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  • Humming along in an old church, the Internet Archive is more relevant than ever
    www.npr.org
    NationalHumming along in an old church, the Internet Archive is more relevant than ever The Internet Archive office is housed in a former Christian Science church in San Francisco. Six weeks into the administration, the Internet Archive said it had cataloged some 73,000 web pages that existed on the U.S. government websites prior to Trump's inauguration and have since been expunged. Carolyn Fong for NPR hide captiontoggle caption Carolyn Fong for NPR SAN FRANCISCO If you've ever clicked on a hyperlink that's taken you to something called the Wayback Machine to view an old web page, you've been introduced to the Internet Archive. The nonprofit, founded in 1996, is a digital library of internet sites and cultural artifacts. This includes hundreds of billions of copies of government websites, news articles and data. The Wayback Machine is the archive's access point to nearly three decades of web history. But many of the million or so daily visitors that flock to the Internet Archive's online address might not know anything about its physical one: an old Christian Science church in the Bay Area. The headquarters of the Internet Archive, an impressive white-columned, Greek revival-style temple, rises just south of the Golden Gate bridge. Near the entrance of the building's nave, a triptych of towering black computer servers are humming loudly. "That is the Internet Archive," said Mark Graham, the director of the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine, pointing to the server stacks. Graham was leading about a dozen visitors on a weekly public tour of the headquarters on a recent Friday in March. He projected his voice to be heard over the drone of the computers. "Those machines are servers that are being used right now to record and save material. The lights are blinking that means that something is being written to read from those hard drives." Mark Graham stands in front of servers at the Internet Archive. Carolyn Fong for NPR hide captiontoggle caption Carolyn Fong for NPR The servers are live-recording the World Wide Web. The results are staggering. Every day, about 100 terabytes of material are uploaded to the Internet Archive, or about a billion URLs, with the assistance of automated crawlers. Most of that ends up in the Wayback Machine, while the rest is digitized analog media books, television, radio, academic papers scanned and stored on servers. As one of the few large-scale archivists to back up the web, the Internet Archive finds itself in a particularly unique position right now. After President Trump's inauguration in January, some federal web pages vanished.While some pages were removed entirely, many came back online with changes that the new administration's officials said were made to conform to Trump's executive orders to remove "diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility policies." Thousands of datasets were wiped mostly at agencies focused on science and the environment in the days following Trump's return to the White House. Information about climate change, reproductive health, gender identity and sexual orientation also have been on the chopping block. For example, pages referencing the Enola Gay the B-29 aircraft that dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima and is not particularly related to LGBTQ history were among a leaked list of posts the Pentagon flagged for removal. Some deleted pages, including those related to the Enola Gay, have resurfaced as agencies figure out how to comply with Trump's directives. The Internet Archive is among the few efforts that exist to catch the stuff Graham noted that, for example, the Internet Archive is currently the only place the public can find a copy of an interactive timeline detailing the events of Jan. 6. The timeline is a product of the congressional committee that investigated the Capitol attack, and has since been taken down from their website. Graham said it's in the public's interest to save such records. "How much money did our tax dollars pay to make it?" he said, referring to the timeline and committee proceedings. "It was a non-trivial exercise and it's part of our history and for that reason alone, worthy of preservation and worthy of exploration, of understanding." It's typical for new presidential administrations to make changes to federal websites. In 2008, the Internet Archive co-created a tool called the End of Term Web Archive to track and back up such changes. But Graham said that under Trump's second term, the scope and sheer pace of the deletions of government data has been unprecedented. "A lot of folks are out there trying to say, 'What the heck just happened?'" Graham said. "We're just doing our job, trying to be the best library that we can be, trying to help preserve the cultural heritage of our time to make this material accessible, useful to people now and into the future." Since Trump's second inauguration, more people are turning to the nonprofit According to Graham, based on the big jump in page views he's observed over the past two months, the Internet Archive is drawing many more visitors than usual to its services journalists, researchers and other inquiring minds. Some want to consult the archive for information lost or changed in the purge, while others aim to contribute to the archival process. "There's a groundswell of support for the Internet Archive because of the dramatic shift that's going on in parts of the government web infrastructure that you wouldn't imagine would change," said Brewster Kahle, the founder and current director of the Internet Archive. "People are coming and rallying behind us by using it, by pointing at things, helping organize things, by submitting content to be archived data sets that are under threat or have been taken down." Internet Archive founder Brewster Kahle speaks onstage during Unfinished Live at The Shed in New York City in 2022. Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Unfinished Live hide captiontoggle caption Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Unfinished Live Nancy Krieger, a social epidemiologist at Harvard University who likened the purge to "a digital book burning" in a February interview with NPR's Ailsa Chang, is one of them. She's teamed up with other scientists to try to preserve federal health data that has recently disappeared from government websites. She helped develop a list of terms to send to the Internet Archive to aid the search and preservation effort. "We want to preserve public health data that are crucial for people's well-being," she told NPR. For example, she noted, there's a web page on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's site titled "Ending Gender-Based Violence." It highlightsaccessible on Jan. 16 prior to Trump's inauguration, now reads "page not found." Graham's team has been working to get ahead of future purges, trying to identify and capture the material that might be at greater risk of removal, he said. "Certainly this administration in some ways has made our job easier," he said. "Even on the first day, they began sharing terms, words, topic areas that were going to be under examination terms like 'DEI.' " The Internet Archive doesn't catch everything. A report about the risks of bird flu to people and pets briefly appeared and disappeared on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Graham said it appeared that the Wayback Machine wasn't able to record it in time. "I remember, I immediately went in and I kind of held my breath like, 'Oh, do we have that?' And we didn't have it," he said. There's a chance it could pop up later, possibly through the stream of material coming from outside contributors and partners. Most of what the Internet Archive slurps into the Wayback Machine becomes available to the public with minimal delay. In some cases, because the organization works with different partners in the archival process, there is a delay between when the materialis collected by those partners and when it's made available through the Wayback Machine. "I'm still keeping my fingers crossed on that one," Graham said. When the Internet Archive's scrapers fail to capture such data, he said "it's an opportunity for us to learn how we can do our jobs better." As the organization works to adapt, Graham said the job has him working overtime. "On a personal level, this has been a bit of a sprint," he said. "I've been working seven days a week for the last many weeks. I've been finding myself, quite literally since the inauguration, waking up earlier with a sense of purpose and energy." Keeping the public front of mind Despite its pioneering role in the digital realm, the Internet Archive team wants to keep people, not just machines, in full focus. Near the servers, clay sculptures petite doppelgngers immortalizing people who have worked for the organization line the walls and spill into the pews. Mark Graham points at a ceramic sculpture of his likeness at the Internet Archive. Carolyn Fong for NPR hide captiontoggle caption Carolyn Fong for NPR "We have all those little statues, which I think is a way of celebrating the people working on these collections," Kahle said. "People have agency to build the technologies we think will serve us well. It's [important] to have people understand how they can participate, that it's not something happening to them. It's ours." Avinash Krishna, a 22-year-old recent college graduate, visited from the Sacramento area to tour the headquarters. He said he's been using the Internet Archive's services for about a decade. The tour had long been on his to-do list, but a recent visit to a Wikipedia page bumped it up higher. To him, it was an example of how he's seen the web become increasingly reliant on the archive's tools. "I don't remember the page but, you know, a significant percentage of the links that were on the Wikipedia article are Internet Archive links," he said. "That is really sad that what people view as a primary source is something that doesn't exist anymore." Mark Graham leads a free tour of the Internet Archive office. Carolyn Fong for NPR hide captiontoggle caption Carolyn Fong for NPR Krishna is grieving what's known as digital decay or "link rot" the massive, expanding graveyard of broken links across the web. It's what you see when you encounter "Error 404" or "page not found." While the Trump administration's scrubbing of federal web pages presents a notable example of the severed links issue, it's long been an epidemic. A Pew Research Center study published last year found that roughly 38% of web pages on the internet that existed in 2013 were no longer accessible as of 2023. According to a Harvard Law Review study published in 2014, about half of all links cited in U.S. Supreme Court opinions no longer led to the original source material. Kahle, who early on recognized the ephemeral nature of the web, said