Farah Bandookwala has created a new kind of jewelry using Chamaleon and others A1 products.

"Original" is a word that is often used loosely, but it is wholly appropriate when describing the jewelry created by Farah Bandookwala. Moreover, this originality is built in to Farah's jewelry - not only is it original in its aesthetic appeal but also in the way that it is designed and made.

The jewelry ranges that Farah has created - "Grow Your Own Bubbles" and "Parasite" - include captivating pieces in their own right. What might not be so immediately obvious is the journey that the designer has travelled, to date, in the design and development of the pieces.

Each piece of jewelry that Bandookwala has created comes from a dual exploration that is central to her work. "My work explores the possibility that identity is a fluid entity and aims to allow the user to convey this changing sense of self over time. Alongside this I am also looking at the impact of new technology on human relationships with material culture," Bandookwala said.

Introduced to 3D digital technologies during the course of her Masters' studies, Bandookwala was designing using 3D CAD fairly early on. However, a placement in 2009 at Anarkik3D - the software developer of Cloud 9 - ensured Bandookwala encountered a different way of designing and creating in 3D - haptic modeling - which enables users to touch and manipulate their virtual 3D models and to connect with them in a tangible way.

Fascinated by the physical interactions with her designs, Bandookwala was able to use Chameleon to subvert the technological process - which is fundamentally mathematical - to create forms that look entirely organic. Bandookwala's own take on this is that she has created a "purposeful paradox."Chameleon's haptic qualities allow creative people to physically interact with the virtual material. It is both tactile and intuitive. The direct appeal for Bandookwala with using this medium to design her jewelry is the ability to see - and feel - the input in the outcome. Quite simply, her jewelry designs could not have been created any other way.

Using Chameleon alongside a traditional 3D CAD package, Rhino, Bandookwala found that the differences between the two software packages were extreme. Most notable was that while the 3D CAD offered control and precision with surfaces, it just could not compare with the ability to freely sculpture the shapes by directly deforming and manipulating surfaces to create the desired morphing.

Indeed it is the freedom of the software that is one of the greatest attractions for truly creative design, with no constraints. The bangle illustrated below is a good example of this.

The fundamental physical interaction of the design stage led Bandookwala to explore the best way to physically create a true representation of her jewelry designs. This journey brought her to 3D printing (3DP), a method of manufacturing that has developed significantly over the last decade from its origins in rapid prototyping (RP) to a validated method of production of parts in plastics, composites, and metals.

3DP enables the production of complex shapes and parts directly from the virtual computer design - eliminating the need for machine tools and/or tooling or wax models. For creative applications, the design freedom that this offers over traditional methods of manufacture is remarkable; however, using 3DP in conjunction with Chameleon, the result is truly liberating.

In 2009 Bandookwala secured sponsorship from Shapeways and Laser Lines to prove her designs using 3DP. Her jewelry was produced on different 3DP machines using a range of materials including nylon and stainless steel. Looking ahead to the future Bandookwala will be considering the potential of clients wishing to wear her jewelry being presented with the opportunity to download and 3D print their own units as they desire them.

This is still a speculative aim, but as 3D technologies penetrate more deeply into the consciousness of the general public, it is not beyond the realm of possibility, particularly as A1 Technologies is pushing the boundaries of 3D capabilities, incorporating the Chameleon haptic design product, 3D laser scanning and 3D printing, with a 3D studio package starting at under £2,000.

Press Release issued by RP Editorial Services
Contact: Rachel Park
Email: rachelp@rp-editorialservices.co.uk

A1 Technologies has seen great results in Scotland with EVERY high school in Aberdeenshire utilising 3D digital technology hardware within the curriculum.

When A1 Technologies exhibited its full range of 3D digital technologies at the Scottish Learning Festival in September 2009, one of the visitors to the company’s stand was Rod Simond from the Aberdeenshire local education authority (LEA). Mr Simond spent time examining and understanding the 3D equipment, including the RapMan 3D printer, the DAVID 3D laser scanner and the Chameleon haptic design package. After seeing how these solutions work independently and how they can be integrated Mr Simond was thoroughly impressed by the technologies and convinced of the great potential for putting them directly into the classroom. Following the Festival Mr Simond approached Design & Technology (D&T) teachers on the ground - within Aberdeenshire schools - to confirm his belief that these technologies were appropriate to the needs of schools with the aim of engaging students in this field.

