Introduction to 3D Pen : A Doodler

A 3D pen, also known as 3D Doodler, is a unique gadget designed for fun art projects. It combines the functionality of a 3D printer and a hot glue gun. In other words, it accomplishes what a 3D printer can by melting plastic like a hot glue gun. It is loaded with plastic filaments which are melted to form any shape you like. Unlike 3D printers, a 3D pen is much more portable, affordable and easy to use. It can be used for fun activities or for creating plastic objects for business purpose.

The Main Components

In order to understand how a 3D doodler pen works, it is important to know what its main components are. These are mentioned below.

• Built-in Cooling Fan


• Electrical plug


• Pen Tip


• Rubber Protector


• Speed Controllers


• Mount

The Working Mechanism

The working mechanism of a 3D pen is very simple. Unlike a 3D printer, you are not required to use any software program. Simply use the pen to create the object you like – plastic action figures, hair accessories for kids or any plastic object just for fun.

The portion at the back of the pen is where you load the plastic filaments. These filaments are available in different colors to give you options. You can create objects in different colors. The tip at the front is where the plastic filaments come out melted. The tip gets very hot like a glue gun. In order to avoid overheating, a fan has been incorporated.

Plug in the gadget in a power socket. There is a 6 feet cord for convenience. Turn on the power switch in order to heat up the gadget to melt the plastic filaments. Simply draw in the air. The plastic will start flowing out of the tip and will form the shape you are drawing.

Pros of 3D Pen

Is it worth buying a 3D pen? Mentioned below are some positive points about the gadget which make it worthy of your money.

• It is a cool and innovative gadget with none other of its kind out there in the market.


• A 3D pen is more affordable as compared to a 3D printer.


• The gadget is very simple to use.


• Unlike 3D printers, a 3D pen is portable.

Cons of 3D Pens

Those who are amazed by this fun gadget should know that there are also certain shortcomings associated with it. Have a look at the following cons of a 3D pen before buying it.

• Although the pen is portable, it needs to be plugged in to a power socket. This limits the use of the gadget.


• A 3D printer gives you various options with regard to the material used for the creation of objects. Plastic, glass, ceramic and even chocolate and cheese can be used. However, with 3D pens, you can only create plastic objects.


• The pen’s tip can get very hot. It is not safe to be used by kids.

Manufacturers are expected to come up with improvements in the gadget in future. For now, despite its shortcomings, it is still an innovative device which attracts art lovers for their fun projects.

Google Self Driving Car - Google

Ever desired for an elegant chauffeur driven car? Google has made the dream come true in an innovative way. There would be a car. You would sit back and enjoy the drive. But instead of a human chauffeur, a software program would be behind the steering wheel, except for the fact that there would be no real steering wheel! This is the concept which defines Google’s driver less car.

The driver less car project promises a new level of technology which is still under development. Also termed as autonomous car or robot car, it would completely take over from human drivers. A drive which is carried out through the accuracy of a software program would reduce the chances of accidents. In addition, it is also going to deal with the issue of drunk driving. Moreover, the passengers can travel anywhere regardless of the time of the day or health conditions. A software program never gets tired nor is it ever impaired by poor health conditions. Google’s driver less car would, therefore, always be ready to take its owners out for a spin.

The amazing software behind this promising wonder is known as Google Chauffeur. A steering wheel is not the only missing feature of the car. Instead, you are not going to find a brake pedal or an accelerator either. These components are replaced by a single sensor which is controlled by the vehicle’s software. This sensor makes all the decisions regarding when to speed up and when to slow down or come to a halt. It also responds to the buttons which are used to start or stop the car.

More sensors in the driver less car perform the important job of detecting obstacles and nearby objects. Vehicles and other objects as far as six hundred feet away can be detected. This is important for a drive on busy roads.

The car will take its passengers to their destination through directions obtained from Google Maps. All you are required to do is provide your destination as input. The car’s software would then take you there through its own driving decisions and smart navigation.

So far, Google has only focused on the development of technology for its driver less car. As the software is developed and perfected, there aren’t going to be any improvements in the exterior design or the interior. The car is small with room for only two passengers. There is a little space for luggage as well. Other than this, there is nothing much to boast about.

