www.3ders.org

Mar. 16, 2015

Argos, a British catalogue retailer operating in the UK and Ireland is is exploring how to bring 3D printing into the mainstream. The company has just launched a dedicated site for 3D printed jewellery, which includes rings, bracelets, pendants, cufflinks and earrings made either of silver or gold plated metal.

All these jewelleries are customisable and customers will be able to select accessories from a range of 10 items initially, tweak the designs with their own names, words and phrases, and then 3D printers will bring the designs to life. Argos promises that these bespoke creations will be delivered within 21 working days.

Jewellery will be priced from £50 to £220 and arrive in an elegant gift box. The retailer is working with 3D print specialists from the design and manufacturing sectors, such as Digital Forming, and the R&D project has also been supported by tech experts Innovate UK.

However due to the bespoke nature of the items, cancellations are not possible once you have submitted your order, notes Argos. That means customers will need to be careful with their purchase as Argos isn't allowing cancellations, exchanges or refunds, unless they are damaged or faulty.

Neil Tinegate, head of digital innovation at Argos, said: "There has been a lot of excitement about 3D printing and we are just beginning to explore the mainstream application of these techniques. We are launching the site this week with our partners in the consortium as a trial, to gauge how customers want to engage with it. We will assess results and learnings to inform future decision making in due course."

The company says it'll consider how it can be expanded to other areas of its business. "We are excited by the potential for our customers to get creative in developing their own bespoke products." Tinegate said. "We are starting with jewellery, but see applications for lighting, homewares and other areas in the future."

Posted in 3D Printing Services

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