The result was that he invited A1 Technologies to attend the Aberdeenshire Learning Festival in November that year when the teachers from a number of local schools came to see and experience the technologies for themselves. Among these was Keith Mullan, Principal Teacher of the Technical Department at Peterhead Academy. The outcome was astounding with Mr Simonds, who is responsible for the procurement of equipment for schools in Aberdeenshire, requesting a quote for complete sets of the 3D digital technologies for every secondary school (seventeen schools in total) within the LEA. The final order went one step further with every school ordering one RapMan kit 3D printer plus software and several kg of printing material; one David 3D laser scanner; and two Chameleon design packages.

Keith Mullan, commenting on how the equipment from A1 Technologies will impact school life, said: “The potential of this equipment is enormous given the cost implications of other products. The cost ensures that 3D technology is now available for all secondary and primary schools to use. Teaching modern design engineering is much easier when projects and learning outcomes are made tactile and visual for children. The RapMan ensures that this facility is available to all - not just the CNC specialists - from a cost base that is realistic for schools.”

Indeed, it is the quality and the affordability of the A1 range of equipment that has made this possible and Aberdeenshire's schools are now genuinely leading the world in educating its pupils on the capabilities of 3D technologies. Moreover, by introducing these technologies at such an early stage in the careers of these pupils they are afforded an excellent opportunity to grasp 21st century design and engineering principles that will likely stay with them for life. It is perhaps not too surprising that Scotland is leading the way here - many Scots take great pride in the history of Scottish invention, which brought the world the telephone (Alexandra Graham Bell), the television (John Logie Bird), the steam engine (James Watt), the refrigerator (William Cullen) and the flush toilet (Alexander Cummings); to name but a few.

Following on from the exhibitions that A1 Technologies attended across Scotland, the company has also supplied three schools with the full range of technologies, on behalf of Learning and Teaching Scotland (LTS), which is currently carrying out an analysis of all of the products on behalf of all Scottish schools.

Press Release issued by RP Editorial Services
Contact: Rachel Park
Email: rachelp@rp-editorialservices.co.uk

Last week saw the biannual MACH 2010 exhibition take place at the NEC, Birmingham, UK.

As one of the largest shows dedicated to manufacturing technologies it is always a well-attended event. A1 Technologies exhibited at the show within the Education & Training Zone with a fully equipped stand that highlighted the full range of 3D digital technologies available from the company. The theory being that A1 Technologies is a company delicately poised at the intersection between education and industry, and so the Education & Training Zone - at a show that promotes technology and machinery for manufacturing industry - was an ideal fit.

The reality proved the theory correct - and then some.

During the five-day show, interest in the A1 Technologies’ portfolio of products was high, with a constant flow of visitors to the stand. Indeed many other MACH exhibitors also showed great interest in the technologies that were running constantly during show hours.

Martin Stevens, CEO of A1 Technologies commented, “After five days on our stand, we were in no doubt about the success of the show for us. We saw some visitors from schools, colleges and education, but a high proportion of stand visitors had a major bias towards industry. Apart from Monday, which I gather was a disappointment for all exhibitors, our stand was busy all day, and at times our five-man/woman team struggled to cope with the crowds around the working displays. People were attracted by the moving exhibits and by the unusual products to be found on our stand. When they heard the prices, they were stunned and then bowled over. For example, having seen 3D printers on other stands at well over £10,000, they were delighted that they could invest in the technology at £2,000 for a ready built machine, and at below £800 for a kit.”

The theme of A1 Technologies’ stand was “try it and see”. Visitors were encouraged to try the Cool Tool machining kits, turning some wood or aluminium, and using the jig saw, while others admired the 4-axis CNC machine for under £2,000. Many attendees also tried the David laser scanner for themselves, and feedback during the show suggested they were very impressed by its simplicity and capability. Others visitors sat down to try their hand at creative design using the haptically-enabled Chameleon 3D design system, which, for under £500, delivers real capability, ease of use and is great fun to use.

