Will you be 3D printing frames at home in the near future? Online eyewear retailer GlassesUSA.com seems to think so.
The company has released free .stl and .obj files for 3D printed glasses frames, together with instructions on how to print them and fit prescription lenses. The eyewear accessories were created by artist Janne Kyttanen, and are available in three varieties.
Custom 3D printed glasses
Companies such as Materialise have previously teamed up with designers to produce 3D printed frames, and lens manufacturers like Luxexcel are 3D printing lenses for glasses, and a 3D design competition with MyMiniFactory and Floreon3D created new 3D printed frames.
The Materialise and Hoya partnership Yuniku is another example of the potential of 3D printing for the eyewear market.
At GlassesUSA, customers can choose from three templates that are based on best-selling designs. Each template also features wayfarer, rectangular and round style options to fit different face shapes.
The frames can be customized freely according to the customer’s needs and wishes, and then 3D printed. Prescription lenses that specifically fit the downloadable frames can be ordered from GlassesUSA.
“The addition of 3D printable frames marks a new milestone in our history, creating previously unachievable possibilities in customization,” said Daniel Rothman, CEO of GlassesUSA.com.
Why 3D print glasses?
GlassesUSA’s 3D printable frames are not only more affordable and customizable than traditional frames, but they can also be 3D printed using FFF or SLS technology, giving customers more choice over materials.
Additionally, the 3D printable frames incorporate corrugated corners, a design feature that eliminates the weakness and structural complexity of traditional metal hinges. This was part of artist Janne Kyttanen’s innovative approach, as he commented that:
“My mission is to share my work freely to empower others to create. The 3D community is always looking for new projects and as so many of us wear glasses.”
“This is a great opportunity for creating and printing something both useful and artistic,” Kyttanen added.
To celebrate the launch of 3D printed frames, GlassesUSA is giving people a chance to win a $300 gift card. Participants must design their own frames, upload them to Instagram, tag the brand, and use the hashtag #GlassesUSA3D by Feb. 28, 2018 to be in with a chance of winning.
Let us know what you think the most innovative application of 3D printing was. Make your nominations for the 3D Printing Industry Awards 2018 now.
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Featured image shows a pair of GlassesUSA frames SLS 3D printed using Sinterit Lisa. Photo via Sinterit.
