Football fever has been ramping up over the last few weeks as the 2014 World Cup approaches. Kick off of the first game is due tomorrow and the 3D printing industry has not been immune to the global excitement that this tournament generates. Indeed, the very first kick of a ball tomorrow night will be enabled by sophisticated 3D printing technology.
Other companies are applying their 3D printing and design expertise to garner some of the football attention. With its global presence it should come as no surprise to learn that 3D Hubs is one of these companies — and they are doing it in a non-partisan way. Having some fun with design and 3D printing 3D Hubs has teamed up with 3Dwergen and come up with the SambaCan — a 3D printable drinking can holder & samba shaker in one!
The SambaCan was designed by Nanning de Jong of 3Dwergen and Lennert van der Laan & Gert Groeneveld of Kiva Kuva and released together with 3D Hubs, while the original concept was devised by Jules The and Dalton Noland. The idea is that anyone — from any country — can customize and 3D print their own SambaCan in their team’s national colours to support their nation and “get some 3D printing vibes out there,” Filemon Schöffer, 3D Hubs Head of Community told me.
When he says “vibes” I think you can safely substitute the word noise!! The SambaCan functions initially as a drink can holder, designed to prevent your beverage of choice from getting warm from your hands. Once said beverage has been consumed the “Samba” function can be initiated by breaking off the pull ring, putting it inside the can and placing the can upside down in the SambaCan. The result is a “samba shaker” and a noise, that while unlikely to rival the vuvuzela of four years ago in decibels, could prove equally as annoying.
The digital model for the SambaCan is offered to anyone for free under the Creative Commons license and can be found here. You can then either print it yourself if you have your own 3D printer or get it printed nearby by at your closest or preferred 3D Hub.
The guys behind the SambaCan are after pics and/or video’s and invite you to share them via Twitter (@SambaCan2014) or Facebook.
