Here’s another innovative “design-to-prototype” story enabled by Objet Connex multi-material 3D printing technology:
Bryan Cera is a student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where he’s studying for an MFA in Art and Technology. Using the Objet Connex multi-material 3D printing system he’s created these very “Iron Man” type gloves known as the ‘Glove One’ concept – that even incorporate a working phone! Judging by the green parts in the photo below it seems they’ve used Objet’s ABS-like Digital Material (a very tough composite material, only available on the Objet Connex system). This material is typically used when smooth yet paintable surfaces are required with a robust drillable, snap-fit medium.
The Objet printed parts were then applied with various layers of paint and polish to produce the final shell. More pics are available on the Ponoko blog.
According to Bryan, “Creating Glove One began with the circuit, which ended up being the board from an existing mobile phone. I took apart close to 100 used phones before I found the perfect size, shape and functionality for the project.”
“Using CAD software, I designed components around that circuit. Aside from the used phone’s electronics, 12 smt switches, and few micro bolts and nuts, everything was designed by me and then fabricated via 3D printing, laser cutting, or CNC milling. I outsourced the 3D printing to Ponoko, a 3D printing service, who printed the components on an Objet Connex.”
“Before assembly, each component was sanded, painted, and polished. I designed the fingers to snap together without any extra hardware.. then each would be attached to the base of the glove by micro bolts and springs. The glove was then wired by soldering extension wires from the circuit to the finger-mounted buttons.”