Sigma dp2 Quattro With 20MP Foveon X3 Sensor Unveiled

Sigma has today announced the arrival of a new camera to its range in the form of the Sigma dp2 Quattro, which as well as sporting a very unique case design is also equipped with the new Foveon X3 direct image sensor.
The Foveon X3 direct image sensor has been designed to act in a similar way to traditional colour film and captures multiple layers of the information , using a 35mm equivalent focal length lens of 45mm.

 The Sigma dp2 Quattro is the first of three cameras to be unveiled by Sigma with the dp3 Quattro Mid-tele and dp1 Quattro Wide also mentioned on their website, but not officially launched as yet.

Sigma explains a little more about their newly announced pocket sized Sigma dp2 Quattro camera, that weighs 395g or 13.9oz without the battery and memory card installed.
“For the new dp series, we rethought and redesigned every aspect of the camera, including the sensor, engine, lens, and body. While retaining its famous textural expression, which seems to give form to the air itself, the updated Foveon direct image sensor produces images that are more colorful, rich, deep, and faithful than ever before.
Along with Sigma’s proprietary image processing technology, this sensor produces incredible resolution, precise gradation, gorgeous color, breathtaking realism with a 3D feel. In other words, full-bodied image quality.”
For more information on the new Sigma dp2 Quattro as well as details on the two as yet unannounced cameras jump over to the official Sigma website for more details and specifications.

World’s First Titanium Alloy 3D Printed Bike Frame Created By Renishaw For Empire Cycles

Renishaw has this month unveiled the world’s first 3D printed bike frame which they have created for Empire Cycles to be used to build the one-off titanium MX-6 Evo mountain bike.
The 3D printed bike frame has been created using a titanium alloy which provides increased strength as well as being amazingly light and was created using a AM250 laser melting machine.

 During the build process a high-power ytterbium fibre laser was used to selectively fuse together particles of a titanium alloy powder. Combining layer upon layer to form the finished titanium alloy 3D printed bike frame that you can see in detail below.


Each section of the 3D printing bike frame was then joined together using a special adhesive, resulting in a frame that is 33 percent lighter than the aluminium version. Also during strength tests the seat post bracket exceeded the EN 14766 mountain bike strength standard by 6 times.
Unfortunately the innovative 3D printed bike frame is only a one-off but if you are interested in purchasing a production of aluminium version of the MX-6 Evo mountain bike, these are already available to purchase directly from the Empire Cycles and stockists. But you can expect to see many more 3D printed bike frames coming to market over the coming years.  Renishaw explains:
“Titanium alloys are more dense than aluminium alloys, with relative densities of around 4 g/cm3and 3 g/cm3 respectively. Therefore, the only way to make a titanium alloy version of a part lighter than its aluminium alloy counterpart is to significantly alter the design to remove any material not contributing to the overall strength of the part.
The original aluminium alloy seat post bracket is 360 g and the hollow titanium version is 200 g, a weight saving of 44%. This is just the first iteration; with further analysis and testing it could be reduced further. The original bike frame weighs in at 2100 g. Redesigned to make use of additive manufacturing, the weight drops to 1400 g, a 33% weight saving.”

Sports Camera Maker GoPro Files An IPO

GoPro’s range of sports cameras have become very popular, and now the company has announced that it is going to take the company public, and has filed an IPO.
According to TechCrunch, GoPro had originally planned to file an IPO back in 2012, this was before its $200 million private investment round.

GoPro, Inc. announced today that it plans to conduct a registered initial public offering of its common stock. The offering is expected to commence after the SEC completes the review process initiated by GoPro’s confidential submission on Friday February 7, 2014 of its draft registration statement.
As yet not many details about the IPO have been released, the company had revenue of around $500 million in 2012, and the 2013 revenue is rumored to be around the $1 billion mark.