Hello imagination

At Imaginarium, we are always eager to demonstrate the difference and wonder of 3D Printing and here we had a chance to do it with cricket – what could be better! (Winning it…perhaps)

After considering all the accessories involved in a game of cricket from stumps and protective gear, to balls and bats, we decided to settle on the helmet.

A traditional cricket helmet

3D Printing a prototype

The challenge would be to re-think the traditional design and re-invent the helmet, within the laws of the game yet with a 3D printed twist.

It would be robust, user-friendly, customizable to any individual wearer, lighter than ever before, aesthetically unique and conceivable only through additive manufacturing.

image courtesy - Materialise

Designed and printed by Imaginarium using Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) technology, this one-piece helmet by Guruprasad Rao won the Materialise Cricket Accessory competition.

 Including the springs and screws, the helmet is built as one piece.

Imaginarium’s helmet was used in a real game held in New Delhi and interestingly, this was probably the first game of cricket in the world that used 3D printed equipment !

Mr Guruprasad Rao of Imaginarium with Mr Wim Michiels of Materialise

A proud moment indeed for Materialise, Imaginarium and India, and it definitely won’t be the last game of its kind, what with the way 3D printing is catching on like fire in the world of sport : 

3D Printing & the world of Sport

The World's Fastest Football Cleat

World's First 3D Printed Snowboard

India's first ever Formula One Team adopts 3D Printing

Custom Wheelchair seats for Wheelchair Basketball Players

(Cover Images courtesy DhakaTribune & Rapidshape)

Instead of immediately labelling it as disruptive to the masses of unskilled labor or to a certain pride in age-old artisanship, if we consider how it would truly refocus and reinvigorate the essential thrust of Indian jewellery, taking the spotlight away from low-cost manufacturing and rightfully shining it back onto the defining intricacies, the famous detailing and various traditions uniquely bound in Indian jewellery.

Today, the evidence is there for all those businesses harnessing the technologies available in the form of computer aided design and manufacturing tools. The transformation they can potentially bring to the jewellery business can never be overstated. Empowered with 3D design software, 3D scanning outputting digital files to 3D printers businesses can:

- create impossible and complex prototypes in resins, wax and metal

- to the exact quality and precision standards demanded by the modern customer

-  reduce lead time and turnaround period significantly

- save big on precious material, tooling costs and development time

- develop not in weeks or months, but in days

- flexibility of customization & on-demand manufacturing

At Imaginarium, we partner with businesses to help strengthen their expertise and core competencies in conceptualising and marketing unique world-class jewellery freeing them from the nitty-gritties of development and manufacturing. Using state-of-the-art technologies like 3D Printing (3DP), Stereolithography (SLA), Digital Light Processing (DLP) and other CAM processes, we offer our partners 15 different machine options with over six varieties of material in resolutions as fine as 16 micron. Today, we deliver over 18,000 models per month! 

From rough sketches to stunning metal products, from art to part, all in a matter of days. Be it a one-off bespoke design or a limited edition batch, an impossible concept or custom piece, you can be sure that if you can think it, we can make it.

Made to Make Jewellery - DLP 3D Printers

One of the more promising 3D printing technologies that we have found to really make a difference in jewellery is Digital Light Processing (DLP), particularly the DLP printer series from Rapidshape. These are specifically made for jewellery manufacturing and feature the best resin materials for mould-making and direct casting. Their accuracy and speed are amongst the best in the world and best of all, they can fit right on your desktop. 

The competitive edge for your business:

- fastest output for any rapid prototyping machine - variety of resins available, including directly castable, ceramic and bio-compatible resins - high precision and quality with the best resolution - engineered and supported by Schultheiss, the global leader in investment casting technology. 

Watch the entire process and the rapidshape in action here.

5 Bangles? 4 Rings? In just hours? No problem.

Businesses that own the power of 3D printing are revolutionizing their ability to create unrivalled value for their consumers in ways that are faster, more economical and more flexible, thus making themselves competitive in today's global markets. The question in not whether your business should opt-in to this revolution, but can you really afford to opt-out?

