terry Yeung from Oxford gets a special mention from us here at 3D Printing Network for being the first. Perhaps he'd like to talk to us about starting up 3D Printing Network - Oxford? :)

#3DPM & Ultimaker - CREATE together!

Ultimaker GB has launched a 3D printing initiative for schools in Britain. Like the 3D Printing Network, Ultimaker has very strong ideals which they live by. Like being open source, sharing and collaborating. Like us, Ultimaker has an urge to bring 3D Printing to schools.

Here is what they had to say to us when I went along to interview them at their Chorley HQ:

Ultimaker wants to get kids in touch with this new innovative technology and ignite that creative flame we all had at that age. Ultimaker has already been working with education institutions in the UK and with schools on the continent to great success and is now about to officially launch into the Education sector.

A national campaign called CREATE Education Project is being rolled out as 2014 starts, with schools eager to provide students the best current learning opportunities 3D printing has to offer.  Ultimaker’s CREATE initiative has received fantastic feedback from teachers and pupils have been blown away by how easy the Ultimaker technology is to use and the subsequent opportunities it presents!

“Marie McDonagh, Curriculum Leader at Cleethorpes Academy said “We ordered 5 Ultimaker 2 printers after an impressive workshop run by the Ultimaker team where students were able to produce their own 3D designs in under 2 hours. We have incorporated 3D printing in to both Key Stage 3 and 4 curriculums to give students experience of this exciting new technology. The Ultimaker 2 printers represent good value and the support and advice from Ultimaker has been excellent.”

The CREATE strategy comprises 6 key points:

C. Community.

Collaborative learning is the way to go! By bringing people together and sharing our understanding, breakthroughs in learning will be abundant. Ultimaker already has a thriving community, we want to extend to include you!

R. Reliability.

And support. Ultimaker has a reputation of being one of the most reliable 3D printers available.

E. Education.

We believe that 3D printing is going to impact many key areas in the future, whether it’s prototyping in manufacturing, bespoke replacement joints in medicine, scaled models in architecture or the latest trend in fashion, 3D printing is integral to learning and development and changes the game in design realization.

A. Access.

The Cura software that is open source and free to Ultimaker users, allows an abundance of design software / scanners downloaded templates to be printed accurately in 3D. It is made to be user friendly so without any prior knowledge you can dive right into 3D printing!

T. Teachability.

We all know that the best way to show a clear understanding of a concept is to teach it to someone else! Our design approach encourages individuals to experiment independently and then share their progress with others.

E. Economics.

Ultimaker is already one of the most affordable options on the market, the kit version starts at an amazing £1000! Education institutes cannot afford to be denying students the chance to change the world.

Be a part of this revolution with the CREATE Ultimaker Education Project

3D Printing Network will be bringing you Ultimaker 3D printers and 'build your own printer' workshops soon, so watch this space!

#3DPM@MadLab 27th January 2014

The 3D Printing Network is a social enterprise looking to bring 3D printing technology to as many people from as many varied backgrounds as possible - and it looks like we're winning! This week continued with a hardware discussion group based around a BCP Labs 01 3D printer.  We also had an advanced CAD design tutorial, a beginners workshop and some people who came to watch what 3D printing was all about!

Design newbie - rising to the challenge!

This week we started a new workshop for beginners. How to design your first 3D printed item. The aim of this workshop was to bring people with ambition, and a laptop with Sketchup loaded on their laptops together with a design challenge. The challenge - design their own nameplate key-ring ready to be printed and worn by the next meeting! Alan and John made a good start, and we'll see the outcome at the next meeting!

Design pro's - achingly close to begin prototyping!

The point of bringing people through the introductions to CAD design is to get them to the point where they can use 3D printing to bring their creations into reality. Our beginners workshop results in a design that is completed in a matter of hours. The advanced group is run with a professional designer advising and members working on designs that have been ongoing for weeks. This means we can't always understand what the designs are, but we can make sure it's ready for printing.  When it is printed, we can begin the process of healing the design until we reach printed nirvana!

BCP 01 3D Printers showing the hardware group how it's done!

The hardware group has access to two BCP Labs 01 3D printers. Although based upon an open-source Mendel design, these printers can print as well as anything on the market, and provide us with an excellent reference by which to teach members about hardware.  That being said, we're always open for new or different printers being introduced to the group.  This week hardware tweaks during prints were the topic of the day whilst one members design was being printed.  There is a chance we'll be hosting a printer from Ultimaker soon, so watch this space!

