‘Artifacts’ 2018. Ceramics made from 3D printed molds at the European Ceramics Work Centre (Netherlands)

Glassblowing is an exercise in precision. To make an object, blowers manipulate glass that’s been heated to more than 2,000 degrees fahrenheit, carefully sculpting and shaping it with a blowpipe and torch. For many artists, working with glass is almost like a form of engineering. “We judge our success on how much control we have over the material,” says Tim Belliveau, an artist who has been blowing glass for more than a decade.

Belliveau’s work is precise, albeit in an entirely different way. For years, he and his fellow artists at the studio Bee Kingdom blew glass traditionally, creating amorphous shapes that subtly subverted the idea of conventional glassblowing. Then, a few years ago, Belliveau began noticing 3D printers popping up in studios and schools where he was working. “I thought that it was really interesting to have both a handcrafted tradition and automated technologies,” he says.”It was a really strange combination.”

‘Capitoline Wolf’ installation with 3D modeled paperfolds

Belliveau started to rethink his own process, which had become costly and time-consuming. He wondered: What might happen if he merged an ancient hand craft with advanced manufacturing? Would it be cheaper and faster? Would the pieces themselves be compelling? “It was a curiosity,” he recalls. “I felt like, if I can’t make any headway in what I’ve been doing, can 3D software help me see it in a new light? I hoped it would challenge me in ways I hadn’t see the material before.”

Belliveau’s first 3D printing project was an exploration in materiality and efficiency. He wanted to create a single mold into which he could blow molten glass. “I was trying to figure out how to get from a 3D model to a glass piece as directly as possible,” he says. The mold needed to be thin, to save on cost, yet heat resistant enough that the hot glass wouldn’t warp and melt the mold upon contact. Plastic was out of the question; so was metal like aluminum. After months of research, Belliveau realized he could print Shapeways’ raw bronze at 2 millimeters thick and it would hold up to the high heat. He made 20 glass vases in a single day using the mold — far more than he could’ve done by hand. “The results looked like gift shop glass,” he says.

A view of the 3D printed mold for glassblowing in action

Blown-glass artwork made using the Shapeways 3D printed mold

His new process was indeed faster, but printing in bronze was still just as pricey. So Belliveau began studying a new way of molding glass that harkened back to ancient Rome, where glassblowers would sculpt a positive mold out of wax and then cast the wax figure in bronze or clay. They would then melt the wax to create a negative mold out of the material and blow molten glass into it create an impression.

For Belliveau, this age-old process was a fascinating experiment in efficiency, and it led him to adapt the ancient tradition using modern technology. For many of his new pieces, Belliveau now designs positive molds in software, 3D prints them in plastic, and then casts them in a clay that’s able to withstand the heat of molten glass.

It’s a blend of modern and traditional that ultimately democratizes the art of glassblowing. “When I teach students now, I tell them this is a thing you can do from your home,” he says. “You don’t need a special school or special foundry.” Just some imagination and a 3D printer.

make your idea real

The post The Bronze Age Meets the Digital Age in the Art of Tim Belliveau appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

Shapeways is Your Own Personal Factory

If you’re new to the whole 3D printing experience, it can seem kind of daunting. There are several free 3D modeling programs out there, but actually creating your own three-dimensional products is a different story. If you want to make an investment, desktop 3D printers can be an affordable option for early prototypes; however, mastering them can require a lot of trial and error. Plus, the actual materials you have access to are rather limited. Shapeways employs a huge fleet of cutting-edge industrial 3D printers with capabilities light years beyond desktop 3D printers. We print in everything from value focused plastics to industrial strength and precious metals and are continuously evolving our offering, meaning we can always find a solution for your needs.

Get Design Help from Industry Experts

Even if you have a solid idea and some 3D modeling experience, it doesn’t mean that you will be an expert at creating an optimal 3D printable file. Shapeways now offers Design with Shapeways, a service that pairs you with a professional designer based on your plan and budget. Offering everything from end-file fixing to modeling an idea from scratch, Design with Shapeways will help you kick off your project with ease.

The Spring & Wonder brand showcases the potential of what Shapeways’ services can do for businesses and creators.

Services for Growing Businesses

Along with the ability to design and product 3D printed projects, we have a dedicated team of account managers who can help find the right solutions for your business. We’ve built Spring & Wonder, our own customizable jewelry brand from scratch, and have expertise to help your small business with selling and growing. From sourcing the right materials to creating a customized storefront, Shapeways can help you optimize your go-to-market process.

