UNKNOWN - Exploring the Nexus of 3D Printing and Hand Craft in Design
How might hand craft and additive manufacturing be used in unison to make products for the home? Think & Shift's Unknown series explores potential relationships between traditional, hand crafted materials and additive manufacturing (or 3D printing).
The Titanium-Jade light and Titanium-Tawa Table are made from Selective Laser Sintered Titanium and natural, hand crafted New Zealand materials.
The Titanium-Jade light and the Titanium-Tawa Table share an organic aesthetic. The titanium structures have almost no straight lines and an irregularity, which is reminiscent of the way that bones or branches grow, giving structure only where it is needed. The hand crafted components of the two pieces were made to guidelines, not specification drawings, allowing the craftsmen to work with the natural properties of the materials and to leave their own personal touch on the pieces.
We worked with New Zealand additive manufacturing company Rapid Advanced Manufacturing (or RAM), to produce the titanium components for both pieces. Several prototypes and multiple material tests were produced before the final production of the pieces could take place. Think & Shift also worked with a New Zealand jade carving expert and a traditional wood worker to produce the hand crafted components. “We believe it to be important to think local with production of limited edition pieces and this project illustrates that we have world leading manufacturer’s right here in New Zealand.” - Think & Shift.
TITANIUM-JADE LIGHT
“The Titanium-Jade Light is more than just a design object; it is a materialisation of our view of contemporary New Zealand craft culture.” – Think & Shift
The Titanium-Jade Light combines one of New Zealand’s oldest and most culturally significant crafts, with one of it's most advanced manufacturing techniques.
TITANIUM-TAWA TABLE
“Perhaps the future demands an interdependent relationship between hand craft and additive manufacturing; a combination of digital precision and the beautiful imperfection that only a person can achieve”. – Think & Shift.
The Titanium-Tawa Table consists of three one legged wooden surfaces, supported by a web of 3D printed titanium.
PROCESS