Further commenting on the responses he encountered last week, Martin Stevens stated, “Many of our industrial visitors arrived on the stand with doubts that this low cost 3D technology had anything to do with them, but usually left muttering ‘I could use this for that application, and also for this other one….’ They were astonished to discover that low cost did not mean a compromise on quality or usability; and left realising that low cost really can mean low cost! Nothing else, unless it was cost-effectiveness as well.”

The simple aim of A1 Technologies, as a company, is to democratise the 3D design-and-make agenda. The show reinforced already strongly held beliefs that its range of products and technologies are so versatile that they are equally at home in schools as in industry, in a creative workshop as at home for the hobbyist.

In summation, Martin said, “We left the show tired but very happy with the week, some thousands of brochures the lighter, and girding our loins to reply to the multitude of leads we had taken.”

Press Release issued by RP Editorial Services
Contact: Rachel Park
Email: rachelp@rp-editorialservices.co.uk

A1 Technologies demonstrates the full potential of Digital 3D Technologies for Education and Industry at MACH 2010

A1 Technologies will be exhibiting its full portfolio of low-cost 3D digital technologies at the upcoming MACH 2010 show, 7–11th June at the NEC in Birmingham. A1 will be an exhibitor within the Education & Training Zone - new to MACH for 2010 - which will bring together teachers, students and industry in an environment focused on engineering and manufacturing. The MTA, the organisers of MACH, plan to use the Education & Training Zone as a focal point with the aim of inspiring, preparing and motivating the next generation of British engineers. This is a great match for A1 Technologies’ own remit of democratizing 3D digital technologies and putting them into the hands of young people at the earliest possible opportunity.

A1 Technologies will demonstrate some of the most innovative 3D digital technologies on the market today, all of them at incredibly low prices. Beyond this however, A1 will show visitors to its stand how all of these technologies can be integrated in a holistic way to maximize the potential that the 3D world can bring to design, engineering and manufacturing applications - within Education and Industry.

The A1 Product Range

Traditionally, the price of additive manufacturing technology has been the greatest barrier to adoption of the technology. A1 Technologies is one of the pioneering companies working towards breaking this barrier down completely. The company offers the RapMan 3D printer kit and the BfB 3000 fully-assembled 3D printer. Both of these machines are ideal solutions for introducing additive technology to new users. The RapMan is supplied with everything needed to assemble and run the equipment, including software to slice an .stl file and convert it into the G Code read by the RapMan machine. The BfB 3000 3D printer exhibits a highly rigid, durable frame that offers excellent mechanical stiffness; increased z axis speed and accuracy; improved ultra-compact extruders; and controlled and precise material delivery. Both 3D printers extrude a number of different polymers, including ABS and PLA. PLA (Poly Lactic Acid) is a biopolymer and is thus biodegradable.

The 3D DAVID-laserscanner is a very low-cost system for contact-free scanning of 3D objects for a broad range of applications. The only hardware requirements - which are included in the complete starter-kit offered by A1 Technologies - are a hand-held laser and a camera together with sophisticated software. With simplicity supplied as standard, the DAVID-laserscanner is capable of producing 3D data that can be used in various standard file formats, which are compatible with the RapMan  and BfB 3000 3D printers.

The Chameleon 3D ‘haptic’ application from A1 Technologies delivers a high quality, immersive 3D design experience to its users. The combination of affordability and cutting-edge technology integration enhances and facilitates greater efficiency when working, designing, creating, training - or simply just playing - in virtual 3D space. Chameleon combines 3D modelling software with a touch-enabling (haptic) device and is suitable for anyone - of any age - to model and construct 3D objects, particularly free-form shapes. Completed models can be directly printed on the RapMan and BfB 3000 3D printers.

The latest addition to the A1 Technologies product line is an inspiring range of innovative and user-friendly machines for model making, design and prototyping. A modular machine construction system that is new to the UK market, UNIMAT will meet the needs of virtually any small-scale prototyping or low-volume production application. The UNIMAT range of products has been developed based on traditional subtractive principles of manufacture, but with a significant and distinctive aim that fits the A1 remit perfectly - to be truly accessible to anyone. The system has been designed with modularity and safety in mind.

