Tastemakers
3D Printing Takes Furnishings to New Heights at ICFF 2013
See how three-dimensional printing, laser cutting and other innovative technologies are changing the face of furnishings
Today’s printers do so much more than put ink on paper. Now printers use layers of plastics and metals to create custom decor and even building materials. Not too long ago, new fabrication technologies like 3D printing and laser cutting were limited to one-off prototypes and large-scale mass production. But with lower costs and greater accessibility, mass production has evolved to mass customization and new techniques that challenge the way we think of design — and even sometimes the designer.
As the 25th annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) opens to the public today in New York, we checked in to see some of the latest ways designers are using these new fabrication techniques.
ICFF 2013
Date: Open to the public only on Tuesday, May 21
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tickets: $60. More info
As the 25th annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) opens to the public today in New York, we checked in to see some of the latest ways designers are using these new fabrication techniques.
ICFF 2013
Date: Open to the public only on Tuesday, May 21
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tickets: $60. More info
More than 500 exhibitors and 26,000 designers, manufacturers and distributors from around the globe have descended upon the Javits center in New York to preview, buy and sell the latest in furniture and decor ideas. Major names mingled with independent and up-and-coming designers, such as the founders of 3D design studio Nervous System, Jesse Louis-Rosenberg (right) and Jessica Rosenkrantz (not pictured).
Nervous System is interested not in simply designing products for people to buy, but also in releasing its work online as a series of interactive applets that customers can use to craft their own personalized products. The booth shows off unique home products like Orb lamps ($169 to $200) made with 3D printing techniques.
“We started in 2D using tools like laser cutters and water jet,” says Louis-Rosenberg, “but making forms like these were intricate and difficult using traditional methods.”
“We started in 2D using tools like laser cutters and water jet,” says Louis-Rosenberg, “but making forms like these were intricate and difficult using traditional methods.”
“Only in the last few years has the ability to 3D print metals come into play, changing the notion of the 3D printer as a prototyping machine, thus opening the door for printing final products,” says Nervous System’s production and retail manager, Lia Beauchemin, who has a background in jewelry design.
“With the 3D printing, there are no repeats. Everything is 100 percent unique, which is something that really attracts people to us,” she says. “That uniqueness and customization is at the core of the 3D printing boom. It brings up questions like, Who is the designer?”
“With the 3D printing, there are no repeats. Everything is 100 percent unique, which is something that really attracts people to us,” she says. “That uniqueness and customization is at the core of the 3D printing boom. It brings up questions like, Who is the designer?”
About Those 3D Printers
Companies like MakerBot, which created the first mass-market personal 3D printer, and Shapeways have made 3D printing much more accessible. This is the MakerBot Replicator 2, which retails for $2,199.
Companies like MakerBot, which created the first mass-market personal 3D printer, and Shapeways have made 3D printing much more accessible. This is the MakerBot Replicator 2, which retails for $2,199.
The MakerBot Replicator 2 printer uses a moving head to lay down layer upon layer of melted filament plastic to generate the object. The plastic filament is available in a number of colors and finishes, including matte, translucent, shimmery and metallic. Other types of 3D printers emit layers of powder and resin.
Also exhibiting at ICFF is Netherlands designer Dirk Vander Kooij, who is using 3D printing on a larger scale — think hangers, a rocking chair or a dining chair. His system involves a large robot that is similar to the MakerBot but uses a head to dispense plastic and print larger furnishings for the home. Vander Kooij uses recycled plastic from old refrigerators to print his products.
The image on the wall shows the large robot 3D printer printing a chair.
The image on the wall shows the large robot 3D printer printing a chair.
This is a lamp called the Satellite, which Vander Kooij printed using plastic recycled from refrigerators.
More New Technologies on Display
3D printing is just one technique that innovative designers are using to expand their creativity and showcase new designs to the public. Laser and water-jet cutting, as well as computer numerical controlled (CNC) milling, are a few techniques also being highlighted at this year’s fair.
These laser-cut pendant lamps, fabricated by Graypants, are made of repurposed cardboard.
3D printing is just one technique that innovative designers are using to expand their creativity and showcase new designs to the public. Laser and water-jet cutting, as well as computer numerical controlled (CNC) milling, are a few techniques also being highlighted at this year’s fair.
These laser-cut pendant lamps, fabricated by Graypants, are made of repurposed cardboard.
In the coming years, this rapidly improving technology is likely to revolutionize the making of furniture and home decor.
Here a water-jet-cut aluminum pendant light, Juno, is being assembled from its packaging. These fixtures are designed to be flat packed for shipping and assembled by the customer.
Here a water-jet-cut aluminum pendant light, Juno, is being assembled from its packaging. These fixtures are designed to be flat packed for shipping and assembled by the customer.
This custom table is made of Baltic birch plywood; the pieces were made with a ShopBot PRSalpha Buddy CNC router. Using the latest Radiolaria furniture web app by Nervous System, anyone can input their own design and watch as it is generated based on their inputs.
Lighting designer Tom Dixon's booth has a pop-up manufacturing unit featuring Trumpf and Brooklyn-based fabricator Kammetal. Visitors can watch the live assembly of laser-cut faceted spheres made of brushed steel.
These more accessible tools allow Dixon and others to efficiently create unique products for individual customers, rather than having to go through bigger companies heavily invested in industrialized production.
These more accessible tools allow Dixon and others to efficiently create unique products for individual customers, rather than having to go through bigger companies heavily invested in industrialized production.
More: See more snapshots from ICFF | Upholstery in 3D Comes to ICFF 2013
Show us: Are you experimenting with a new manufacturing method? We’d love to see it in the Comments below!
Show us: Are you experimenting with a new manufacturing method? We’d love to see it in the Comments below!
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