Popular consumer-focused 3D print service is expanding! In New York, specifically Long Island, they’re spending USD$28M to set up a 25,000sf, 50-person facility that Shapeways calls, “The Factory of The Future”. The facility is expected to hold some 30-50 advanced 3D printers as well as providing a physical space for maker community innovation. The facility will speed up Shapeways production and provide a lot more capacity for growth. But what specifically will be printed there? According to their blog:
It will house state of the art 3D Printers just hitting the market. Our focus will be on Selective Laser Sintering (used for Strong & Flexible nylon) and UV Acrylic Resin Printing (for Frosted Ultra Detail). But plans for 2013 include the addition of Full Color Sandstone and who knows what else.
If you’ve ever visited a 3D printing service facility like Shapeways, you’ll see an amazing concept. There are rows and rows of machines, humming away while they build .. . things. Any things. These are the factories that can produce anything. They are truly, Factories of the Future.
Via Shapeways
I think 3D printing also offers a new way of reading and understanding beauty and it's a revolution in regards to this aspect of design as well.
I went to the eyewear fair in Paris a few weeks ago and one of the most interesting things I saw was Mykita's range of 3D printed frames, these frames are "proud of" being 3D printed and are not trying to look like the other mass produced frames, nor like the beautiful, one-of-a-kind handmade frames, these are different in that they show all features of a 3D printed object; the slightly textured surface (polished just to make the glasses more comfortable), the coloration, the lightness and flexibility of the material, you can "see" the process.
I have read a little more about 3D printing and eyewear on my blog http://www.eyespectacle.com/2012/10/Mylon-Mykita.html
Sandra