Working with Shapeways to 3D print dozens (and dozens and dozens) of designs to reach the ideal sound system, the SNOOZ team cut substantial time and costs in their production process by rapidly prototyping. The savings over traditional machining was major enough that this Las Vegas-based startup has now been working with Shapeways for more than five years — and still has more product work with us in the pipeline for the next devices.

We interviewed SNOOZ CTO and Co-Founder Eli Lazar to dig into how SNOOZ utilized Shapeways’ 3D printing technology and services to make a new product possible.

Having parts machined was always an option too, but from our experience, that is 10-25x higher cost [than 3D printing], and perhaps 10x slower, which was just not an option for us.

Eli begins by laying out the big picture:

“The Shapeways printing service has really been instrumental to the success of our product and company. Our product is a specialized fan for sleeping, and in the quiet of a bedroom you can literally hear every frequency, so any unwanted tones people will pick up right away. We used Shapeways to print probably 100+ variations of our product to perfect the acoustics and create our signature sound.

As a result, by the end of this year we will have sold nearly 100k units, and we have a 4.7 star rating on Amazon (without manipulation) with nearly 1,500 reviews. SNOOZ is also used in nearly 2,000 hotel rooms across the country as well. 

To be very direct, without having access to the Shapeways printing service our product would not have been nearly as good as it is today, or perhaps, not a success at all. Shapeways gave just two average guys with very limited finances access to world class rapid prototyping at an affordable price. That has really made the difference in our product and the reviews we have received. In fact, we found the precision from Shapeways prints to be so good that when we machined our actual plastic molds for production, we didn’t have to do any changes and were able to go to production much faster and at a lower cost. We also have two new products coming out this year, both of which have been prototyped on Shapeways, and we have started on developing a new product which will be using Shapeways again for.”

At the beginning, how did you come to the decision to use 3D printing instead of other manufacturing methods?

“Without 3D printing, I am not sure we could have ever developed a viable product, or at least one that people actually liked. Our fan blade is entirely custom, and small details make a huge difference. A 1-degree extra twist in the blades or 1mm extra length or width of the blades, and it generates a whole different set of tones. You can use software to simulate the acoustics for a fan blade design, and we did do quite a bit of this. However, these simulations can take up to a few weeks to run, and they are really not accurate enough to predict the subtleties that we were interested in. The best way I can explain this is that a stringed piano is always acoustically superior to a digital keyboard, because the timbre (perceived sound quality) of real sound is just better than any digital replica. With that said, we had to make actual parts. Having parts machined was always an option too, but from our experience, that is 10-25x higher cost, and perhaps 10x slower, which was just not an option for us.”

Did you already have technical knowledge in 3D printing? If not, was there a learning curve to getting into this technology?

“We didn’t have any prior experience with 3D printing before SNOOZ. It was actually for this reason that I was drawn to the Shapeways website. A lot of other 3D printing services seemed to put the burden of getting the print right more on the user. When we first started using Shapeways in 2015, I think you were the only online platform where you could instantly get your 3D CAD analyzed for printing with a quoted price. Even still, I think Shapeways has the most user friendly website for 3D printing. The only learning curve was figuring out what tolerances to use so parts could snap together well. However, since I found Shapeways prints to be repeatable and accurate to the CAD, every time, it became pretty easy. I actually use the same tolerances we figured out worked in 2015 to this day, and that is nearly a five year span.”

What material(s) do you print in and why?

“We have printed in SLA, Versatile Plastic (Nylon), and PLA (which you guys offered shortly). However, Versatile Plastic is our preferred choice for prototyping. The main reason is the strength of the parts. We actually produce some parts out of Nylon and the strength and flexibility of a 3D printed part is definitely on par with a Nylon molded part that comes out of an industrial factory.”

Are you able to share any quantifiable metrics on the time and/or cost you’ve saved by prototyping with Shapeways?

“I found an early quote to machine a single part for $381 that we eventually ended up just 3D printing with Shapeways for about $30. Since then, we have printed over 100 parts, so the savings has literally made the difference in us being able to afford to start SNOOZ. Also, in terms of timing, it is absolutely incredible to be able to design a part on Monday and have it in your hand within a week or so. If the legendary inventors of the past had access to this technology, the world would be a vastly different place today.”

