Jim Smith Made the World's First 3D Printed Kayak and It's Vibrantly Fantastic
Davina Sinnatamby — March 19, 2014 — Art & Design
References: grassrootsengineering & news.softpedia
3D systems engineer and owner of Grass Roots Engineering blog Jim Smith managed to make the first 3D printed kayak despite the normal limitations for 3D printing. 3D printing can be very difficult when it comes to large-scale projects.
Jim built the boat in pieces rather than one whole kayak; 28 parts were assembled to make a fully functional boat. The parts were made out of ABS plastic. The spaces were filled with silicone caulk to guarantee water tightness.
The whole project took 1,012.65 hours and Jim even had to build his own 3D printer to accommodate the large-scale project.
This just goes to prove -- if you set your mind to do something, you can do it, if you keep trying.
Jim built the boat in pieces rather than one whole kayak; 28 parts were assembled to make a fully functional boat. The parts were made out of ABS plastic. The spaces were filled with silicone caulk to guarantee water tightness.
The whole project took 1,012.65 hours and Jim even had to build his own 3D printer to accommodate the large-scale project.
This just goes to prove -- if you set your mind to do something, you can do it, if you keep trying.
Trend Themes
1. 3d-printed Boats - Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the boat manufacturing industry by exploring the potential of 3D printing technology for producing large-scale boats and parts.
2. DIY 3D Printing - Opportunity to disrupt the 3D printer market by catering to DIY enthusiasts who are interested in building their own 3D printers to accommodate large-scale printing projects.
3. Waterproof 3D Printing - Opportunity to innovate and patent a new waterproof 3D printing technology that eliminates the need for silicone caulk in watercraft manufacturing.
Industry Implications
1. Boat Manufacturing - The use of 3D printing could revolutionize the boat building industry by offering more customized designs, faster production times, and reduced material waste.
2. 3D Printing - The demand for larger-scale 3D printing projects will continue to increase, creating opportunities for companies specializing in 3D printers and printing materials.
3. Silicone Manufacturing - Research and development for silicone manufacturers to create new caulk formulas that are specifically designed for 3D printed objects and large-scale manufacturing projects.
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