Imaginarium is a Spanish toy store chain with a presence in 28 countries with 348 stores and it is one of the first large toy companies to seriously add 3D printing to its toy offer. The company has always focused on “safe” toys that could stimulate children’s creativity and 3D printing seems like the most logical next step.
The company — which invests over 20% of its income in R&D activities — has decided to “go all in”: starting mid-October, it will start offering a series of online customizable 3D printed toys for both boys and girls. The 3D printer used to manufacture the toys is the result of a partnership with Spanish 3D printer manufacturer BQ: the popular Witbox model has been adapted and branded to enter into the Imaginarium line up.
Their young customers will get to play with Imaginieer.com. Here they will find an online system for creating custom toys. Much like in the adult 3D printing industry among the first “sectors” involved will be automotive and jewellery: the children will get to chose between a Comic Car line and a Jewelery line. They can visualize the 3D model of the toy and apply any modification (parts, colors, shapes, 3D writing) in real time, much like the MyRobotNation service allows kids to do with robots on 3D Systems’ Cubify network.
“What is more beautiful than creating one’s own desired toy?” Felix Tena, CEO of Imaginarium, commented. “We at Imaginarium are very proud to be pioneers in introducing 3D technologies in the toy sector. We are doing it in a very simple, intuitive and accessible way. Imaginarium is today the first company in Europe to have applied this revolutionary manufacturing technology to the toy sector.”
After customizing their perfect, personal toy, they can share it online, something even the younger kids are already very familiar with, and send it to the Imaginarium Magical Factory. Here the selected toys will be custom manufactured using only PLA, a material that is biode
What is interesting about the Imaginieer project is that the toys will be affordable, especially when compared to other custom made 3D printed toys. The jewellery items will cost €19.95, while the cars will run at €24.95. Imaginarium has already confirmed that new product lines will be arriving in 2015 and, judging from the enthusiasm that – especially children – show for 3D printing and personalization, more will come in the future.