By rapid prototyping with 3D printing, the SNOOZ team was able to test out more than 100 designs to find their perfect acoustic fit — and then translate the final prototype directly into scale production. The ease with which SNOOZ put the pieces together, at a literal fraction of the cost of traditional machining, highlights the effectiveness of 3D printing throughout the product development cycle. And today? We’re SNOOZ’s biggest fans!

Find out how Shapeways can help with your rapid prototyping needs today.

The post The World’s Best Sleep Fan Is A Fan Of 3D Printing: Rapid Prototyping With SNOOZ appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

Dozens of options are available to choose among when making a prototype. We’re going to explore why businesses are choosing 3D printing for their prototypes.

Prototyping From Concept To Creation

Prototyping typically involves a number of stages, each requiring a physical product made to meet the needs of a go-to-market step of a new design and subject to an array of testing procedures.

These, broadly, include:

• Concept
• Assembly / Fit
• Functional
• Life Test
• Regulatory

From a rough conceptual creation that prioritizes speed and appearance, a prototype is necessary to bring a design from idea to the physical. The earliest stages of prototyping often require the fastest turnaround in fabrication, as getting an actual object in hand is the only way to gauge viability for product development.

As each stage of prototyping progresses, though, needs change. The prototypes must become less rough around the edges as those edges will be subject to testing for fit, functionality, mechanical properties, and other physical needs.

A final prototype may often be visually if not tactilely indistinguishable from an end-use product, which can help in showing potential investors or creating marketing materials for a new product even before mass production ramps up.

Speeding Time-To-Market With Rapid Prototyping

3D printing is a young technology suite, and one with many names. While it is increasingly referred to as additive manufacturing today, with end-use part production possible, most notably for low-volume or spare parts manufacture, the technology’s first nomenclature in the 1980s was synonymous with its initial primary use: rapid prototyping.

When you speak to someone who’s been in this industry since its early days, they may still naturally refer to “rapid prototyping” or “RP” more often than “3D printing” or “additive manufacturing” through many years of ingrained habit.

Decades later, rapid prototyping remains the primary application for 3D printing technologies across the world.

What is it about 3D printing that adds the “rapid” to “prototyping”? Digitization.

Taking a 3D model directly to a 3D printer for fabrication speeds the process of prototyping. Digital models can be made quite quickly using a variety of 3D printing technologies, removing the needs for many steps in other, more traditional fabrication technologies. No tooling is needed, for example, nor is there a waiting period while molds are made and filled. It’s also much faster and more precise than hand-fabricating.

Additive manufacturing adds material, rather than removing it from blocks as is done in subtractive methods like CNC, saving on costs of materials that even for prototypes can run up total project costs.

3D Printing Process & Materials For Prototyping

The selection of 3D printing process and material can be adjusted for specific needs at every stage of product design.

During initial prototyping stages, a low-cost material can be used with low infill and thicker layers, lowering material costs and speeding print time to create a rough-and-ready first look at a new design.

Whether plastic or metal, 3D printing can quickly fabricate a product that will come to look and feel just like the desired end result.

By starting with a low-cost plastic material and moving after a few iterations to metal, for example, a product that will eventually be conventionally fabricated using metal can come to market much more quickly than would be the case by machining each iteration — a traditional pathway that ultimately costs much more in terms of time, money, and labor.

Following early proof-of-concept stages, subsequent versions can be made similarly quickly to get to just the right look and fit before moving into more finessed prototypes. Tweaking a digital file to adjust for better look, fit, appropriate scale, or other needs can be done quickly, with a next iteration 3D printed potentially same-day.

Some 3D printing options, like HP and Carbon, also enable the capability of prototyping and producing on the same system or family, as different materials and parameters can move ever closer to a market-ready product. By iterating on the same system that will be used for the final product, quality control can be kept in-hand every step of the way, meaning there are no surprises when the first end-use production begins.

3D Printing For Prototyping

When working with a service bureau like Shapeways, additional expertise and access to different technology suites comes into play for a high-quality experience every step of the way.

