cum-scanner that can also scan items has been
unveiled at the American Association
Advancement of Science (AAAS) annual meeting
in San Jose, California.
Blacksmith Group start-up at Nanyang
Technological University (NTU) launched
Saturday the user-friendly all-in-one device,
named the Blacksmith Genesis.
The $2,200 device allows users to scan any
item, and then edit the digitized model on the
computer and print it out in 3D, Lester Kok,
assistant manager of NTU's Corporate
Communications Office, told Xinhua news
agency Sunday.
"Most 3D printers sold on the market now are
not really user-friendly as their 3D models and
blueprints usually have to be designed from
scratch on the computer," Kok said, "but
Blacksmith Genesis doesn't require much
knowledge of 3D software."
Unlike other commercial 3D printers, Blacksmith
Genesis uses an innovative rotary platform for
its printing and scanning. This patent-pending
revolving platform allows for true 360-degrees
scanning, and can print items up to 6,650 cubic
cm, twice the size of those printed by other
similar-sized 3D printers in the market.
With a fine resolution of 50 micrometres, the
reproductions will be twice as detailed compared
to other compact 3D printers. Likewise,
scanning of objects with its five megapixel
camera takes only six minutes, twice as fast as
other 3D scanners in the market.
Another unique feature of Blacksmith Genesis is
its remote live monitoring and automatic error
detection using an in-built camera. Users can
also monitor the printing process on their
smartphone from anywhere in the world through
an internet connection, and will be able to
start or stop printing at any time.
"While low-cost 3D printers are accessible to
the public, they are still very hard to
programme and assemble. Having an affordable,
high-quality 3D printer that is easy to use is
what the market is missing and this is where
Blacksmith Group will bridge the gap," Chua
Chee Kai, the mentor for the Blacksmith Group,
said in a press release.
The 3D printer-cum-scanner was created in
Singapore with the help of a crowd-funding
campaign, raising over $80,000, and its US
supporters will be able to get it as early as
March.
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