scholarly journals TouchTerrain—3D Printable Terrain Models

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 108
Author(s):  
Chris Harding ◽  
Franek Hasiuk ◽  
Aaron Wood
Keyword(s):  
Web Application ◽  
Learning To Read ◽  
3D Print ◽  
Contour Maps ◽  
Terrain Models ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
3D Printers ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Beginning Students ◽  
University Setting

TouchTerrain is a simple-to-use web application that makes creating 3D printable terrain models from anywhere on the globe accessible to a wide range of users, from people with no GIS expertise to power users. For coders, a Python-based standalone version is available from the open-source project's GitHub repository. Analyzing 18 months of web analytics gave us a preliminary look at who is using the TouchTerrain web application and what their models are used for; and to map out what terrains on the globe they chose to 3D print. From July 2019 to January 2021, more than 20,000 terrain models were downloaded. Models were created for many different use cases, including education, research, outdoor activities and crafting mementos. Most models were realized with 3D printers, but a sizable minority used CNC machines. Our own experiences with using 3D printed terrain in a university setting have been very positive so far. Anecdotal evidence points to the strong potential for 3D printed terrain models to provide significant help with specific map-related tasks. For the introductory geology laboratory, 3D printed models were used as a form of “training wheels” to aid beginning students in learning to read contour maps, which are still an important tool for geology.

scholarly journals Towards Distributed Recycling with Additive Manufacturing of PET Flake Feedstocks

Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (19) ◽  
pp. 4273
Author(s):  
Helen A. Little ◽  
Nagendra G. Tanikella ◽  
Matthew J. Reich ◽  
Matthew J. Fiedler ◽  
Samantha L. Snabes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
3D Printing ◽  
Thermal Characterization ◽  
3D Print ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Sequential Combination ◽  
Future Work ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time

This study explores the potential to reach a circular economy for post-consumer Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (rPET) packaging and bottles by using it as a Distributed Recycling for Additive Manufacturing (DRAM) feedstock. Specifically, for the first time, rPET water bottle flake is processed using only an open source toolchain with Fused Particle Fabrication (FPF) or Fused Granular Fabrication (FGF) processing rather than first converting it to filament. In this study, first the impact of granulation, sifting, and heating (and their sequential combination) is quantified on the shape and size distribution of the rPET flakes. Then 3D printing tests were performed on the rPET flake with two different feed systems: an external feeder and feed tube augmented with a motorized auger screw, and an extruder-mounted hopper that enables direct 3D printing. Two Gigabot X machines were used, each with the different feed systems, and one without and the latter with extended part cooling. 3D print settings were optimized based on thermal characterization, and both systems were shown to 3D print rPET directly from shredded water bottles. Mechanical testing showed the importance of isolating rPET from moisture and that geometry was important for uniform extrusion. The mechanical strength of 3D-printed parts with FPF and inconsistent flow is lower than optimized fused filament, but adequate for a wide range of applications. Future work is needed to improve consistency and enable water bottles to be used as a widespread DRAM feedstock.

Multi-Touch Querying on Data Physicalizations in Immersive AR

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (ISS) ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Bridger Herman ◽  
Maxwell Omdal ◽  
Stephanie Zeller ◽  
Clara A. Richter ◽  
Francesca Samsel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Data ◽  
Data Exploration ◽  
Climate Simulation ◽  
Terrain Models ◽  
3D Data ◽  
Data Querying ◽  
3D Printers ◽  
Abstract Data ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Quantitative Performance

Data physicalizations (3D printed terrain models, anatomical scans, or even abstract data) can naturally engage both the visual and haptic senses in ways that are difficult or impossible to do with traditional planar touch screens and even immersive digital displays. Yet, the rigid 3D physicalizations produced with today's most common 3D printers are fundamentally limited for data exploration and querying tasks that require dynamic input (e.g., touch sensing) and output (e.g., animation), functions that are easily handled with digital displays. We introduce a novel style of hybrid virtual + physical visualization designed specifically to support interactive data exploration tasks. Working toward a "best of both worlds" solution, our approach fuses immersive AR, physical 3D data printouts, and touch sensing through the physicalization. We demonstrate that this solution can support three of the most common spatial data querying interactions used in scientific visualization (streamline seeding, dynamic cutting places, and world-in-miniature visualization). Finally, we present quantitative performance data and describe a first application to exploratory visualization of an actively studied supercomputer climate simulation data with feedback from domain scientists.

scholarly journals Combining Materials Obtained by 3D-Printing and Electrospinning from Commercial Polylactide Filament to Produce Biocompatible Composites

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 3806
Author(s):  
Pablo Romero-Araya ◽  
Victor Pino ◽  
Ariel Nenen ◽  
Verena Cárdenas ◽  
Francisca Pavicic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Tissue Engineering ◽  
3D Printing ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Fibrillar Structure ◽  
3D Print ◽  
3T3 Fibroblasts ◽  
Custom Made ◽  
3D Printers ◽  
3D Printed