 Peacock-Bangle

From art to part, this piece is poetry in 18 carat gold, adorned by 1727 diamonds in a single piece. After receiving the sketch, this piece was directly cast and delivered in just 7 days. 

Design Courtesy – Kamal Jewels

Ball Pendant

This nearly impossible piece is a one-piece ball pendant directly cast in gold and set. Prototyped at a resolution of 30 micron, the part was delivered in less than a week. Imaginarium helps make such concepts a reality using its expertise in CAM technologies.

Radha Krishna

This highly-detailed one piece statue was made from a sketch and delivered in a matter of days. Interestingly, CAD-CAM was used to optimize the use of minimal material for the piece, saving the customer on material costs. 

Seen as the Father of 3D printing, Hull developed the very first 3D printing process, SLA, in 1983. In 1986, his patent for an 'Apparatus for Production of Three-Dimensional Objects by stereo lithography” was granted and 3D printing was born.

An early stereo lithography machine

Interestingly, he also developed the .stl (surface tesselation language) file format which, for over 25 years, has been the de facto industry standard for sliced, printable 3D model files. Today however, that format  is on its way to being replaced by .amf (additive manufacturing format) - a more versatile and compact format that overcomes several of the limitations of its predecessor. 

image courtesy - University of Louisville

The recent meteoric rise of 3D printing has been incredible given that Hull initially developed SLA three decades ago in an attempt to give automotive companies in the USA a fresh competitive edge. On March 9 , 1983 Hull successfully printed his first 3D object using SLA. It was a teacup.

Fast forward to today, and 3D printing is being ushered in as the 'third industrial revolution', having moved on from plastic prototypes to manufacturing end-use metal parts and printing real human organs!  

Here is a snapshot of the history of 3D printing.

For Imaginarium, SLA has been at the core of our offerings right from the very beginning. Near and dear to us, it was the technology we began with to pioneer rapid prototyping in the jewellery industry, and it really has been quite a journey since our first Viper SLA.

Today we run a greater number and variety of 3D printers, several of which are from 3D Systems. The success of these machines, and recognition of the technology in general, has been remarkably overdue given the three decades since its advent. It has been an experience and an association we are proud of and immensely grateful for. 

As mankind takes a giant leap into the future of design and manufacturing, embracing this revolution in machines, materials, methods and mindsets, we would like to applaud the man who took the first small steps...

“From the get go, I imagined that 3D printing would significantly change design and manufacturing as we know it, but I could not have anticipated the profound impact the technology would have on everything in our lives. It is both humbling and exhilarating to be apart of this incredible transformation.”                

                                                               - Chuck Hull

Focused on the Indian Medical Devices industry, MEDTEC India is a unique platform for medical device manufacturing companies to network with suppliers, manufacturers, government and regulatory body representatives, as well as healthcare practitioners.

Joji George, MD, UBM India Pvt Ltd (organizers of the event), in announcing this year's event said, "Medtec India returns this year stronger and more enriched that ever before, with a totally revamped format including a thought-provoking conference, offering an invaluable networking experience for the Indian and International leaders from the manufacturing industry, machinery and equipment suppliers, regulators and healthcare practitioners”.

This sector is also particularly relevant at this time as India's 12th Five Year Plan 2012-17 includes a major thrust in the Indian medical industry sector, given that the sector is poised to reach Rupees 30 billion by 2017. (Image courtesy Lux Research Inc)

Also, with the growing importance of 3D Printing in medicine and medical manufacturing, the market for 3D Printing applications in this sector is expected to grow at 15% CAGR to reach $1 billion by 2019 (Source: Lux Research Inc).

This is important because...

Imaginarium provides 3D Printing solutions to the medical manufacturing industry and to the fraternity of medical professionals in India. From prototyping to low-volume production of medical devices, from dental implants and surgical guides to customized prosthetics, Imaginarium brings the power of 3D Printing to healthcare. 

It was a great opportunity to directly interact with users of 3D software and create awareness regarding 3D Printing to those already well versed with anything 3D. And with users becoming increasingly familiar with add-in tools like Print3D for a variety of modeling software including SolidWorks, 3D Printing  becomes all the more relevant and accessible.