Press Release issued by RP Editorial Services
Contact: Rachel Park
Email: rachelp@rp-editorialservices.co.uk

A1 Technologies offers schools the fully functional Playmat 4in1 Workshop

Kids are creative and they just love to build things - but why stop at cardboard, glue and paint? Young minds are like sponges and they soak up information and new experiences, which can stay with them for life. A1 Technologies strongly believes that teaching young children the basic principles of real design and engineering by allowing them to experiment for themselves is a long term, extremely positive way of impacting the future of the engineering and manufacturing industry, as well as providing exciting learning for the pupils.

One of the most startling - and exciting - elements of A1 Technologies’ portfolio of ultra-low-cost advanced 3D design and manufacturing products is the PLAYMAT 4in1 Workshop. PLAYMAT is a fully operational, wholly safe, wood-crafting workshop developed specifically for small hands. The recommended age range for PLAYMAT is 5–12 years old and safety is ensured through innovative functional design and the inclusion of a childproof adaptor.

The PLAYMAT Kit contains all of the necessary parts for building up to four different, real working machines - a jigsaw, a sanding machine, a drill press and a wood lathe.  Similar to large machine tools (machine bed, slides and drill table etc) the PLAYMAT enables children to safely learn and experiment with how industrial machines really work.

In addition, getting up and running with the PLAYMAT could not be simpler because turning wood, sawing wood and plenty of detailed construction plans are available with the kit. To date, thousands of enthusiastic children have produced small parts and pieces across continental Europe both within schools and during organized workshops with overriding success.

A1 Technologies is a pioneering company that is working relentlessly to bring the most advanced engineering and manufacturing technologies into the education arena by making them accessible for school budgets, thereby allowing teachers to encourage children and young people to become competent designers and to consider engineering and manufacturing as a potential career.

PLAYMAT is a modular machine kit manufactured by TheCoolTool® GmbH, an Austrian company that specialises in state-of-the-art, innovative and technically convincing, small-scale machinery.

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Contact: Rachel Park
Email: rachelp@rp-editorialservices.co.uk

A1 Technologies continues to open opportunities that offer Hands-on Experience of 3D Design & Manufacturing

The A1 Technologies portfolio of ultra-low-cost advanced 3D design and manufacturing tools continues to grow apace and has now expanded dramatically to include an inspiring range of innovative and user-friendly machines for model making, design, prototyping and education. A1 Technologies is delighted to introduce UNIMAT to the UK market - a modular machine construction system to meet the needs of virtually any small-scale prototyping or production application.

Widely-known for its pioneering work with low-cost additive machines and break-through 3D design products, A1 Technologies has moved to the next level and now offers a fully inclusive range of products for EVERY aspect of 3D design and manufacturing.  The UNIMAT range of products has been developed based on traditional subtractive principles of manufacture, but with a significant and distinctive aim that fits the A1 remit perfectly - to be truly accessible to anyone. The system has been designed with modularity and safety in mind.

Comprising a full scope of options the product line incorporates: the UNIMAT 1, the UNIMAT MetalLine, the UNIMAT PowerLine and UNIMAT CNC. The key to the success of UNIMAT is the system’s modularity, which offers users - whether in industry or education - infinite possibilities.

The most versatile introduction to this product range is the UNIMAT 1 Classic package, which includes a jigsaw, drill press, milling machine (horizontal and vertical) and metal lathe. This package offers an extraordinary opportunity for model-making professionals and technicians - as well as technical workshops in schools at the secondary level - to acquire and work with advanced tools. Ideal applications include professional model making, manual training, an introduction to engineering and as a hands-on resource for elementary and secondary schools. Notably, the system is suitable for people in the age range 8–99.

The UNIMAT MetalLine provides precision for any professional requirements. Like all UNIMAT machines, the MetalLine is modular, but built from rugged metal components, precisely engineered with perfect alignment and built specifically for durability, stability and precision.