The design of scaffolds to reach similar three-dimensional structures mimicking the natural and fibrous environment of some cells is a challenge for tissue engineering, and 3D-printing and electrospinning highlights from other techniques in the production of scaffolds. The former is a well-known additive manufacturing technique devoted to the production of custom-made structures with mechanical properties similar to tissues and bones found in the human body, but lacks the resolution to produce small and interconnected structures. The latter is a well-studied technique to produce materials possessing a fibrillar structure, having the advantage of producing materials with tuned composition compared with a 3D-print. Taking the advantage that commercial 3D-printers work with polylactide (PLA) based filaments, a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, in this work we produce PLA-based composites by blending materials obtained by 3D-printing and electrospinning. Porous PLA fibers have been obtained by the electrospinning of recovered PLA from 3D-printer filaments, tuning the mechanical properties by blending PLA with small amounts of polyethylene glycol and hydroxyapatite. A composite has been obtained by blending two layers of 3D-printed pieces with a central mat of PLA fibers. The composite presented a reduced storage modulus as compared with a single 3D-print piece and possessing similar mechanical properties to bone tissues. Furthermore, the biocompatibility of the composites is assessed by a simulated body fluid assay and by culturing composites with 3T3 fibroblasts. We observed that all these composites induce the growing and attaching of fibroblast over the surface of a 3D-printed layer and in the fibrous layer, showing the potential of commercial 3D-printers and filaments to produce scaffolds to be used in bone tissue engineering.

scholarly journals Building of Inmoov Robotic Arm for Performing Various Operations

2022 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 205-212
Author(s):  
Sumir Broota
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
The Body ◽  
Robotic Arm ◽  
3D Print ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Human Labor ◽  
Range Of Functions ◽  
Gear Mechanism ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
The Cost

Abstract: ‘Automation is the key in reducing the repetitive and banal tasks of everyday life’, the oft-quoted aphorism best portrays our effort at making a humanoid hand for tasks that require dexterity of fingers in situations where time and effort are of importance. The cost of human labor, quality of processes or products, time, and safety make this project a need of the hour. The research paper showcases our efforts of making a humanoid robotic arm. The body of the arm is composed of 3D printed parts. Servo Motors with nylon strings were used to control the fingers and the wrist. InMoov Nervo Board was used to control the servos. Worm Gear Mechanism was implemented to control the bicep movement and Worm Wheel is used for shoulder rotation. Machines can perform a wide range of functions without a considerable amount of human intervention. The future scope of Robotics and Automation would be to make a diverse and positive impact in industrial as well as research applications. Keywords: 3D Print, Build Challenges, Electronics, Humanoid, Inmoov, MyRobotLab, Robotic Arm, Robotics

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Circularity of Recycled PLA Filaments for 3D Printers

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (24) ◽  
pp. 8967
Author(s):  
Victor Gil Muñoz ◽  
Luisa M. Muneta ◽  
Ruth Carrasco-Gallego ◽  
Juan de Juanes Marquez ◽  
David Hidalgo-Carvajal
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Fused Filament Fabrication ◽  
Circular Loop ◽  
Material Supply ◽  
3D Printers ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Circular Economics ◽  
High Level ◽  
Additional Value

The circular economy model offers great opportunities to companies, as it not only allows them to capture additional value from their products and materials, but also reduce the fluctuations of price-related risks and material supply. These risks are present in all kind of businesses not based on the circular economy. The circular economy also enables economic growth without the need for more resources. This is because each unit has a higher value as a result of recycling and reuse of products and materials after use. Following this circular economics framework, the Polytechnic University of Madrid (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, UPM) has adopted strategies aimed at improving the circularity of products. In particular, this article provides the result of obtaining recycled PLA filament from waste originating from university 3D FFF (fused filament fabrication) printers and waste generated by “Coronamakers” in the production of visors and parts for PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment) during the lockdown period of COVID-19 in Spain. This filament is used in the production of 3D printed parts that university students use in their classes, so the circular loop is closed. The obtained score of Material Circularity Indicator (MCI) of this material has been calculated, indicating its high level of circularity.

Designing Inclusion: Using 3D Printing to Maximize Adapted Physical Education Participation

2021 ◽  
pp. 004005992110101
Author(s):  
A. Chloe Simpson ◽  
Andrea Ruth Taliaferro
Keyword(s):  
3D Printing ◽  
Student Success ◽  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Adapted Physical Education ◽  
Physical Educators ◽  
Related Service ◽  
3D Printers ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Education Participation ◽  
Individual Design

While assistive technology is often suggested as a way to increase, maintain, or improve functional ability for individuals with disabilities within physical activity (PA) settings, cost and availability of such items are often noted as barriers. In recent years, 3D printing has become available to the general public through the adoption of 3D printers in schools, libraries, and universities. Through individual design and rapid prototyping, 3D printing can support physical educators in accommodating student need for assistive technology through a multitude of modification possibilities. This article will highlight the capacity for 3D printed assistive technology within educational settings, and will illustrate how teachers, APE specialists, and other related service personnel can utilize this technology to support student success in PE and PA settings. This article will also assist practitioners with locating, uploading, and utilizing existing collections of 3D assistive technology models from open-source websites, such as Thingiverse.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Ability to Accurately Produce Angular Details by 3D Printing of Plastic Parts