3D Printers - the object of affection for other social enterprises!

At 3D Printing Network we're always looking to help other social enterprises develop 3D printing themed workshops. We've delivered our last co-run event with FACT Liverpool before Christmas, and we're always open to new offers. The group nights are a good way for social entrepreneurs to come along, meet Sam, Mark, Joanna and Keith; and work out where we can work together.

The end of a fun night!

So the end of another group night! We'll be running workshops every meeting! We're also going to be developing 'build a printer' workshops! We've meetings coming up at MadLab and FabLab, as well as a 3D printer market and advice office opening at JWRetailing at Farnworth. It's all coming soon, so watch this space!

Mark is also a StartUp Brew ‘Startupian’

Although I turned up late cursing public transport and the state of the roads, it was great to arrive with enough time to be part of the StartUp Brew meetup organised by TechHub’s Shaun Gibson.

My intention was to talk with ‘TechHub Phil’ and ‘Gigabyte Gavin’ about 3D scanning and filament manufacturing; I didn't. However, I was fortunate to meet other fellow startupians and engage with them in the pursuit of business enlightenment; and for myself promote the noble art of #3DPrinting.

This day’s interaction was very fruitful and I introduced myself as ‘Mark the #3DPrinter’ it usually gets a response; for ‘Designer Ian’ it was a case of initial befuddlement; when he realised I wasn't a complete idiot, then followed an informative discussion about our projects, or maybe he was just humouring me. I didn't quite answer his last question about "how big can a 3D printer print?", because this is where ‘Mark Solicitor Smith’ came into conversation to hurriedly leave for another appointment.

 ‘Eee builder (Ewere)’ was interested in setting up an online business my talk of a concrete 3D printer didn’t quite connect with his plans, but he said he would check out the ‘#3DPrinting Network Manchester’ or #3DPM as we like to abbreviate.

Now ‘Salford Kelly’ is an interesting character she is looking for work placements and projects for university students, this line of inquiry was leading somewhere and it had a positive vibe we could follow up. ‘Crossword Anna’ interjected with news about a 3D printed skyscraper and ‘Helen the Hatter’ has web development skills that would be useful in promoting the businesses created by our ‘Pioneers of #3DPrinting’.

I was ready to go but then fortunate to meet ‘Caroline the SEO Equestrian’ and ‘Young Bearded Guy I forgot the name of’; sorry I will remember it next time. Uncle John collared me and is going to send me an email about what’s happening in the northern quarter and ‘Film Maker Prince not the Singer’ is hooking me up with a ‘Lady Printer’.

I left business cards and instructions about how they could contact #3DPM – the #3DPrinting Network Manchester; I didn’t mention my fellow cohorts: ‘Doctor Sam’, ‘Keith aka Fingers’ and ‘Joanna our Product Designa’ but I did mention http://3dprintgroup.blogspot.co.uk/

Oops nearly forgot 'Sherlock Una' but more about her later.

Until next time, this is ‘Mark the #3DPrinter’ signing off for now :-)

http://www.meetup.com/StartupBrew/

Charitable Purpose Tweaked

Let us know if it is not worded correctly or if it needs improving or more clarity...


Charitable Purpose


   1. #3DPM is a Club ... to network, to crowd source, to do business, to meet, etc.

   2. #3DPM is about #LeanTraining ... to get guidance and information, as quickly as possible.

   3. #3DPM is about Facilities ... for entertainment, for product fabrication, for business, etc.


Our aim is to encourage and assist any motivated #3DPrinting pioneer, young and old, to create and grow their own profitable enterprise and make the process a sociable, supportive and meaningful activity; the three main components that are the foundation for this initiative are: The Club, #LeanTraining and Facilities.

Our strategy is to rethink the meaning of what business really is and for; and show that it is important to define it as process everybody does, to survive and thrive. We also demonstrate that by organising communities around specific ideas, businesses can be manufactured as if on a production line. The rules are already well understood; but this knowledge isn’t evenly distributed, and we aim to change this. #3DPM is focusing on 3D printing; its growth potential is phenomenal so competition will not be an inhibitor for long while, making collaborations easier.

