Writing on their blog, they described one of the challenges they faced with the design:
“When designing hollow parts accommodations must be made to allow the support powder to completely fill all empty spaces. The support powder acts as a mold during firing. The glass becomes like soft toffee during firing and without support it will move in unexpected (usually disastrous) ways.”
3D printing is obviously well-suited to churning out bulk designs, but at the moment it’s still at a premium, with most designs being custom-ordered. I wonder how much this vase will sell for in years to come? [Shapeways via Boing Boing]
Nodeity
Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at 10:19 AMHow long before I can print out my own home made bits and bobs. The speed of progress with this technology is incredible, I’d say ten years before I can do it at home, hopefully. :)
EJH
Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at 11:59 AMYou can do it right now! a mate of mine bought a printer from the US for around the AU$300 mark and has already been printing his own creations as a hobby. If you have the cash and are interested I’d say go for it!
Nodeity
Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at 12:36 PMYeah, that’s cool but does it print from a material that is useful and durable like glass, cos plastic isn’t really gonna cut it for durability. :)