If you ask any software development company what they’re doing to help with the COVID-19 pandemic, you may find they’re using their software in unconventional ways to solve, and in this case, simulate, the challenges that could help improve the design of so many personal protection equipment (PPE) initiatives. Dassault Systèmes has released a video simulating a human sneeze, showing how all y’alls mucus particles blast through the air, contaminating surfaces. “The video is a computational simulation developed using SIMULIA PowerFLOW and is based on published data including gas velocity as a function of time exiting the mouth as well as droplet particle size and distribution. The video shows how…

Apart from fancy dance moves and uncanny wit, the ability to solve a Rubik’s Cube has established how eclectically cool a person is for… at least the past 40 years. But what if you knew your cube so well, you could make it solve ITSELF. Japanese designer Takashi Kaburagi of Human Controller has spent the last few years creating a Rubik’s Cube which can do just that. His first design in 2017 was made by placing a relatively large computer and a handful of motors inside a large Rubik’s Cube (you can tell how big it is by how a Cube face takes up the entire size of one of…

I’ve received a detailed update from Photocentric regarding a spectacular improvement in their COVID-19 production rate.  If you recall, last week I reported on the Photocentric’s efforts to mass-produce a disposable ventilator valve. This component is, in some areas, in short supply and thus there could be interest in being able to produce them quickly.  Photocentric Ventilator Valve Production However, it’s a very tricky part to manufacture. Its tiny airway channels are challenging for any 3D printer to produce, and essentially eliminate the possibility of production through filament-powered 3D printers. The rough surface produced by most 3D printers could disrupt the proper airflow through the tiny channels, making some metal…

When I was younger, I believed in the all-healing capacity of the Band-Aid. Small cut on the hand? Band-Aid. Large gash on the knee? Band-Aid. Swarmed by eels in the South Pacific. Band-Aid. Took a while, but I finally realized that not every injury can be fixed by a simple piece of adhesive plastic. Thankfully, medical product companies like ZipLine Medical, Inc. are developing skin closures that help with more serious injuries. Their ZipStitch product allows you to immediately address small to medium-sized lacerations when you can’t get to a hospital. Have a look: Did you get that “Why didn’t I think of this” feeling, too? So simple and so…

First, if you haven’t used Turbosquid to source models, check it out quickly. If you have used Turbosquid before, you know it’s incredibly useful to source just about any type of model you’re looking for. Tools, Cars, ROBOTS. Hust about anything. You might assume Turbosquid is a 3D model repository for media and entertainment, not production 3D product development models. While the models and formats they support are those used most often in film, television or advertising, they’re used across all industries to add context and aid visuals. They can be used to source models for architecture, automotive, aircraft interiors, VR/AR, 3D printing, and more. They simply have a MASSIVE…

[WARNING: May lead to extreme tingling and happiness in the fingers.] With coronavirus getting everyone running around screaming with their hands up in the air, people are doing 62% fewer things with their fingers. IT’S TRUE. Think about it. No more hugs, handshakes, or high-fives. No more going into that building or opening that door. No more kong vaulting the cubical walls or throwing donuts at the side of the neighboring building. What are we to do? Just when we thought all hope was lost, Devin Montes shows up with something to keep our fingers busy and our minds busy. The host of the YouTube channel Make Anything has a…