On behalf of Imaginarium, Mr Guruprasad Rao delivered a talk on 3D Printing. 

Imaginarium prides itself in providing support to the Life Sciences, particularly in the field of Medicine. Thanks to Additive Manufacturing (AM) and associated 3D technologies, it is now possible to convert CT or MRI scans, hitherto used for visual examination, into digital data than can be used to print parts for use in medical treatment.

3D Printing or rather, Additive Manufacturing (AM), is making ground-breaking advances in medical applications all over the world. Today, there is no part of healthcare that can be left untouched by 3D Printing. It is an invaluable tool that makes patient-specific healthcare a reality available to all, helping doctors plan and execute surgeries precisely to the specifications of every individual patient, and for medical manufacturers, where customization can truly make a world of a difference. And then 3D Printing does things that have never been done before! This truly is the future of healthcare.

Demonstrating one of Imaginarium's experiences with the capabilities of AM technologies in medicine is this case study, involving a twenty-one year old male with a congenital deformity. The deformity resulted in a fused mandible and a protruding jaw, which made it difficult for him to speak, eat and even express himself.

To correct the deformity, Dr Denil Solanki, a surgeon at PDU Government Medical College, Rajkot, India, collaborated with Imaginarium in formulating the right strategies to use in this oral-maxillofacial surgery. Regarding the deformity and the unique challenge this surgery posed, Dr Solanki said,

"Generally, mild to moderate types of mandibular prognathism is prevalent in the southern parts of India. These types of cases are rarely found in Gujarat or northern India. As such, nobody had yet treated or operated a case with severe prognathism in Gujarat, particularly in a government setup. In literature, most case studies involve prognathism ranging from 4 -10 mm, but in this case prognathism ranged from almost 19 - 20 mm. This severity was a big challenge to correct (via intra-oral approach) without leaving any marks on the patient’s face." 

Rapid Prototyped (also 3D Printing) models are increasingly being used by doctors in India and abroad to enhance the effectiveness of surgical operations, be it orthopedic, dental or crani-maxillofacial, or even cosmetic. For Dr. Solanki,

"...the model helped us design the osteotomy cuts and anticipate any proposed difficulties or complications we might face while doing surgery. We were able to judge the possible outcome by doing 'model' surgery. It was also helpful in educating the patient by making him aware of the possible outcomes as well as preparing him for any complications."

CT scan data from the patient was used to create an exact model of the deformed crani-maxillofacial area (in polymer) using Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) technology. 

Using the model, Dr. Solanki finalised on his surgical approach,

"...after putting all my efforts in this case via facial analysis, cephalometery and mock surgery on RP models, we decided to set the mandible back by 12 mm by doing a bilateral sagital split osteotomy and then set the maxilla forward by 6 mm by doing a Le Fort I osteotomy (butterfly shaped). A remaining 2 mm was compensated for by orthodontic treatment. The entire procedure was done from inside the mouth without leaving any incision or scar mark on patient’s face." 

The before & after images are testimony to the magical transformation that has brought a smile to the boys’ family, to the doctors involved, to us…and above all, to the boy himself!

Speaking to Dr. Solanki about his experience and the effectiveness of using 3D printed models, he echoed the sentiments of surgeons world over when he said,

"No other technology can provide such precise and in-depth overviews of the human (bony) anatomy in a custom yet cost effective way."

We are truly excited to be part of this revolution in personalised medical treatment. A revolution in patient-specific healthcare – be they instruments, devices, implants or anatomical models.

AM is making a huge difference in the medical world and we sincerely believe its use in medicine will be among its most significant applications.

Having been first introduced to 3D Printing at TEDxKids@Brussels at the age of ten, he has since designed and printed parts himself, sold parts and machine time on his desktop printers, given talks on the magic of the technology in various parts of the world and much much more!

A little while ago, Imaginarium had the chance to host Ritik at our headquarters in Mumbai and learn from the 3D printing prodigy first hand. All of thirteen, he waxed eloquently on the technology, his experiences with it, and its applications. It was eye-opening, to say the least, to hear Ritik discuss custom-made Ironman costumes to the nitty-gritties of pricing machine time on his home printers to the rise of digital creation.

