May 23, 2015 | By Simon
While we’ve seen how various additive manufacturing technologies have helped revolutionize everything from the health and medical industry to how Makers make and everything in between, the technologies were used prominently before they hit the mainstream by various product development and architecture firms for creating prototypes or scale models of much larger-scaled builds.
Among other reasons, creating a 3d printed model was (and still is) a cheap and effective way of showing a client what a finished project might look like long before the time and budget is signed off on to build the actual project - thus a small model can easily become a huge time and money investment for many stakeholders involved with a project - whether the it was for a new electric toothbrush, an MP3 player, a private home or even an urban development proposal.
Now, a Netherlands-based company has taken the philosophy of creating 3D printed building as models and has reversed the role to create miniature toy models that are based off of existing buildings that exist in the world today.
The company, Ittyblox, was founded nearly a year ago. What started as a project to create a single 3D printed building led to an entire product line of 3D printed buildings, parks, highways, streets and other components that make up an urban environment.
Described as being for “architecture enthusiasts what scale model trains are for train fanatics and what dinky cars are for car lovers”, Ittyblox first hit the mainstream after a successful Kickstarter campaign for a scale model of the Flatiron Building, an iconic building in the New York City skyline. Now, the company has turned their attention a city that’s right in their own backyard: Amsterdam.
Created using the SLS full-color printing service from Shapeways, the set of urban design assets allow for uses to create their own miniature cities. The company’s online store, which is also located on Shapeways, features a large collection of various elements that users can purchase to build their own collection of 3D printed city elements.
The company established their latest Kickstarter campaign in an effort to help grow the company’s collection and purchase new equipment for building out the brand. For those who help back the campaign, the company will be offering limited-time pricing before the designs get placed on their existing online store at a standard pricing rate.
“This time, this Kickstarter is not about launching a new building; it's an entire Amsterdam set. Of course some famous canal houses are featured, but also a typical 1930's style building and a 17th century tower,” says the company.
“The process of designing these buildings, prototyping and redesigning, taking pictures, promoting the models is very time consuming and therefore expensive. With more resources, these process can be improved.”
Among other equipment that the company is hoping to purchase with funds raised through the campaign include better camera equipment and a better photo studio. Additionally, they are hoping to bring on more 3D modelers and photo editors in an effort to help streamline their production workflow.
Because the company already has a proven track record with their manufacturer, Shapeways, it appears that there is little risk for those who want to help support the campaign and get their own little slice of 3D printed Amsterdam.
Find out more by heading over to the company’s Kickstarter page.
Posted in 3D Printer Applications
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