VIA not the only one investing in 3D printing

An online 3D printing service called 'Staples 3D Printing' will allow customers in Belgium, with more countries to follow, to upload their printing files toa website and order "prints". The Mcor Iris 3D printer will be responsible for the printing.

This new online service demonstrates the demand for 3D printing services, a new technology that VIA backed earlier in the year with a VIA Mini-ITX powered machine.

VIA's Mini-ITX power 3D printing machine

I have read a bit about 3D printing. It's fascinating tech and what's even more fascinating is how it could revolutionise the way we procure goods. Imagine being able to design objects by manipulating templates and then watching while it prints. I'm sure the watching part would get old pretty quick, but choosing and ordering items could well be revolutionised.

The idea that 3D printers could end up in every home is something that many bloggers have predicted. Small and quiet PCs are required to run the software for the printers. No doubt one day they'll all be combined into one device. VIA's embedded systems have features which make them very suitable to this sort of application.

TweakTown were given the chance to visit VIA's Taipei office and have their TT logo printed in 3D on a system with aVE-900 Mini-ITX powered MakerBot 3D printer. Here are the results.