Shapeways’ rapid prototyping services offer:

Fast Turnaround

Our quick print turnaround times ensure that you’ll get your prototypes back faster than you would with traditional manufacturing processes.

Variety of Materials

Our wide selection of materials allows you to test your products in everything from plastic to metals.

Reliable Quality

Our high quality enables you to assess factors such as ergonomics, usability, manufacturability, and material testing.

When it’s time to move to the next phases of prototyping, a different 3D printing process and/or material may be in order to start getting into the right look and feel for a final product. Working with an experienced service partner offers helpful guidance in making these selections and moving on rapidly to the next iteration, ensuring the right choice is made at every step and keeping your project on track, on time, and looking just as you designed it.

The post The Business Case For 3D Printing Prototypes appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

Founded in 2015, the company has grown quickly by utilizing 3D printing from the beginning of their journey. From rapidly prototyping to printing laser-sintered serial production parts, 3D printing allows for the production of complex but lightweight parts that are free from design constraints, cutting time and mistakes while keeping costs at a minimum.

Quantum Systems has used Shapeways’ printing services to create the ultimate eVTOL aircrafts. We interviewed their CEO, Florian Seibel, to gain more insights on how 3D printing contributes to their drone-making process.

What is your name and role at Quantum Systems?

I am Florian Seibel, and since the founding of Quantum-Systems GmbH in 2015, I’ve held the position of CEO.

The core team of the founders got to know each other as part of their scientific work at the Institute of Flight Systems of the German Armed Forces in Munich. My expertise is the development and the operation of small unmanned aerial vehicles with the focus on design, construction and production methods. With my vision of a licensed, VTOL fixed-wing UAV, I was the initiator of the patent to secure the innovative aspects of the UAV and the driving force behind the founding of the company Quantum-Systems GmbH.

Tell us more about Quantum-Systems

Quantum-Systems GmbH was founded in 2015 in Munich and specializes in the development and production of automatic, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) fixed-wing drones for a wide variety of use cases. The 50+ employees are working intensively on combining range and electric efficiency with the ability to vertically take off and land without additional equipment.

Our passion is the continuous development of industry-leading VTOL aircrafts. With our ready-to-operate systems we serve a wide range of customers. We help to increase yields in agriculture, fly 3-D reconstruction missions, do tactical mapping for security forces or provide mission-critical video footage in real time to military users. Made in Germany, non ITAR and no back doors in soft or hardware as all of our flight planning and autopilot software is designed in-house.

Why did you choose additive manufacturing and not alternative manufacturing processes?

The complex geometry of 3D-printed parts saves weight by using synergy effects. With synergy effects we mean that with 3D-printed parts we are able to reduce the total number of parts by designing multiple-use parts with integral functionality.

What are the benefits of using additive manufacturing with Shapeways vs using traditional manufacturing?

We used 3D-printing right away, so there is no comparison. Quantum-Systems is a young company. Only because of the fact that we have integrated this manufacturing method into our manufacturing and development process, have we been able to significantly reduce development time. For injection moulded parts we save around 10 weeks by using 3D-printed samples to release the CAD data. The probability that these parts need a second loop of corrections is quite low in this way. For cnc-manufactured parts it is the same, we just often skip the first round of samples with 3D-printed parts which saves us 3-4 weeks. In general I would say 3D-printing saves us 20-50% of time, depending on which parts we design.

What do you value most in additive manufacturing services? 

We can have fast iterations in development and save time to mature our prototypes.

Why did you choose Shapeways?

Simple customer interface and good print quality! And on top of that, you are quick!

What types of 3D printing do you use Shapeways for? 

We have many prototype parts and even some serial production parts laser sintered.

Which materials do you print in and why? 

In general, we order Versatile Plastic and HP (Multi Jet Fusion PA12), sometimes colorized. The material properties are perfect for building light and strong drone parts. We prefer HP at the moment, but for some parts, especially big ones, we order Versatile Plastic due to the price.

Any future projects on the horizon?

A lot! And fortunately, all projects require the use of 3D printing. The drones sector still offers a lot of room to pack more features into smaller and more flexible products.

