MakerBot Brings 3D Printing to the Masses

As an Industrial Designer, I am very familiar with the concept of 3D printing. My company uses a Dimension Elite fused deposition modeling (FDM) machine to create physical prototypes from our 3D models. We sand, paint, apply graphics, insert springs, and mold in hinges to deliver our clients fully working prototypes of the concepts we design.

In the rapid prototyping world, there are several options for 3D printing from lasers hardening material inside of a bath of resin to print heads laying down powder and then curing the powder to a build head melting ABS plastic and a support material one layer at a time.

Historically, 3D printers are expensive, require hefty maintenance, and a plethora of technical knowledge to operate and maintain (not to mention the skill required to do 3D computer modeling in the first place). Three entrepreneurs in Brooklyn, New York set out to change the face of 3D printing with their company MakerBot Industries. The company originally launched in 2009 and has been producing affordable, DIY 3D printing contraptions in the thousands of dollar range instead of the tens of thousands of dollar range that 3D printers usually start at. The MakerBot flagship Thing-O-Matic costs $1,299 and the purchaser puts the thing together. 

The drawbacks of the MakerBot are that the resolution of the parts, the thickness of a single layer of material it will lay down at a time, is not very high and the machine does not lay down a separate soluble support material to make sure the part doesn't fall over during the printing process. The lack of support material also limits the amount of undercuts that the printing model can possess. Despite this, the MakerBot machines costs a fraction of the price of the 3D printing establishment's desktop units and they are upgradable and expandable.

The DIY aspect of MakerBot, their online creative community, and their goal of allowing anybody to create and manufacture parts makes this unit a unique gadget. This unit would also be, in my opinion, an excellent commodity to any freelance Industrial Designer or small design department for providing low resolution rapid prototypes for clients. Take a look at the introductory video with Chris Hardwick.

Business Card Project

Inspired by Mr. Fortuna's quarter rings, I started making my own business cards today. I have been in the market for business cards to promote my website and my freelance ventures and decided to create my own. I envisioned the cards to have a sort of raw element to them.

To start things off, I researched recycled kraft paper card stock. I really liked the "brown paper bag" look of it. I came across the Kraft Outlet with their business card blanks. I picked up a couple packs of the card blanks and moved onto the printing method.

Kraft Paper Business Card Blanks

I decided that the most efficient way of printing a large amount of business cards myself was to have a custom stamp made. This would make every card a little different and would align with the low tech feel of the recycled kraft paper.

After some googling, I came across rubberstamps.net. This site allows you to upload a JPEG of artwork and they will construct a custom wood handled rubber stamp (old school style). I laid out what I wanted to be on the business card in Illustrator and exported a JPEG for the stamp company. Next, I picked out a nice ink color from the same site and received everything in no time.

Custom Wood Handled Rubber Stamp

Ink Pad

Once I received all the parts for the project, I started stamping out the cards. It took a little trial and error to figure out the best method of stamping to yield a good final product. 

Final business card

I recommend this method to anybody that wants simple, homemade business cards with an earthy theme.

Lord of the Quarter Rings

One of the most natural forms of product development is the DIY home manufacturer. Mr. John Fortuna has been making high quality rings for decades for family and friends. He creates them from solid silver quarters.

I first learned about Mr. Fortuna's DIY quarter rings back when I was in high school. Mr. Fortuna is the father of a good friend of mine, Laura, and I used to see him working on the rings inside of his garage. Through the years, the rings have become an icon and a common bond with his family and friends.  

I asked Mr. Fortuna a few questions about the evolution of his quarter rings:

?: How and when did you get started in making the quarter rings?

John: In 1967 when attending Bossier High School, I made my first quarter ring (the one I still wear to this day). My older brother learned how to make them when he was incarcerated in Louisiana’s Angola State Penitentiary. The inmates there had a lot of time on their hands and would pound down the rings with the back of spoons.

?: Can you briefly describe the process of making the quarter rings?

John: Use a tack hammer and slowly pound down the outside of the quarter (must be a silver quarter made 1964 and before). Tilt the quarter to one side to add curve to the ring. After pounding down to the desired size, drill out the center of the ring being sure to leave the date and “Liberty” showing. I have a lathe that makes cutting out the center easier.

?: How has your process of making the quarter rings evolved over the years?

John: I made a machine that mechanically pounded down the rings, but they were not as good as the handmade rings. I have gone back to making rings manually.

?: What brings you the greatest joy in creating the quarter rings?

John: I am really happy when I see friends that have worn their rings for years. My son Tuna’s band had a show once, and there were 8 people there wearing my quarter rings. My daughter, Laura has worn two quarter rings and a dime ring since high school.

?: What does the future bring for the quarter rings?

John: I have just reached a milestone. I have made 200 rings since 1967 (that I can remember). Thinking about taking a break, although it is still fun to sit down and start tapping on a quarter when a friend asks me for one.