UNIMAT Powerline is the power upgrade series in the range. The power drive unit is the heart of this particular system with the same modularity as all of the other machines in the UNIMAT series. By incorporating the PowerLine system it is possible to expand and upgrade the UNIMAT system with a larger and more powerful machine for more demanding applications.

Such is the flexibility of the UNIMAT range that the MetalLine system can be easily upgraded to UNIMAT-CNC, which allows for countless further configurations and CNC applications. The slides of the machines are equipped with 2A stepper motors ideal for the reproduction of work pieces and the processing of 3D solid models. The machine can read STL files.

There are some very obvious advantages of the UNIMAT range, these include:

• Small space requirements - the only thing that sets UNIMAT apart from big industrial machines is its size. Due to the modular system, several fully functional machines can be set up in an area not larger than a simple sheet of paper.

• Low Noise - thanks to the 12V motor drive, UNIMAT machines are much quieter than industrial machines, making it ideal for virtually any environment.

• Versatility & Expandability - Each UNIMAT system contains a complete workshop. A variety of machines can be set up and the kit can also be upgraded according to requirement - simply, easily and cost-effectively.

• Quality & Innovation - UNIMAT has been designed and developed with a strong focus on functionality, ergonomics and continuous product development. Machine beds are precisely machined from anodized aluminium, double bearing headstocks and with an industrial drive belt.

• Easy service and maintenance - the system’s components can be completely dismantled and can therefore be cleaned much more easily than a permanently built machine. All components can be serviced and maintained by the user rather than a service shop.

UNIMAT is a modular machine kit manufactured by TheCoolTool® GmbH, an Austrian company that specialises in state-of-the-art, innovative and technically convincing, small-scale machinery.

Press Release issued by RP Editorial Services
Contact: Rachel Park
Email: rachelp@rp-editorialservices.co.uk

A1 Technologies continues to open opportunities that offer Hands-on Experience of 3D Design & Make in Schools

Teachers widely recognize the fact that children love to experiment - hands-on experiences engage young minds much more quickly and profoundly than theory and writing. Within the Design and Technology curriculum, this fact is even more acute, but common barriers that often prevent children from practically experiencing the realities of design and manufacturing principles are health and safety issues and the prohibitive price tag associated with such technologies.

 The A1 Technologies portfolio of ultra-low-cost advanced 3D design and manufacturing products has been put together to overcome such barriers. A1 Technologies is a pioneering company that is striving to bring the most advanced 3D technologies into the education arena by making the technology accessible in terms of price and performance, thereby allowing teachers to encourage children and young people to become competent designers and to consider engineering and manufacturing as a potential career. The latest addition to the A1 Technologies product line is an inspiring range of innovative and user-friendly machines for model making, design and prototyping. A modular machine construction system that is new to the UK market, UNIMAT will meet the needs of virtually any small-scale prototyping or production application.

The UNIMAT range of products has been developed based on traditional subtractive principles of manufacture, but with a significant and distinctive aim that fits the A1 remit perfectly - to be truly accessible to anyone. The system has been designed with modularity and safety in mind.

Comprising a full scope of options the product line incorporates: the UNIMAT 1, the UNIMAT MetalLine, the UNIMAT PowerLine and UNIMAT CNC. The key to the success of UNIMAT is the system’s modularity which offers users infinite possibilities.

A versatile and economically viable introduction to this product range is the UNIMAT 1 Basic package, which was developed specifically for working with wood. Included in the kit are the components for a jigsaw, variations of woodturning machines, a hand-held sander and a hand-held drilling machine. This is an ideal tool for children and beginners to take their first steps and notably, the system is suitable for people in the age range 8–99.

Moving on up a level, the UNIMAT 1 Classic package, which includes the same equipment as the basic package, plus a drill press, a milling machine (horizontal and vertical) and a metal lathe, provides a firm foundation for model-making with many different materials. When used as an introduction to real engineering and as a hands-on resource for elementary and secondary schools this package has the potential to inspire a new generation of innovation. Once again the target age range is 8–99.

The UNIMAT MetalLine, UNIMAT Powerline and UNIMAT-CNC systems are all upgrades of the classic package that can meet specific needs for metal working, increased power and full CNC requirements. The lower limit of the age range for these machines does go a little higher though, as they are only recommended for children of secondary school upwards.