Oh, and he’s also already an authority in the 3D printed personalized gifts market. Here, he talks about how he made personalized key-chains for every one of his classmates using a LeapFrog printer.

Having spoken earlier this year at TEDxYouth@Flanders (which can be viewed here), Ritik will soon be addressing over 2000 attendees at TEDxFlanders in Antwerp on 21st September.

It has to be said that the ease and sheer speed with which the digital generation familiarizes itself with touchscreens, 3D modelling, and digital interfaces in general, is simply amazing. While the previous generation might find itself more at home with crayons, clay or Lego – and the limitations they bring on creativity, the ‘digi-kids’ of today are born accustomed to the idea that anything is possible…even if till now, that was only on a screen. Now with the advent of desktop 3D printing, that idea is tremendously reinforced since you can actually make (print) exactly what you have on screen. For kids, this mean they can make their own toys at home, anytime they want. Talk about empowerment!

The grand event, organized by the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and staged over 46,000 square meters, was inaugurated by none other than Chief Minister of Maharashtra Prithviraj Chauhan (center).

Year on year, the event has grown to become the leading platform for the Indian jewellery industry, with this year seeing over 800 exhibitors and 35,000 visitors from India and abroad. Also the biggest trade show in India, IIJS also had visitors and exhibitors from over 85 countries.

From the latest technologies and machinery to designer wear, from loose diamonds to pure gold or silver jewellery (not to mention an entire hall dedicated to ancillary industries; IIJS gives the vast ecosystem for jewellery a chance to come together in one place over five days.

Among many outstanding and unique creations on display at IIJS was this, the world's first bike handcrafted in silver. More about it here.

Courtesy: Silver Emporium 

For Imaginarium, we enjoyed presenting our CAD-CAM services to what has always been a very select audience. It was also a great opportunity to interact with our existing clients in a relaxed environment.

Our Stall!

This time we introduced a broader array of services including a greater variety of resins and new CAM machines.

Even so, it remains that a larger part of the jewellery industry in India, including the biggest brands, still depend on skilled craftsmen to painstakingly make prototypes by hand. Issues like cost, trust, design secrecy, tradition, awareness, etc. give rise to the reluctance to switch to CAD-CAM services.

However, Imaginarium is here to change that.

From what we saw at IIJS 2013, it is clear that we are perceptibly moving out of the ‘early adopter’ stage and into the mainstream. With more and more businesses keen to explore our services (and visibly impressed when they do), the trend in the burgeoning jewellery industry is to be no longer reluctant but eager to shift to CAD-CAM. Especially when it is provided as a professional service.

The event was a fruitful combination of design students on the brink of exciting careers and experts keen to elevate them with their own experiences and insights. With faculty, alumni, social organizations and industry present as well, a small ecosystem of design came together over the five day event.

You can learn more about it here.

 Speakers who honoured the event included Pankaj Jhunjha (TATA Motors), Narendra Ghate (TATA elxi), Kaushik Roy (Reliance Industries), Geetika S K (Future Factory), Shyam (Dig Design Studio), Monica Bordegoni, Anshu Gupta (Goonj), with the legendary Shyam Benegal (who was kind enough to give Imaginarium an autograph!) as guest of honour.

At Imaginarium, we have always been committed to educating, involving, and serving design students using the power of 3D Printing. At the event, Imaginarium showcased a range of samples from different 3D Printing processes and unique designs that not only delighted the curiosity of students, faculty and the general public alike but informed them as well. 

Amongst the brilliant student projects on display, ranging from animation design to visual communication to product design to mobility and vehicle design, these were a few where students worked with Imaginarium to prototype concept models. We only took it one step further and sponsoring DDS 2013 was a great opportunity to further engage endeavouring designers with 3D Printing.

Shivam Sharma & Debopam Das, students of IDC, IIT-Bombay, took advantage of 3D Printing for their design projects in the Mobility & Vehicle Design segment.