the rapid deterioration of the living web is a serious threat to historical preservation. "We're building our culture on shifting sands," he said. An employee at Internet Archive office digitizes a book. Carolyn Fong for NPR hide captiontoggle caption Carolyn Fong for NPR A behemoth of link rot repair, the Internet Archive rescues a daily average of 10,000 dead links that appear on Wikipedia pages. In total, it's fixed more than 23 million rotten links on Wikipedia alone, according to the organization. The rapid decimation of government site data is just the latest challenge facing the nonprofit. Since 2020, the Internet Archive has been slapped with costly copyright lawsuits over its digitization of books and music that are not in the public domain. Record labels and book publishers have sued the nonprofit for hundreds of millions of dollars. Founder Kahle said the costly lawsuits which legal experts say are meant to be a deterrent threaten the future of the archive. With a staff of some 120 people, the organization had a budget of about $28 million last year less than a fifth of the San Francisco Public Library's budget. It's funded through donations big and small, as well as money that comes from museums, libraries and other institutions that pay the nonprofit to preserve its collections. On top of that, the organization has also been a target in a recent series of cyberattacks on libraries. Even at a time when the Internet Archive is under threat, its founder Kahle appreciated that, back at the headquarters, the big room of towering servers the lifeblood of the library remains unobstructed, in full public view. "It's like open stacks," he said. "It's not hidden away in some bunker someplace. It's 'this is us.' It comes across as a bit vulnerable, right?" Kahle said he thinks this vulnerability sends a message: "We have to support our institutions or they will go away." Members of the tour look at the Internet Archive servers that are on display and actively working. Carolyn Fong for NPR hide captiontoggle caption Carolyn Fong for NPR
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  • GTA modder behind "Project Vice" mod that re-created GTA 6's map in GTA 5 opts to take down download links to it after Take-Two claims YouTube video
    www.vg247.com
    LeonidownGTA modder behind "Project Vice" mod that re-created GTA 6's map in GTA 5 opts to take down download links to it after Take-Two claims YouTube video"[Take-Two] didn't ask me to, but I think it's smarter to get out in front of them, rather than waiting for their email."Image credit: Rockstar Games News by Mark Warren Senior Staff Writer Published on March 24, 2025 Things continue to be very up and down in the GTA modding world, with the latest instance of this involving Project Vice, the GTA 5 modding project which had re-created a version of GTA 6's map in that game. Its creator, YouTuber Dark Space, has opted to pull the latest set of download links to it offline, in response to a Take-Two copyright claim on a YouTube video they'd made showcasing their work.Dark Space began working on the mod last year, was sharing some screens of their progress by January, and released what looked to be the 1.0 version of Project Vice earlier this month. It's the set of links to download the mod they shared as part of that release that they've now gotten rid of.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. "Take Two Interactive has copyright claimed and removed my video on the GTA 6 map I made in GTA 5," Dark Space tweeted yesterday, March 23, referencing their video entitled 'I finally made a playable GTA 6 map in FiveM and single player', "I expected something like this could happen. I am surprised they didn't bother emailing me. I would have taken it down if asked.""Take Two Interactive has not contacted me, but rather, they have copyright struck my youtube video down," they re-emphasised in an announcement on Discord.In a follow-up YouTube video with the title 'Take-Two Took Down My Video/Map Project', they added: "I've also removed the download links to my mod. Even though [Take-Two] didn't ask me to, but I think it's smarter to get out in front of them, rather than waiting for their email that will never come." VG247 has reached out to Rockstar/Take-Two for comment. To see this content please enable targeting cookies.It looks like the links Dark Space is refferring to here were the ones that could previously be found in a channel under the community subheading on their Discord server called "project-vice". Said channel now appears to have been archived or hidden. You can, however, currently still find links to download the mod via Google Drive in the description of a video titled 'We put Leonida In GTA 5' Dark Space put out about it in December 2024. It's unclear if these are links to older versions of Project Vice.In response to a Discord user asking them whether the continuation of work on the modding project has now been cancelled, Dark Space responded: "Probably gonna cancel it on my part, but I won't stop others from taking it and moving on with it."Back in January, the YouTuber told IGN they were "always worried" about the possibility of Take-Two action against their modding project, however, they also suggested that they saw what they were doing as being different to other GTA mods which the company has taken action against.One of those projects was the Liberty City Preservation project mod, which re-created GTA 4's map in GTA 5 and recieved a "friendly takedown" earlier this year/