A general outline of #3DPM, is a community of self help enthusiasts, who are interested in developing and promoting 3D printing for their own edification or commercial interests in their own geographic locations. It is a freemium based charitable organisation, where members can grow their knowledge and activities; and are expected to contribute to the community's growth and well being in any way they can; money if possible (and it is needed), but time, knowledge and resources, if appropriate, are also important and acceptable.

We are expanding the #3DPrinting Network !
So please contact us if you would like to know more.

#3DPM charitable purpose...

1. #3DPM is self help community focusing on 3D printing and its peripheral activities; it is open to anyone who is prepared to accept its operating principles, in the spirit by which they are intended to be applied.

2. #3DPM helps its members develop their individual and group skills, towards building profitable 3D printing or related businesses; or for personal or group development; or for recreational needs.

3. #3DPM aims, via its membership, to provide continually improving facilities, processes and resources, for its members.

4. #3DPM encourages learning and provides learning materials to help its members fulfill their 3D ambitions; it spreads awareness of 3D printing capabilities and requirements.

5. #3DPM is a hub to attract and distribute 3D printing related expertise and resources; and link diverse groups of private enthusiasts, businesses, academia, governing bodies, entrepreneurial activities and funding sources.

6. #3DPM aims to use crowd sourcing and research, to develop 3D printing and its applications; as open source technology for the benefit of #3DPM and wider community.

7. #3DPM particularly is to help schools and young people develop new businesses around 3D printing and encourage the mature and experience members of society to get involved to help.

8. #3DPM is to promote its charitable aims; maintain a primary blog 3dprintgroup.blogspot.co.uk ; grow its membership; and encourage its members to find purpose and satisfaction in the pursuit of knowledge, art and science, of making things and helping others.

#3DPM also at Fab Lab

Our first group meeting at 'Fab Lab'
will be on Thursday 20th of February 6pm to 9pm
refer to Meetings & Events

With 'Fab Lab' on board we have access to some great resources.
If you have a business idea that requires some manufacturing then come along,
this is a great place!  

#3DPM@MadLab on 13th January 2014

So here we are, 2014 and less than a year old, and #3DPM is going from strength to strength! This year we'll have interviews with 3D food printers, meetings at FabLab, MadLab and the development of an all new Entrepreneurship programme in collaboration with JWRetailers and BCP Labs.  We're developing new courses and workshops for #3DPM members and the public, developing new businesses through our expanding members and their interests. Even more exciting, #3DPM is developing 3D printing public interest outside the north west of the U.K. with London and the south-west in our sights! WATCH THIS SPACE!!!

New members working on their ideas..BCP-01 at the ready to realise their expression!

We had our first meeting of the year at MadLab on the 13th of January, and I readily admit to wondering whether the events of 2013 were real, and whether anyone remembered us in 2014. I'm glad to report that we had lots of newbies, especially from the South Manchester Radio and Computing Club but also from FabLab.  This reflected just what our Network nights are all about, people from different backgrounds reaching common ground through 3D printing.

Sketchup 'Baby-Steps' workshop and 3D printer technology discussion forum

This year we're planning on offering more structured introduction workshops, and tutorials and projects to learn aspects of 3D printing.  This session we started new members off on setting their laptops up right for Sketchup and NettFab. The 3D printing technology group got an introduction in how designs were translated into G-code and printed out.

3D printing with a BCP-01 from our first spin-out BCP Labs

Three hours went very quickly indeed, and helped Mark, Keith, Joanna and I exactly what people wanted from #3DPM this year - more things to do! Your wishes are granted..we've got more meetings, so eventually there will be one every week. We'll let you all know as we do!

Some more interesting links...

http://www.engineering.com/3DPrinting.aspx

Michiel van der Kley of ProjectEGG talks to #3DPM

"It started with me wanting to do something really new."

Michiel van der Kley, the Tilburg based product designer agreed to give us an interview.  Michiel has received many accolades for his work designing office furniture, but found himself wanting to step away from the lime-light, and seeking something more true to himself.  In his journey of self-discovery, he eventually found himself at the doors of 3D printing.  In his own words, "it was a design language that I could really understand".  Along that journey Michiel has come up with ProjectEGG.