There are some very obvious advantages of the UNIMAT range, these include:

• Child-friendly - UNIMAT is an ideal tool for training and education. Features such as the short stroke of the saw and the 12V safety adaptor mean that the UNIMAT system is perfectly suitable for children. The machines have been put through their paces - with unprecedented success - at countless workshops, major events, educational institutions and workshops for disabled people.

• Small space requirements - the only thing that sets UNIMAT apart from big industrial machines is its size. Due to the modular system, several fully functional machines can be set up in an area not larger than a simple sheet of paper.

• Low Noise - thanks to the 12V motor drive, UNIMAT machines are much quieter than industrial machines, making it ideal for virtually any environment.

• Versatility & Expandability - Each UNIMAT system contains a complete workshop. A variety of machines can be set up and the kit can also be upgraded according to requirement - simply, easily and cost-effectively.

• Quality & Innovation - UNIMAT has been designed and developed with a strong focus on functionality, ergonomics and continuous product development. Machine beds are precisely machined from anodized aluminium, double bearing headstocks and with an industrial drive belt.

• Easy service and maintenance - the system’s components can be completely dismantled and can therefore be cleaned much more easily than a permanently built machine. All components can be serviced and maintained by the user rather than a service shop.

The UNIMAT range is no toy. It is widely used around the world at university level and in industry.  What sets it apart is its ease of use, practicality, modularity and low cost. As well as the D&T curriculum, it is also ideal for Engineering and Manufacturing & Product design. It allows your budget to go further – much further.

UNIMAT is a modular machine kit manufactured by TheCoolTool® GmbH, an Austrian company that specialises in state-of-the-art, innovative and technically convincing, small-scale machinery.

Press Release issued by RP Editorial Services
Contact: Rachel Park
Email: rachelp@rp-editorialservices.co.uk

A1 Technologies continues to break down 3D Technology and pricing barriers - introducing the BfB 3000.

A1 Technologies is making 3D design and 3D printing accessible to all. This accessibility is the result of breakthrough low pricing, ease-of-use, speed of learning and openness of product design across the company's broad portfolio of advanced 3D products. There has never been a better time to exploit 3D design and 3D printing, and A1 Technologies is particularly well positioned to assist both organisations and individuals that have previously found this discipline too difficult or too cost-prohibitive.

Working within its remit of democratizing all 3D digital technologies for design and manufacturing, A1 Technologies is delighted to announce the availability of a new 3D printer, the BfB 3000. This company is fully committed to its philosophy of making low cost 3D digital technologies accessible to a much wider audience than ever before thanks to an integrated range of compelling products, at ultra-low prices, backed up by a wealth of experience and knowledge in this technology area.

The BfB 3000 is the first fully assembled 3D printer on the market at a price point below £2,000. Beyond this incredible, affordable price, however, users will find an extremely capable and elegant additive machine with a large print area that will fit right into any design office, classroom, manufacturing or home environment. Capabilities of the machine include a minimum layer thickness of 0.1mm (100 microns) with built-in features to allow for simple and cost-effective upgrades of the machine, such as configured electronics that allow a single head machine to be easily upgraded to a two- or three-head machine.

Further advantages of the BfB 3000 system are that it exhibits a highly rigid, durable frame that offers excellent mechanical stiffness; increased z axis speed and accuracy; improved ultra-compact extruders; and controlled and precise material delivery. Moreover, the BfB 3000 is complemented by the Netfabb BFB Engine, software specifically written for this machine, to easily fix and then convert any STL files ready for direct printing.

The BfB 3000 is a development of the RapMan kit, and has all the features and facilities of that product, such as being able to extrude a number of different polymers, including ABS and PCL. PCL (Poly Lactic Acid) is a biopolymer and is thus biodegradable. The BfB 3000 is available with multiple heads so that complex parts can now be printed either in multiple colours or with support material for overhangs etc.

Designed and engineered to be accurate, robust and yet simple the BfB 3000 3D printer fits extremely well into A1 Technologies' integrated portfolio of low-cost 3D products for the product development life-cycle. Affordable to run, as well as to buy outright, the BfB 3000 can be used for rapid prototyping and rapid manufacturing applications across a wide range of sectors.

