If you have wanted to make a lightsaber there is no better time than now.  The group over at Le FabShop in France just released a set of 3D printable modular lightsaber plans.

While it has only been about 18 days since the trailer for the next Star Wars movie came out, bringing the frenzy over the “crossguard” lightsaber.  18 days, and now everyone can print their own about a year ahead of when the inevitable crossguard lightsaber toy will be brought to market.  For those in the cosplay community this means that they can jump the gun and get to cosplaying a movie that as of now only has one trailer.

All parts can be printed using PLA filament on a desktop FDM (fused deposition modeling) 3D printer with a layer resolution of 0.2mm.  They say that it is possible to use ABS, but that it would likely affect the tolerance and assembly between the parts.  The files are available for free on the Makerbot Thingverse website.  The  parts are all modular so all that you need to do is decide how to make the lightsaber that you want and only print those parts, saving you time and materials.  The really cool part is that the telescoping laser is printed all at once on a single print session.  The printer being used for making the items will need to be at least 15cm in Z height.

The STL file package includes:

• A long telescopic laser, printed all at once
• A short telescopic laser, exclusively for the crossguard
• 6 different sabers tip, including the T shaped crossguard
• A belt clip (very handy if you don’t want to hold in in your hands all the time.)
• Grips
• Lightsaber switches
• A lightsaber’s cap
• A connector to assemble many sabers bodies together

Why not make yourself a new lightsaber today and make it a better Monday.

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Move over MakerBot. Another company’s 3D printer will be looking down on you from the International Space Station (ISS). A small startup, or up start company if you prefer, that came out of Singularity University Graduate Studies Program got NASA’s attention. The result is a 3D printer whirling around in space ready to meet its final tests aboard the space craft.

Speakers on the CES 2014 panel The Future of 3D printing never predicted this momentous event.

Made In Space Zero-G 3D printer isn’t sexy, but if it works… space exploration will be changed forever.

Made In Space, founded less than five years ago, boosted by more than half a million dollars from a Small Business Innovation Research grant from NASA, has achieved its goal of sending their Zero-G 3D printer to the ISS. It was created and tested on Earth to be functional in space. Last October, Jason Dunn, Chief Technology Officer, speaking at TEDx predicted that this new printer will disrupt the interplanetary supply chain. Items needed by astronauts while in space can be manufactured in space, eliminating the cost and time to make the item on Earth and send it into outer space to the astronauts.

Made In Space CTO spoke at TEDx

Last year, Made In Space received a Phase III Sole Source contract from NASA to build a 3D printer that could work on the ISS. Their plan was to test current 3D technology in zero gravity and adapt the technology to go into space. Several easily controlled on-Earth problems prove more difficult to solve in space. Off-gassing when working with plastics in the closed environment of a space craft had to be dealt with by developing a special filter. Microgravity affects the thermal process used in 3D printing in that fluids don’t separate due to their being heated because there is no convection. Things float without gravity to hold them down, so the designers needed to reduce and eliminate the amount of variation in the system according to Michael Snyder, Director of R&D and Lead Engineer at Made In Space.

Snyder explains the challenges of performing 3D printing in space

Electromagnetic interference came into play as was the need to have full circuit integration in the sealed environment of the glove box where science and technology experiments are conducted. Vibrations during launch had to be considered. With all those issues resolved, or so they hope after rigorous and unusual testing techniques, the printer is finally on the ISS. Additionally, before the printer headed for ISS, it had to meet NASA safety requirements. NASA certified that the hardware met all necessary operational standards. Now, everyone is looking forward to discovering how it all works over time in the unique environment.

The first printer is owned by NASA per contract. It will only print unique geometries to test tensile strength and other material properties according to company Business Development Engineer, Brad Kohlenberg. It must prove the success of the extrusion process by making a few simple items.

Made In Space’s vision of the future

Dunn said: “When we started Made In Space in 2010, we laid out a large, audacious vision for changing space exploration by bringing manufacturing to space. We’re nearing the culmination of the first stage of our larger vision.” A second printer belonging not to NASA but to the creator company, Made In Space, will head for the space station after successful completion of this first test. The company’s plan for their printer is commercial use.