ProjectEGG is a 3D printed space to be made up of 4760 'stones'.  Each stone is individually designed by Michiel, however rather than have a traditional manufacturing process - in this case outsourcing to a 3D printing bureau; he took a different route.  Anybody can adopt a 'stone', which will be printed by Michiel in his studio, alternatively people are sent the .stl files and the basic instructions to print their own stone with their own unique features.  ProjectEGG is to receive its debut at the Milan Furniture Fair in April 2014.  It will then take a tour around the world.  The use of 3D printing in construction, and how it can revolutionise logistics, is of interest to many stake-holders, and it's also excited us at #3DPM.

#3DPM's founders have been advocating using 3D printing to generate skills and to revolutionise every aspects of our lives.  Michiel's vision realised via the new language of 3D printed design, direct to the people that want the design; is exactly the democratising change we want to inculcate into our workshop and education programmes.  Together #3DPM and ProjectEGG are working towards furthering our mutual aims.   #3DPM in collaboration with BCP Labs, are working with ProjectEGG to collect all the U.K. printed stones, in time for Michiel to pick them up and give a talk through us in February 2014.  More details for this will follow into the early part of 2014.

In this inaugural end of year interview for #3DPM, Michiel van der Kley talks to us about ProjectEGG, where his design inspirations have come from, and the work process that he's had to go through in order to realise his creation - "to give birth to ProjectEGG".

"I was afraid of taking up an invitation to talk at a school, I didn't think they'd enjoy it.  I am now not afraid after your workshop experience, I think they'd gain from it.  I have three sons, and they're not afraid of this (3D printing) at all.  I'm of a generation that just wants a book that tells us what to do, kids aren't scared and they just go for it...."

So what made you get into product design....

Originally I wanted to be a history teacher, and thats actually the only qualification I have.  I was teaching, and the kids didn't really get it.  The kids thought "the old people are dead, why should be go on about it?".  I thought what I needed to do was connect the kids with how people in the past would talk about their future, so I looked for poetry, architecture, furniture, music.  I came across the 'Hill House' chair by (Charles Rennie) Mackintosh, and I was fooled! It said 1906, and I thought that's a misprint, it should be 1966.  How come there were chairs that I don't know about?  So I went back to school and showed them (the kids) the relationship between the past and the future, but I got stuck with the chairs.  I went into a furniture shop and it would be the same as any other shop, and I was shocked when I saw a lot of rubbish; and I thought fine I'll do it myself.  Then I got lucky, and  a year after that, a gallery/art space wanted to sell my furniture.  I showed off my stuff, and it sold really well. I then decided to leave teaching behind, and I decided to do it all myself; but I found I'm not good at selling things.  For the next five years everything went through commercial distribution.

So why office furniture....

It started with all kinds of furniture, I've done beds, chairs, then I got known for certain kinds of furniture, like the Globus chair, that really made me known around the world.  People said it was too expensive, too silly, but then all of a sudden it was world-famous.

...after a break, into 3D printing, then into the egg?

For about five years I was at the top of being a 'rock-star' designer, but the lifestyle wasn't my cup of tea, and I wanted to find something really new.  I thought even if I could design the nicest couch you've ever seen, it's still a couch that'll simply replace another lovely couch. I thought I'd like to do something really new.  I think like a history teacher sometimes, and I thought of this, over the ages there's been a shared language.  It's always been driven by some means of production.  In the past they learnt how to bend wood using water, and it gave us chairs that are world famous now, but they simply weren't there in history before.  Now we see that with the tube chairs or cantilever chairs, and then we see in the fifties and sixties when plastics arrived - so what was the material of today?  So there are new materials, but they don't really add up to a new language.  Well we had the computer, so I said I wanted to do something in this new language.  Then I saw 3D printing, and I got really excited.  I could see that we had this new technology, and if you don't mind me saying so, most people were producing the same stuff we've seen before? Nothing new, and not really using this technology to create a new language from 3D printing.  I didn't know what it would be be, so I took a year off or two, and I tried to find out the limitations.  I tried the old way, and I designed something and went to a shop and asked them to print it for me, but thats the old way.  I bought one, and I said the same as everyone else, "yes you can print anything!" - it's not true.  Printing is not just pressing a button, and waiting - you have to adapt and improve your skills.  I designed something without knowing what it was.  I just made structures that I liked.  If it didn't work, I improved the model to make it better to print, and I tweaked it not knowing what it (the printer) would produce.  

