A report by Stuart Fraser at Makerflux describes how someone revived the idea of a classic jukebox with 3D printing.
According to Makerflux, BC-based Randy Cavanagh had previously developed a software jukebox application, but when asked to use it as a “DJ” for a wedding he decided to add a physical element to the jukebox in addition to the digital functions.
Thus he designed a highly retro-styled case in which would be held a laptop running the jukebox program, as you can see above.
We find this quite interesting, as it represents a class of activity one can now more easily undertake with access to a 3D printer. Sure, people have been replicating historic designs or re-making parts for long-expired vehicles, but this is a little different.
It’s because the jukebox was “styled” in a retro way. It wasn’t duplicated. Cavanagh was obviously inspired by classic designs, but this appears to be his own. The idea here is that 3D printing opens up a niche genre of design, in this case, jukeboxes. One can imagine others designing and printing similar – but different – jukeboxes in the same way.
What other areas of design exploration might be enabled by 3D printing? In a sense, this question represents the key to the 3D printing equation: you press a button and something prints. But what is the “something”? It’s the design that counts most now.
Via Makerflux
