Very interesting story, Beth. I have to wonder, though, no matter how thin this bikini is, I can't imagine you would you stay very cool in it. For $450-$500, any ideas on who this would appeal to? Do these designers see a fashion trend hitting the beaches anytime soon?
As you report, the lower price point of 3D printers is driving the technology into new consumer applications. I expect we'll see a flood of what, for want of a better phase, one could call "boutique" 3D prototyping/manufacturing. I could even imagine a small-scale retail entrepreneur setting up something like a novelty shop version of this stuff, where your 3D resin-based product is "printed" before your eyes.
I think you're on to something Alex. I just did an interview with Brian Matthews, head of Autodesk Labs, on their new technology release called Photofly, which essentially takes a series of 40 or so regular photos and via a cloud service, converts them into a 3D model (story will be posted shortly--stay tuned!). Any way, he talked a lot about that. The combination of technologies like Photofly with lower cost 3D printers and even CNC machines giving smaller manufacturers or even retail specialists an edge producing custom gear tailored for individuals--everything from hearing aids to high-fashion like the N12 bikini.
I could see this technology being used by the auto industry (if it isn't being used already) for mules and concept cars, especially in vehicle interiors.
The logical next step for this particular application would be to set up a retail site where the customers body is scanned, 3D model created and custom clothes made on the spot. Control or padding could be added in certian areas. Would seem like a fashion designers dream...
I can't imagine that covering sensitive parts of one's body with hard plastic circles connected by springs would be particularly comfortable, although the website claims that it is "comfortably wearable." It also seems that the circle packing pattern, as mathematically interesting as it is, has the potential to be embarassingly revealing. (In one of the pictures, it's hard to tell, but it looks like the model might possibly be wearing something underneath the plastic, which would seem like a sensible thing to do).
I'm not exactly a fashionista; I buy most of my clothes on sale at Sears. However, there were some interesting things in the video. For one thing, it was interesting to see the circle packing algorithm at work. Also, Jenna Fizel (who developed the circle packing algorithm) made the point that modern computation actually developed out of textile production. This was something I didn't know much about, but Wikipedia was able to enlighten me: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaccard_loom
Laura Sapiens' Ego! Smartmouse offers users a unique interactive experience by providing 2D and 3D connectivity, hardware identity authentication, data storage, and more.
From Dell / Intel® New Paradigms in Design Work Scott Hamilton, vertical market strategist for Dell Precision workstations, 5/2/2013 3
Early in my career, I worked as a draftsman and remember the days of drawing on vellum with numbered pencils and Mylar with plastic lead. This was a fun experience in the sense that I ...
I've been using workstations for more than 10 years and love finding ways to get more performance from my system. With demanding professional applications that require more power each ...
A lasting memory from my first job as an engineer in an auto assembly plant is standing on hard concrete at six in the morning, vending-machine coffee clutched in hand, listening to ...
A quick look into the merger of two powerhouse 3D printing OEMs and the new leader in rapid prototyping solutions, Stratasys. The industrial revolution is now led by 3D printing and engineers are given the opportunity to fully maximize their design capabilities, reduce their time-to-market and functionally test prototypes cheaper, faster and easier. Bruce Bradshaw, Director of Marketing in North America, will explore the large product offering and variety of materials that will help CAD designers articulate their product design with actual, physical prototypes. This broadcast will dive deep into technical information including application specific stories from real world customers and their experiences with 3D printing. 3D Printing is
To save this item to your list of favorite Design News content so you can find it later in your Profile page, click the "Save It" button next to the item.
If you found this interesting or useful, please use the links to the services below to share it with other readers. You will need a free account with each service to share an item via that service.
Tweet This
13 
