We are constantly hearing stories about the way that designers conceptualise goods in CAD and bring them into the three-dimensional world with 3D printing. This is nothing new, but with technologies getting better and better, and designers finding more value in it, these use cases are increasing and becoming more interesting. Their projects focus on industrial design and also call for innovative manufacturing practices to realise the shapes and geometries drawn up, as well as their functionality.
The way Molinelli sees it, the industrial designs ED LIGHTING creates are strongly influenced by additive manufacturing itself, together with the technologies capable of realising design objects that would be impossible to produce.
By embracing 3D printing technologies, Molinelli is able to bring together elements of traditional design with all the advantages of additive manufacturing. Among the most notable endeavors to benefit from this is your Geometrie Collection, a group of three LED lamps which combine craftsmanship and technology. Alternatively, the oak outer casing is replaced using HP 3D HR PA 12, a 40% glass bead filled thermoplastic material with both optimum mechanical properties and higher reusability. It is ideally suited to housings and casings and is designed to replicate excellent detail.
The three lamps, which are known as Incline, Eccentrica and Sinuosa, were always likely to integrate 3D printing into their design. The group attempted SLS and FFF technology, but found the components required finishing by hand. They wanted an alternative that may produce parts prepared to go fresh from the print bed. Together with MJF, the group is able to produce a three-dimensional model with sharpened proportions for many details.
“Upon closing this stage, the document is sent into the 3D printing assistance, which in a couple of days delivers the already-finished pieces with which we assemble the very first prototypes,” says Molinelli. “They are assessed, the required adjustments are made on the electronic version, and we refer to this support for another prototyping period. To produce the definitive 3D components of this Geometrie Collection, three prototyping steps were enough to obtain the finished, tested, and saleable item.”
“HP MJF has enabled us to prevent the costs of industrial moulds. With HP MJF, the components are already finished, and they don’t require additional manpower.”
3D printing with the ideal technology (MJF) has enabled ED LIGHTING to fabricate products to precise specification. They are able to meet their aesthetic, physical and material needs and produce parts in-house. In addition to reducing costs versus using an external partner (that would also be impossible, unless they had access to MJF) they’ve managed to reduce the need for industrial moulds too.
The grade of the material has also proven exceptional. It’s also strong and tough, making it the perfect material for operational prototyping and end-use parts.
Because 3D printing is done in house, the staff will also be able to customise their lights for each client on request. The casings that are 3D printed can be engraved and embossed, possibly with a title or business brand.
“Ettore and I are artists and we love challenges,” states Molinelli. “We love to experiment with inventions. ED LIGHTING was born in 2017 using the Geometrie Collection, and we feel that HP 3D Printing technology will help us go far.”
“As soon as possible, we’ll examine colors, then we would like to look for a low-cost lighting fixture that’s completely 3D printed, emphasizing the potential of HP MJF technologies, possibly in one component. “Next year we’d like to design a new collection with high performing illumination attributes.”
