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Part 3: Of glasses and belts
In the third part of our best-of-3D printing series, we would like to present two more fashion projects to you today. In concrete terms, this involves the production of glasses on the one hand and the 3D printing of a belt on the other.
The glasses from the 3D printer
In the 2017/18 season, we were able to realize a 3D-printing project for the Cologne-based eyewear designer Designhochvier.
A report on this project was even published in the lifestyle magazine Brille&Mode in spring 2018. A report on this can be found in that issue, the 40th anniversary issue, under the heading “Challenge and 3D printing”.
At this point, Fabian Strohschein, our managing director, gave an interview. “It is a pleasure for me, as a 3D printing service provider, to report on a glasses 3D printing project that we were able to realize on behalf of the Cologne design office Designhochvier,” says Strohschein. “The biggest challenge for us when it comes to 3D printing glasses,” he continues, “is the ability to produce small batches and customized products in a timely and cost-effective manner.”
Because of the freedom of design possible with 3D printing, completely new possibilities open up for the eyewear designer, which must be used accordingly. The right frame can be designed for every face, says Strohschein. On the designer side, of course, experience in optical anatomy is necessary. “The fit can be guaranteed through experience in optical anatomy, especially with regard to inclination and nose flank angle.”
The advantages of additive technology for eyewear production can be summarized as follows: “In addition to the speed of the process and the associated short delivery times, the material used impresses with its mechanical and optical properties, such as lightness, flexibility, durability and luminosity colours, but of course also thanks to the personalization options associated with the process.”
From logo to belt buckle
On the other hand, the story of how a belt buckle 3D printing project came about, also in winter 2017/18, reads a good deal more curiously. In the beginning there was an order from our later customer (WAN) to develop a Christmas card for a customer (OL). The implementation of this project gave OL the idea of making a belt for trade fair appearances from that motif. This order again went to WAN. WAN, in turn, came up with the idea of realizing this belt using a 3D printing process. This is where we came in.
After initial tests with PA with aluminum powder, it turned out that a nickel-stainless steel alloy is even better suited for the intended purpose. After all, the belt buckles should not rust and at the same time be able to withstand heavy loads. At the same time, they should reflect a certain “value”.
An initially delivered sample convinced the customer so much that he immediately ordered 20 pieces for his trade fair appearance. We made these immediately.
Read more about our most exciting 3D printing projects soon.
