Not only is Pittsburgh our home, it’s also home to another company called Red Ant Lasers, who have invented a new portable laser cutter by the name of the Origami.

We think that this laser cutter is particularly interesting due to its design, which makes it the very first laser cutter with a fold-out arm and no limiting enclosure.

The inventive design of the Origami will enable users to cut almost anywhere they wish with a laser, thanks to this portable cutter solution.

Just as we know it at Inventionland, the inventors of the Origami have said that lasers are versatile tools that allow people to make almost anything with them. In fact, from our Laser Shop, we were able to create the Half N Half Cupcake Pan that was featured on QVC!

This company in particular found a better way to make this type of technology portable. This new invention folds to save space and can be used in a variety of ways, like vertical for walls and windows and horizontal for tables. There isn’t any limiting enclosure, so users have the chance to create great works of art by moving the laser across the work area.

How did the inventors from Red Ant Lasers create the Origami?The versatility of this invention can be credited to its patented folding arm technology and its self-contained ventilation system. This piece of equipment doesn’t require large hoses and other special electrical components. In fact, all that it needs is to be plugged in and you can open the arm and begin your project.

Here’s a better look at the Origami in action!

Copyright Inventionland, 2014

Sources:

https://www.geeky-gadgets.com/the-origami-portable-laser-cutter-with-fold-out-arm-unveiled-22-09-2014/

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1360113357/the-origami-a-portable-folding-arm-laser-cutter

https://www.wired.com/2013/02/laser-origami/

Media:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqXZhtITTp8

The post The Origami is ‘Cutting’ Edge! appeared first on Inventionland.

But aside from the sparkling crown, there was another piece of fashion that caught our attention and that was the shoes that Miss Georgia, Maggie Bridges, proudly wore on stage.  In case you missed it, these weren’t just your average pageant shoes; in fact, these shoes were 3D-printed! That was enough information to get us excited!

So, we decided to get a better look at these 3D-printed shoes and we want to tell you about what we found out!

During the “Show Us Your Shoes” procession that happens every year, contestants vying for the title of Miss America show off their fancy footwear that honors their respective home state.

Maren Sonne, Jordan Thomas and Julia Brooks, all Georgia Tech industrial design students, worked together to invent these innovative shoes for Miss Georgia. Through the usage of a laser cutter and 3D printer, this inventor trio created shoes that featured an intricately-detailed laser-cut grille with 3D-printed headlights, a laser-cut black and gold pattern on the heels and not to mention 3D-printed wheels that are equipped with excellent detail on the tread.

What was the inspiration for this design? The design of this 3D-printed shoe is based on the Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech, the 1930 Ford Model A Sport coup that is the official mascot of Georgia Institute of Technology’s student body.

All in all, four weeks and $400 is all that it took for this group of inventors to turn a $60 pair of wedges into a 3D-printed masterpiece.

Here is a behind-the-scenes look at the making of this innovative invention!

Copyright Inventionland 2014

Sources:

https://www.cnet.com/news/miss-georgias-custom-heels-flaunt-3d-printed-flair/

https://www.3ders.org/articles/20140831-miss-georgia-maggie-bridges-3d-printed-shoes-miss-america-show-us-your-shoes-parade.html

Media:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7i0TVPe2fM

The post Check out These Show Stopping Shoes! appeared first on Inventionland.

Designer Rebecca Stoner was given the task to create a wall feature for York Hospital’s Breast Imaging Department in the Magnolia Centre, which is part of the Cancer Care Centre. She collaborated with the laser cutting and engraving specialists at Cutting Technologies Ltd. to complete this project. Through the usage of a laser-cutter, Stoner created a design of magnolia flower heads, flowers, leaves, butterflies and bird motifs that were cut into the metal. Next, Cutting Technologies Ltd. used their world-class machines to cut out the delicate and intricate designs on mild steel panels. Once the designs were cut, they were then powder-coated in order to give them a cream color. The cream color was used to replicate a lace-like quality that would stand out against the vibrant red hospital walls.

The idea behind this artwork came from the creativity of Stoner, who wanted to create a pattern that was not only bold enough to be seen as people passed by but, when looked at closely, someone could see the great detail of the piece.

Laser cutters can create a variety of objects. Just like a laser cutter allows us to make different prototypes and objects, it also helped an artist turn her creative idea into a beautiful, artistic reality that people enjoy and appreciate on a daily basis.

Copyright Inventionland 2014

Sources:

https://www.industrial-lasers.com/articles/2014/06/laser-cut-artwork-lifts-hospital-patients-spirits.html

Media:

https://rebeccastoner.co.uk/portfolio/magnolia-centre-metal/

The post The Creative Power of Laser Cutters appeared first on Inventionland.