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HP Unveils Technology for Immersive Computing and Faster 3D Printing

October 30, 2014

For months there has been speculation that HP would make a grand re-entrance into the world of 3D printing. And indeed, they have.

At a launch event in New York on October 29, HP unveiled its vision for the future of computing and commercial viability of 3D printing.

According to HP, their advancements have the potential to revolutionize production and offer small businesses a new way to produce goods and parts for customers.

HP’s new Blended Reality ecosystem combines the new Sprout by HP computing platform and HP’s disruptive Multi Jet Fusion technology for 3D printing.

Sprout by HP

Sprout by HP is a first-of-its-kind “Immersive Computing” platform that redefines the user experience by combining a computer with a scanner, depth sensor, hi-res camera, and projector in a multi-screen device. With Sprout by HP, designers and makers can take physical items and seamlessly merge them into a digital workspace.
HP Multi Jet Fusion is a revolutionary technology engineered to resolve critical gaps in the combination of speed, quality and cost, and deliver on the potential of 3D printing.

“We are on the cusp of a transformative era in computing and printing,” said Dion Weisler, executive vice president, Printing & Personal Systems (PPS), HP. “Our ability to deliver Blended Reality technologies will reduce the barriers between the digital and physical worlds, enabling us to express ourselves at the speed of thought – without filters, without limitations. This ecosystem opens up new market categories that can define the future, empowering people to create, interact and inspire like never before.”

HP Multi Jet Fusion Advances 3D Printing

Leveraging HP’s decades of leadership in the print market and advanced materials science, HP Multi Jet Fusion is designed to resolve fundamental limitations in today’s 3D print systems while delivering higher productivity and quality at a lower cost.

Stephen Nigro, Senior Vice President of HP’s Inkjet and Graphics Solutions Businesses, unveils the new HP Multi Jet Fusion at the Sprout by HP and HP Multi Jet Fusion Launch event on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014 in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision for HP/AP Images)

“As we examined the existing 3D print market, we saw a great deal of potential but also saw major gaps in the combination of speed, quality and cost,” said Stephen Nigro, senior vice president, Inkjet and Graphic Solutions, HP. “HP Multi Jet Fusion is designed to transform manufacturing across industries by delivering on the full potential of 3D printing with better quality, increased productivity, and break-through economics.”

Multi Jet Fusion is built on HP Thermal Inkjet technology and features a unique synchronous architecture that significantly improves the commercial viability of 3D printing and has the potential to change the way we think about manufacturing.

10-Times Faster: The technology images entire surface areas instead of one point at a time. This makes it possible to achieve breakthrough functional build speeds that are at least 10 times faster than the fastest technology in market today.
New Levels of Quality, Strength and Durability: A proprietary multi-agent printing process utilizes HP Thermal Inkjet arrays to simultaneously apply multiple liquid agents and produce greater accuracy,resiliency and uniform part strength in all three axis directions.
Accuracy and Detail: The HP technology can deliver fully functional parts with more accuracy, finer details, and smoother surfaces than other 3D print processes. The HP Mult Jet Fusion method can be used to manipulate part and material properties, including form, texture, friction, strength, elasticity, electrical, thermal properties and more.
Breakthrough Economics: The HP technology unifies and integrates various steps of the 3D print process to reduce running time, cost, energy consumption and waste. This significantly improves the economics of 3D printing.

Materials and Color Science

HP is committed to developing a platform that will become an industry standard. The company is focused on growing the highest potential commercial markets. While the HP 3D Print technology is available today, HP is working directly with customers under the HP Open Customer Engagement Program. Through this program, HP will continue to extend the capabilities of the HP 3D Print platform throughout development and will provide a certification process for partners to drive materials innovation. Wider distribution of the HP 3D Print system will begin in 2016.

By inviting open collaboration, HP and contributors will be able to achieve greater flexibility and versatility in 3D Print materials beyond the current use of thermoplastics, which will enable new solutions in segments such as additive manufacturing and will expand applications for engineering, architecture and consumer goods. HP will also bring its color science expertise and the full-color capabilities of traditional HP printing to the 3D world in future-generation 3D Print systems.

Sprout by HP Reimagines Computing

The first product available in HP’s Blended Reality ecosystem, Sprout by HP combines the power of an advanced desktop computer with an immersive, natural user interface to create a new computing experience.

Guests interact with innovative technology introduced at the Sprout by HP and HP Multi Jet Fusion Launch event. (Photo by Ivan Agostini/Invision for HP/AP Images)

“We live in a 3D world, but today we create in a 2D world on existing devices,” said Ron Coughlin, senior vice president, Consumer PC & Solutions, HP. “Sprout by HP is a big step forward in reimagining the boundaries of how we create and engage with technology to allow users to move seamlessly from thought to expression.”