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  • Nintendo Alarmo Update Adds Multiple Highly-Requested Features
    www.nintendolife.com
    Image: Ollie Reynolds / Nintendo LifeNintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo had been updated to version 3.0.0, adding in a highly-requested feature that, frankly, should have been there at launch.As detailed by the Japanese support page (english patch notes are not yet available at the time of writing), you can now alter the alarm time and mode for each day of the week. This was a major sticking point for us when we first reviewed the device, but Nintendo has finally come through with this much-needed update.In addition, another complaint users had was the limitations around the Sleepy Sounds mode. Previously, you had no option to lengthen the amount of time that these would play, but thanks to the new update, you can set these to play for as little as one minute or as long as sixty minutes.So, let's take a look at the patch notes:- You can now set the alarm ON/OFF, alarm time, and alarm mode for each day of the week.- You can now set the playback time of the Sleepy Sounds sound.- You can set this in 1-minute increments from 1 minute to 60 minutes.- A preview will now play on the alarm scene selection screen.- Improved the stability of determining whether the good night sound will play.- Even if the good night sound has already played, you can now play it again by setting the good night sound.- You can now set the screen brightness to a darker setting.- You can now check the MAC address of the unit even when not connected to the Internet.- Fixed several issues and improved operational stability and usability.Alarmo also recently received an update to add sounds from Super Mario Bros. as part of the MAR10 Day celebrations. The device had previously been exclusive to Nintendo Switch Online users, but is now available at select retailers. Featuring four new tracksWill stick drift be a thing of the past?Are you happy to see this new Alarmo update from Nintendo? Let us know your thoughts with a comment in the usual place.[source support.nintendo.com, via nintendoeverything.com]Share:00 Nintendo Lifes resident horror fanatic, when hes not knee-deep in Resident Evil and Silent Hill lore, Ollie likes to dive into a good horror book while nursing a lovely cup of tea. He also enjoys long walks and listens to everything from TOOL to Chuck Berry. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesNintendo Expands Switch Online's SNES Library With Four More TitlesArriving next weekNintendo Museum Launches Keychains That Play Your Favourite Console JinglePortable nostalgia
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  • Rumour: A Switch 1 Direct Presentation May Take Place This Week
    www.nintendolife.com
    Colour us sceptical, though.Rumours have begun to swirl that suggest a Nintendo Direct may take place this week; specifically on Wednesday 26th March.With the big Switch 2 Direct scheduled to take place on 2nd April, many had assumed that Nintendo would opt out of any other major events in the immediate lead up. However, a few posts online have got people in a bit of a fluster, and the assumption at this point is that Nintendo may well drop a Partner Direct or an Indie World showcase just one week before its big Switch 2 blowout.Read the full article on nintendolife.com
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  • AI chip startup FuriosaAI reportedly turns down $800M acquisition offer from Meta
    techcrunch.com
    In BriefPosted:2:00 AM PDT March 24, 2025Image Credits:Getty ImagesAI chip startup FuriosaAI reportedly turns down $800M acquisition offer from MetaFuriosaAI, a South Korean startup that makes chips for AI applications, has rejected an $800 million acquisition offer from Meta, opting instead to focus on developing and producing its AI chips, according to a local media report.Disagreements over post-acquisition business strategy and organizational structure, rather than price issues, caused the negotiations to break down, the report said.Along with other tech companies building large language models (LLMs) for various AI applications, Meta has been trying to reduce its reliance on Nvidia for chips that are specialized for training and building LLMs. The tech giant last year unveiled its custom AI chips, and in January said it would invest up to $65 billion this year to support its AI initiatives.FuriosaAI did not respond to a request for comment. Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours.Meanwhile, FuriosaAI is reportedly in talks with investors to raise approximately $48 million (KRW 70 billion), and aims to complete the fundraise this month.Founded in 2017 by June Paik, who previously worked at Samsung Electronics and AMD, FuriosaAI has developed two AI chips, called Warboy and Renegade (RNGD), to take on the likes of Nvidia and AMD. The startup has said it has completed testing the RNGD chips, which are said to be best suited for reasoning models, in partnership with LG AI Research and Aramco. LG AI Research reportedly plans touse RNGDchips in its AI infrastructure, and the startup plans to launch the chips later this year.Topics
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  • Schneider Electrics shortcut? Its new FUNMAT PRO 310 NEO prints up to 7x faster
    3dprintingindustry.com
