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Advanced 3D Printing in New York

There are only four of these 3D printing systems in the world, with two of them in the United States. That one of those two should be in New York is not remarkable. But the fact that it is not in the Big Apple itself, but in Westchester County is somewhat surprising. How did the combination of a Pro Jet 660 3D printer and Artec scanner, which combined carry a 6-figure price tag, end up in Yorktown?

Well, that’s where Billy La Pierre, the second-generation owner of the Clark Funeral Home in Yorktown happens to be located. This past fall, he acquired the high-end 3D printing platform from 3D Systems that brings out much finer details than standard 3D printers and subsequently launched Mini 3D Me. I spoke with Chelsea Waller, Executive Director of Public Relations for the company, to get the inside story on this 3D printing business, which is distinct from La Pierre’s funeral business.

The contrast between the somber business of funerals and the thrill of new technology is precisely what inspired La Pierre to make a major investment in the equipment for Mini 3D Me.  Though he inherited the family business, he maintained a passion for computers and developed a fascination with 3D printing — probably understandable, and familiar, to those of who share it. To channel his passion and fascination into a positive contribution to his local community, he came up with a service that would offer 3D printed miniature sculptures that are incredibly life-like – wrinkles and all – to “freeze time & create lifelong memories.”

3D Printing Cake TopperThe Mini 3D Me figures are a lot more detailed than the Shapeways ones I saw at the MAD exhibit. The difference takes time, for while the Shapeways figures can be available within a day or so, these take up to two weeks. Though the 3D scan takes no more than three minutes, its images are worked through a Mudbox program, which functions like a 3D version of Photoshop. It can be used to remove errors, enhance features, improve appearance, render the figure slimmer, etc.  Then the printing itself can take 5–8 hours per figure, though the printer is capable of producing multiple figures simultaneously.

Often more than one figure is ordered, as in the case of wedding cake toppers or group “portraits” that are made up of multiple figurines in shadow boxes. The company created its first 3D printed family portrait for Aviva Drescher of  “The Real Housewives of New York City” in advance of her book tour, a celebrity the company has partnered with for mutual promotion.

3D printing hockey figureThe company also creates customized trophies for teams that can include a personalized figure of the actual player on top. For the upcoming summer season, it’s contracted with a camp that teaches kids 3D printing to put personalized faces on figures the campers print themselves. The 3D printed figures will take the place of traditional pictures as camp portraits.

Making “You want it, we print it” into its new tagline, Mini 3D Me has expanded its offerings beyond figurines and registered on 3dhubs.com and MakeXYZ.com to print 3D files. One of its new ventures is working with architects to develop very finely detailed models of homes based on architect’s CAD 3D program designs. Another commercial direction for 3D printing is printing customized letters for store signs.

With all the expanded directions, Mini 3D Me will still stay rooted in Yorktown Heights. In fact, it will be celebrating the grand opening of its store on 1811 Commerce Street this month. While it will continue to take appointments for 3D scans, walk-ins will also be welcome there. In that way, a suburb of New York  becomes a central hub in the 3D printing industry.