Because a scanner, depth sensor, hi-resolution camera and projector are built into a single device, Spout by HP enables users to bring objects from the physical world into the digital workspace, where users in multiple locations can collaborate on and manipulate a single piece of digital content in real-time.

“People have always created with their hands,” added Coughlin. “Concurrently, technology has progressed from the first transistors, through calculators to today’s most sophisticated computing platforms. Until now, the physical and digital worlds have largely been separated and digital creation has remained in 2D. With Sprout by HP, we introduce the first immersive computing platform, seamlessly merging these two worlds together, enabling people to intuitively bring their creations, work, and projects to life in 3D.” Below are some of the features of Sprout by HP.

Dual-screen Experience: Designed for creative expression and human interaction, the workspace couples a vertical HD touchscreen with a 20-point capacitive touch mat.
The Sprout Illuminator: This projection system scans and captures real-world objects in 3D, allowing the user to immediately interact and create.
HP Workspace: The software platform built expressly for Sprout takes full advantage of the dual-screen experience to make working and creating seamless, intuitive and engaging.
True Remote Collaboration: The interface advances how users work, collaborate and share. Simultaneous visual and workspace connectivity, allowing concurrent creativity and content manipulation.
Advanced Platform: The next-generation computing platform features a powerful 4th generation Intel i7 Processor, 1TB of storage in an easy-to-use dual-screen interface, and a Windows 8.1 multi-touch experience.

Sprout Marketplace

The potential of Sprout by HP’s unique configuration is fully realized through the Sprout Marketplace, an application marketplace that contains a growing suite of applications that are optimized to take advantage of Immersive Computing platform to enhance how users work, play and engage with entertainment.

The Sprout Marketplace currently contains a suite of Windows-based applications designed uniquely for the dual-screen environment including the Martha Stewart CraftStudio, DreamWorks Animation Story Producer, Crayola’s Draw & Sing, GestureWorks Gameplay and first party experiences from HP including Create, Collaborate and Capture, enabling users to easily capture physical objects, manipulate them in a digital environment, and collaborate and share their creations in new ways.

New applications, including a range of creative applications for professionals, families, gamers and beyond, will continue to be added to the marketplace regularly. The Sprout Software Development Kit is available at www.sprout.hp.com/developer.

Sprout by HP is available for pre-order at hp.com today and will be available for purchase in select retail locations and at hp.com on November 9.

LINKS

Sprout by HP

Video: Blended Reality

Authors Watch As Their Books Are Printed in Canon Booth at Graph Expo Show

October 13, 2014

Continuing advances in digital printing and finishing technologies have made it practical and affordable for more authors to publish hard-copy versions of their books. At the 2104 Graph Expo show for commercial printing companies, independent authors Ainsley Shay and Miranda Hardy watched their books being printed on the Océ ColorStream® 3900 high-speed production inkjet printing system in Canon U.S.A. booth.

Shay’s book, “After the Curtain Falls,” is an entry in the red-hot young adult fantasy/paranormal category, while Hardy’s book, “Wacky Waddles,” is geared toward younger children.

“Wacky Waddles” was finished onsite by Standard Finishing Systems which unwound preprinted rolls into a Hunkeler CS6 cutter where they were cut into 12 x 18-inch sheets. The sheets were accumulated in the Horizon StitchLiner 6000 Digital where they were stitched, folded, and three-knife trimmed.

Shay and Hardy spent some time in the Canon U.S.A. booth at Graph Expo signing preprinted books finished in advance by Gasch Printing, a leader in short-run book printing based in Odenton, Maryland.

“We met a lot of wonderful people and signed so many books that day,” said Miranda Hardy. She adds that, “It was amazing to see our books printed right before our eyes. This was our first time seeing the process, and we hope it won’t be the last.”

The Role of Technology

According to Jeremy Hess, director of sales and marketing for Gasch Printing, the self-publishing trend is growing “bigger by the day.” It has become a major focus for the company that uses robust Canon and Océ printing technology.

Advances in digital printing technology are responsible for the boom, says Hess: “Digital printing provides independent authors and publishers flexibility and affordability they didn’t have before. They can do test runs and find out how the book is going to be received before they commit to printing 500 or 1,000 or more copies of their book. It’s really placed their destiny in their own hands.”

Canon Solutions America is committed to developing the technology that paves the way for writers to publish their own work, according to Francis A. McMahon, vice president, marketing, Production Print Solutions division of Canon Solutions America: “There are countless great writers creating phenomenal works that would never see the light of day were it not for self-publishing. We are thrilled that our technology is empowering these talented individuals—and the printers they utilize—to unleash their creativity and bring their work to the masses.”