    Schneider Electric has optimized production at its smart factory in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, by integrating the 3D printer manufacturer INTAMSYS FUNMAT PRO 310 NEO into its 3D printing operations.As a manufacturer of electrical components such as Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs), the company has long used additive manufacturing to enhance efficiency. But with production demands increasing, it needed a solution that could reduce lead times, improve part quality, and offer greater flexibility.Consequently in October 2024, the company introduced the 310 NEO into its 3D printing farm, bringing faster, more efficient in-house production of jigs, fixtures, and other essential parts.We prefer to use the materials produced by INTAMSYS because INTAMSUTE NEO slicing software has already built-in, optimized profiles that ensures perfect prints every single time, says Kamen Vasilski, Maintenance Engineer at Schneider Electric.How Schneider Electric streamlined manufacturingLike many manufacturers, Schneider Electric faced challenges with traditional production methods. Functional prototypes and custom components took longer to produce, leading to delays in development.Injection molding added even more time to the process, sometimes pushing lead times beyond three weeks. While 3D printing had already been in use, earlier solutions werent keeping up with the companys growing needs. Therefore, the search was on for a system that could accelerate part production without sacrificing quality.Thats where the INTAMSYS FUNMAT PRO 310 NEO came in. One of the first noticeable improvements was speed, parts that used to take 12 to 15 hours to print could now be completed in just two.The systems automatic bed leveling and a heated chamber reaching up to 100C ensured that prints maintained consistency, particularly for materials like polycarbonate (PC), which require precise temperature control to prevent warping and maintain strength. Alongside PC, the 3D printer supports a variety of engineering-grade materials, including PA6, PA12, PPA, and PPS, making it a versatile tool for the factorys production needs.Parts 3D printed with the FUNMAT PRO 310 NEO. Photo via INTAMSYS.Doubling up: faster, more versatile printing with IDEXBeyond speed, the 3D printers Independent Dual Extruder (IDEX) technology has been a key advantage. It allows for multi-material printing in a single job, opening up new possibilities for part design.One example shared by the company is a gripper used on the production line, designed with TPU95A for flexibility and PETG for structural reinforcement, ensuring components dont slip during handling. The IDEX system has also been instrumental in creating welding jigs with complex geometries by pairing PA6-CF with soluble support material SP3030, cutting production time to under six hours.Having brought the 310 NEO into its operations, Schneider Electric has seen a clear shift in efficiency. Engineers can now prototype and test jigs and fixtures faster, reducing development time and increasing flexibility.Part created with a combination of PA6-CF + SP3030. Photo via INTAMSYS.Bringing more production in-house has also helped cut outsourcing costs and improve material utilization. While the 3D printer works with an open material system, the company primarily relies on INTAMSYS filaments for their optimized print profiles and reliability.Looking ahead, Schneider Electric plans to continue expanding its 3D printing capabilities, further increasing its ability to manufacture components and spare parts on-site. This move aims to cut maintenance costs, boost self-sufficiency, and enhance industrial efficiency with additive manufacturing.What3D printing trendsshould you watch out for in 2025?How is thefuture of 3D printingshaping up?To stay up to date with the latest 3D printing news, dont forget to subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter or follow us on Twitter, or like our page on Facebook.While youre here, why not subscribe to our Youtube channel? Featuring discussion, debriefs, video shorts, and webinar replays.Featured image shows the INTAMSYS FUNMAT PRO 310 NEO 3D printer. Photo via INTAMSYS.Ada ShaikhnagWith a background in journalism, Ada has a keen interest in frontier technology and its application in the wider world. Ada reports on aspects of 3D printing ranging from aerospace and automotive to medical and dental.
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  • RAPID + TCT 2025 Exclusive: Ford and Stratasys on 3D Printing for Automotive Applications
    3dprintingindustry.com
    RAPID + TCT returns to the home of US automotive manufacturing in 2025. North Americas largest 3D printing trade show will run at Detroits Huntington Place between April 8-10.Over 400 additive manufacturing companies will attend the show, which is co-locating with SMEs AeroDef Manufacturing and SAE Internationals WCX in the Motor City. As the largest technical mobility event in the US, WCX will be complemented by RAPID + TCTs stacked automotive conference track. Over the three-day 3D printing event, fifteen presentations will explore key mobility topics, including upcycling, end-use production, design, and development.On day one of RAPID + TCT 2025, Erik Riha and Fadi Abro will discuss how leading automaker Ford Motor Company is leveraging Stratasys 3D printers to enhance prototyping and product validation. I recently spoke with Riha, a Prototype Technical Specialist at Ford, and Abro, Stratasys Global Automotive Director, to learn more about their collaboration. They highlighted the value of 3D printing for car