A1 Technologies continues to bring effective 3D design and manufacturing technologies to a broad spectrum of people that have never experienced them before, including promoting them into schools and academic institutions, to begin the learning process early. By offering a full suite of ultra low-cost 3D design and 3D manufacturing products, the company is able to offer a holistic solution to a full range of design and product development activities. It is also important to understand that A1 does not just sell products off-the-shelf - the company has vast knowledge, experience and understanding of 3D digital technologies and this is a vital element of what the company can offer new and existing clients.

The BfB 3000 is manufactured by Bits from Bytes (BfB).

A high resolution image is available here

Press Release issued by RP Editorial Services
Contact: Rachel Park
Email: rachelp@rp-editorialservices.co.uk

The BfB RapMan 3D Printer wins the Digital Devices Award at the world’s largest educational technology event.

Since its inception early in 2009, A1 Technologies has been fully committed to bringing advanced, low-cost, 3D technology into the classroom. The company believes that this tenacious aim is fundamental in the bid to achieve widespread uptake of 3D technologies by making young people - with a profusion of creativity and excitement - aware of the technologies that are available for the disciplines of design, engineering and manufacturing, which are seeing a rapid growth in industry.

At the BETT 2010 event, which took place last week, A1 Technologies was awarded one of the prestigious BETT Awards, which highlight exemplar digital products intended for the education marketplace. In the Digital Devices category, A1 Technologies was the outright winner from a total of five finalists with the BfB RapMan 3D printer - a product that the company launched early in 2009.

The BETT event (previously British Education and Training Technology) is now in its 25th year and is the world’s largest educational technology event. The show took place at the National and the Grand Halls at Olympia, in London, featuring almost 700 stands and receiving 29,000 visitors.

Commenting at the awards ceremony, with more than 700 attendees present, Richard Joslin, Exhibition Director at EMAP said, "Congratulations go to all the winners of the 2010 BETT Awards and finalists, who each reflect excellence in educational ICT. The 2010 BETT Awards received a huge number of entries demonstrating its highly-regarded and coveted nature within the industry. The BETT Awards provide educators with a fantastic opportunity to see some of the best resources and suppliers driving forward innovation, creativity and learning within schools and class rooms the world over".

Martin Stevens, A1 Technologies’ CEO, was delighted with the award for the RapMan, he commented “I firmly believe that children - of any age - should be able to interact with 3D technology. Having watched first hand as children soak up and quickly grasp 3D concepts with the RapMan and with our other products, I am inspired by their initiative and resourcefulness. By encouraging students to learn and experiment with this sort of technology, the next generation of designers and engineers will have a wealth of knowledge at their finger tips and the pay off for organizations employing them will be huge.”

The low-cost RapMan 3D printer, along with A1 Technologies' other innovative and ultra-low-cost 3D technologies - the David 3D laserscanner and the 3D Chameleon haptic design package - are real cross-curricular products. Perfect for Design & Technology, they are also ideally suited to other curricular lines, and help to deliver the new Diplomas as well, including Engineering, Manufacturing & Product Design, IT, Construction and the Built Environment, and Creative and Media.

Press Release issued by RP Editorial Services
Contact: Rachel Park
Email: rachelp@rp-editorialservices.co.uk

Established in 2009, A1 Technologies supplies highly affordable, entry-level 3D digital technologies to educational and industrial organisations across the world. The company has extensive experience of advanced 3D digital technologies for many disciplines including design, engineering and manufacturing together with a philosophy of integrating these technologies to provide a complete solution. The company’s product range includes the RapMan 3D printer kit, the BFB 3000 fully assembled 3D printer, the Chameleon haptic design product and the 3D David LaserScanner.

A1 fervently believes in promoting 3D digital technologies at the earliest opportunity - specifically into school curriculums to encourage understanding and uptake by future engineers. With a demonstrable remit of democratizing 3D technology across the board, A1 Technologies is working with a wide range of clients in many different industry sectors.

For more information contact:
Martin Stevens
A1 Technologies Limited
Email: info@rap-man.com