The Invention Dimension

3D Printing @ Gerstein + MADLab

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Paw Prints!

Contributor: Glyneva Bradley-Ridout

Get it? Paw PRINTS? That’s right invention dimension readers, this post is all about our furry (and sometimes scaly) friends. With spring right around the corner and animals coming out of hibernation, we thought it would be fun to share some of our favorite animal designs from Thingiverse (there were so many, it was hard to pick just a few!)

Remember, if you want to print any of these cuddly (and sometimes crawly) creatures for yourself, check out Gerstein’s 3D printing service!

1. Bunny bank, so you can save your money in a hop, skip, and a jump!

Bunny Bank by faberdasher

2. A sweet penguin (who has a secret compartment hidden inside it’s belly)!

Cute 3D Printable Penguin/Baby Penguin with Drawer Organizer Secret Compartment by chendragon2099

3. A tower of turtles! Shell-dom have we seen anything so cute.

Squishy turtle by jakejake

4. This little guy even has a bendy trunk! He would be a relephant addition to any 3D printed collection.

Elephant by LeFabShop

5. Alpaca stacka! Scale to various sizes to achieve a parent and baby version!

Tika Alpaca (moveable legs!) by TikaDesign

That’s it for today! We hope you furriously enjoyed this animal themed post! Remember to check out out 3D printing service to print a purrfect pal for yourself!

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3D Printing Tips and Tricks: Molds for silicone objects

Contributor: Glyneva Bradley-Ridout

Here at the MADlab, we utilize polylactic acid (PLA) filament in our 3D printers, which is a strong plastic capable of many uses. But what can you do when you want to create a more flexible object?

Image source

Well, a solution has emerged! You can create silicone objects though 3D printing molds in PLA, and then adding silicone. While 3D printing molds is not a new concept, utilizing this idea to create silicone objects opens up a whole new avenue for 3D printing. It is both cost effective, and fast!

Image source

To learn more, check out the full article here! Do you plan to utilize this method with your designs?

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Recent Innovations in 3D Printing: February 2018

Contributor: Glyneva Bradley-Ridout

This is a re-occurring column which highlights recent 3D printing news and innovations! 

The first 3D printed camper trailer is completed in Saskatchewan

3D printing helps team America win a medal at the winter Olympics in PyeongChang

Porsche begins 3D printing car parts to keep classic cars alive

Rescue dog gets a new lease on life thanks to a custom made 3D printed leg

Remember, if you want to try 3D printing for yourself, check out Gerstein’s 3D printing service!

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VR Views: Virtual Reality and Health Care

Contributor: Glyneva Bradley-Ridout

Welcome to the second edition of VR views! Today we’ll be looking at some of the ways Virtual Reality is being used in the healthcare field. Remember, if you want to try out VR for yourself, check out Gerstein’s Virtual Reality service!

1. Improving stroke recovery time

After a stroke, starting physical activity as soon as possible can be crucially important for long-term recovery. VR applications have been utilized to help recovering patients practice movements without intense physical exertion as they begin their rehabilitation.

2. Pain management

Virtual Reality is being used to help burn victims with pain management. During excruciating procedures like wound care, VR has been used to distract patients through overwhelming pain pathways using relaxing images, sounds, and games.

3. Surgical training

New doctors are able to get started with a scalpel sooner than ever thanks to virtual reality. By practicing surgical procedures in a virtual environment, physicians can hone their skills without any risk to real patients.

4. Bringing home to the hospital

For children who are undergoing long hospital stays, the removal from their home environment can be one of the most challenging elements. A Dutch company has developed a virtual reality product which allows kids to be immersed in their home, school, or other location, without ever leaving their hospital bed.

Image Source

That’s it for today! Don’t forget to check out Gerstein’s virtual reality service if you want to try out VR for yourself. For further reading, check out the links below!

Carson, E. (2015). 10 ways virtual reality is revolutionizing medicine and healthcare.https://www.techrepublic.com/article/10-ways-virtual-reality-is-revolutionizing-medicine-and-healthcare/

Gibbons, E. M., Thomson, A. N., de Noronha, M., & Joseph, S. (2016). Are virtual reality technologies effective in improving lower limb outcomes for patients following stroke – a systematic review with meta-analysis. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 23(6), 440-457. doi:10.1080/10749357.2016.1183349

Meskó, B. 5 ways medical virtual reality is already changing healthcare.http://medicalfuturist.com/5-ways-medical-vr-is-changing-healthcare/

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We LOVE 3D Printing!