With help from Imaginarium, Shivam used 3D Printing to create a prototype of his design for an 'Entry Segment Motorcycle' for India that is more aesthetically appealing, with the Hero Splendor as the benchmark. Debopam, on the other hand, developed and prototyped a refined and more appealing exterior for an Entry Package for the A+ segment, with the Maruti Suzuki Alto as the benchmark.

What with styluses, touchscreens, and 3D design software being the design tools of today; 3D Printing seems to be a natural extension of the shifts in design technology that are rapidly bridging the gap between the virtual and the real. It is 2013, and we’re not very far from an ‘If you can think it, we can make it’ future.

 Melinda Looi at the First Asian 3D Printed Fashion Show

 Learn more about it here.

 One of India's First 3D Printed Fashion Accessories

Prior to the event, an Accessory Design Challenge from Materialise was thrown open to design communities worldwide.

Always up for such challenges, our team of CAD artists at Imaginarium (led by Mr Guruprasad Rao) came together (on a Sunday) to take it up. In ten hours, from sketching the concept by hand to uploading its 3D model, Imaginarium’s entry was complete. The design theme for the challenge was birds.

A stunningly elegant headgear, inspired by our national bird the Peacock, was designed by Mr. Rao. Filled with traditional and historical motifs that bring out the elaborate courtship dance of the exotic male bird, the peacock design won 1st place in the “Most Innovative Designs – Rethinking traditional accessories with 3D printing technology” category. This design was amongst ten designs selected to be showcased at Asia’s First 3D Printed Fashion Show.

Talking about his winning design, Mr Rao explains, “The design is symbolic of beauty, grace, pride, and mysticism. Symbolizing the birds’ exotic dance and the fanning out of its tail and feathers, the design personifies the mystic bird, thus bringing alive its grace and beauty to the wearer.”

The intricate headgear was made as one piece in one material, white polyamide.  Weighing just 60 grams, the piece took a little under nine hours to be printed using Selective Laser Sintering (SLS).

This level of complexity and the sheer time in which it was prototyped would not have been possible with any existing technology other than 3D Printing. It also represents Indian jewellery design and its state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities on a global platform – Asia’s First 3D Printed Fashion Show!

Wearing India's First 3D Printed fashion accessory, the 'Peacock Headgear',  a model walks down the ramp in Malaysia.

 Imaginarium will continue to make a contribution in such events and challenges, hoping to achieve many such milestones in the future; especially those that catapult India's standing in the geography of 3D Printing. Besides, with this peacock headgear, 'another feather in the cap' takes on a whole new meaning! 'Hats off' to Materialise as well for successfully organizing the show, from concept to execution, this landmark event for Asia couldn't have been better!

Moving onward and upward, while spreading awareness on 3D Printing and how it makes sense (particularly in our more serious technical projects), it helps to have moments like these where it can be just sensational!

The conferences aim to showcase and discuss the latest developments in AM, covering its healthcare and industrial applications, while raising awareness through design contests and innovative projects led by local participation. The first of these events was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia through June 14-16, with over 100 experts from around the region in attendance.

Imaginarium, being a leading AM (3D Printing) service bureau in India, was invited to the 1st APAC conference and Mr. Kamlesh Parekh - Managing Director, and Mr. Guruprasad Rao – CEO, represented Imaginarium at the event.

 On behalf of Imaginarium, Mr Rao was a speaker at the conference presenting on “A Decade of Service – Imaginarium’s Experience”. His talk spoke about the Imaginarium story so far, as well as best practices being applied in the AM services sector.

PackFair, the packaging institute’s career fair, was organized by IIP along with support from the IIP Alumni Association to commemorate the 47th Foundation Day of the autonomous institute. From Imaginarium, Managing Director, Mr. Kamlesh Parekh, was present as the Guest of Honour.

Courtesy - IIP

After lighting the lamp to auspiciously begin the event, Mr. Parekh was felicitated by Mr. N.C. Saha – Director, IIP.

Imaginarium was proud to be a part of IIP's 47th Foundation Day celebrations with Mr NC Saha, and Mr S K Ray - Chariman, IIP. Courtesy: IIP

The event also involved a “National Seminar on the Latest Trends in Packaging”, which hosted several prominent guest lecturers. CEO, Mr. Guruprasad K Rao, presented a lecture on “Demystifying Colour”, greatly illuminating the role of colour in packaging and products.

