Fresh off the recent news of a 3D-printed semi-automatic gun and a 3D-printed bong, MakerBot has announced a new prototype that could make scanning objects, digitizing them, and then 3D-printing them even easier. “We are super excited to be able to announce at SXSW Interactive that we are developing the MakerBot Digitizer Desktop 3D Scanner,” said Bre Pettis, the company’s CEO, in a statement on Friday. “It’s a natural progression for us to create a product that makes 3D printing even easier. With the MakerBot Digitizer, now everyone will be able to scan a physical item, digitize it, and print it in 3D—with little or no design experience.” According to TechCrunch, the scanner “uses two lasers to map small, breadbox-sized objects and a webcam to create a digital model of any object.” Presumably the scanner translates that information into a CAD file.
About Shelly Palmer
Shelly Palmer is the Professor of Advanced Media in Residence at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and CEO of The Palmer Group, a consulting practice that helps Fortune 500 companies with technology, media and marketing. Named LinkedIn’s “Top Voice in Technology,” he covers tech and business for Good Day New York, is a regular commentator on CNN and writes a popular daily business blog. He's a bestselling author, and the creator of the popular, free online course, Generative AI for Execs. Follow @shellypalmer or visit shellypalmer.com.