Contributor: Glyneva Bradley-Ridout

With a certain romantic holiday just around the corner, it seemed fitting to highlight some of the sweet love-themed items found on Thingiverse! Whether for your valentine, for a friend, or for yourself, we hope you enjoy these 3D printed treats!

Don’t forget, if you want to try printing any of these items, you can with our Gerstein + MAD lab 3D printing service!

1. Heart Shaped Boxes

You can’t go wrong with something traditional! This design comes with many different text options for the lid, so you can choose the one that best suits you!

Heart Shaped Box Pendant 2018 by mfritz

2. Infinite Love Pendant

Depending on which angle you view this pendant, it can look like a heart or an infinity sign!

Infinite love by rosethun

3. Key Holder

Not only a sweet quote, but practical too! Give someone the gift of always knowing where their keys are!

Live Laugh Love Wall Mount by bremmaln

4. Rose

A flower that will never die, just like your love!

Rose with steam and thorns - refined and fixed remix by Saur0n            

3D print these objects and more by booking time on our 3D printers!            

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Recent Innovations in 3D Printing: January 2018

Contributor: Glyneva Bradley-Ridout

This is a re-occurring column which highlights recent 3D printing news and innovations! 

3D printing expands to the cosmetic industry as personalized lipstick applicators are designed

You can now 3D print your own 200 million year old dinosaur skull

Adidas is set to release it’s first 3D printed shoe

Scientists 3D print live, brain-like tissue for the first time

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3D Printing Houses: The Future of Construction?

Contributor: Glyneva Bradley-Ridout

3D printing is revolutionizing industrial technology. Last spring, the first entirely 3D printed house was completed; and in under 24 hours! The cost-effectiveness, durability, and speed of 3D printing means there is the opportunity to create major structures like houses and bridges. Who knows how much of our cities will be 3D printed in the future?

Source: Apis Cor 

You can read more about this innovation here. If you want to 3D print your own (miniature) house, check out our 3D printing service!

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VR Views: Introduction to a new column!

Contributor: Glyneva Bradley-Ridout

Happy New Year from the Invention Dimension team! We are looking forward to a great year of exploring 3D printing and Virtual Reality topics.

On that note, and in light of Gerstein Science Information Centre’s new Virtual Reality service, we are introducing a re-occurring column to the blog: VR Views! In this monthly column, different applications of Virtual Reality technology will be explored. What is the point of virtual reality? Why do we need virtual reality? What can virtual reality do for us? These are the questions we’ll seek to answer.

So, what does virtual reality have to offer, in a world where we are constantly surrounded by new technologies? Inkoo Kang was one person who wanted to find out. He considered himself a virtual reality non-believer, until he actually sat down to try VR. Within a matter of hours, he was a convert. What was it about VR that caused him to change his mind?

1. It is easy to love: For most people, such as Kang, just one experience with VR was enough to be blown away by it’s immense potential power and unique opportunities for creating visual experiences.

2. It changes the way stories are told: Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be be a tree? With virtual reality, you can find out. Kang discusses his experience viewing Milica Zec and Winslow Porter’s VR video, Tree, in which the viewer experiences the journey from a seed to a towering tree above the amazon. With VR, watching a film is no longer just a passive experience, but an interactive and immersive adventure.

3. The possibilities are ever-growing: Completely immersive and unlike anything that’s come before, Virtual Reality has the capacity to change the way we think about art, entertainment, technology. Where will the limits of VR unfold? The future will tell, but for now, we are witnessing only the beginning of what this technology has to offer.

Still Image from tree

Interested in learning more? Read Kang’s full article here. 

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Printable Gift Ideas Part 2: Kids!

Contributor: Glyneva Bradley-Ridout

Part two of our gift ideas series is for the kids in your life! There is still time to 3D print the perfect holiday gift through our Gerstein + MADlab 3D printing service!

1. Flying Helicopter

Today’s adults may remember playing with a similar toy as a kid! This fun toy stands up through the test of time, and the children in your life today will love playing with it just as much as you did!

Flying Helicopter Toy by 3DBROOKLYN

2. Tree Sculptures

A perfect addition to any doll house, train track set, or barnyard!

Low-Poly Tree Sculptures by francfalco

3. Lego Sized Bumper Cars

These cute bumper cars can be printed to fit Lego or Duplo characters!