3D printing prototypes and parts has given Quantum Systems the ability to cut substantial time, effort and potential mistakes by streamlining their production process. See how Shapeways can help you prototype and take your designs to the next level.

The post Quantum Systems’ Drones Take Flight with the Help of 3D Printing appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

Partnered with Shapeways, the makers of MTT were able to use 3D printing to cut substantial time and costs in their production process by rapidly prototyping designs and printing strong, end-use ready parts that can resist the elements.

We interviewed Michael Martel from MTT to find out how MTT has utilized Shapeways’ 3D printing technology to ramp up production with speed and efficiency.

What is your name and your role at My Track Technology?

My name is Michael Martel and I’m in charge of the MTT product development.

How did My Track Technology start?

10 years ago my father and I were discussing a product that can enhance human power but as small as possible to be able to go where a person can walk. The main goal was to be able to get someone that is injured out of deep forest and at the same time bring reduced mobility persons to extreme places.

What kinds of customers can MTT benefit?

Our customers are very broad. First, there is the military for rescue and material carrying. Mining for carrying material underground without any fumes and CO2 that has to be ventilated out of the mine. Wildfire suppression help, carrying water pumps and equipment. Also fat bike trails grooming, for agriculture use on wet fields or carrying a freezer in the field for fruits and vegetable harvesting. Replacing a generator on construction sites with MTT-154 onboard 2000W inverter, and much much more. 

How did you find Shapeways?

Four years ago one of my electronic employees bought a cheap FDM printer that he assembled himself. At that time I was very skeptical of 3D printing, I was thinking it was only for toys and figurines. Nevertheless I let him try some joystick parts. I was at the time building it with a laser cut aluminum sheet, bent and welded to make an enclosed case. His part with FDM (PLA) was so successful that we used it for our vehicle for about a year, very amazing. The problem with this part was the surface finish, time to print and resistance to wet environments. I was so impressed by this test that I decided to learn more on 3D printing methods, suppliers and more. This is when I came to Shapeways’ website and was very impressed by the technical information and production capabilities.

I then decided to manufacture a couple of parts at Shapeways and I have never been disappointed since. Shapeways is not the least expensive but I tested many suppliers over the years and I did a lot of cold temperature testing. Shapeways always has the strongest and nicer finished parts. 

Unless you have $100,000 or more to invest in an SLS or HP printer you will never have the quality, robustness, precision and surface finish of a Shapeways part.

What are the benefits of using Shapeways over an in-office printer?

When buying a printer you have an amazing amount of choice offered to you. The problem is to have a printer for all of the applications. The size of the parts, the surface finish, the resistance and the productivity of this printer are all to be considered. Unless you have $100,000 or more to invest in an SLS or HP printer you will never have the quality, robustness, precision and surface finish of a Shapeways part. Shapeways is a one-stop shop for 3D printing projects. They have multiple machines to accommodate all the requirements of all special projects. So for us Shapeways has been a great partner to reach all of our goals, present and future.

What are the benefits of 3D printing with Shapeways over other manufacturing methods?

Speed, cost and simplicity. When our 3D drawing is finished we don’t have to produce fabrication drawings. We just upload the 3D file on Shapeways’ website. Very simple. We also do not have to build a mold for 1 up to 50 parts. It’s very great cost saving. Later when the design is perfect we can build a mold and be confident that the mold will meet our requirements. We are also not limited to a particular shape with 3D printing, practically every shape is possible. Finally, the precision, repeatability and tolerances are better than most of the others manufacturing methods.

“The precision, repeatability and tolerances [of 3D printing technology] are better than most of the others manufacturing methods

What aspect of My Track Technology production do you use 3D printing and Shapeways for?

We are right now moving to production and most of the parts that had previously been tested with 3D printing are now thermo or injection molded. 3D printing saves us an amazing amount of money by testing different designs quickly. When the design is confirmed the mold can be built with the peace of mind that this part works perfectly well.

The other 10 parts that are needed for an MTT-154 2020 will continue to be built with 3D printing technologies. Up to about 100 MTT-154 units per year it totally makes sense to print parts in Nylon. We save the initial cost of the mold and we can design parts that are impossible to manufacture with a traditional mold.

What materials do you use?

