In the present moment, the world's largest lens can be found in a lighthouse in Hawaii, but Formlabs has plans to change this with an installation that's coming soon to Times Square in New York City.
For Valentine's Day, Formlabs will be introducing a large-scale Fresnel lens made of 3D-printed bricks called 'Window to the Heart' as part of the 2018 Times Square Valentine Heart Design Competition. Once set up in the space, Window to the Heart will distort and optically bend the many lights that shine in Times Square.
As well as serving as a fun and interactive art installation that touches on the age of smartphones, cameras and lenses, the structure will also show off the latest advancements in 3D printing technology, as the lens is made from Formlabs' ultra-smooth Clear Resin.
3D-Printed Lens Installations
Formlabs is Bringing the World’s Largest Lens to NYC's Times Square
Trend Themes
1. Large-scale 3D Printing - Businesses can disrupt traditional manufacturing by exploring large-scale 3D printing for cost-effective and efficient production of large products.
2. 3d-printed Art Installations - There is opportunity for businesses to capitalize on the popularity of interactive art and sculpture with 3D-printed installations that showcase the latest advancements in technology.
3. Optical Distortion Innovation - Innovative businesses can explore the potential of optical distortion technology to create new products and experiences, such as the Window to the Heart installation in Times Square.
Industry Implications
1. Arts and Entertainment - The arts and entertainment industry can benefit from 3D-printed installations and sculptures that create interactive and visually stunning experiences for consumers.
2. Manufacturing - The manufacturing industry can disrupt traditional production methods by exploring large-scale 3D printing for the cost-effective production of large products such as lenses.
3. Optical Engineering - The optical engineering industry can explore new opportunities in optical distortion technology to create innovative products and experiences.