development, describing it as a critical tool in the toolbox.Boasting three decades of automotive experience, Riha uses additive manufacturing to aid product development, rather than for iterating designs. Based out of Fords Product Development Center in Dearborn, Michigan, his team fabricates jigs, fixtures, and surrogate parts such as test car bodies. These are used to assess and validate vehicle assembly and manufacturability. Theres not one part of the vehicle we havent touched, Riha explained.Abro called Stratasys F3300 3D printer, recently adopted by Ford, a step change in how FDM works and produces parts. He highlighted how the system speeds up high-quality part production, enabling Ford to stay productive, meet demand, and reduce costs.Stratasys automotive expert also addressed misconceptions surrounding the rise of low-cost desktop 3D printers. While acknowledging that desktop hobbyist units have a home in education and maker spaces, Abro believes they cannot match Stratasys performance for industrial applications. He explained why these consumer-level offerings hurt our business and taint the image of additive.Are you interested in attending RAPID + TCT 2025? 3D Printing Industry readers can claim a complimentary expo pass with the promo code 3DPI. Sign up today at the official RAPID + TCT website.The show floor at RAPID + TCT 2024. Photo via SME.Ford and Stratasys at RAPID + TCT 2025At 11:00 AM EDT on Tuesday, April 8, Riha and Abro will take to the stage to discuss the value of additive manufacturing for automotive product development. Rihas going to cover Fords use of additive manufacturing and its applications, and Ill talk about whats new at Stratasys, explained Abro. Fords prototyping expert added that the session will include performance comparisons and case studies of complex prototype assemblies produced with 3D printing.Stratasys F3300 3D printer will be at the crux of the conversation. According to Riha and Abro, Fords adoption of the Stratasys F3300 3D printer is less about unlocking new applications and more about streamlining manufacturing processes. The Michigan-based automaker already employs a fleet of Stratasys FDM printers, including the Fortus 900mc.Riha explained that his team recently acquired its new Stratasys 3D printer after moving to a larger facility with higher production demands. Initially, he considered purchasing another 900mc because of its proven reliability and 24-hour operation. However, the F3300 quickly emerged as the better choice due to its superior speed, efficiency, and part quality. In terms of throughput, it has outperformed our 900s, Riha said. Its now our flagship 3D printer and has proven to be incredibly robust.The F3300s enhanced productivity and efficiency stems from its ability to self-calibrate, eliminating manual setup requirements. Faster calibration, in turn, reduces labor costs, which our customers have been asking for for years, explained Abro. Riha added that this level of automation saves valuable time, particularly when engineers are juggling urgent print jobs.Stratasys latest FDM 3D printer initially raised concerns for Ford due to its reduced size. The large-scale Fortus 900mc boasts a 914 x 610 x 914 mm build volume, compared to 600 x 600 x 800 mm offered by the F3300. However, Abro revealed that the 3D printer can accommodate 8085% of typical parts. If youre printing a six-foot part, the biggest printer we have cant do that either, so youre splitting those parts anyway, explained the global automotive director. Once I looked at it, Fadi was right, Riha added. Most of our large parts already need to be made in two sections and glued together.The Stratasys F3300 3D printer. Photo via Stratasys.3D printing at FordThe automotive AM experts argue that the value of 3D printing for automotive applications is not in the mass production of end-use consumer parts. Instead, Abro believes the middle category between the design and fabrication stages is where additive belongs. This includes design validation with surrogate and trial parts, producing jigs and fixtures, and 3D printing tools to make components.According to Abro, Stratasys 3D printers are producing jigs and fixtures in over 20 automotive plants to help get cars out the door. This, he added, is much more beneficial than 3D printing a little widget that goes in the car. For example, he pointed to Fords F-150 pickup truck. If you can produce ten more of those a day using additive tooling, Ford can make $1 million more at that plant.Rihas role at Ford fits into the design validation stage of Abros middle category. His team uses Stratasys technology to validate the assembly process and 3D print surrogate parts for testing. The prototyping experts team 3D printed about 18,000 parts last year, mostly one-offs, with some as large as a lift gate. Some people assume prototyping means 3D printing something, looking at it, and throwing it away before moving to design iteration Abro added. This is not what Eriks team is doing. They are prototyping so that the manufacturing can be done correctly.Automotive parts 3D printed on the F3300. Photo via Stratasys.Riha noted that Ford often fabricates full-sized, drivable test vehicles to validate parts before final manufacturing stages. His primary responsibility is to ensure that the parts we produce for these vehicles provide the best value for Ford. Stratasys technology also plays a key role in quickly producing one-off brackets needed to mount specific components during testing.Fords prototyping