[3D Printing News] print+: 3D Printed DIY Headphones
print+ is a DIY product series that allows users to produce and customize their own products.
Most of the mechanical parts can be 3D printed locally, meaning only a small number of parts need to be transported, leading to cost savings and reduced environmental impact.
These headphones were developed as the first in the print+ DIY kit series and are scheduled for market release.
Patrick Schuur launched the print+ project on Kickstarter in 2015.
The goal of print+ is to make products completely modular. The main parts are 3D printed locally, and only parts that cannot be 3D printed are provided as a DIY kit.
A fully modular product allows for easy replacement and reprinting of only worn or broken parts, significantly extending product life.
For example, if only one speaker fails, there's no need to discard the entire headphones.
Full Customization
print+ kits offer endless customization possibilities.
Parts that cannot be 3D printed (cables, speakers, ear pads) are available in 21 different colors, and by combining them with 3D printed parts, users can freely create their own personalized designs.
Furthermore, print+ provides all 3D data for the headphone design for free, allowing anyone to modify and improve the design as they wish.
Users can print 3D parts themselves and obtain only the necessary components from local 3D Hubs or 3D printing services.
Once the parts are gathered, assembly can be completed in about 5-10 minutes without soldering, glue, or screws.
print+ headphones are fully customizable, allowing for unique designs. The 3D data for the headphone design is all freely available, so you can freely change the design to suit your needs and preferences.
Local Production
Because key components can be 3D printed locally, print+ headphone kits can be transported at only 1/5 the volume of finished headphones. This calculates to an approximate 80% reduction in transport volume compared to conventional methods.
This leads to minimizing the amount of materials needing to be shipped worldwide and has the potential to significantly reduce environmental impact during mass production.
Through this project, print+ aims to further promote local plastic manufacturing and production through 3D printing.
3D Printing and Product Design
Patrick states that "a project like print+ would not have been possible five years ago."
At the time, 3D printing was expensive and time-consuming, not a technology accessible to everyone.
However, today, data designed in the morning can be held as 3D printed parts that same afternoon.
"3D printing shortens development time and allows for multiple iterations in a short period, leading to improved quality of the final product."
Ultimaker has become an indispensable tool for product designer Patrick.
The printer's high reliability, stability, and flexibility are crucial factors in developing new products like print+ headphones.
The ability to make multiple design changes in a short time enables high-quality product development while shortening time to market.
By developing products that can be manufactured locally, print+ proposes new manufacturing methods and new concepts for creation.
print+ headphones are the first product in the DIY series. As Patrick states, "this product demonstrates the potential of 3D printing."
Following the headphones, many more print+ DIY products are planned to be released.
Please visit the print+ official website for the latest information. Our website also features how desktop 3D printers are transforming product development.
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Original text:
https://ultimaker.com/en/stories/49201-print-3d-printed-diy-headphones