Uformia is introducing an exciting new approach and foundation to 3D design and fabrication: Symvol for Rhino. Symvol for Rhino - Community is the first of Uformia's innovative new 3D modeling tools to be released. This product is a simplified yet powerful introduction to this new "true 3D" volume based approach and framework. Objects made with Symvol are always watertight and ideal for 3D printing.
Symvol highlights:   Fast and dynamic form finding (dynamically change any underlying form at anytime) Symbolic modeling (hyper-parametrization) Always watertight Direct surface and volume deformation (by control points) Advanced micro-structures Export of meshes, slices & voxels (image slices) for direct fabrication
Symvol defines objects as infinitely malleable material, not a collection of paper sheets glued together, as is the case in industrial 3D software today (often referred to as 2.5D modeling). When using Symvol, users will be reminded of working with clay or metal. Unlike traditional solid modeling which can display cracks or surface issues, users will always have a valid truly solid object no matter the design demands placed on it. On top of this exciting new development, Symvol's ease of use means professionals are no longer the only people that can use 3D modeling and fabrication software. With this light but sturdy product, the doors have been thrown open to begin to explore the world of volumetric modeling. This translates into a marketplace that is greatly increased in both depth of sophistication and range of users. Uformia believes this will have long term beneficial effects on the dynamism and creativity of the 3D modeling field as a whole. This is just a starting point, with 2012 bringing the release of additional new products and capabilities into the market. Symvol for Rhino is a simplified version of the Uformia's new generation framework for the Rhinoceros® modeling system, with three different versions: 1. Symvol Maker -- the free, fully-functional, non-commercial version is available for download and is suitable for the 3DP/maker community. 2. Symvol Community -- the low-cost version targeted for 3D printing, available for purchase now. 3. Symvol Pro -- the fully-featured, professional version, to be released later this year.

*** We at Uformia are looking forward to working closely with 3D modelers across the globe to expand our user base and spread the joy of true volumetric modeling. If you would like more information or have any inquires please email us: support [at] uformia.com or chat with us via our support forum. We look forward to hearing from you. Happy modeling!

A few months ago our CTO, Turlif, spoke at the Renato Archer Research Center (CTI) in São Paulo, Brazil at a workshop aimed at showing the state-of-the-art and the complete cycle of the human organs bio-fabrication process utilizing three-dimensional printing. Besides the challenges and the enabling technologies on each bio-fabrication step, the narrow dependency of this area with information technology was also discussed. Check out his talk, part 1 and part 2, as well as some of the other speakers there, such as Evan Malone (co-creator of the Fab@Home and founder of NextFab) and Vladimir Mironov (one of the leading researchers in the areas of cardiovascular development, vascular biology, tissue engineering, and phenomics).

Hello out there!   We are pleased to announce the release of our new website, and along with it, the ability to pre-order our first product, Symvol™ for Rhino - Community Version!

Check back with us often, as our next versions will soon follow: Maker Version which is free and Pro Version for professionals.

3D Printing Musher (a.k.a. 3D Designer/Engineer)

An opportunity of a lifetime for a unique individual: a business incubator above the arctic circle in the north of Norway is looking for someone with an entrepreneur passion, experience as a designer using 3D systems, and knowledge of various 3D printers. This person will head up a new company offering both 3D design and 3D printing services both locally and globally.

Job overview

This candidate will be the head of and initially the only employee of this newly formed company. The administrative side of the company will be handled by the business incubator which they are tied to. The candidate will first work on establishing local clients and projects, demonstrating the value of 3D design and engineering. Together with a consultant who has years of experience as a CAD engineer and programmer, materials and processes of old school manufacturing and new school manufacturing, they will begin to form a long term plan for the 3D printing services, looking for a global niche market which this new company can fill. As one of this company's key shareholders is a 3D software company that is producing revolutionary 3D software that will solve many of the problems of today's software, especially in the field of digital fabrication or 3D printing, this new company will have access to the global market very quickly as the 3D software company will be advertising their services.

This is an ambitious job for someone looking to get in on the ground floor of a company who could be a player in the new and emerging field of 3D printing.