Shay and Hardy can attest to the freedom that digital printing technologies have given writers like them. They founded their own publishing company, Quixotic Publishing, and revel in the joys of controlling the entire process—from writing and editing to formatting and choosing the cover. “It’s absolutely wonderful,” says Hardy. “It gives writers a creative edge and motivation to do something they always wanted to do, but never dared because they thought it would be too difficult.”

Shay and Hardy have been publishing books for two years now and plan to continue doing so now that things have become so much easier for self-published authors. Hardy believes “Modern technology is a true gift to creative individuals.”

LINKS

Quixotic Publishing

Canon Solutions America

Gasch Custom Book Printing Services

The UPS Store Expands 3D Printing Nationwide

October 5, 2014

Following the successful launch of 3D print in six markets across the country, The UPS Store® is expanding 3D printing services to nearly 100 additional locations nationwide. The UPS Store will be the first nationwide retailer to offer 3D printing services in store.

Customers can bring a Computer Aided Design (CAD) file to participating locations and 3D print their product design on a Stratasys uPrint SE Plus professional-grade 3D printer. The printer is designed to accurately and reliably produce complex engineering parts, functional prototypes, durable models, and one-of-a-kind-objects. Entrepreneurs, engineers, home inventors, and makers can use 3D printing to help refine their ideas and reduce product development time.

During the 2013 pilot program conducted at six UPS Stores, the 3D print services were used by small businesses, startups, inventors, artists and a wide range of professionals. Over the past year, the six locations saw demand for 3D print continuing to increase across a broad spectrum of customers.

“More small business owners and entrepreneurs are looking to 3D printing to help bring their innovations to market,” said Gilad Gans, President of Stratasys North America. “The UPS Store is at the forefront of a growing number of retailers that see additive manufacturing as a significant value-add for their customers.”

Globally, 3D printing services offered by retailers and other providers are growing in demand. According to Wohlers Report 2014, a survey of 3D printing service providers worldwide revealed that more than two-thirds (68.3 percent) added new machines in 2013, up from 58.1 percent in 2012. Overall, the 3D print service provider sector increased by 21 percent last year.

“We are committed to offering small business owners, entrepreneurs and consumers high-tech solutions in order to assist with all of their business needs,” said Michelle Van Slyke, vice president of marketing and sales at The UPS Store. “We launched the pilot to evaluate if there was demand for 3D print and we’re excited to be announcing an expansion, giving even more small business owners access to high-quality, professional 3D printing.”

Now small business owners and consumers across the country will have convenient access to top-notch 3D printing at a much higher quality than an at-home 3D printer can provide.

“There are significant differences between home 3D printers and professional 3D printers,” said Daniel Remba, small business technology leader at The UPS Store. “Many of the challenging and time consuming steps used to prepare a simpler printer are fully automated on the uPrint SE Plus, leading to added precision and reliability, higher print quality, and a success rate unmatched by a home printer.”

LINKS

UPS Store Locations Offering 3D Printing

Stratasys

The Creative Group Offers Tips to Help Job Seekers Stand Out

September 9, 2014

According to new research by The Creative Group, job seekers hoping to land creative gigs are up against stiff competition. Advertising and marketing executives surveyed said that on average, they receive 23 resumes for every open creative position. They then meet with six applicants, on average, before filling the role.

The national survey is based on more than 400 telephone interviews, approximately 200 with marketing executives randomly selected by from companies with 100 or more employees and 200 with advertising executives randomly selected from agencies with 20 or more employees.

The survey was developed by The Creative Group and conducted by an independent research firm. The Creative Group (TCG) specializes in placing a range of highly skilled interactive, design, marketing, advertising, and public relations professionals with a variety of firms on a project and full-time basis.

Additional research from The Creative Group shows an uptick in hiring in the last six months of 2014, but companies are being selective when adding to their creative teams. “Employers are looking for individuals with very specific skill sets who also will be a good fit with the team and work environment,” said Diane Domeyer, executive director of The Creative Group. “Job seekers can get a leg up on the competition by being prepared for every stage of the hiring process.

The Creative Group offers five tips for standing out in the job search:

Study Up. Before applying for any position, review the firm’s website and social media feeds, search online for news articles and company reviews, and ask people in your network for insight. The data you gather will help you better communicate in interviews specific ways you can contribute to the organization’s success.

Avoid resume mistakes. The most common resume gaffe is including information that’s not targeted or job specific, according to advertising and marketing executives. Know your audience and tailor your application materials to their specific needs.

