3D-Printed Optics Could Light Up the Gadgets of the Future

.3D-printing is awesome, but it has its limits. For the time being, we mostly get static plastic figures, and while resolution is getting better all the time, we're far from a real replicator future. A new development is bringing us one step closer, however: printable optics.A paper recently published by Disney Research—the folks who brought you the plant-computer interface—describes how certain techniques could lead to 3D-printed objects that respond to touch and manipulation with a lights. The simplest technique basically involves bottom-lighting a figure, and using specially printed




 "Light Pipes" to direct the light to the surface where you want a display.

The resolution leaves a bit to be desired, but hey, this is a new technology. It'll only get better as time goes on. If you want to read more about the tech, you can find the entire research paper here. Suffice it to say, the sooner this stuff catches on, the better.


3D printing is revolutionizing everything from prototyping to custom manufacturing to the arts to now music. Music? Yes, Last year we showed off a 3D-printed Stradivarius violin. Since then there have been other musical instruments that some have 3D printed, but today we have a real beauty of a 3D printed guitar to show you.
It’s the creation of Derek Manson, Director at one.61, a product development firm. The main body is made from a poly-carbonate polymer and the central core is CNC machined wood which still allows for excellent tonal properties.
Beautiful. Not really sure where to by the darn thing though. But if you want one you could yry contacting Manson at one.61.