Was the printer in the shop different from the one you purchased?

Yes they used powder.  They didn't have to deal with gravity as much as we do with FDM (FFF).  I just thought we could do anything (back then), but it all (horizontals and bridges) dropped.  Then speaking to the printer manufacturers, they said you needed supports, then tried to to find the methods, then I got it, then the supports were rock solid, making any model unusable!  This was the 'old days', I'm saying the 'old days', it was only two years ago.  Then, there was new technology, new software, and things are (now) much better.  I wanted something in the end that could be printed in an easy manner, but still have the features I wanted.  

There was a morning when I was sat in the sun with a product of mine, it was like a farce.  I was trying to attach a structure to it, and then trying to find out if the structure could be the object itself.  I thought O.K., I would try and think of something that could be as large as a person, large as I could make it.  That was the start of the idea I am working on now.  One of the limitations of the printer is it's size, so I thought I'd see it as an advantage.  I'd try and find a language that relates to be only able to print small parts.  I've always been inspired by many esoteric things, so it came from there.  The preliminary design was an open stone, which I then had to find out if it was strong - I'm a designer, not an engineer.  I got help from an engineer who analyse it using a programme.  It made me laugh actually, she had worked on it for three days.  She should have just said that you could use the design, but she said "the building will bend through 4.9 millimetres".  I said "centimetres", she was still in shock and replied "no, millimetres" - so I was fine with that!

..it is structurally sound, so can you tell us what impact 3D printing has had on your design thought processes?

I was actually just thinking about that before this interview.  When you design, you still have to relate to the production methods.  Now I can think in a different way.  Now I just think, "how do I print this?".  I can now just do it straight away, I don't allow others to prototype.  I mean people can open shops of their own stuff, but I see it (people designing and building their own things) might happen more.  In the 'old days', you had a design and you needed a public company to make it happen, and they filtered your creativity.  Now I can reach out to my public, just like that.  This is a big change.  Another thing is, something I'm doing now, with the birth of desktop 3D printing.  I can now just send the print to someone else's printer, and now I don't need a boat, a plane or a truck to send a whole made piece. In order to make it (the 3D printing revolution) work, this is what nees to happen, we can all think about changing the world.

In history, the first cars looked like carriages without the horse.  It took ten to twenty years to develop different design ideas.  This will happen for 3D printed things.  In 2008, they weren't ready for new furniture.  So now this is what I want, to design something completely new.  So when they asked me to print a chair, I said I don't want to do that.  I wanted to do something new, like the 3D printed space. Then I can let other people decide what it is.

What have you seen so far that you can't do with 3D printing?

I've had problems with supports (supporting structures to aid prints), I don't like them much, I hated them.  So I'd always have to ask myself do I need support structures?  I now try to design something that uses the support structures as part of the object, so you're saying that it doesn't really need support structures as it's part of the object itself.  Another limitation is the size (of the printer).  Some people try to build large printers.  In Italy there are 3D concrete printers to build houses.  I decided to turn it (the size) into an advantage.  Other limitations are the look.  I really like the 'skin' on 3D printed objects, but I know a lot of people see it the other way around.  They want it (their printed objects) to to be shiny, or like a plastic product, printing at 0.4 mm to get the 'shiny' skin.  That's one way of looking at it, but I turned it around.  I heard someone suggest that we should look at it like it was wood.  It has unique grains.  So show 3D printed lines as the grain.  Then you can change your design to make the skin look really lovely.  You can just design something and print it to be a copy of something manufactured, or you can design in the language of 3D materials.

I've found dealing with the smaller 3D printing companies, you always get an answer.  The larger corporations don't answer.  Now the communities around these 3D printer companies react, and this feeds-back to the companies themselves.  Smaller companies are seeking out answers from the communities that have grown up around their products and services.  

Did you end up having a technical specification for your brick?

