Feb 10, 2016 | By Kira
The United States Armed Forces has invested quite a bit into 3D printing technology as a tool for aircraft, defense, and weapons manufacturing. Just recently, the U.S. Air Force awarded Aerojet Rocketdyne a $6M contract to develop 3D printed rocket engines; the U.S. Navy has adopted metal 3D printing onboard warships; and a 41-foot Coast Guard boat has just been 3D scanned. Today, however, the U.S. Army has announced a much more personal use of 3D printing technology for its service members and their loved ones.
As part of a licensing agreement between Source3 and the U.S. Army, soldiers, service members, family, and friends will be able to design and order customizable, licensed keepsakes featuring official U.S. Army logos and personal photographs of proud U.S. Army service members. The ornaments are then 3D printed on-demand in full-color using Color Jet Print (CJP) 3D printing technology.
These 3D printed, officially licensed U.S. Army products are available now, and sold exclusively via the MyKeepsake marketplace. Current designs include an Army Bugler, Army Camo, the Army Seal, a Union Eagle, and more, with prices starting at $29.95. Users can also choose between various photo effects, and inspiring captions such as "A Loyal Soldier," "An American Patriot," "Duty, Honor, Country," and many others.
Source3 is a licensing and distribution platform for 3D printable content that develops customized, scalable licensing tools for creators, brands, marketplaces, service bureaus and other 3D innovators. Previously, for example, Source3 partnered with CD Baby, an independent music distributor, to produce short-runs of 3D printed band or musician merchandise.
As for MyKeepsake, it is a dedicated website that allows users to create personalized mementos and ornaments that combine their own meaningful photographs with artistic backdrops, or, in this case, licensed U.S. Army trademarks and logos. The website, created by 3D design and printing company Adamation, integrates patent-pending technology, curated 3D art, and in-house 3D printing technology to create full-color and fully-personalized 3D printed souvenirs.
"3D printing enables new categories of personalized products by presenting brands with opportunities to engage fans in the individualized ways consumers love," said Scott Sellwood, Co-Founder and VP of Business Development for Source3.
“The U.S. Army is a longtime client of our agency and we are delighted to open up a whole new world of bespoke products for service members, family and friends of the U.S. Army through 3D printing technology with Source3," added Allison Ames, the CEO of Beanstalk, a global brand extension agency that facilitated the licensing agreement between Source3 and the U.S. Army.
By federal law, all licensing feeds paid to the U.S. Army for use of its trademarks provide support for the Army Trademark Licensing Pogram, whose revenue is in turn devoted to U.S. Army Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs, adding further significance to these touching keepsakes.
Posted in 3D Printing Application
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