Rapid prototyping is the construction of virtual 3D CAD (computer aided designs) images into 3D objects. Rapid Prototyping first came about during the late 80s, it allowed designers to create 3D prototypes of their potential designs. Over time these the ability of these 3D printers grew exponentially. It was now possible for these printers to create actual finalized objects that could be manufactured and sold to consumers. These term rapid prototyping soon became known as additive manufacturing.
How does Additive Manufacturing work?
Designers and engineers create 3D CAD images and objects on the computer, this information is then sent to a 3D printer where they are constructed. The printer deconstructs the CAD images into individual layers to be able build the object layer by layer.
Janne Kyttänen, Product Designer and Rapid Prototype Innovator
Janne Kyttanen started a company called Freedom of Creation that uses rapid prototyping to create a variety of manufactured objects. He believes strongly in rapid prototyping and thinks that it could be the future of manufacturing in both textiles and products.
Pros:
- Reduces over and under production
- Has minimal labor
- Minimizes waste -- No molds, no stock products
- Exponentially faster than traditional manufacturing
Some of his products include mud mats for cars, full length dresses, light fixtures, stools, benches, as well as personal client-asked for objects.
Andreia Chaves
Andreia Chaves is a Brzilian designer to is exploring the potential of 3D printing within the fashion industry. She worked with Janne Kyttanen to construct a pair of high fashion shoes. They were debuted at this years Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. She titled them the Invisible Shoes. The shoes are manufactured using both conventional leather sewing techniques and Kyttanen's 3D printing technology. Invisible Shoes will be launched for retail in Asia, starting in Beijing in three different versions.
Materialise
Materialise was started in 1990 in Belgium. It is now a large company of about 800 employees. They have the largest amount of additive manufacturing equipment in Europe and strive to bring 3D printing technology and software into the consumer product and medical practice arenas around the world.
Focusing on consumer products, Materialise not only creates intricate and beautiful designs, but they are also extremely practical. Some of their designs have been featured at the MoMa in New York City, and are for retail online.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Materialise is besides their extensive library of consumer product designs they allow the consumer to create their own 3D CAD image, which Materialise then prints and ships to them.
Naim Josefi and Souzan Youssouf
The last designers I want to point out, worked closely with Materialise last year to create a pair of shoes solely out of 3D printing plastic polymides. The Melonia Shoe was designed by two people, Naim Josefi and Souzan Youssouf, who then sent the design to Belgium where Materialise had it made. Only five pairs of the Melonia Shoe was manufactured and were revealed and used in the Stockholm Fashion Show last year.
The idea behind this shoe is to create a somewhat cradle to cradle product. In other words, a product that does not ever die, it can be reused and recycled over and over again.
The future of additive manufacturing...
- Allows for specialized design and creation processes within the product and textiles industries. We do away with the conventional "one-size fits all" logic, and allow for each person to make objects and clothing that are made specially for them and the way they want it.
- Technology and design process is much faster and efficient than conventional manufacturing so it would speed up productivity and decrease the amount of middle-men needed for production.
- Body scanning will allow designers the ability to create garments for consumers without having to take a single physical measurement. It can all be done through a computer.
- It is more sustainable. No more needle and threat. No more wasted scraps of fabric. Clothes and objects are created using only what is needed.
-
Materialise was started in 1990 in Belgium. It is now a large company of about 800 employees. They have the largest amount of additive manufacturing equipment in Europe and strive to bring 3D printing technology and software into the consumer product and medical practice arenas around the world.
Focusing on consumer products, Materialise not only creates intricate and beautiful designs, but they are also extremely practical. Some of their designs have been featured at the MoMa in New York City, and are for retail online.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Materialise is besides their extensive library of consumer product designs they allow the consumer to create their own 3D CAD image, which Materialise then prints and ships to them.
Naim Josefi and Souzan Youssouf
The last designers I want to point out, worked closely with Materialise last year to create a pair of shoes solely out of 3D printing plastic polymides. The Melonia Shoe was designed by two people, Naim Josefi and Souzan Youssouf, who then sent the design to Belgium where Materialise had it made. Only five pairs of the Melonia Shoe was manufactured and were revealed and used in the Stockholm Fashion Show last year.
The idea behind this shoe is to create a somewhat cradle to cradle product. In other words, a product that does not ever die, it can be reused and recycled over and over again.
The future of additive manufacturing...
- Allows for specialized design and creation processes within the product and textiles industries. We do away with the conventional "one-size fits all" logic, and allow for each person to make objects and clothing that are made specially for them and the way they want it.
- Technology and design process is much faster and efficient than conventional manufacturing so it would speed up productivity and decrease the amount of middle-men needed for production.
- Body scanning will allow designers the ability to create garments for consumers without having to take a single physical measurement. It can all be done through a computer.
- It is more sustainable. No more needle and threat. No more wasted scraps of fabric. Clothes and objects are created using only what is needed.
-
No comments:
Post a Comment