One more downside to Google’s driveless car is its maximum speed. You will definitely reach your destination safe and sound, but it will take you quite a while. The car cannot go beyond its maximum speed of twenty-five miles per hour.

At the moment, Google is busy in the development of the first prototypes of driver less car. These would include manual controls as well for safety testing. Once the prototypes pass the safety test, Google would introduce a pilot program which would be succeeded by the final release of this amazing car for the masses.

Google Glass – an Overview, Available for US Consumers

As wearable mobile technology thrills the world, tech geeks flock around Samsung’s Galaxy Gear as well as the much more exciting Google Glass. The latter is a portable Android-based smartphone device which operates in a hands-free format. After Google Glass Explorer Edition, the gadget finally hit the market in May 2014. Sold like hot cakes, Google Glass stock was completely swept off the shelves during its limited 24-hours sale in the United States.

The Basics

This tiny computer – housed in a titanium frame – is worn like spectacles and controlled through natural voice commands as well as touch gestures. The display is right in front of the user’s eyes with a touchpad at the side. The interface displays features in a timeline-like format. Swiping back and forth lets you view the weather, photos, the calls log and so on.

Design

Google Glass comes in the form of a light-weight, lens-less frame. This frame can be bent in order to make adjustments for better fit as preferred by different individuals. The right arm of the frame holds a tiny screen which is displayed above the user’s right eye. The thick portion at the back is where the battery, touchpad, speaker and various buttons reside. For giving more frame options to users, Google developed a partnership with popular eye wear legends, such as Ray Ban.

Voice Commands

The most interesting feature of this revolutionary device is its ability to follow voice commands. This feature is activated by tapping the touchpad and saying “OK Glass”. From this point on, users can ask their wearable smartphone to perform any action from making a call to taking pictures. Google Glass can also be asked for directions, for loading a certain app or for browsing the internet – all through natural voice commands.

Camera

Google Glass houses a 5 MP camera. Apart from stills, ten seconds long 720p videos can also be recorded. Although these specs offers no competition to the much more superior cameras of smartphone giants like Apple, Samsung, LG and HTC, the ability to click pictures and shoot videos through voice commands gives Google Glass an edge.

Screen Sharing

Users can share what they are currently viewing on their Google Glass with their Hangout contacts. In addition, live video sharing is also possible. Through this live stream option, users are able to share precious moments in real-time.

App Collection

Google Glass brings a collection of top-notch apps which contribute towards the impressive functionality of this device. Among others, Follow My Glass is an extremely useful application which helps you keep track of your device in case you misplace it. Similarly, Glossaic can be your new social network for sharing photos and videos while Google Now provides regular weather updates and useful directions when you are travelling. In addition, a plethora of other apps, including Circles, Google Maps, social network integration and language translating apps can also be enjoyed.

The Bottom-line

Google Glass is a groundbreaking device which promises to make your life effortless by letting you communicate with your contacts, search for information, take pictures and browse the internet in the most convenient way possible. However, Glass also comes with a set of drawbacks. Firstly, it is pricey with limited availability at the moment. Secondly, it leads to other issues such as privacy concerns as well as personal safety. Immersed in your Google Glass display, you would be more prone to accidents while walking down the road or driving. Potential buyers should, therefore, take these concerns into account before going ahead with the purchase of their own Google Glass.

3D Printing – an Overview

3D printing is a fascinating technology which lets you produce three-dimensional objects from a virtual design created in your computer.  Contrary to a traditional printing machine, a 3-D printer does not give you a fully assembled object coming out straight from the machine. Instead, the object is created from the required material – such as plastic – by assembling layers after layers. This process is also termed as additive manufacturing.

The Printing Process

The process of 3-D printing begins with a computer. A Computer Aided Design (CAD) software program is required for the creation of the design. Once a CAD file has been created, this step is followed by uploading the file to a 3-D modeling application. A 3-D scanner can also be used for this purpose which makes a three-dimensional digital copy of the design and then loads it to a 3-D modeling application program.

