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Move over, Austin Powers! You might have had an actor Mini-Me in the movies but I have one of my own, printed in 3D at my local Officeworks store! And he looks just like me – just a little smaller! By Kevin Poulter and Ross Tester Here is Me – and Here is Mini-Me! 3D printing is not exactly new – the technique of printing (or sometimes sintering) layer-by-layer to produce objects in the X, Y and Z dimension has been around for at least 20 years (see SILICON CHIP, September 1996). It’s been used to “print” everything from impossible-to-obtain replacement parts for vintage radios through to components required in space . . . and everything in between. It is increasingly popular in industry, business, medicine and even hobbies. You can even look up various websites for the code required for that widget you really want to print. And you can also use multicamera exposures and appropriate software to reproduce, well, whatever you like. Officeworks and Mini-Me It’s this latter development that 96  Silicon Chip has prompted some rather interesting product offerings! Officeworks, best known as a supplier of stationery, office furniture and computer equipment, has recently expanded the Print Shop (first of all at their Russell St, Melbourne outlet) to include full-size scanning of quite large items, then printing them in 3D. Their 3D facility aims to unlock 3D printing potential, allowing people to touch, play and learn about 3D printing and how they can use it in their everyday lives. Following Officeworks’ launch of Australia’s first mass-market 3D printer last year, their 3D Experience Centre signifies further Step into the Officeworks scanning booth and 144 cameras produce a 3D file. After processing, it takes about two weeks for your Mini-Me to be produced. siliconchip.com.au MaxiMite miniMaximite A range of figurines produced by 3D printing from live “models” by Officeworks at their Russell St, Melbourne outlet. Want to be immortal? expansion into this technology, giving customers access to a range of 3D products and services. You can either submit your own scan file, or use Officework’s scanning booth. Scanning of most objects takes between 15 and 30 minutes to complete and costs $10 for small objects, $15 for medium objects and $20 for large objects. Scan yourself! If the scanned item happens to be . . . you . . . then they can print out a small version of you, accurate in detail and proportion. It is, in fact, a Mini-Me. A customer only needs to stand for about five seconds in the Officeworks “people” scanning booth, as 144 individual cameras are fired at exactly the same time. The file is retouched, processed to a CAD file and sent to an off-premises printer, then returned as a 3D statuette about 2 weeks later. Providing the backend support is an Australian 3D printing company called Keech 3D. The price depends on the size and also the materials used to print but ranges from $39 (80mm high, in PLA plastic) to $579 for the largest size available (240mm high in Resin). 3D print materials, ranging from cheapest to most expensive, include powder, paper, PLA plastic, ABS plastic and resin. Being the most durable, resin is the most expensive but it can only be printed in a single colour. While the Mini-Me has good detail (and can include objects like a golf club or other items you’d associate with the person) there are some disadvantages: The multiple cameras appear to output in a slightly spherical result (like siliconchip.com.au a wide-angle lens), making a larger person’s waistline look bigger. And it must be said, the cheaper 3D Mini-Me versions are more fragile. Most 3D images are printed in one colour but it is possible to print separate parts using different materials and/or colours. A separate 3D model file is required for each piece. However, 3D print files supplied in .OJB format (Wavefront Technologies Object File) or .WRL (Virtual Reality Modelling Language) can be printed in full colour. An alternative is to print in a neutral colour and paint the model to suit. Officeworks are using the Russell St 3D scanning and printing centre as a test site for possible expansion into their other stores throughout Australia. Overseas experience In Europe, 3D print cafes have already become quite popular – including Mini-Me-capable printers. It’s a case of print your coffee cup, then drink from it! 3D Cafes are not only providing the facilities for printing, they’re also providing the expertise and training for customers to do their own printing. At DimensionAlley in Berlin, for example, it’s common for customers to make figurines of themselves for giving to friends and relatives! Most 3D print centres use relatively low cost hobby-type equipment. Print costs are commensurately low, about $10-$15 per half hour being about the going rate. They’re also popular around universities, where students don’t just create visuals of their projects any more – they create models, detailed SC in every respect. or MicroMite Which one do you want? They’re the beginner’s computers that the experts love, because they’re so versatile! And they’ve started a cult following around the world from Afghanistan to Zanzibar! Very low cost, easy to program, easy to use – the Maximite, miniMaximite and the Micromite are the perfect D-I-Y computers for every level. Read the articles – and you’ll be convinced . . . You’ll find the articles at: siliconchip.com.au/project/mite Maximite: Mar, Apr, May 2011 miniMaximite: Nov 2011 Colour MaxiMite: Sept, Oct 2012 MicroMite: May, Jun, Aug 2014 plus loads of Circuit Notebook ideas! PCBs & Micros available from On-Line Shop KEEP YOUR COPIES OF SILICON CHIP AS GOOD AS THE DAY THEY WERE BORN! 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