expert emphasized that additive manufacturing is not used for all applications. Instead, his teams 30+ 3D printers are leveraged alongside conventional subtractive methods like injection molding and stamping machine presses. We look at it on a case-by-case basis. If we need something quick, 3D printing is usually the way to go, Riha noted. It all depends on what the part is, what the application is, how much time we have.He added that 3D printing enables Ford to go from CAD to part in just a few hours, something you cant do with conventional injection molding and stamping. However, 3D printing struggles to replicate the properties of injection-molded parts, making it less suitable for those use cases. Its a tool in a tool belt. When it makes sense, you use it, Abro said, emphasizing that it shouldnt be forced into applications better suited for other production methods.While digital simulation tools powered by AI and machine learning are becoming more prominent, physical testing remains a critical step in product development. Simulation isnt everything, explained Abro. A lot of parts have to be hand-tested because CAD isnt going to catch everything.Riha shared an example where his team machined the back end of a vehicle and 3D printed the lift gate to assess its assembly and functionality. When assembling the battery charging port, engineers realized the original stud placement made it inaccessible during the planned assembly sequence, an issue the digital simulations had missed. Rihas team quickly built a physical model, allowing engineers to modify and test the assembly process before finalizing their design. If they had discovered that in the production plant, it would have cost a ton of money to fix, Riha added.Automotive parts 3D printed using Stratasys technology. Photo via Stratasys.Industrial manufacturing vs. Hobbyist 3D printersOver recent years, low-cost, entry-level desktop 3D printers have been increasingly adopted for professional applications that dont require advanced materials. Abro addressed misconceptions about these consumer-level products. Sometimes people misconstrue what you can get out of a hobbyist printer versus what you would get out of an industrial printer, he explained. These things are night and day.Abro compared the disparity with the difference between a scooter and an F-150. Theyre both modes of transportation, but they are not the same. If you need to haul drywall, youre going with the F-150, not the scooter.He added that low-cost desktop FDM 3D printers damage Stratasys business and the 3D printing industry. According to Abro, potential customers will adopt a cheaper desktop hobby type system and have a bad experience because it doesnt meet their quality and reliability requirements. Stratasys automotive expert believes these experiences taint the image of additive, a core message he will push during RAPID + TCT 2025.The Stratasys F3300s extruders. Photo via Stratasys.The future of 3D printing for automotive at RAPID + TCT 2025During RAPID + TCT 2025, Riha is looking forward to exploring recycling technologies, intending to increase the sustainability of his operations. I want to see if theres some avenue where I can try to reclaim some of the materials we use, he added.Riha also expressed his intention to adopt metal 3D printing technology in the future. While Ford does possess metal 3D printers, metal additive capabilities are currently absent at Rihas lab. He shared a preference for wire-feed technologies like WAAM and DED 3D printing over laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). Id like to have something I can put on my machining center to lay down metal and machine it, Fords prototyping specialist revealed.For Stratasys, Abro sees RAPID + TCT 2025 as a great opportunity to connect with customers. He is particularly excited by the shows location in Detroit, widely considered the birthplace of automotive manufacturing. Its a really good place to be as the automotive segment leader, he said. Sharing the F3300 step change with customers is my main goal.Abro sees the future of 3D printing in automotive expanding most on the factory floor. In particular, he believes automakers will increasingly rely on 3D printing for fixturing and tooling. Today, only 1-3% of tools are made with additive manufacturing. But we hear that number could reach 15-20%, he explained. Even a conservative 5x increase presents a huge opportunity.In the next decade, Abro expects the focus of 3D printing to shift from material development to increasing throughput. The thing that makes additive a super tool is speed, he said. If you continue to improve throughput, our position in the industry becomes much stronger for all applications.For Riha, additive manufacturing is set to become a standard part of product development, particularly for early prototypes. In his own field, Riha envisions a switch from building drivable prototypes to simulating environments where attributes are tested on tables, jigs, and fixtures. The way we test out new concepts can be improved, and using additive manufacturing allows engineers to quickly get to the result theyre looking for.Who won the 2024 3D Printing Industry Awards?Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to keep up with the latest 3D printing news.You can also follow us on LinkedIn, and subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry Youtube channel to access more exclusive content.Featured image shows the show floor at RAPID + TCT 2024. Photo via SME.