The next step involves the printing of the previously created 3-D digital copy. The 3-D modeling software performs the process of slicing up the object’s design into two-dimensional images which are thin layers. These layers are horizontal cross-sections of the object to be created. The 3-D printer analyses these two-dimensional images or layers and proceeds to flawlessly blend them together in order to create one solid object. As a result, the final object shows no noticeable signs of different layers joined together.

3D Printing Techniques

There are six different techniques which are being used for the purpose of manufacturing objects through the process of 3-D printing. These methods are:

• Stereolithpgraphy

This is one of the oldest 3D printing techniques. It involves the raw material being taken in the form of a liquid. The polymerized layers of liquids are solidified by UV light beams.

• Selective Laser Sintering

The starting raw material used to manufacture objects by Selective Laser Sintering technique may be plastic, ceramic, metal or glass. The particles of desired material are fused together by high power laser into a mass. This mass is then shaped into the required object.

• Digital Light Processing

Just like stereolithography, the Digital Light Processing method of 3D printing also begins with liquid raw material. This liquid is hardened little by little through exposure to a beam of light.

• Electronic Beam Melting

This technique is used for creating metal objects. The starting raw material is in the form of powder. The layering process takes place inside a vacuum where the metal powder is solidified through exposure to a beam of electrons. Upon cooling, this powder solidifies and the layers blend together. The resulting solid object is dense and possesses remarkable strength.

• Fused Deposition Modeling

An extrusion nozzle is used in this process which melts the raw material as it comes out. Computer aided controlling helps in moving the nozzle horizontally as well as vertically, upon exiting the nozzle, the material hardens instantly.

• Multi Jet Modeling

This is the fastest form of 3D printing. It involves spreading a layer of resin powder sprayed by colored glue to harden the resin. This technique is useful for colored printing.

3D printing is useful for both commercial as well as personal objectives. The evolving technology is expected to bring more techniques for faster, more economical and more convenient 3D printing in future.

What is 3D Printing?

So, what is 3D printing precisely? 3D printing, in other words, additive manufacturing is a procedure of creating a solid object of three-dimensional of almost any shape from a digital model. Basically, 3D printing is accomplished by means of an additive process and that’s where material’s successive layers are set down in several types of shapes. Also, 3D printing is thought to be different from old-fashioned machining techniques that generally depend on the material’s removal by ways like drilling or cutting.

A 3D printer is an industrial robot which is of a limited type that has the ability of carrying out an additive process under the control of a computer.

Although 3D printing technology has been present ever since the 1980s, it was not till the 2010s that the printers turn out to be extensively accessible commercially.

The very first functioning 3D printer was formed back in 1984 by Systems Corp’s Chuck Hull. Since the 21st century’s beginning, there has been a huge progress in these machines’ sales, and their value has fallen considerably. According to Wohlers Associates, which is a consultancy, the 3D printers market as well as services was valued for $2.2 billion around the world back in 2012, from 2011 up to 29%.

The technology of 3D printing is used for distributed manufacturing and prototyping along with applications in construction (AEC), architecture, industrial design, aerospace, military, automotive, medical and dental industries, engineering, biotech (replacement of human tissue), footwear, fashion, jewellery, education, eyewear, food, geographic information systems, and several other fields.

Several kinds of 3D printers presently exist. Each and every printer type normally uses a different type of material; nevertheless, all these printers work on the same simple technique to print things.

To make a print, the 3D machine reads the design of the printable file of 3D and lays down successive powder, liquid, sheet, or paper material layers to form the model from a sequence of cross sections. These layers that correspond to the essential cross sections from the model of CAD are automatically fused or joined to form the ultimate shape. The technique’s main advantage is its capability to make nearly any geometric feature or shape.

A model’s construction with modern methods can take anywhere from many hours to many days and that depends on the technique used and complexity as well as the model’s size. Additive systems can naturally reduce this time to a couple of hours, even though it varies extensively depending on the kind of machine being in use and the number and size of models being created at the same time.

So, there you go. You’ve now learned what 3D printing is and how it amazingly works. Cool, right? Hope this article helped!