Right now we mostly use SLS, with Nylon PA12 (Versatile Plastic), dyed black. We also use rubber like TPU to create custom grommets.

How does working with Shapeways affect the speed of your manufacturing?

In our MTT machine there are about 20 plastic parts. Last year we were in a very big rush to do a test with the US military and we had no time to build 20 molds for every single part. We saved at least 6 months (concept, drawing for molding, mold building and parts production) by 3D printing with Shapeways.

How about any cost savings?

For 20 plastic parts the average cost of a mold is $3500 * 20 = 70,000 USD. This money would have been a very big gamble knowing that we were unsure if these parts would meet the functionality, design and resistance we needed. $70K is a lot of money for a startup. It’s manageable, but $70K without any guarantee that this mold will be useful in the future is unacceptable.

What is the most important aspect of working with Shapeways for you?

First, when we want a strong part I know that Shapeways will not disappoint us. Also the website is very easy to use, and I like the freedom to choose the shipping you want depending on the requirement of a particular project. The quality control is also excellent because I never return a part. Finally, the service when I need information is excellent.

Can you share any current or future goals for My Track Technology?

The goal right now is really to move to production and send machines to the customers that have reserved these vehicles in the past. The product we sell right now is our MTT-154 2020, with the possibilities to have only one unit with a trailer/sled or with the flip of a switch multiple units coupled together for special military and industrial applications.

Finally, we have orders for some small MTT-like robots. The frame will be built entirely in SLS printing at Shapeways very soon.

The next stage in 2021-2022 will be remote control with satellite or 4G and autonomous capabilities.

Efficient Manufacturing with 3D Printing

My Track Technology’s vast range of potential applications will see it become an essential tool for assisting humans in navigating challenging terrains and environments. Using 3D printing has made MTT’s production process much more efficient and affordable and shows how 3D printing can contribute to smarter manufacturing.

Find out how Shapeways can help with your rapid prototyping and robotics manufacturing needs.

The post How My Track Technology Uses 3D Printing for Their Remote All-Terrain Vehicle appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

You can find plenty of ways to iterate on your design right on the Shapeways website, from cheaper test materials to community feedback. Beyond that, there are countless free (or cheap) online tools to help you get the job done. If you need some help, here are seven ways to take your design from prototype to perfection:

1. Use Cheaper Materials to Test Your Design

Shapeways offers high-end materials to make your products shine, but while you’re testing and tweaking your design there’s no need to spend a ton of money to 3D print each prototype. Instead, use a cheaper material to iterate. For example, use Versatile Plastic to test a steel product, or test your jewelry design with Fine Detail Plastic.

print the next iteration

2. Lower the Final Price By Adding Empty Space

If you’re worried your final product will be too expensive to sell or produce, there’s an easy way to lower the price without sacrificing your vision. Just try creating some empty space by hollowing out your design or expanding existing openings. Who knows? You may even prefer this new iteration.

3. Create Small-Scale Test Prints

Here’s another trick if you’re worried about spending too much money while iterating: shrink down your product to test out different ideas for cheap. Shapeways even offers easy-to-use tools for scaling down the size of your design. Just be careful not to make it too small or it might be too difficult to print accurately.

try it yourself

4. Use Design with Shapeways for design help

Along with manufacturing amazing products, Shapeways also offers a thriving community of 3D designers who can help bring your vision to life. So if you’re having trouble perfecting your design, head to Design with Shapeways and submit your request

5. Use CAD Software to Quickly Test Out New Designs

If you need to test out a bunch of a different ideas quickly, CAD (computer aided design/drafting) is your best friend. These software programs take 2D drawings and turn them into 3D designs. They’re especially great for making mechanical parts that need to fit an exact shape to work. If you’re looking for CAD software that works with Shapeways, try Fusion 360 (free for students, startups, and makers) or Tinkercad (also free, and great for beginners).

print a new design

6. Use 3D Modeling Software to Fine-Tune Your Creation

Once you have a basic 3D design, 3D modeling software will give you the tools to iterate on the final product, offering direct control that’s great for more artistic ideas. Shapeways supports a ton of different file formats and works with free apps like SketchUp and Blender.

