Rapid Ready Roundup: 3D Scanning Growth, Lab Day 2012, 3D-printed Fashion and Memes

In the course of my diligent efforts to keep you good people up to date on the state of additive manufacturing, I come across many interesting news items. I’ll gather them up once every few weeks and present them in a Rapid Ready Roundup (like this one). You can find the last Roundup here.

This week, we begin with what might be secondary evidence of the growth in the additive manufacturing (AM) market. INUS Technology, creators of Rapidform 3D scanning software, posted a 23% revenue growth in 2011. This is the second year running the company has seen meaningful growth. While it’s certainly true that 3D scanning can be (and is) used for other purposes, growth in AM would likely trigger growth in markets that support the technology.

It is very inspiring to exceed our internal sales expectations. The increased adoption of 3D scanning technology around the world drives us to continue adding value for our customers who choose Rapidform software …

–Calvin Hur, CEO of INUS Technology

More evidence of the rise of AM can be found this weekend at LAB DAY 2012 in Chicago. LAB DAY is an international dental laboratory convention. Use of laser sintered crowns, bridges and copings in place of traditional methods such as casting or machining has increased rapidly. Both EOS and 3D Systems will be present at the conference to give attendees a first-hand look at their technology.

Our systems take full advantage of the individual patient geometries those digital tools capture and offer consistently high end-quality products and benefits in costs and turn-around times.

–Martin Bullemer, EOS manager for medical business development

Moving up your face slightly from teeth to eyes, 3D printed sunglasses courtesy of MakerBot have made their début at New York’s Fashion Week. Designer Asher Levine, whose designs have graced the forms of celebrities such as Lady Gaga and The Black Eyed Peas, clad his models in the glasses after having a revelation about the tools available to him as a designer.

 It makes you change the way you look at the process. Your product is a reflection of the tools you have. This is a new tool for people to make objects. You don't have to have eight years of schooling ... people are going to start to make their own things. –Asher Levine

Finally, on an even less serious note, Shapeways has brought the twisted imagination of Internet memes into reality through the power of AM. Brooding Keanu, the troll face, epic fail and nyan cat have all made their way to this side of the keyboard. These classic memes and many others are available for Internet junkies (like me) to purchase from their online store.

Below you’ll find a video from Asher Levine that merges fashion and technology.

Sources: CNN, Mashable, EOS, INUS Technology