Over the years there have been plenty of false dawns with supposedly ‘revolutionary’ technology. Segways and maglev trains were supposed to revolutionize transport. Sony mini-discs were quickly superseded by the iPod. It’s easy to become skeptical when you hear about the next big thing. But some innovations are so powerful that it’s apparent they will…

Augmented reality, or AR for short, overlays virtual information over a user’s existing natural environment. Sound, graphics and touch feedback are seamlessly integrated to create an enhanced experience. The information overlaid is highly topical and relevant to what the user is doing. It ranges from simple text to instructions for complicated surgical procedures. Uses for…

CNC machines and automation have long been the bastion of success for growing shops. When a business can afford to add these tools to their shop, it usually means that they have had enough business to grow. But adding automation isn’t just for the major shops anymore. In the past, shops had to rely on…

Additive manufacturing is a process that uses 3D design software and a multi-axis arm to deposit materials onto a printing platform. The material can be resin, nylon, ceramic, and many others. It differs from conventional subtraction techniques which remove unwanted pieces from a solid block to reveal the final product. Not only does this save…

Additive manufacturing or AM for short was first developed in the 1980s. This technology is unlike traditional manufacturing as it is additive by nature, meaning that the process starts with an empty build envelope and material is subsequently added layer by layer. These layers are usually measured in microns and are deposited and melted together…