I've been lucky to have access to a Zcorp 450 3d printer at work and have been doing some experimenting with lamps. This example, which is hanging over my desk, is another curtain panel based form that comes from looking at barnacles and garlic. 
Also these guys, Freedom of Creation, who do great work with a related technology called Selective Laser Sintering.
The Zcorp machine builds up the geometry by depositing layers of gypsum based power and drawing successive "slices" of the form in 2d planes of glue. Here is a video of the printing interface, where you can inspect your geometry to make sure the elements are thick enough, connected, etc.
If the geometry isn't thick enough, it crumbles, so doing fine details can be problematic. This can be a problem for doing railings, or other architectural details. But with doubly curved elements, the material is surprisingly strong.
Wow, just... wow.
ReplyDeleteso how much you selling the lamp for??? and what color is it available in????
ReplyDeleteSteve
For those (like us) without easy access to a 3D printer, you might want to take a look at http://www.shapeways.com/
ReplyDeleteWe recently did a small job with them using their metal printing process and it came out pretty well. It's neat stuff!
Jeffrey, thanks for the suggestion. I've been looking for a nice laser sintering service.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, unfortunately the file that I printed the lamp from is not playing nice with shapeways (too many facets), otherwise I would give you a price.
Hi Zach,
ReplyDeleteGreat lamp! I have a question regarding 3d printing if that's ok. We want to export from Revit 2011,is there a way to print directly to the ZCorp 3d printer? We've 3d printed before but only from Rhino- we've recently moved to Revit. We'd really appreciate your help. Thanks