Machines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 150
Author(s):  
Andrei Marius Mihalache ◽  
Gheorghe Nagîț ◽  
Laurențiu Slătineanu ◽  
Adelina Hrițuc ◽  
Angelos Markopoulos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
3D Printing ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Vertex Angle ◽  
Function Type ◽  
Constant Height ◽  
3D Printers ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Mathematical Processing ◽  
Plastic Parts

3D printing is a process that has become widely used in recent years, allowing the production of parts with relatively complicated shapes from metallic and non-metallic materials. In some cases, it is challenging to evaluate the ability of 3D printers to make fine details of parts. For such an assessment, the printing of samples showing intersections of surfaces with low angle values was considered. An experimental plan was designed and materialized to highlight the influence of different factors, such as the thickness of the deposited material layer, the printing speed, the cooling and filling conditions of the 3D-printed part, and the thickness of the sample. Samples using areas in the form of isosceles triangles with constant height or bases with the same length, respectively, were used. The mathematical processing of the experimental results allowed the determination of empirical mathematical models of the power-function type. It allowed the detection of both the direction of actions and the intensity of the influence exerted by the input factors. It is concluded that the strongest influence on the printer’s ability to produce fine detail, from the point of view addressed in the paper, is exerted by the vertex angle, whose reduction leads to a decrease in printing accuracy.

scholarly journals Microstructured Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor Based on Inkjet 3D Printing Using Photocurable Resins with Tailored Refractive Index

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 2518
Author(s):  
Nunzio Cennamo ◽  
Lorena Saitta ◽  
Claudio Tosto ◽  
Francesco Arcadio ◽  
Luigi Zeni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Plasmon Resonance ◽  
3D Printing ◽  
Surface Plasmon ◽  
Plasmon Resonance ◽  
Optical Sensor ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
3D Print ◽  
Spr Sensor ◽  
Resonance Sensor ◽  
3D Printed

In this work, a novel approach to realize a plasmonic sensor is presented. The proposed optical sensor device is designed, manufactured, and experimentally tested. Two photo-curable resins are used to 3D print a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor. Both numerical and experimental analyses are presented in the paper. The numerical and experimental results confirm that the 3D printed SPR sensor presents performances, in term of figure of merit (FOM), very similar to other SPR sensors made using plastic optical fibers (POFs). For the 3D printed sensor, the measured FOM is 13.6 versus 13.4 for the SPR-POF configuration. The cost analysis shows that the 3D printed SPR sensor can be manufactured at low cost (∼15 €) that is competitive with traditional sensors. The approach presented here allows to realize an innovative SPR sensor showing low-cost, 3D-printing manufacturing free design and the feasibility to be integrated with other optical devices on the same plastic planar support, thus opening undisclosed future for the optical sensor systems.

scholarly journals RiboA: a web application to identify ribosome A-site locations in ribosome profiling data

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Danying Shao ◽  
Nabeel Ahmed ◽  
Nishant Soni ◽  
Edward P. O’Brien
Keyword(s):  
Integer Programming ◽  
Web Application ◽  
Stop Codon ◽  
Ribosome Profiling ◽  
Programming Method ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Site Location ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
A Site

Abstract Background Translation is a fundamental process in gene expression. Ribosome profiling is a method that enables the study of transcriptome-wide translation. A fundamental, technical challenge in analyzing Ribo-Seq data is identifying the A-site location on ribosome-protected mRNA fragments. Identification of the A-site is essential as it is at this location on the ribosome where a codon is translated into an amino acid. Incorrect assignment of a read to the A-site can lead to lower signal-to-noise ratio and loss of correlations necessary to understand the molecular factors influencing translation. Therefore, an easy-to-use and accurate analysis tool is needed to accurately identify the A-site locations. Results We present RiboA, a web application that identifies the most accurate A-site location on a ribosome-protected mRNA fragment and generates the A-site read density profiles. It uses an Integer Programming method that reflects the biological fact that the A-site of actively translating ribosomes is generally located between the second codon and stop codon of a transcript, and utilizes a wide range of mRNA fragment sizes in and around the coding sequence (CDS). The web application is containerized with Docker, and it can be easily ported across platforms. Conclusions The Integer Programming method that RiboA utilizes is the most accurate in identifying the A-site on Ribo-Seq mRNA fragments compared to other methods. RiboA makes it easier for the community to use this method via a user-friendly and portable web application. In addition, RiboA supports reproducible analyses by tracking all the input datasets and parameters, and it provides enhanced visualization to facilitate scientific exploration. RiboA is available as a web service at https://a-site.vmhost.psu.edu/. The code is publicly available at https://github.com/obrien-lab/aip_web_docker under the MIT license.

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