Dec 2, 2016 | By Benedict
A Kickstarter campaign has been launched for bionicTOYS, a set of (currently) 3D printed “flex-bricks” designed to bring bionics into construction-based play. The toys will be funded and produced via injection molding if €30,000 is pledged by December 23.
Created two years ago by 29-year-old product designer Marcel Pasternak, bionicTOYS combines two of our favorite things: 3D printing and play. 3D printing is, of course, being used more and more to create toys, from customizable 3D printed miniatures to fully functional 3D printed R/C cars, but Pasternak, a keen LEGO fan, wanted to create something a little different to the majority of character-based or action-based 3D printed toys out there. His creation is a simple but versatile brick system that might one day form an important part of a youngster’s development as LEGO did for so many of ours.
In truth, bionicTOYS is a little more complex than standard LEGO bricks, with its plastic, 3D printed pieces acting more like bodily tendons than construction units. They are, however, entirely compatible with other building bricks—LEGO included—and can therefore be used to add a whole new element of bendiness and stretchability to classic children’s building materials. Inspired by motion and materials science, the toys come in two levels of flexability: “stretchy” and “boogy,” with combinations of the two reaping different mechanical results.
Pasternak claims that kids can build “almost anything” using bionicTOYS, and to demonstrate the versatility of the product the designer has published photos of a whole range of animals and mechanical devices built from the flex-bricks. Backers looking to get on board with the project and start creating their own wild creations can choose from a wider-than-usual range of rewards, starting in proper with the €15 “fish fin” set, and going all the way up to a €289 “advanced builder set” containing special electronic pieces and 100 flex-bricks.
If Pasternak can reach his Kickstarter goal of €30,000 by December 23, all requested bionicTOYS flex-bricks will be made in Germany via an injection molding process. What’s that? No 3D printing? Well, no, but for good reason: at present, bionicTOYS are made from a non-toxic 3D printing filament, the only "flexible, hyper-elastic material" the startup could use, but the project needs injection molding to produce the pieces on a much larger scale. With just over €2,000 contributed so far, however, Pasternak may have to step up his promotional efforts to ensure he meets his goal.
Should the Kickstarter campaign prove successful, rewards will be shipped in March 2017. However, the bionicTOYS project goes beyond the Kickstarter campaign. “We will continue to grow the bionicTOYS collection with new designs while focusing on global educational toy initiatives,” the company says. “The first step towards this will be when Marcel attends the Toy Fair in February 2017 with the purpose of securing licensing partners.”
Posted in Fun with 3D Printing
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Wow, nice info on 3D printing. 'BionicTOYS'is a set of 3D printed “flex-bricks” designed to bring bionics into construction-based play. The toys will be funded and produced via injection molding. It combines two of our favorite things: 3D printing and play. 3D printing is, of course, being used more and more to create toys, from customizable 3D printed miniatures to fully functional 3D printed. His creation is a simple but versatile brick system that might one day form an important part of a youngster’s development. A few months ago, I used the services from Iannone 3D, which is a New Jersey based Rapid Prototyping and 3D Printing Service Bureau. Thanks for sharing.
Danniel Gery wrote at 12/22/2016 9:30:31 AM:
Wow, nice info on 3D printing. 'BionicTOYS'is a set of 3D printed “flex-bricks” designed to bring bionics into construction-based play. The toys will be funded and produced via injection molding. It combines two of our favorite things: 3D printing and play. 3D printing is, of course, being used more and more to create toys, from customizable 3D printed miniatures to fully functional 3D printed. His creation is a simple but versatile brick system that might one day form an important part of a youngster’s development. A few months ago, I used the services from Iannone 3D, which is a New Jersey-based Rapid Prototyping and 3D Printing Service Bureau. Thanks for sharing.
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