Blender

7. Make a Mood Board on Pinterest

Finally, if you’re searching for inspiration, try using Pinterest to collect images and ideas that inspire you. Any time you see a piece of jewelry, home decor, or even images from nature, you can quickly save it on Pinterest. Then, when you need a new idea you’ll already have a wealth of inspiration right at your fingertips as you iterate on your latest product.

Let Us Help

Get in touch to discuss how we can help you prototype faster and easier with 3D printing.

*Updated by Shapeways on 7/11/2018

The post 7 Tips, Tricks, and Tools to Iterate Your Product to Perfection appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

Kespry‘s drone, featuring a 3D printed cover prototyped and produced with Shapeways

We know that prototyping can be a lot of work. It’s one thing to have an idea gestating in your mind; it’s another to make it come to life. 3D printing has always been a fantastic way to prototype products, but it’s now more accessible than ever. It’s no longer just companies like GE and Ford who have access to fast, low-cost, production-quality 3D prototyping. If you’re ready to start prototyping your idea, but unsure where to begin, consider these five ways that 3D printing is transforming and advancing the process — for everyone.

It’s Quick and Precise

Traditional prototyping involved working with handmade models. You could spend days or weeks creating a small-scale prototype, only to find that the proportions were inexact, and didn’t meet the testing demands of the final product. Even if you had a personal 3D printer, you would be limited by geometry and material strength. With Shapeways, your prototype is as precise as the 3D model it’s printed from, whether it contains interlocking parts, complex geometries, or experimental features. And you can have that ultra-precise prototype in your hands in days — in one of dozens of high-performance advanced materials, from extremely strong (but flexible) nylon plastic to 3D printed steel.

see your design in 60+ materials

It’s Affordable

We know that affordability is a big concern when it comes to prototyping. Although you’ve probably had many innovative ideas surface over the years, the cost of traditional prototyping (or even the price of buying your own 3D printer) may have prevented you from taking the next step and prototyping your design. But now, you can print one-off designs without investing real money into the prototyping step, so you have more to invest in your business. And, with Shapeways’ industrial-quality 3D printing materials, your final prototype could be the same model you bring to market, with Shapeways as a manufacturing partner — all without investing anything in tooling, inventory, or large manufacturing runs.

You Can Do More

To truly test a product, you have to be able to prototype it in materials that will meet the demands of final use. Shapeways’ prototyping materials are a perfect combination of strong and affordable, so you don’t have to skimp on a prototype that doesn’t match the final product. Mike St. Martin, for example, who used Shapeways to prototype his game PlingPong in strong & flexible nylon plastic, said, “I was blown away with how tough it was! I kept drop testing it. After a while, I was just throwing it at the floor, but it never broke. I couldn’t believe it! From there, I was confident that Shapeways was the best fit for prototyping our game.”

try it yourself

Feedback Is Easy

Prototypes are by their very nature works in progress, but getting feedback on insufficient prototypes or having to wait weeks between iterations can make that progress very slow. Not only can 3D printing save you time between iterations, but Shapeways in particular can print high-quality prototypes that will provide meaningful insight into how a final product can work — along with a unique way to both prototype your work and receive feedback. Many designers will offer an item for sale in our marketplace that’s met their own testing, but, they suspect, could be improved with real user feedback — offering designers a valuable step between prototype and production. And when you prototype with Shapeways, you can tap into our community of thousands of other designers who can offer feedback, assistance, and advice.

Prototypes Become Products

If you’re confident in the prototype you’ve developed with Shapeways, there’s no need to find a partner for large runs of the finished product. You can sell the products directly to your customers by opening a free shop, or take advantage of Shapeways for Business, our white-glove service for creators looking for a flexible manufacturing partner (no minimum runs, huzzah!). Because a great prototype shouldn’t go to waste.

print your prototype

The post 5 Ways Prototyping With 3D Printing Is Better Than Ever appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

“The reason I recently started making jewelry is actually the freedom it gives. Because the sole purpose of a piece of jewelry is that it must be beautiful and inspiring.”

We’ve noticed that product designers in particular thrive on a few things: artistic freedom, an efficient means of moving from concept to object, and finished products of the best quality. 3D printing has given Stockholm-based designer and product developer Gustav Rosén all three — along with the flexibility to branch out and find new ways to express his love of his craft. But his process begins, of course, with inspiration.

