Barbara Busatta and Dario Buzzini, of New York-based creative agency ICOSAEDRO, have found a great way of taking the success of their MACHINE-SERIES collection of open source, 3D printed designs and paying it forward. After receiving an email from Evgeny Lazarenko, head of marketing research at Pirate3D, the duo have teamed up with the Singapore-based 3D printer manufacturer to offer a unique series of online tutorials on 3D printing.
Having created an elegant line of 3D printed containers that work around the output limitations of fused filament fabrication (FFF) with clever design tricks, Busatta and Buzzini will pass their knowledge onto Buccaneer 3D printer users, quaintly referred to as Pirates. The design firm will release a series of 10 posts on the manufacturer’s blog guiding users on how to design and print objects, gradually increasing the complexity of the items being made and the skill required to make them. Their first post, currently up at Pirate3D, begins by introducing Pirates to MACHINE-SERIES and the unrefined quality of prints from desktop FFF machines.
By beginning with their own experience of learning how to 3D print, ICOSAEDERO introduces Pirates to the obstacles that will need to be overcome when working with a new, unperfected technology. In their own experience, the pair began with simple shapes, slowly making their way towards the sleek series of containers they have produced. The team also provides valuable insight into how to use FFF’s own limitations to produce professional-looking items:
One of the biggest challenges when working with FFF was with the resolution and precision of the printing process. As of today, and for a few more years, it is going to be difficult to match [the] quality and finishing of injection molding. We acknowledged this limit and we designed around the limit. We created a “squiggly line” cross-section that allowed us to make the seams of the tool path to virtually disappear and also created an uneven, yet pleasant and sophisticated surface finishing.
Busatta and Buzzini are still awaiting their Buccaneer to be shipped from Singapore, but, once they receive it, they’ll not only guide Pirates through the use of their desktop 3D printers, but also how to design objects using Rhino and SketchUp. And, because the 3D files for MACHINE-SERIES are available to download for free through Pirate3D’s online community, Treasure Island, and via the designers themselves, 3D printer users can modify and apply the tutorials to ICOSAEDERO’s work themselves. With that being said, what are you waiting for, Pirates?
Source: Pirate3D
