www.3ders.org

Nov.26, 2014 | By Alec

3D printing is many things, but at its heart is a method of custom production. Want to produce a single item of something, or customize a toy to match your own design and color scheme? Or even produce a hand prosthetic that only fits one person's wrist, or an implant that fits a unique fracture? 3D printing is a perfect technology to affordably, accurately and quickly produce customized items.

It's therefore no wonder that many of the most promising 3D printing start-ups offer customized services that grant consumers a lot of freedom, like the Singapore-based Tenvas company. They entered production just two weeks ago, on November 8th, and offer customised, expressive and stylish watches to the public using digital design and 3D technology.

According to the company, their name reflects their product: a digital canvas (ten, as the one and zero of binary code, and vas as short for canvas). And in a nutshell, that's what they're offering. For their web store really only offers a single product, that can be endlessly changed to suit your own preferences. It's a basic, timeless wristwatch, consisting of a white, 3D printed inner strap and a no-nonsense clock. But it's what they're allowing their customers to do, that makes their product interesting.

For the design allows you to click a second strap on top of the first one, and that second one can feature any possible design you'd like. And this is where it gets fun. Either upload your own design, which Tenvas will print for you, or choose one from their 'marketplace for designers', where you can find a large number of customized and colorful designs. This way, you can design a watch perfect for your own style, or even get multiple straps to make your watch suitable for multiple outfits. You can literally change your watch to match the seasons, or make it an informal or formal accessory at a moment's notice.

As their explained in a tutorial video, this is remarkably easy to do as well. Simply add your favourite pattern to their basic template, and upload it to your website:

These interchangeable watch straps thus cleverly utilize the potential of 3D printing and people's desire for uniqueness, while also offering artists a method to bring their designs to another public. As the creators of Tenvas explained, 'From Singapore to Serbia to South Africa, talented designers can have their designs 3D printed on a Tenvas watch. We want to make it easy and accessible to designers worldwide by leveraging on common tools such as Photoshop. We believe in showcasing great design and giving due recognition.'

The basic white strap, as well your customized second strap, will then be printed in-house using a ProJet 4500 3D Printer and shipped to you. The printer is capable of producing highly detailed and multi-colored prints.

All this makes it a very interesting product with endless fashion potential. But as is the case for all fashionably potent accessories, it doesn't come cheap: you can order your own on their website for $119. But we expect that will matter little to the fashionably aware among us.

Also take a look at this promotional clip for more on the Tenvas wristwatch concept:

Posted in 3D Printing Applications

 

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