Initially using mostly polyamide or nylon, 3D printers are now utilizing materials from clay to glass providing designers with far broader possibilities and creating new markets for direct-to-consumer sales. "From relatively humble beginnings, additive manufacturing has rapidly become one of the most innovative new methods of production," says Andrew Dent, who heads up research for the Material ConneXion library. "The advances in material types and combinations, AM methods and the constantly increasing process speeds demonstrate a technology that will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible. It has the potential to completely change the way we make everything".
Print/3D will show a wide range of 3D printed pieces from the fields of furniture, fashion, jewelry, medicine and product design, from the likes of Audiowear, Bespoke, LGM, .MGX by Materialise, Shapeways, and Studio Dror. An on-site installation of a Makerbot printer will live print from scanned CAD files.
Material ConneXion
60 Madison Avenue, 2nd floor, New York City
Through 11 May 2012
Opening reception 28 February from 18:00 – 20:00