“I am a fan of Eileen Gray. She was a pioneer of the Modernism movement in architecture and also designed a lot of beautiful objects. Danish furniture brand Woud recently launched a hook that I designed and named after her as an homage. And I actually first 3D printed the hook at Shapeways,” Rosén told us.

Eileen Hooks for Woud

Though he’s best known as a furniture and lighting designer for brands like Woud, Maze, and K-FAB, 3D printing has allowed Rosén to have a second life as a jewelry designer. His eponymous line, available exclusively at Shapeways, was born from past explorations. He had a “library of shapes left over” from furniture designs, until, “I realized that I could try to make jewelry of them, with the help of Shapeways.” Shapeways might have been the way to get there, but he told us, “the reason I recently started making jewelry is actually the freedom it gives. Because the sole purpose of a piece of jewelry is that it must be beautiful and inspiring.”

The Ringmärkt

While his work as a furniture designer was inspired by Eileen Gray, he’s approached jewelry design a little differently. When it comes to this new creative expression, “I would probably say that I was influenced by everything, except maybe other jewelry,” he remembers. After printing some of his beautiful, minimalist rings and pendants as gifts for his wife (stylist and photographer Ida Rosén), her reaction to the designs convinced Rosén to open a shop.

The Zig Zag pendant

Beyond his fully 3D printed jewelry, Rosén’s lighting and furniture is generally produced using traditional manufacturing. But 3D printing is a vital part of the design process. “It’s a great tool both for showing the essence, shape, and overall impression of a concept, but also to test technically complex components in a cost-effective way,” he finds.

Rosén has created 3D printed models of almost every product that’s been put into production, usually on a small scale. The designer recommends choosing a single scale and sticking to it — for practical and fun reasons: “I almost always use the same scale of 1:6 for furniture items that I scale down. It’s fun to have a small set of items of the same scale next to each other, like in a dollhouse.”

The Muskö lighting series for K-FAB

Not all of his furniture designs are printed in tiny dollhouse scale, though. “Many times, I also make full-scale prototypes, because at Shapeways you can print really big geometries,” Rosén said. These strong 3D printed prototypes help him get to a final product much faster than traditionally made versions: “I’ve used 3D prints to quickly and at low cost test features and geometries of different versions of components. Once the component has been verified via the 3D model, you can safely order using conventional methods.”

“3D printing has been a powerful tool on many levels in my works as a designer and engineer. A printed model is a great way to see if an idea is as beautiful and functional in reality. And of course, it is a great way to convey the vision of a product to clients,” he added. You can see the results of this process in his Pythagorus Bracket System, designed for Maze Interior:

We always want to understand why designers use Shapeways 3D printing vs. other companies or methods. For Rosén, it’s all about quality prints — and materials: “I have tested other 3D printing companies and also printed in my studio. But for me quality is crucial. I know the results will be good because Shapeways specializes in this area and always delivers good products. In addition, it saves a lot of time to hand over the printing process, rather than doing it at home. And at Shapeways a lot of different materials are available.”

The Lyktstolpe table lamp for K-FAB

We’re always finding new ways in which 3D printing can support the design process. What will it help you create?

3D print your work

The post The Second Life of Product Designer Gustav Rosén appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

Self-taught furniture designer Chris Salomone of Foureyes Woodworking & Design gave us the scoop on how he creates his designs prior to the final woodworking process. Nine out of 10 times, Chis will start his design process in SketchUp. While following the framework of each project’s design constraints, he’ll prototype 10+ iterations in SketchUp and narrow down the final model from there.

prototype your design

Being able to transform your digital model into a 3D printable file is an easy way to see physical furniture prototypes in miniature if you want to experiment with different components or design modifications before building it. This can also make a memorable little (literally) gift if you want to print a miniature of a client’s commission!

We asked Chris to send us a model that we could use as an example in our tutorial on making SketchUp files printable, and so he sent us his popular modern credenza. Watch the video below where Shapeways’ Lauren Slowik walks you through the process, then get your own mini 3D printed models of your designs.