General requirements

• Willing to relocation to Furuflaten/Tromsø Norway

• Expert level with a wide range of 3D Software Apps including Rhino

• Able to create/produce technically sound 3D renderings and drawings

• Experience using different 3D printers, including DIY flavors

• Excellent leadership qualities and communication skills

• Fluent in English language

• Must be creative, resourceful, innovative and pro-active

• Ability to travel and work with a globally distributed team

• Norwegian language skills a plus

• Interest in outdoor sports/adventuring a plus (as the environment is ideal for such after work activities)

Send your portfolio, CV and any questions to: Einar Hamnvik < einar@inteklyngen.no >

At Vienna University of Technology, they have developed a new 3D printer that is to date the smallest, lightest and cheapest 3D printer. The prototype of this new printer is "...no bigger than a carton of milk, it weighs 1.5 kilograms, and is just 1200 Euro..."

Worth noting is the resolution of this printer, which is a twentieth of a millimetre thick.

There has been a bit of a stir in our industry lately. On February 12, 2011, the world known international affairs publication, The Economist, released an entire issue on 3D printing. This is the first big cover story for 3D printing, and some would say that it is ushering in an era where 3D printing begins to go mainstream. Check out the entire article. It gives a nice history of 3D printing and also offers an opinion on the effects of the soon to come widespread adoption of 3D printing.

One of the articles to check out is The printed world: Three-dimensional printing from digital designs will transform manufacturing and allow more people to start making things.

Congratulations to our own CEO Cherie for being one of Innovation Norway's 2011 nominees for Entrepreneur of the Year in Norway - the only nominee in the Troms county.  We all at Uformia couldn't agree more that she is doing an excellent job!

Lexus is testing out some of its newly designed parts made from carbon fiber and plastic on the new car model LFA. The process they invented to make these parts is a large circular loom which effectively weaves the parts together.  Not only are these parts much lighter and stronger than its counterparts,  Lexus also claims that the volume of material is 50% less when using this new process.

Check out the video.

Check out this story about the first car to have its entire body 3-D printed using additive manufacturing processes. (Thanks to Peter for sharing.)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Uformia Receives Private Investment

Tromso, Norway - 31 May, 2010 - Uformia AS today announced they have added Norinnova AS and Hålogaland Kapital AS as shareholders in exchange for private investment. This strategic alliance will support the continued development of their initial product. Uformia is at the modeling forefront, creating revolutionary 3D software that will solve many of the problems of today's software, especially in the field of digital fabrication or 3D printing. Using bio-polymers, human cells and 3D printers, it is already possible today to fabricate human body parts such as bones. Every day objects can also be printed in 3D, such as jewelry, dishes and toys. The science fiction of 20 years ago is now fact, however what is missing in this 3D printing revolution is the right software. Uformia has developed a new technology, Digital Materialization, that is sophisticated enough to use for designing and fabricating things such as micro-structures and body parts while being easy enough for a hobbyist to use. Uformia is creating a new generation of design tools that will open new markets and undeveloped users communities.
The research behind Uformia's software started over 25 years ago, and thanks to advances in computer technology, it is now possible to take this technology out of academia and into the commercial sector. Uformia is comprised of a unique group of global entrepreneurs from Norway, UK, USA, Russia and Italy with a wide range of skills from product designers, programmers, computer science, 3D modeling and corporate leadership. After finding support from both a local business incubator, Intek Lyngen, and Innovation Norway, Uformia began the search to finding just the right investment group to fit their current development. Uformia found Norinnova and Hålogaland Kapital to be the right choice. Together these investment groups offer unique flexibility, an active support network and a proven track record. The investment teams are excited by possibilities with Uformia's groundbreaking technology and look forward to assisting in the success of the company.
Uformia expects their first product to be released by the fall and looks forward to bringing the 3D design and fabrication revolution to the world - while being situated above the Arctic Circle, in one of the most beautiful places of the world.

From left: Hilde Svenning (Hålogaland Kapital AS), Cherie Stamm (Uformia AS) and Bard Hall (Norinnova AS)

About Uformia AS
Uformia is an international north Norwegian company who aims to develop a new kind of 3D software that will solve many of the problems of today's software, especially in the field of digital fabrication.

About Norinnova AS
Norinnova, short for Northern Innovation, is an innovation company with the main objective to commercialize new business ideas based on research activities and new technologies.

About Hålogaland Kapital AS
Hålogaland Kapital is a regional investment company with a mission to create profitable new businesses in the region through new innovation, knowledge-based enterprises and innovation in existing businesses.

Contacts:
Uformia AS
Cherie Stamm, CEO cherie@uformiaworld.com
468 36 475

Norinnova AS Bård Hall, CEO
baard@norinnova.no
905 15 342

Hålogaland Kapital AS
Hilde Svenning, CEO
hilde@kupa.no
770 415 10
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