That was a bit of a challenge.  I usually send people the design, and tell them how I printed it. I tell them to print it themselves, as they choose.  Some people will print according to my instructions, and then some people tweak it by printing how they want.  A printer from New York told me that the screw attaching each stone to each other would transmit the physical forces of the structure.  The whole of projectEGG would weigh 600 kgs and all it has to deal with is its own weight, the majority of which is below the middle line.  Some architects are really following this process, as they want to understand how 3D printing would be involved in future constructions.  The difficulty engineers have with this structure is that each stone was built using individual layers of material, and the overall stone is not a solid material structure.  It has a layer by layer construction, so how are the forces working? So ultimately I don't have too many specifications and I see where it leads.

Are you getting enough interest in this project?

I started the project out on Facebook and I didn't know what would happen.  I've been amazed by the social media reaction.  Still, I had a few nights where I couldn't sleep when I realised we had to be finished by April.  Some groups in North America are interested. Some larger 3D printer firms are interested, but I'm not sure at this moment what sort of collaboration they want.  Ultimaker have leant me five printers for the duration of the project to print out more bricks.  So between current adopters of stones, individual printers and the sponsors, I'll be able to fulfill the tally.  It's been great, as some participants want to bring the stones to me and want to see the build.  I've asked people to make a stone and to take a picture of that stone in an interested place, and then to send it back to it's designer.  It's so lovely to see the picture and to see the people all over the world taking pictures and taking part.

Do you have any 3D printing aims post ProjectEGG?

First, I've learnt how to push design aspects out to others.  So whatever it is, it will be a co-designed 'thing' as my next step.  I could also go for a 3D printed car, but to be honest I haven't made up my mind yet.  I do know that I want to stay involved with the 3D printing language.  I'm not interested in the technique per se, although I've developed an understanding of the technology now.  I actually think a lot of people involved in 3D printing enjoy it when the printer is not working.  That's not my cup of tea, but I do want to get involved with where the printer will take us - it's democratising.  It helps to connect all kinds of people too, I love that.  I love that it's freeing in some way.  I like that you make a design, but instead of being paid through sales royalties; it won't work for 3D printing.  You don't give away your idea, but you spread it and develop new ways to get paid.  I still have other furniture commission, but it's the old world, even though I still love doing it.  However the new world really appeals to me.

The music industry is an example of where we might go.  In the past they would litigate to stop online music distribution.  That was until iTunes came along.  3D printing may be moved along the same way.  

How long do you think it will be before your paid commissions will be for 3D printed items alone?

I think it will be sooner rather than later.  I've been thinking of ways to commercialise this.  I think that maybe someone pays me a one-off fee, then a group of people can print as many of these units you like.  So long as they don't open a shop for example.  You could end up sending people the .stl and then they spread it.  I mean come on, it will definitely end up all over the internet, but you know what? I don't care! It's going to happen, lets work with it.  (Editors note: The day of the interview, news of 'Authentise.com' came to light - a proposed method to distribute for a small royalty licenced designs).

There is also something else of interest.  In terms of recycling, I know some guys who are trying to develop machines where you can recycle your PLA.  I'm told it's not as good as you think, but I now collect all my old PLA waiting for that to come true.  Then I can say, print what I like, then when you're fed up with it, you recycle it! It's interesting to see how that would change society!

#3DPM wishes each and every one of you, 

a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

#3DPM@FACT Liverpool 7th & 14th of December 2013

3D printing continues to impress no matter where we go, visibly lighting up peoples faces, be they 7 or 70 years old; and it's truly rewarding.  We at #3DPM want to take it further. We don't want to wait for the schools to integrate 3D printing into the school's curriculum, then ten years down the line watch former students begin the revolution for their generation.  We want it to happen now!

Vive la revolution!

#3DPM has developed and run a 'free at point of contact' workshops for children and families to develop the thought and imagination process required to turn your ideas into 3D printed articles.  #3DPM's first workshop did this by allowing people to draw items related to a theme, taking that idea through the design process; then moving on to the chance to have your design printed.

How to bond families with 3D design

The essence of the workshop? To plant the seed of a child-like curiosity and imagination.  Yes, the workshop participants may hit the limits of current technology, but we must instil the notion that anything may soon be possible to fully realise the 3D printing revolution.  These limits will dissipate as the technology and design tools improve, but the imagination process remains and flourishes.

Mark and I worked with Anna at FACT to deliver two workshops to the general public and one to a group of veterans through 'Help for Heroes'.  With the help of Keith and Joanna we delivered the workshops with a lot of positive feedback.  We had so many people turn up, we had people turn up the second week to try it again and see their designs they did at home (after sampling Sketchup the first week).