Get ready for interview curveballs. Hiring managers may ask tough interview questions to gauge your interpersonal and problem-solving skills. Prepare responses to common queries but also practice thinking on your feet. Consider situational examples that highlight your ability to work well with a team or where you helped your organization with a difficult objective.

Be yourself. Hiring managers want to get a sense of who you area, from your personality to your passions, to ensure a good fit. You’re going to make a stronger impression if you answer questions honestly instead of firing off cookie-cutting responses.

Follow up with finesse. Within 24 hours of an interview, send a personalized thank-you e-mail to each person you met with. Reinforce your interest in the position and your key qualifications. It’s a seemingly obvious, but often-overlooked step.

For more job search advice, download The Creative Group’s free guide: Your Definitive Guide to Getting Hired. It features tips for cultivating your professional network, building your personal brand, and nailing an interview.

LINKS

The Creative Group

The Creative Group: Your Definitive Guide to Getting Hired

Spyder 3D World Gives Designers a New Online 3D Printing Destination

September 6, 2014

DESIGNERS. Spyder 3D World is a brand-new interactive marketplace to showcase 3D innovations from designers around the world.

“3D printing is opening new worlds of opportunity for creativity and advances in art, science and manufacturing. At Spyder 3D World we wanted to create a space where all of these elements can come together, where designs are celebrated and shared, where students learn from masters, and where anyone in the far corner of the globe can compete with a large corporation to sell their ideas,” said Joe Bloomfield, founder and CEO of Spyder 3D World.

Part Marketplace, Part Free Showcase

Today there are communities that either sell or share designs. Spyder 3D World combines the best of both worlds by offering 3D designers a marketplace where they can choose to monetize their work or just share it.

The Spyder 3D World blog highlights new and interesting work by designers. Recently showcased designers are from France, Mexico and Southern California. New designers are welcome.

“Our members are sharing cool and imaginative designs that show there’s no limit to what can be created with 3D printing,” added Bloomfield.

The Future of 3D Printing Here Today

Within the past year, significant feats have been accomplished with 3D printing technology including the 3D printing of 10 houses in Shanghai. A Flordia father printed a prosthetic hand printed for his 6-year-old son and the US Army announced it will consider 3D printing food on the front lines.From musical instruments and medical devices to food, toys and shoes, 3D printing is changing nearly every industry and bringing the concept of personal manufacturing to reality.

According to Gartner Research, 3D printing is “accelerating to mainstream adoption” and is expected to create new product lines and markets at a rapid pace.

Advanced printer technology and more affordable printers are creating widespread interest in 3D printing. Spyder 3D World is kicking off the community with a social media sweepstakes to give away an Airwolf AW3D HDx printer to one lucky winner. Airwolf 3D uses its own printers to produce parts for new machines. Visit to Spyder 3D World Facebook page for details.

LINKS

Spyder3dworld.com

Facebook: Spyder 3D World

Gartner Report: “How 3D Printing Disrupts Business and Creates New Opportunities.”

BookBaby Partners with Writer’s Digest to Launch Blue Ash Publishing

August 30, 2014

BookBaby, one of the country’s leading book self-publishing services, has entered a partnership with Writer’s Digest to launch a new self-publishing division named Blue Ash Publishing. The partnership appears to be ideal for aspiring authors because Writer’s Digest is a long-time publisher of educational materials for writers who want to polish their skills.

“Blue Ash Publishing authors are truly getting the best of both worlds in self-publishing,” said BookBaby President Steven Spatz. “In addition to the education resources of Writer’s Digest, authors will get the advantages of worldwide eBook distribution through BookBaby’s sales network, plus, inclusive access to a powerful suite of promotional tools through our BookPromo™ program. Authors also have the opportunity to print physical copies of their books.”

BookBaby is the sister company to CD Baby, the world’s largest online distributor of independent music. CD Baby has paid out over a quarter billion dollars to over 300,000 artists worldwide. The company applies these same services and powerful resources to the digital publishing world, to help independent authors and publishers accomplish their goals.

BookBaby offers the largest eBook distribution network of retailers, including Amazon, Apple, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and more, in over 170 countries around the globe.

“This new venture powered by BookBaby is grounded in what Writer’s Digest does best: educating writers,” said Writer’s Digest Publisher Phil Sexton. The Writer’s Digest community, founded in December 1920, provides information and inspiration for professional and aspiring writers, both traditionally published and self-published. Blue Ash Publishing takes its name from the editorial home of Writer’s Digest in Blue Ash, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati.

