Digital Light Synthesis (DLS) 3D printing company Carbon has expanded its award winning line of consumer case-studies in a new luxury eyewear product line. Working with J of JINS, in Japan, the company has helped create the new Neuron4D range, adding a layer of lattice-like padding to the arms of the glasses for enhanced comfort and fit.
Set to debut on October 31, Neuron4D powered by Carbon glasses will set consumers back ¥25,000, the equivalent of $230 – just $70 less than a pair of the latest “powered by Carbon” Alphaedge 4D shoes from adidas.
The consumer age of Carbon 3D printing
Carbon was founded in 2013 Alex and Nikita Ermoshkin, Edward Samulski, Steve Nelson, and Dr. Joseph “Joe” and Philip DeSimone. In the six years it has been active so far, the company has raised over $260 million in growth funding, with its most recent round seeing the company valued at more than $2.4 billion.
A favorite of the consumer goods industry, Carbon is well known for its work on the FutureCraft 4D 3D printed midsole project with adidas. More recently, the company also added to case studies to the consumer sports field in a partnership with football headgear producer Riddell, and another with leading U.S. bicycle manufacturer Specialized. This is not to say, however, that the company isn’t making headway in other sectors either. In February this year, Carbon extended its M2 product line with the introduction of the M2d, specially for use in dentistry. In healthcare, the company also has the financial backing of the Johnson & Johnson Innovation. Ford, Lamborghini, BMW, and Aptiv in automotive are also all working with Carbon 3D printing technology, Ford specifically using it for production parts, including components for the Ford F-150 Raptor and Ford Mustang GT500.
Taking comment from its recent investment round Dr. DeSimone said, “With the Carbon Platform, powered by our Digital Light Synthesis technology, companies are finally breaking free of the constraints of traditional polymer manufacturing methods to make what’s next now, and at speeds and volumes never before possible.”
J of JINS Neuron4D range
The JINS eyewear brand was founded in Japan in 2001, expanding into the U.S. with a San Francisco store in 2015. The J of JINS brand is an arm of the company that currently operates solely in Japan.
Neuron4D is a new range from J of JINS that features 3D printed padding on the arms of two unisex styles: the “Wellington” and the “Boston.” As with the Riddell SpeedFlex Precision Diamond helmet, the padding on these glasses is intended to mold to the shape of the head for enhanced comfort and “breathability.” The padding lattice is assembled from a series of polygons, 3D printed with “a gradation of hardness in 0.1mm units” becoming softer toward the temple.
Both Wellington and Boston styles of the Neuron4D glasses are available in a 2 different colors, with the option of three different lenses. Currently open to pre-order, each style is limited to a run of 30 pairs, scheduled to be shipped sequentially from October 31.
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Featured image shows Neuron4D powered by Carbon glasses from J of JINS. Image via J of JINS