To see Dunn’s explanation of the challenges and testing Made In Space’s printer underwent, watch the YouTube recording.

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The latest in MakerBot’s Replicator series hits the shipping desk finally. Promising the best price-to-performance, extra-large professional 3D printer, MakerBot’s Replicator Z18 is on the delivery truck. When the printer was introduced in January at CES 2014, it caused a lot of oh’s and ah’s. If you didn’t place your order then, you’ll wait about 6-8 weeks for the arrival of an order placed today.

Large complex models are possible with the Replicator Z18

The Replicator Z18 got its name because of its large z-axis that makes 18 inch high prints in 3D. The big deal is that this printer costs tens of thousands less than comparable ones according to MakerBot CEO Bre Pettis. It can handle large scale and complex prototypes and models that engineers and architects couldn’t previously access due to cost. They will also be able to print multiple models at once.

The printer’s Smart Extruder can be swapped or replaced easily. It will sense when the filament is absent and pauses the print, sending a notification to desktop or mobile applications. Curling is minimized when printing the large models, while an included camera allows print monitoring. Users will appreciate these features and the full color LCD 3.5 inch display and controls.

PLA filaments come in a variety of colors

Professional quality, high resolution prototypes are created with paper thin 100 micron layers. Finished products come out smooth without sanding, finishing or postproduction touchups. Design files can be stored and sorted in your own personal cloud library. A MakerBot Cart and MakerBot Filament Case that holds the larger sized 3D printer and XXL filament spools are also ready for delivery. The Z18 uses MakerBot PLA filament, a bioplastic derived from corn guaranteed not to have any heavy metals, phthalates or BPA.

MakerBot, is now a subsidiary of Stratasys <  > which manufacturers high grade professional 3D printers, such as the Objet Connex 500 that has a build envelope of 19.7×15.7×7.9 inches and can produce a model with 14 different materials in one job.

Individual 3D professionals can opt for MakerBot’s Replicator Z18 at $6,500. Companies with industrial requirements can opt for the Stratasys Obet Connex 500 at $250,000. To learn more about the Z18, view the video here however, viewers’ comments indicated that they wanted to see more live action on the part of the printer and hear less hype from the CEO.

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The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is constantly planning venues to showcase new technology. They are already setting the stage for 2015 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show), a show typically held in Las Vegas, Nevada in January each year. 3D printing will be a big part of the convention.

CES plans to double the footprint of the 3D printing category. More than 30 companies will be showcasing their latest advancements – many of which probably are still on the drawing board. 3D printing technology has caught fire. With only six months to go before show time, those companies are in hustle mode to announce new products or enhancements to existing ones.

Everyone is hoping to profit from the forecast of 67,000 desktop 3D printers by the end of 2014. That’s up 43 percent over 2013 with an expected revenue of $76 million.

Bring your walking shoes if you expect to see it all. CES is setting aside 14,000 square feet of exhibit space, in three different locations, almost double last year’s show coverage. Industry no longer is the only market for the next generation 3D printer. Consumers are getting into the act, printing just about everything they want from fun applications such as toys to building commercial ventures of their own.

XYZ Printing will attend with their latest DaVinci model. They claim the printer produces items that don’t need sanding, finishing or post-production work. You’ll need an X86 computer, Windows XP, Windows 7+ or MacOSX 10.8. The software accepts .stl, G code, and XYZ Format file types.

Stratasys Mojo Series 3D Printer

Karen Chupka of CEA and senior vice president of International CES predicts that 3D printing will be “a major disruptor in the global economy.” Stratasys already serves the industrial client promising that companies can create low–volume assembly fixtures and jigs directly from CAD data. Watch their video here.

Makerbot, the desktop printer company which was acquired by the industrial printer company Stratatys, will be at the show. Other participants announced so far include Autodesk, Materialise, and 3D Systems. If you want your company to join the ranks and be able to present your 3D products at International CES 2015, contact Aurelie Cornett at ACornett@CE.org.

As an individual, if you want a piece of the 3D marketplace, The Motley Fool recommends an investment in 3D Systems and Stratasys. In fact, there are also rumors that HP is working on their own consumer 3D printer in order to catch the wind of 3D printing in their sales(or sails).

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