3D Printing

Hoet Studio's Personalized Eyewear Can Only Be Made with 3D Printing

Today, people spend hours upon hours looking for the perfect frame for their glasses, and a frame made specifically for them would make that selection process so much easier. Personalization is what 3D printing does best, so Hoet Design Studio, a Belgian high-end eyewear manufacturer (both for its own brands and for other, larger, companies) is combining its design capabilities with an in-depth knowledge of 3D printing technologies. The company is set to leverage these skills to take the upcoming Silmo eyewear show (taking place in Paris next September 25th to the 28th) by storm.

Hoet 3DP Glasses5

“A lot of 3D is expected [at the show], of course,” Bieke Hoet told me, “However, our designs will truly stand out because they will really exploit the advantages offered by additive manufacturing in terms of shape and design.” Hoet Design Studio produces many different 3D printed models for many brands. The two 3D printed models that belong to their own brand and can be revealed are the Hoet COUTURE, designed by Bieke’s father, Patrick Hoet, and the CABRIO Collection, that Bieke is directly responsible for.

Hoet 3DP Glasses4

The Hoet COUTURE collection is laser sintered and includes five models, available with different lenses and bridge sizes. All models have adjustable temples and the latest models, H2, F2 and 01 are also equipped with moveable nosepads. The front portion of the glasses is made of titanium, with an open geometry structure that could not be made through any technique other than 3D printing.

Bieke’s own CABRIO collection includes the Cabriolet CC 3D, which stand out because they showcase the unique design possibilities offered by 3D printing as a primary differentiating aspect. For example, Bieke explained, the perforations above the nose ridges and at the sides, as well as the sloping transition from the front to the temple, can only be achieved through laser sintering technology. The 3D printing process also enables the creation of the cavity in which, later, the spring hinge is mounted.

Hoet 3DP Glasses2

Eyewear, even more so than lamps and bike accessories, could very well become the first product to be manufactured predominantly using additive manufacturing technologies. There are many reasons for that, but one of them is that they sit on your eyes, which means that your glasses are (generally) the first thing people see about you and that makes personalization a highly desirable quality for eyewear. Now, they have some serious new options to choose from and, from here, it looks like there will be a lot more very soon.