Stratasys continues to court incredible talent in jewelry design as a means to promote creative pieces and 3D printing capabilities. One of the latest architects and designers to join the fold is Jenny Wu of the Oyler Wu Collaborative. Her collection titled LACE is her first foray into the world of 3D printing and her adulation continues the refrain echoed by all the innovative designers turning to the nascent technology. Taking full advantage of Stratasys’ Fortus 400mc 3D Production System and FDM, Wu created wonderfully intricate designs looped and laced available in different materials and colours.
The two main designs are the Tangens necklace and the Papilio ring. Each design required different printing techniques and offer their own special material and finish. The necklace is available in black, white, and translucent finishes. Interlocking elements use tight tolerances, fine details, and durability possible along with the translucent finish due to the Stratasys FDM technology. The ring resembles a butterfly in flight. Using a printed wax mold, sterling silver filled the cast and took a polish to achieve its elegant and brilliant finish. Papilio issold through Paddle8, the international fine art and collectibles auction site. Wu spoke fondly of the overall experience and the particulars with the various 3DP forms.
“I enjoyed the possibilities that FDM offers, as it enables me to directly manufacture jewellery pieces as opposed to just prototype. After some experimentation, I found that the ABS-M30 in particular was the best 3DP material for Tangens. Its ability to execute accurate complex geometry with striations from the layering process gives the necklace a unique velvety quality, as well as robust, thick structure, which results in a wearable item that is elegant, yet durable.”
Wu’s familiarity with 3D printing came from years of experience working with the technology in architecture, and it informed her jewellery design. “I wanted to design a range of jewelry that could be avant-garde yet wearable, and approached it from my architectural heritage of spatial and line-based geometries to form a bold but soft spectacle for the body. From my 15 years’ experience with 3DP for architectural projects, I knew it would deliver the capabilities to realize my creative vision for jewelry. 3DP offers an elegant aesthetic and enables different layers and densities of fine and detailed pieces to be intertwined and produced within hours instead of months.”
Affirming the trend with Stratasys fostering these types of relationships, Naomi Kaempfer said, “It is a pleasure to share ideas and work closely with such a strong minded and distinguished designer, especially one who is so familiar with 3DP capabilities. It encourages us to keep pushing more boundaries with our 3DP technology.”
With apparent avid enthusiasm, Wu commented, “3DP is transforming the design industry and the possibilities for the fashion and accessories markets are endless. Before it was seen as avant-garde, but it’s now reaching the consumer with cutting-edge ready to wear products. I can’t wait for LACE to be released to the market in the autumn and hope to collaborate with Stratasys on other designs.”
No need to wonder if the feeling is mutual. Stratasys co-founder Lisa Crump sported the Tangens at the Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium held this year in August. This is the new fashion, this is the now fashion.