“Thanks to our creative collaboration with BookBaby, we are confident that Blue Ash Publishing can provide writers with the service and education that they need to succeed,” said Sexton.

What Authors Can Expect from Blue Ash Publishing

100% Net Earnings on All Sales: Blue Ash Publishing takes no commission on any book sales. Authors keep 100% of their book’s net earnings. Once retailers are paid their percentage, all remaining revenue goes back to the author. BookBaby offers the largest eBook distribution network, including Amazon, Apple, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and many other popular retailers in more than 170 countries around the globe.

Full Ownership: Unlike other programs, Blue Ash authors own their work, including all electronic files and cover art. Authors retain the rights to their work and maintain total creative control. Writers customize their publishing package, to fit their needs and their budget.

Exclusive Education Programs: Every package includes an educational element. Basic packages include a weekly newsletter written by publishing experts that provides tips for building a platform and selling books. Higher-value packages include: access to WritersMarket.com, a digital subscription to Writer’s Digest magazine, a year-long subscription to Writer’s Digest online tutorials, a live half hour consultation with a platform specialist, and more.

Promotional Tools: These educational programs, exclusive only to Blue Ash Publishing, are in addition to the benefits BookBaby builds into each package, including a suite of promotional tools that are designed to help authors get their books into the hands of readers.

Five Tips for Creating Infographics With Mass Appeal

August 10, 2014

If you are involved in design or editorial projects related to content marketing or public relations, then you are well aware that infographics have quickly become a wildly popular form of communications. According to Google, searches for infographics have increased 800 percent in the last two years. Infographics give marketers a way to increase brand recognition, create buzz, and improve SEO.

Justin Beegel, CEO of Infographic World and the author of the new book “Infographics For Dummies,” offers five tips for creating an infographic that will go viral and global.

1. Identify Ideas That Have Legs

To create an infographic campaign that has mass appeal, be timely and innovative. If there is a hot topic in the news, capitalize on it. Take it to the next step or give it a new angle. Avoid ideas that are too niche and, if possible, walk a fine line between what is controversial and what is acceptable. That will help it go viral, as controversy sells.

2. Be Able to Mobilize Quickly

Another important component is the ability to mobilize your team quickly. A few years ago I saw a map of the U.S. that listed stereotypes of the people from that state. The infographic was called “How Europeans View America.” We saw this as an opportunity, so our team quickly put together a map of Europe and called it “How Americans View Europe.” We went country by country and made our own stereotypes. The graphic spread like wildfire, and actually crashed our server for an hour from too much web traffic. We received some angry emails from people in Europe, but the graphic served its purpose, was all in good fun, and was a living example of viral content. Another example of a successful and timely campaigns featured a look into the life of Steve Jobs shortly following his death. We also did one on the business of running for president around the 2012 presidential elections.

3. Use the Appropriate Tone

B2B marketers should consider their industry and use the tone appropriate for the audience. We have done campaigns across the spectrum from major hospitals such as Mount Sanai to entertainment properties such as ESPN. Topics have ranged from Breast Cancer Awareness Month to the Super Bowl. For a serious topic, you may not want silly cartoon-like characters, but for the light-hearted topics you can have a little more fun.

4. Sync-up Distribution Tactics

Once the infographic is completed, coordinate promotional efforts with all stakeholders. The graphic should go live on all parties’ websites and across all their social media platforms to give it the widest possible launching pad for exposure. My company has a promotional and PR division with extensive media contacts so we can maximize coverage by distributing the infographic to relevant media.

5. Consider Going Interactive

Adults are grown children and enjoy playing with things. By making your infographic interactive, readers can click on various parts of the infographic to get more information. For example, we recently did a great interactive infographic on crime in America. If you click on each state, you can see where that state ranks in various categories such as theft, violent crimes, murder, etc. By going interactive, you are likely to get more shares and backlinks, which will drive your business.

About Justin Beegel

Justin is the 28-year-old founder of Infographic World, a leading information graphics company based in New York City. The company, which launched in 2009, is projected to make $2 million in revenue in 2014. Infographic World’s clients include Google, Intel, ESPN, P&G, Discovery, McGraw Hill, Pepsi, Intuit, and McCann.

About “Infographics for Dummies”

“Infographics For Dummies” is a comprehensive guide to creating data visualization with viral appeal. The book walks you through the different types of infographics and explains why they’re so effective and when they’re appropriate. The guide also includes step-by-step instruction for creating eye-catching graphics with programs such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.“Infographics For Dummies” is available nationwide in Barnes and Nobles, Amazon and Wiley.com in both a paperback and e-book formats. The MSRP is $29.99.

LINKS

Infographics for Dummies

Infographics World