If the Swiss Mail is anything like Swiss clocks, which you likely know, rarely miss a beat and – as an institution born in the late XVII century that today operates in a variety of areas with multi-billion swiss-franc revenues, it has reinvented itself through the centuries. Even – or perhaps more so – now that they have decided to invest in new technologies such as 3D printing.
The group has now entered the 3D printing area by forming a partnership with Swiss 3D printing service provider and 3D hardware retailer My3DWorld. It has announced this new venture on its own very yellow website and will be organizing, together with My3DWorld, a 3D printing roadshow through Zurich, Thun, Basel, Lugano, Baden and Lausanne.
According to the Swiss Post’s online webpage, 3D printing is yet another example of the Group’s continued focus on the latest trends, to be able to offer its customers the best products and services. The website goes on to explain how 3D printers will change the world and will become part of our every day lives, something we hear a lot in the industry but that sounds quite a bit more authoritative when heard from such an influential company.
Just like pretty much anything in Switzerland, the products were chosen accurately to reflect the current state of consumer 3D printing. The available hardware systems include the consumer focused Cube 3’s by 3D Systems, the versatile Witbox systems from Spanish consumer electronics manufacturer BQ, and the accessible Prusa Hephestos kits (also distributed by BQ). To the more advanced users Swiss Post offers the large Deltatower V2, while 3D scanning is covered through the David SLS-2 laser system.
Users will find a large selection of PLA filament in a wide range colors (including LayWoo-d3 and LayBrick) as well as 3D Systems’ proprietary Cube cartridges. For a first introduction to personalized manufacturing, customers will also be able to order and customize two different pendant designs (a 3D printed Heart with first and second name or a personalized 3D printed horoscope sign with name) and a keychain, in both galvanized chrome and 24K gold. Prices are not exactly for every pocket – and somewhat above general European market standards – but that’s the price you pay for being in a country where everything runs like clockwork, even 3D printing.
