Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 460,592 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,240 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 321,086 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,240 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 321,086 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,210 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 460,592 cutting edge ideas.

Portable 3D Printers

PopFab by Ilan Moyer and Nadya Peek Fits in a Briefcase & Works Anywhere

— August 7, 2012 — Tech
Two MIT students, Ilan Moyer and Nadya Peek, have created a portable 3D printer called PopFab that can be used virtually anywhere. The portable 3D printer fits in a metal briefcase and can be assembled quickly and easily to work in very little time.

As Moyer's video description states, PopFab comprises various tool heads and a computer-controlled motion platform that allows the machine to digitally create 3D objects via printing, milling, cutting and drawing. Currently available for purchase for less than £60, the portable 3D printer is easy to carry and easy to assemble and disassemble. According to the designers, it has already traveled extensively -- within the United States and from Germany to Saudi Arabia -- as a carry-on piece of luggage.

Trend Themes
1. Portable 3D Printing - The trend of portable 3D printing is disrupting the traditional notion of in-house prototyping and manufacturing.
2. On-the-go Manufacturing - The trend of on-the-go manufacturing with portable 3D printers presents opportunities for businesses to provide quick, customized solutions and services in remote or disaster-stricken areas.
3. Modular 3D Printing - The trend of modular 3D printing with interchangeable tool heads has the potential to transform industries by increasing efficiency and reducing waste.
Industry Implications
1. Product Design - The portable 3D printer trend presents an opportunity for product designers to create and test prototypes on-the-go, thus reducing the time and cost for manufacturing the final product.
2. Architecture - The trend of portable 3D printing offers architects the ability to print models of their designs on-site for immediate feedback and adjustments, thus streamlining the construction process.
3. Logistics - The trend of on-the-go manufacturing with portable 3D printers has the potential to transform logistics by allowing for customized and efficient production of spare parts and equipment, reducing the need for extensive inventory and shipping.
3.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness