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Latest 3D Printer Design Inspired by Cocooning CaterpillarsLatest 3D Printer Design Inspired by Cocooning Caterpillars

Elizabeth Montalbano

June 23, 2016

3 Min Read
Latest 3D Printer Design Inspired by Cocooning Caterpillars

While biomimicry -- using nature to inspire design -- seems to be seen very often in materials science, device designers are also seeing the value in observing nature to improve design. The engineering and design team at German robotics and automation company Festo are a prime example, with the introduction of a new 3D printer model aptly called the Cocooner, which was inspired by how caterpillars build cocoons.

The 3D Cocooner, developed as part of Festo's Bionic Learning Network, creates structures differently than other 3D printers in that it doesn't build them up one surface layer at a time, but creates them freely in space, according to Festo.

cocoon3Dfesto.jpg

About the Author(s)

Elizabeth Montalbano

Elizabeth Montalbano

Elizabeth Montalbano has been a professional journalist covering the telecommunications, technology and business sectors since 1998. Prior to her work at Design News, she has previously written news, features and opinion articles for Phone+, CRN (now ChannelWeb), the IDG News Service, Informationweek and CNNMoney, among other publications. Born and raised in Philadelphia, she also has lived and worked in Phoenix, Arizona; San Francisco and New York City. She currently resides in Lagos, Portugal. Montalbano has a bachelor's degree in English/Communications from De Sales University and a master's degree from Arizona State University in creative writing.

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