'3Doodler' Pen Lets You Draw 3D-Printed Creations in Midair

[Bill USA]

http://www.livescience.com/55171-3doodler-draws-3d-printed-creations-in-midair.html

It wasn't long ago that the idea of printing something in three dimensions sounded like science fiction. But over the past decade, 3D printers have become widespread and are now used to create everything from decorative baubles to robot parts to medical devices.

Still, using a 3D printer isn't always simple: The machine is frequently housed within a box the size of a microwave, and it requires technical software and, in some cases, a detailed knowledge of design. But now, a company called 3Doodler has transformed the standard 3D printer into a pen, allowing people to draw 3D creations freely in the air — without the need for a computer or any software.

In 2012, Maxwell Bogue and Peter Dilworth, co-founders of 3Doodler along with Daniel Cowen, were trying to come up with the next great kids' toy. They said they frequently used 3D printers to craft prototypes of their designs, and one night, they spent 14 hours printing a dinosaur leg, only to find that the printer had missed a section, leaving a gap in the model. [Best Educational Toys & Games for Kids]

The two wished they "could just take the nozzle off the 3D printer and fill in the missing gap," Bogue, now CEO of the company, told Live Science. So, the inventors set out to design a product that could do just that.
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[virtualobserver]

1. A child that can doodle the Eiffel tower in midair is no ordinary child

[Bill USA]

3. good point! mine would be 'somewhat' more crude!

[byronius]

2. Man, I'm just born two hundred years too early.

Old stone age man, wishin' he could go star trekkin'. That's me.

Sigh.

[raven mad]

4. These things are fascinating.

We have a friend who is a "green" architect and he got one - talk about fun! I can't even draw stick people though.............

I'm saving this. Spousal unit just went for groceries, and he is fascinated by this tech. Thank you!

[Bill USA]

5. I'm gonna get one. My first project will be a modest one. I'll try to 'draw' a rock. That's about my

...'speed'.