Solar-Powered 3D Printer that Prints Glass

Markus Kayser - Solar Sinter Project from Markus Kayser on Vimeo.

Markus Kayser's Solar Sinter project is a printer that uses solar power as raw energy to heat up sand and form 3D glass objects. A laser cutter is also powered by solar energy.

Solar-sintering aims to raise questions about the future of manufacturing and triggers dreams of the full utilisation of the production potential of the world’s most efficient energy resource - the sun.

The video above shows the project being tested in the Egyptian desert where sand and sun are both abundant.

Link - Via Boing Boing

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Bill, I am skeptical of your understanding of 3d printing. There is no need for heat penetration- the light of course only hits the top layer of sand, then the bed moves down and he spreads a new layer of sand on top.

I want to burn your snarky uneducated comment with a magnifying glass.

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I used to set dry leaves on fire with a 3 inch magnifying glass as a kid (not to mention more than a few ants...I still feel guilty about it.)

Please...he fused some sand together at best...since I am skeptical about how the heat could have penetrated down a foot into the sand.

Nice first try, I hope it didn't cost too much.

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