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  • First Universalist Church of Salem // 1808
    buildingsofnewengland.com
    TheFirst Universalist Church of Salem, Massachusetts, is a landmark example of a brick, Federal style church in New England.Tucked away within a network of Urban Renewal-era townhomes and backing up into a busy thoroughfare, the church is overlooked by many who pass behind its rear elevation, not knowing how special the buildings primary facade truly is! The church was constructed between 1808-1809 with early Church records showing that the interior carvings were done bySamuel McIntire, a Salem native, who was trained as a wood carver and later became an architect. It is unclear if any of McIntires work remains as numerous building modifications were completed throughout the 1800s; including a majorexterior remodelin 1855 by architectEnoch Fuller,changing the appearance from Federal to Italianate. The church would again fall back to changing tastes in 1924, when theyrestored to an approximation of its original appearance by the office ofR. Clipston Sturgis, a prominent Boston architect who specialized in Colonial Revival architecture. While the buildings significance is lessened by the urban renewal infill and streets surrounding it, the building remains one of the oldest in Salem and a significant architectural landmark in the city.
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  • America's smallest EV truck prototype has arrived
    www.foxnews.com
    Recommended Published March 24, 2025 6:00am EDT close 'CyberGuy': Americas smallest electric truck ever hits the streets Tech expert Kurt Knutsson discusses how this super-small electric mini-truck takes a big step toward production. California-based EV startup Telo Trucks has unveiled the preproduction prototype of its MT1 electric mini-truck, signaling a significant step toward production. At an event in Los Angeles, attendees got an up-close look at the MT1, which combines the utility of a full-size truck with the compact footprint of a Mini Cooper SE. This innovative design challenges the oversized vehicle trend dominating the U.S. market by offering a practical and efficient alternative for urban and outdoor enthusiasts alike.Stay protected & informed! Get security alerts & expert tech tips sign up for Kurts The CyberGuy Report now. MT1 electric mini-truck (Telo) (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Compact size meets full-size capabilityTheMT1 is designed to pack Toyota Tacoma-like functionality into a vehicle just 152 inches long, roughly the size of a Mini Cooper SE. Despite its small stature, it boasts impressive interior space for five adults and a 60-inch truck bed. The truck's folding midgate allows it to carry items as large as an 8-foot surfboard or 4-by-8 plywood sheets, making it ideal for both city errands and weekend adventures. MT1 electric mini-truck (Telo) (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Performance and rangeTelo offers two configurations for the MT1.Base model: A single-motor, rear-wheel-drive system with 300 horsepower and an estimated range of 260 miles.Upgraded model: A dual-motor, all-wheel-drive system delivering 500 horsepower, extending the range to 350 miles. This version accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in around four seconds.Both models feature fast-charging capabilities, allowing for a 20%-80% recharge in just 20 minutes. Optional solar panels on the cab roof, tonneau cover or camper shell can add up to 15 miles of range per day, further enhancing its efficiency. MT1 electric mini-truck (Telo) (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Innovative featuresThe MT1 incorporates several standout features.Flexible configurations: Its midgate design extends the truck bed into the cab, accommodating larger items or enabling seating for up to eight passengers.Sustainable materials: The interior uses biodegradable cork and other eco-friendly materials for a clean, minimalist aesthetic.Advanced safety: Cutting-edge sensors and structural technology aim to make the MT1 one of the safest vehicles in its class. MT1 electric mini-truck (Telo) (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Cost and future plansThe MT1 will start at $41,520 for the base model, with upgrades available for additional power and range. While full-scale production is still a couple of years away, Telo is actively testing its prototypes for safety and durability ahead of homologation inspections next winter. The prototypes will be hand-built by leading California-based manufacturerAria Group, which is a major player in the early stage development of concept vehicles and rapid prototyping for the most notable automotive companies globally. Telo has already secured more than 5,000 preorders, translating to more than $250 million in customer commitments, a remarkable achievement for a startup challenging conventional truck design. MT1 electric mini-truck (Telo) (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Kurts key takeawaysThe Telo MT1 is no doubt an intriguing concept that definitely challenges the oversized truck norm with its compact size and impressive capabilities. With preproduction prototypes now unveiled and testing underway, Telo seems to be making some real progress. However, it remains to be seen if Telo can deliver on its promises, especially in terms of production and affordability. While the MT1 has the potential to carve out a niche in the EV market, it seems like there are a lot of hurdles that undoubtedly lie ahead before we see this on the streets in the future.Would you ever consider downsizing to an MT1 mini-truck? Why or why not? Let us know by writing us atCyberguy.com/Contact.For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading toCyberguy.com/Newsletter.Alert:Malware steals bank cards and passwords from millions of devices.Follow Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com.All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.
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