GET IN TOUCH

*updated by Shapeways July 2017

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Arrow Ring Size 6 by Courtney, etc. in 14k rose gold, 14k white gold, and 18k gold

Cast metals at Shapeways combine the cutting-edge technology of 3D printing with the lost-wax casting process developed by humans thousands of years ago. Most cast-metal products from Shapeways are jewelry, given size constraints and the cost of materials.

When it comes to cast metals, 3D printing has the advantage of being able to make complex shapes with interlocking parts that would be impossible using traditional processes. That said, engraving will not be as fine what as a laser can do. Also, precious metals are softer than steel, so they might not be ideal for, say, a bottle opener.

Origami Elephant by Necora in Premium Silver

Here’s how metals are cast: A wax rendering of the 3D model comes out of the 3D printer, then plaster flows around the wax to make a mold. Once the plaster sets, the wax gets melted out of the mold and molten metal gets poured in. Once the metal cools, the plaster is broken away. The metal is will be polished and, if applicable, plated. This video featuring Lucas Goossens of the LucasPlus Shapeways shop, will give you a glimpse:

Shapeways casts 3D models in platinum and several types of gold plus silver, bronze, and brass in a variety of surface finishes. Brass can also be plated in gold or rhodium.

Happiness – Lady Signet Ring by Latte.A.L in Polished Bronze

Evelyn Leung, a jewelry designer who runs the Latte.A.L Shapeways shop, says that cast metals suit her design aesthetic better than steel or plastic. “I generally design with the plated metals’ printing guidelines in mind,” she says. ”In my experience, if the design passed the validation checks for plated metals, they will very likely pass for precious metals.“

Evelyn gives a few other reasons why she focuses first on plated precious metals:

• gold-plated options are significantly less expensive than gold, “so you don’t have to spend a fortune to get some prototypes in hand”
• plated metals come polished to a sheen, “so right out of the box it is picture ready, which saves a lot of time”
• once you successfully order your product, it will be out of First to Try, which will help some customers decide to make a purchase

Evelyn likes how her designs look in solid metals, too. And some customers prefer the texture of raw brass or bronze.

What have you made in cast metals? Share your projects in the comments below for a chance to be featured on Shapeways Magazine.

The post Materials Explainer: 3D Printing in Cast Metal appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

print in metal

Here’s a rundown of some recent developments in metal 3D printing:

Most state-of-the-art racing bikes are crafted almost entirely from carbon fiber, which is light and strong. However, Chris Froome’s Tour de France-winning bicycle features 3D printed titanium handlebars. The Engineer reports that 3D printing reduced production time for the handlebars by up to 75% compared with a carbon fiber process. No molds were needed, and the custom fit eliminated any need for adjustability, saving up to 17% of the weight of a traditional handlebar assembly while reducing drag.

Ship Technology reports that the Port of Rotterdam’s Additive Manufacturing Fieldlab (RAMLAB) teamed with Autodesk to develop a 3D printed nautical propeller. Their hybrid manufacturing process combined wire and arc additive manufacturing with industrial robot arms, subtractive machining (CNC), and grinding. The new process will help the port provide quick replacement propellers for ships.

[Credit: Michael A. Parker]

Spaceships are also increasingly relying on metal 3D printing. NASA has 3D printed entire rocket engines. Scientists at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) created a 3D printed metal fabric to protect both astronauts and spacecraft from micrometeors. As 3DPrint.com reports, the chainmail-like textile, which is printed in one piece, reflects sunlight, provides thermal insulation, is foldable, and has high tensile strength.

Facial reconstructive surgery has benefitted from 3D metal printing. According to Additive Manufacturing, 3D printed titanium can be customized to the individual patient and aid in bone regrowth and stability. 3D Printing Industry reports that British manufacturing company Renishaw partnered with Western University to create a $5 million Additive Design in Surgical Solutions (ADEISS) center in Ontario, Canada, to produce metal additive manufactured medical tools and implants.

[Credit: NASA]

The Vader Systems MK1 Experimental desktop metal 3D printer, meanwhile, uses their MagnetoJet technology to propel liquified aluminum from an electromagnetic-field-encased 1,200° C chamber through inkjet-like print nozzles. Using wire feedstock instead of powders, it reduces costs and dramatically speeds up printing. The production model launches in 2018.

Shapeways’ interlocking precious metals are perfect for creating unique jewelry. Lead times for 3D printed steel were reduced by two days so you can create functional parts quickly. With the benefits of strength, durability, beautiful finishes, and a myriad of material choices, isn’t it time you took a dip into the white-hot 3D printed metal space?

try it yourself

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