Courtesy - IIP

As part of the fair and national seminar, Imaginarium also had a stall setup at the PACKFAIR hall to introduce students and visitors to the world of additive technologies.

The event was held on 21st April at ‘the other song’ head office in Andheri, Mumbai. Imaginarium (Mumbai) was honoured to be present along with Materialise (Belgium) as event sponsors – while CNBC TV18 provided media coverage.

Imaginarium (Mumbai) & Materialise (Belgium) were event sponsors.

The day-long event was held at 'the other song' head offices in Mumbai.

 The star-studded list of speakers included luminaries from various fields and disciplines who shared their innovations, their stories, and most importantly their spirit – in brief talks and interactions spread across the day at TEDMEDLive. Below is a complete list of the speakers from that day, along with a short introduction to their talk.

TEDMEDLive Speakers. Full details are available here. Courtesy: theothersong

3D Printing found itself highlighted in quite a few talks, particularly those focusing on orthopaedic or orthodontic innovations.  Belgium’s first face transplant, one that successfully employed 3D printing technology, was presented as part of Aishwarya Menon’s talk on medical applications from Materialise, while Professor B Ravi from IIT-Bombay spoke about how digital design and simulation technologies helped a team of a few passionate innovators, from various backgrounds, to develop in just four years – from scratch, a knee-endo prosthesis system that is one-third the cost of comparable devices.

Or will it turn out to be just another way to turn wood into a ship? Either way, the true significance, the essence, or nature of 3D printing is yet to take clear form.

What has begun to take clear form though is the 3D printing of nature.

The technologies in AM are taking us ever closer to a natural way of manufacturing or a way of replicating manufacturing processes naturally found in our environment, unlike traditional (subtractive) methods. This is explained very well here, where the author says,

…nature does not design in this deconstructive way. A tree trunk, limbs and leaves aren’t built separately and assembled. Rather, nature designs and grows the entire tree in a progressive, additive fashion, and largely from one material. Nature starts with a material (e.g. cellulose is the material for trees) and deploys that material in various densities, shapes, thicknesses, and modified formulations to create an integrated object.  The same basic building-block material that makes the thick rigid trunk of a tree also makes the broad, flat leaves of the tree, thin flexible twigs, and hard shells of the tree’s nuts.

Have you ever wondered how a snowflake is formed? Or a wasps nest? Or a mountain? Or crystals or corals? If you have, you’ll find that a lot in our world, including ourselves, is formed additively.

Already, researchers are looking to use its organic structures to print better human armour, better concrete, and better bionic arms – with variable density, strength and functionality. Properties that would mimic those found in nature. 3D printing is also making it possible to better understand aspects of nature , like the aerodynamics of a batwing – using models that are as close to the real as thing as we can get, thus allowing us to study the finer details of our environment without truly disturbing it. Just take a moment….to scan & print a batwing!

Creating the most accurate models of nature yet, like this batwing. Courtesy: Breuer & Swartz labs/Brown University 

And if the promise of the future seems too far off, here are examples of instances where 3D printing is already making a huge difference.

Bald Eagle

Courtesy: birdsofpreynorthwest

With a beak damaged beyond repair, Beauty (an American bald eagle) would be unable to eat or take care of its basic needs herself. Instead of being euthanized, Beauty had a prosthetic beak 3D printed (using nylon polymer), tailored to the exact dimensions of her actual beak, and fixed onto her remaining beak using a titanium mount. Now able to fend for herself (since her beak is back), Beauty is also once again, beautiful.

Hermit Crabs

Project Shellter, from Makerbot and TeamTeamUSA, uses 3D printing to make eco-friendly shells for hermit crabs. Courtesy: makerbot.com

 A shortage of shells in the ocean?

Who would have thought it? But there is a shortage of shells in the ocean and plenty of trash and plastic. Hermit crabs face a serious problem since they house themselves in natural shells they find – to protect themselves. Due to a lack of shells, the soft crabs have begun using pieces of garbage. A novel solution, Project Shellter, currently being used only by owners of pet hermit crabs, is to 3D print eco-friendly shells for the crabs. The added benefits are that you can create your own shell designs, and you can scale them as the crab grows - so it always fits into its stylish shell.

