8 Must-See 3D Printing Revelations Spotted at Maker Faire New York 2013 (PHOTOS)

The greatest show and tell on Earth - <a href="http://makerfaire.com/">Maker Faire</a> 2013 - graced NYC this past weekend and while there was a wildly varied assortment of DIY projects and sights to see, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?s=3d+printing">3D printing</a> took <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/9-amazing-3d-printed-innovations-spotted-at-the-2013-inside-3d-printing-expo/">center stage once again</a> with an entire cluster of tents dedicated to the miniature fabrication movement. Over the past few years, Maker Faire has slowly transformed into something of a 3D printer fest, but the evolution was even more apparent at this weekend’s show with new printers, fabrication materials, and mind-blowing designs. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite 3D printing finds from the show so take a peek into our photo gallery to see them all.

<a href="https://www.ultimaker.com/">Ultimaker</a> displayed its new <a href="https://www.ultimaker.com/p/our-printers/ultimaker-2">Ultimaker 2</a> to the public for the first time this weekend. Although it looks very similar to Ultimaker’s first 3D printer, there are a couple of notable updates including a new aluminum body, a quieter drive motor, and a heated print bed. The latter upgrade allows the Ultimaker to create objects using <a href="http://inhabitat.com/100-recycled-weld-vases-add-graphic-pop-to-any-space/">ABS plastic</a>. The warm platform also prevents printing errors that occur when parts of the plastic lift as they cool. The new Ultimaker 2 has an asking price of 1,895 euros ($2,563).

Although very similar to Ultimaker’s first 3D printer, there are a couple of notable updates including a new aluminum body and heated print bed. The latter upgrade allows the Ultimaker to create object using <a href="http://inhabitat.com/100-recycled-weld-vases-add-graphic-pop-to-any-space/">ABS plastic</a>

The Ultimaker 2 wasn’t the only innovative printer at the show. The B9 Creator is a fairly unique looking printer with an elevated building chamber. What’s more, it <a href="http://inhabitat.com/your-analog-tv-is-dead-repurpose-it-into-something-fun/">repurposes a DLP projector</a><a name="OLE_LINK3"></a><a name="OLE_LINK4"></a> (the same screen beaming device you might see used in company meetings or classroom presentations) to fabricate prints.

The B9 Creator is a somewhat affordable $2,990 high-resolution 3D printer that can create objects with 50 micron (0.05 millimeter) thin layers. The wire ball in this image was designed by <a href="http://georgehart.com/rp/rp.html">George Hart</a>.

Another homebrewed 3D printer at the show was a metal-based inkjet printer called the Vader printer created by father-and-son makers Scott and Zack Vader.

Deltaprintr is out to give makers some much needed height for <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/makerbot-nyc-unveils-3d-photo-booth-that-can-print-sculptures-of-your-face/makerbot-3d/">their creations</a>. Using a three-pronged base, you can extend the 3D printer’s build area by replacing the original rails with even longer ones.

<a href="http://shop.seemecnc.com/Rostock-MAX-COMPLETE-3D-Printer-Kit-68398.htm">See Me CNC</a> looks like the Deltaprintr's more customizable, hot bed equipped cousin. Where as the Deltaprintr is about being barebones 3D printer only meant to create cold prints with PLA plastic, the <a href="http://shop.seemecnc.com/Rostock-MAX-COMPLETE-3D-Printer-Kit-68398.htm">Rostock Max</a> was made to print with all sorts of materials including <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/abs-plastic/">ABS</a>, nylon, and a curious new material called T-Glase

T-Glase is <a href="http://taulman3d.com/buy-t-glase-175mm.html">new, transparent material by Taulman</a> made with 20 percent of the same <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/pet-plastic/">PET plastic</a> you would find in <a href="http://inhabitat.com/coca-cola-launches-plastic-bottle-recycling-program-to-make-seats-for-brazilian-world-cup-stadium/">bottled water</a>.

If you think that’s amazing, <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=1&amp;ved=0CC4QFjAA&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2F3dppvd.org%2F&amp;ei=s5U_UpPGG-b-4APizoA4&amp;usg=AFQjCNGvhKTBCjMLOVWTEL82Gn4I7oiTgw&amp;sig2=zWjjFu2E63U6ipy9hqH9GA&amp;bvm=bv.52434380,d.dmg">3D Printing Providence</a>’sMatt Shultz highlighted <a>even more 3D printing materials</a> that are being developed in Europe and abroad. A German 3D printing materials inventor by the name of Kai Parthy has already created two revolutionary materials.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pZyrb_FA8U">Laywoo-D3</a> is a composite wood and polymer filament.

Similarly, Shapeways prints with everything from regular old plastic to metals to one of its latest creations a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/shapeways-debuts-a-new-flexible-3d-printing-material/">squishy, rubbery plastic material</a> that you can squeeze. On top of interesting materials there were also plenty of intricate designs to see with more than a few of them being mechanized including the hand-cranked fan you see above.

Towards the end of my 3D printing travels I met up with a smaller 3D materials outfit, <a href="http://printm3d.com/">M3D</a> that’s created a <a name="OLE_LINK10"></a><a name="OLE_LINK9"></a><a href="http://inhabitat.com/thermochromic-swine-flu-masks-colors-are-fever-activated/">thermochromic</a> filament, which reacts to your body heat in the same way a mood ring works.

Another filament that M3D developed is embedded with iron filings, which makes it magnetic, potentially allow you to create custom magnets.