It’s that easy!

print your model

Check out how Chris built the (gorgeous) final product here:

The post How to Make Your SketchUp Files 3D Printable appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

Martin and Kenneth create radio-controlled cars as VRCP. The star of their fleet is the Wild Willy, a replica of the legendary Willys Jeep, the original Jeep that was produced during WWII. Historically, the Willys Jeep was four-wheel-drive. But an out-of-the-box RC model by Tamiya was only two-wheel-drive. And not useful to these off-road trekkers.

The original World War II Willys Jeep

Martin made his first foray into 3D design in 2012, when he began developing custom maps for flight simulators. He then designed and printed a gift for a friend through Shapeways. Now, to get the performance he needed from his favorite ride, he would turn again to 3D printing.

“The Wild Willy is one of the most fun cars ever. Your face is too small for the smile you get when driving one of them.” – Martin

No one had ever tried to build something like it before, but Martin and Kenneth were determined to replicate the historic Willys Jeep. The new machine would be a Frankenstein’s monster of sorts, borrowing pieces from the Losi Mini Rock Crawler, the Tamiya original, and Martin’s Shapeways prints.

After three prototypes, the new parts were ready. The pair were so impressed with the 3D printed components, it forever changed the way they work. Martin started designing everything from vents to doorhandles to grilles, expanding from one to many makes and models. And he took his hobby pro, opening a popular Shapeways shop. His lightweight, durable 3D printed parts also give Kenneth and Martin a competitive advantage, of course, when they showcase their work as VRCP.

prototype your design

Martin developed this custom grille for the Wild Willy, here shown ready to race into battle

He also created a custom shovel-and-axe set

By focusing on creating parts that aren’t available in other stores, Martin is building a following. He’s also helping to pioneer a whole new approach to the world, one that doesn’t accept what’s available from mass manufacturers and instead says, “I can do that.”

create something new

The post They couldn’t buy it. So they created it. appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

Applications for the Spring 2018 Shapeways Education Grant are ending on Sunday, March 25th — that’s this week!

A child swims thanks to 2016 grantee Shawn Jones’ 3D printed prosthetic leg

Are you a student that’s pushing the boundaries of 3D printing? Are you experimenting with new applications for 3D printing and design, engaging your creativity and pushing materials to their limits? The team at Shapeways is excited to support the next generation of 3D printing innovation through our Education Grant Program. Twice a year, Shapeways will award printing credit to select student projects that expand, enhance and push the boundaries of 3D printing.

See what past winners have made

Past winners have found ways to improve prosthetic limb designs, develop new uses for 3D materials, used photogrammetry for stop motion animation, prototype fashionable finger splints, and use 3D printing for bespoke pieces of clothing. You can ready more stories of grant winners here and here. In short: we are looking for all types of innovation!

How to submit

1. Register for an account on Shapeways.com with a valid student email address on https://www.shapeways.com/education
2. Send an email to education@shapeways.com with the following:
a. You contact information, including name, email, phone number, and university affiliation
b. A 1-page resume. If working on a group project please include the resume all group members.
c. A 500 word project description that includes the project concept, how you plan to execute it, scope and goals and objectives.
d. A 250 word statement of interest that addresses the following: how does this project push the boundaries of 3D design and printing; how will support from Shapeways help this project achieve its potential; and how will this project impact your studies and your career?
e. Up to 5 work samples including examples of past work, renders or prototypes for the current projects. Submit files as high quality jpgs.

Requirements

1. You must be a current student at an accredited university enrolled in a degree program.
2. You must register for an account with a university email address on Shapeways.com.
3. You must submit all requested materials.

Deadline

All materials must be received in full by 11:59pm, March 25th, 2018 for Spring submissions, or October 15th, 2018 for Autumn submissions.

Notification

Notification of a decision will be by email 2 weeks after the deadline. Up to five grants of $1000 will be granted to individuals or groups.

Education Discount

On another note, we have updated our terms for our Education Discount. Visit our Education homepage for more details.

We look forward to reviewing your submissions!

The post Time to Apply: Shapeways Education Grant Deadline Is Mar. 25 appeared first on Shapeways Blog.