Lego and Duplo Bumper Cars by Satoer

4. Dino Puzzle

RAWR! Print one or more of these sweet puzzles for the dinosaur obsessed kiddo in your life!

Dino Kids by fablabmalag

That’s it for part two, and also our last post of 2017. Check out 3D Printing @ Gerstein + MADlab for information about how to get access to our printers, and see you in the New Year!

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Printable Gift Ideas Part 1: Adults!

Contributor: Glyneva Bradley-Ridout

With the holidays coming up, you may be struggling over what to buy for the special people in your life. Why not put a personal touch on your gifts by printing them yourself using our 3D printer service? This two-part series showcases some easy gift ideas you can use this holiday season, or for future occasions. First up: gifts for adults!

1. Flower Pot

Take your loved one’s succulent collection to the next level with this cute two-story flower pot!

Flower Pot by AndresQuijas

2. Tool stand          

Perfect for the handy man or woman in your life!

3D Printer Tool Stand by STIG_

3. Spiral Vase

This visually appealing vase can be printed in three different styles! 

SPIRAL vase by YSoft_be3D

4. Elephant Cutlery Drainer

Doing the dishes just became a whole lot cuter!

Jumbo Elephant Cutlery Drainer by aleiovanevcp

Stay tuned next week for gift ideas for kids!

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Recent Innovations in 3D Printing: November, 2017

Contributor: Glyneva Bradley-Ridout

This is a re-occurring column which highlights recent 3D printing news and innovations!

3D Printing in metal is now possible at 100 times the speed 

A new method has been developed to 3D print functional electronic circuits

NASA sponsors a competition to design a 3D printed habitat capable of supporting life on Mars (with a $2 million prize)!

An ancient Egyptian tomb was replicated using 3D printing technology 

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60 Minutes or Less!

Contributor: Glyneva Bradley-Ridout

Short on time, but still want to 3D print something awesome? No problem! We’ve created a list of a few models you can download for free on Thingiverse that you can print in an hour or less! (And since we charge based on time at the MADLab, these objects will cost you only $3 to print)!

1. Tugboat

Toot toot! This little boat can be printed in 45 minutes! Make sure you change the infill density to <11%, and the layer height to 0.3mm. If you have a bit more time, you can make a multi-colored boat by printing all the pieces separately, using multiple colours!

The Jolly 3D Printing Torture Test by CreativeTools

2. Stretchlet

If you’ve attended our 3D printer training, you may recognize this stretchy bracelet! With 11% density and 0.3mm layer height, you can print one for yourself in 35 minutes!

Stretchy Bracelet by emmett

3. Low Poly Fox

This little fella can be printed in 50 minutes or less! Just make sure you scale him down to 60% size for a smaller and faster version of the original!

Low Poly Fox by slavikk

4. Cable Holder

This object will only take you 25 minutes to print, but might save you hours of cord untangling time! Apply double-sided tape to the back to adhere to surfaces!

Cable Holder (Cable Clip) by Bardiaesim

4. Anatomical Heart

This heart model is realistic, but quick to print due to its hollow interior. Scale down to 60% of the original size to get it done in under an hour!

Anatomical Heart by cicerone

3D print these objects and more by booking time on our 3D printers!

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Apps to Use with Google Cardboard

Contributor: Glyneva Bradley-Ridout

So, you’ve checked out one of our Google cardboard headsets, available for free from Gerstein Library Virtual Reality service.  Now, you need some cool apps to download to give the VR experience a try! Here, we’ve listed some of our favorite Google Cardboard Apps. All are available for both Apple and Android.

Source (licenced for reuse) 

Google Cardboard (free) A good place to start is with the google cardboard app itself! Here you can learn how the headset works, and take part in some fun demos! 

Discovery VR (free) This app allows you to experience exciting adventures from all around the globe (Samurai sword fights in japan, anyone)? Plus exclusive content from Discovery Channel shows!  

YouTube (free) Your favorite video viewing app also has a ton of VR content! Check out movie trailers, music videos, and even Gerstein’s own VR playlist! 

Hidden Temple - VR Adventure ($) One of the most popular VR games out there! Explore an ancient temple, solve tricky puzzles, and find hidden artifacts all with the turn of your head! 

Source

Try all these apps and more by checking out one of our Google Cardboard headsets, for free!

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Print Your Halloween Costume!