  Spider Robot & Loop Chair

Economical and easy to make spider-bot. Courtesy: Fraunhofer - Gesellschaft

The Loop Chair, design based on biomimetics. Courtesy: Bernotat & Co

  There are also an endless number of designs inspired by nature, some for aesthetics, some for the ‘additive’ advantage. Like this 3D printed arachnid robot that can go where humans cannot. It is extremely stable, with a highly versatile design, and cheap enough to be printed and discarded after a single use!

Similarly, this Loop Chair developed by designer Anke Bernotat, models itself on structural patterns found in nature. It is also the first cantilever chair to be 3D printed. Using the structure of trabeculae in bones as inspiration to print a chair, the design optimises structural strength and material usage. With 3D printing, it is now possible to precisely mimic nature – and designers, now rid of the hurdles of conventional manufacturing, can now look towards nature with unshackled optimism.

  Coral Reefs

From digital models to printed corals, using special materials. Courtesy: Sustainable Oceans International 

This could well turn out to be a winning application for 3D printing in nature. Saving coral reefs! With coral reefs diminishing world over at an alarming rate, there has been a need to artificially create coral. This artificially created coral will then help initiate the formation of natural coral or serve in its role instead. Previously, these artificial corals were created using complex moulds and concrete, and these were just not good enough. 3D printed corals, made in material closely mimicking that found in sandstone reefs, have brought us closer to making real coral as we've ever been!

And is this really being done? 

Indeed. Sustainable Oceans International (SIO), an international company based in Australia specialising in reef design, has partnered with Reef Arabia (a reef construction company from Bahrain) to 3D print prototype corals. 270 of these will be placed off the north coast of Bahrain to assess their effectiveness.

  So!

We can fix a reef by printing corals that are (nearly) as good as real. We can put a beak back on a bird, and build houses for animals who might never notice the difference between actual twigs or shells – and 3D printed twigs and shells. With further improvements in materials, we might have a wider range of organic, bio-friendly and sustainable ways to 'print' parts of our environment with.

It seems, now more than ever, that additive technologies have brought us the closest we have ever been to organic manufacturing.

And if this has left you wondering whether printing a tree might ever be possible, you’re a little behind. Researchers from the University of California and designers from IDEO have teamed up to take a serious look into using E.coli bacteria to print objects using cellulose – the stuff plants are made of.

And to drive the point home, to do away with some of the doubts that linger, myths that wander…or naysayers that well… still say nay, here are a few more reasons to believe

Courtesy: imaginarium

3D printing jewellery also allows for the rise of new business models since:

-          it would permit decentralization of manufacturing since all one has to have is an inventory of 3D CAD designs connected to a few installations where AM machines would print them.

-          it would revolutionize supply chain management, reduce wastage, reduce time to market, and improve product quality. Since any volume of pieces is economical to manufacture, with almost no added costs for complexity.

-          the speed and freedom of design would allow manufacturers and retailers to increase their focus on design and innovation. This would mean a more diverse and flexible portfolio with the ability to produce ahead of global market trends.

-          it would allow for whole new customer interactions. Inventories of digital designs can be shown to the customer, exact models can be created whenever needed to give the customer a feel of the actual thing, and every design can be customised.

-          creating precise replicas (or models) would make the marketing and display of jewellery safer, cheaper and easier to manage. This would also apply in the restoration and display of artefacts or rare jewellery. Scaling models to any size is also much easier.

-          the rise of custom designed, just-in time (manufactured) jewellery, across the value chain will drive competition, innovation up and prices down.

Imaginarium, (pioneers in the use of RP in jewellery manufacturing in India) has over a decade of experience and expertise in manufacturing jewellery using AM. We strongly believe the future will see AM establish itself firmly in the jewellery industry and become synonymous with it, just like in hearing aids or medical implants today. This is not hype. Even as you read this, AM is making a real and significant difference to a jewellery business somewhere in the world.