FACT have asked us back to work on new projects in the new year and in 2015, so we'll be back in Liverpool soon. You'll also see news of new workshops and courses in the new year.  So, this is definitely us in terms of events for 2013! We've a few more blog posts to come - in particular the interview with Michiel van der Kley! So keep coming back to check us out, merry Christmas and a happy new year!

FACT (Foundation for Art and Creative Technology)

#3DPM at FACT (Foundation for Art and Creative Technology) we had a good time!

3D-printed skull mimics feel of brain surgery

Reproduce yourself with a 3D printer...

BCP Labs & #3DPM at the South Manchester Radio & Computing Club

Last night #3DPM in collaboration with BCP Labs, found itself giving a talk about 3D Printing to the South Manchester Radio and Computer Club (SMRCC).  Dave and Bill (Erstwhile members of the SMRCC) had booked us to give a talk and demonstration, months ago, and they had the dubious honour of being the first to ask us to do so.

Keith setting up with Mark and half (just half!!) the SMRCC looking on!

Mark, Keith, new-member Joanna, and myself went along with two BCP-01 FFF/FDM-like 3D printers, went along to talk, answer questions and show off 3D printed items.

A BCP Labs 01 FFF 3D printer and a 3D printed bust of Barbirolli from the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester

Around 30 members of the SMRCC turned up, and we were told that they had one of the most enthusiastically received talks and demo's in recent meetings.  A great time was had by all, and lots of interest was garnered.

SMRCC old guard & committee flanked by a BCP 01

Watch this space for future co-run meetings between #3DPM and SMRCC sponsored by BCP Labs.

The 3D Printing Industry (2013)

I think some of you will be interested in this overview of the 3D printing industry...

Updated Meetings & Events

Just to let you know "Meetings & Events" has just been updated; looking forward to the "South Manchester Radio and Computing Club" and FACT events :-)

#3DPM & ProjectEGG

#3DPM@FACTLiverpool

7th of December saw #3DPM run the first of a new workshop programme developed to bring 3D printing to children and adults simultaneously, whilst showing the basic thought processes that enable 3D printing to bring a social revolution.

We had 100 people turn up over four hours and one couple were so interested, they were there for the entire time! Really good to see, and a full blog post with pictures and audio will be posted after the next workshop at FACT Liverpool, which is on the 14th! Check their website for details, and meeting events on our blog!

#3DPM gets a permanant office!

So with the next round of group meetings not set until January, we've set our minds to where we could get a workshop and teaching space outside of when MadLab generously accommodates us! Seek and ye shall find!! Or at least Mark did!

Our future teaching space and office!

#3DPM operates to get people interested in incorporating 3D printing in their business model from the ground up. To this end, we've secured office, teaching and workshop space attached to a bona fide market place, JWRetailing in Farnworth.

A future electronics workshop!

From January 2014, #3DPM will continue their 3D printer meetings at MadLab twice a month, but we'll also have one group meeting on a Saturday every month. This will allow you to get your hands on a 3D printer and the skills and tools you need to build your own or work on your own.

Monday to Saturday, you'll be able to come down to learn how to use a 3D printer, see one in action, or get your own and the consumables. #3DPM continues to be the number 1 forum of 3D printer knowledge exchange in the north west!

We're planning on running courses for everyone to learn all the appropriate skills, and to this end we'd love to hear from people who want to intern with us and learn and teach some skills! We're looking, so get in touch!  If you feel you want to take our business model forward, get in touch and we can talk!

What's more, if you end up spinning out your own business in 3D printing, then you'll have a ready made pitch in the surrounding space to use. A perfect place to keep in touch and build your own marketplace.

It's not much to look at right now, but we'll be ready, and we hope you'll be ready for us into 2014!

#3DPM Video Log 2013 Mark's Cut

I thought I would spice up Sam's vlog about #3DPM 2013 activities. Sam had laboured tirelessly, until 6 in the morning creating his master piece. Not only did I upset Sam by ripping off his hard work, but I also upset Google, Buena Vista Social Club and its copyright lawyers. I think I have got away with a warning this time, so I will be more careful in the future. Okay if you can do any better lets see it :-)

Here is my attempt ... #3DPM Vlog Mark's Cut

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