Contributor: Glyneva Bradley-Ridout

Halloween is just around the corner! Why not create an amazing costume using 3D printing technology? All of these designs can be found for free on thingverse, and can be made on our MakerBot printers through our 3D printing @ Gerstein + MADlab service!

1. Masquerade mask 

Stay mysterious and alluring this Halloween with this elegant Venetian masquerade mask!  Print in a fun colour, or print it white and paint over top.

Venetian Mask by bqLabs

2. Pokeball 

Gotta catch ‘em all! No Pokémon master is complete without their trusty pokeball! Complete your Ash or Misty costume with this neat design. 

PokeBall by Zalophus

And while you’re at it, why not print a trusty sidekick Pokémon, too?

Low-Poly Pikachu by FLOWALISTIK 

3. Game of Thrones Pin 

If you are feeling GoT withdrawal waiting for the new (and final!) season to come out, you may be considering dressing up as your favorite character this Halloween. Print yourself this hand of the kingpin to top off your costume! But beware; winter is coming…

Hand of the Kingpin by HasiGH

4. Unicorn Horn 

Top off the perfect Unicorn costume with a horn! If you print it in white at a low density setting, you can even make it illuminate by sticking some glow sticks inside!

3D Printed Unicorn horn by adafruit

To print these awesome costumes or other ideas, book time on our MakerBot printers through our 3D printing @ Gerstein + MADlab service! Don’t forget to share with us on Instagram or Twitter using #gerstein3Dprinting. Happy Halloween! 

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Introducing Virtual Reality!

Contributor: Glyneva Bradley-Ridout

Happy Fall U of T! With the start of a new school year, Gerstein Science Information Centre + MADLab is excited to announce a new service: Virtual Reality!

This is a two-tier service complete with 6 Google Cardboard headsets and a RICOH 360 Camera, both available for short-term loan, and a room-scale HTC Vive studio available by reservation only in the MADLab. Both services are available for all University of Toronto students, staff, and faculty and best of all they are FREE!

If you want to check out the Google Cardboard headsets or the RICOH 360 Camera, it’s only two simple steps!

Come to the Gerstein Science information Centre

Receive Materials at the Short Term Loan Desk

Booking time in our HTC Vive studio is also easy as can be!

Reserve time in the studio

Pick up keys at Gerstein Loan Services in time for your reservation

Bring a spotter to help you get set up and keep you safe

Attend brief orientation session with MADLab staff before your first session with the HTC Vive

Read and sign safety waiver

It’s that simple! Check out all the information on our website here!

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Interlocking Parts for Giant Objects

Contributor: Chelsea Misquith

Assembly of a Ball, Turtle, and Duck via staff.utsc.edu.cn

Ever wanted to print a giant object using the 3D Printing @ Gerstein + MADlab service? Exciting research from China and Singapore puts forward one way to get around it: creating interlocking parts in your 3D design that can be printed out separately and then combines without using glue or any other connecting material.

Ring Puzzle via staff.utsc.edu.cn

Read more here: http://staff.ustc.edu.cn/~songpeng/subpage/2015-GMP-Interlock/

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What do I print this Summer?

Contributor: Chelsea Misquith

Summer officially begins on June 21st, and what better way to celebrate than by 3D printing something fun! Check out the following suggestions from Thingiverse, and print them out by booking time on the MakerBots available through 3D Printing @ Gerstein + MADlab:

1. Wonder Woman tiara headband

Prepare yourself for a summer screening of Wonder Woman by printing her snazzy tiara headband that you can wear to the movie!

Wonder Woman Tiara Headband by Haflingshire

2. Business Card cases

Add some flair to your post-graduation job hunt with these cute yet professional business card cases.

Business Card Cases by YSoft_be3D

3. Towel Clips

Need to dry off those towels after hitting up the pool? Print these cute little towel clips!

Strong Towel Clip by skriver

4. Rubber band-powered Paddle Boat

This one’s inspired by the Moat Boat Paddle Battle, which is a competition between 3D-printed, rubber band-powered paddle boats that started in May 2015. Print a few and have your own paddle boat races with friends!

Hamel Monohull Paddle Boat by swtchrwr

5. Water Bottle Holder for your Bike

Hydration is key, especially when it’s hot out there. Print out this water bottle holder that you can screw onto your bike so you can carry your water with you wherever you go!

Water Bottle Cage by jungletech

Once you’re done, share your creations on Twitter, Instagram, or Tumblr, using #gerstein3Dprinting to show them off!