May 13, 2016 | By Alec
3D printed jewelry has become a common sight over the last few years, with more and more fantastic 3D printed pieces appearing on online platforms such as i.materialise. But one Hong Kong-based wedding shop is now using 3D printing for the most important jewelry you will ever wear: wedding rings. Using 3D printing’s unique advantage of creating completely customized shapes at a moment’s notice, they are now offering 3D scanning and 3D printing services to create perfectly fitting wedding ring samples.
The store in question is Forever Couple, which just opened a new Hong Kong flagship store in Lee Tung Street at Wan Chai, on May 12. The franchise already operates other stores in Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui and in Shanghai in mainland China. For now, the new flagship store will be the only one offering 3D printing sample services. It’s also a prime location for wedding ring shoppers, as the store covers two stories and about 2,000 square feet. Exhibiting rings from nine different designers from around the world, it’s the perfect place to find that one special ring you were looking for.
Should you find it, the new 3D scanning and 3D printing services will ensure you get a perfect fit. The service has been set up in collaboration with the Hong Kong Productivity Council, and provides state-of-the-art 3D printed ring measuring technology. According to the store’s founder Eddie Lai, research and development for the technology cost about 1.4 million Hong Kong dollars (about $180,000 USD) and is currently patent pending.
So how does it work? The customer’s hand is 3D scanned free of charge, and a 3D printed ring is produced in-store, which can be used to test the shape and feel. 3D scanning takes about two minutes, and the software automatically generates a digital ring sample. The whole process, including 3D printing, can take as little as ten minutes. The ring is 3D printed in resin for optimal accuracy.
According to Mr. Lai, they hope to add a new dimension to peoples’ weddings through this service. Wedding rings are a product you wear for years, he says, but finger size can change over time or due to temperature changes. Through the 3D printing service at the Forever Couple store, clients can therefore get a feel for the ring and see if it’s comfortable. Hopefully, it will help them find the exclusive wedding ring they are looking for.
Mr. Lai further said that he believes the technology was fully worth the investment. Whatever the economy does, the number of marriages is expected to remain stable. In part thanks to these new services, the company’s revenue is expected to rise by 20 percent over this year. Mr. Lai is also looking towards the future already. “I hope that by the end of this year, we can apply to the Hong Kong Brand Development Council's ‘Made in Hong Kong Flag’ program, to realize a special Hong Kong-brand wedding ring,” he says. Weddings, it seems, are big business in Hong Kong.
Posted in 3D Printing Application
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