3D printing moves ever closer to the public this week as leading 3D printer distributor iMakr opens its new shop in the heart of London’s busiest shopping destination Oxford Circus.
At the grand opening, we discovered the latest 3D printing and scanning machines and spoke to the team’s experts. Let’s go on a journey through the store, spread across two levels, and see what it has to offer eager visitors.
Whole-body Scanning
I have to admit, we were most excited to get a complimentary miniature of ourselves! And this was made possible with a full-body “Mini-You” scanning rig at iMakr, which looks like a rather large egg.
The “scanner” snaps consecutive photos with at least 10 high-resolution cameras while you spin around — absolutely still! — on a turntable, like a giant cake-topper.
The software then patches together all the photos, taken from all angles, and reconstructs your body in the digital world as a portable file. We ended up with a digital bust of ourselves that we can later 3D print in full-colour SLS (not cheap!).
Industrial SLA Tech
SLA 3D printing uses curable resins as the base material and satisfies those crafters who require minute details printed to perfection (that’s right, even jewellers).
Although the most high-end machines have traditionally been reserved for industry players, iMakr now offers consumers the EnvisionTEC Ultra 3SP, an SLA machine that prints with amazing quality.
Just take a look at the crystal-clear droplet, 3D-printed with EnvisionTEC’s E-Glass material. We were stunned by its see-through clarity, used for simulating clear plastics and glass. It has the strength and stability to be used for both prototypes and end-use products.
Metal SLM 3D Printing
The first metal 3D printer offered by iMakr was no less impressive. The ORLAS Creator prints high-detailed parts in stainless steel, tool steel, cobalt, chrome, aluminium, nickel based alloys, titanium, and precious metals. Beware, it will take up at least two cubic meters of space despite a build surface of 100 mm x 110 mm.
Having this giant at iMakr goes a long way in showing that metal 3D printing is more accessible to consumers than ever before.
Sinter It
We were pleasantly surprised to see a desktop SLS machine. The strikingly red Sinterit Lisa does a fantastic job 3D printing in powder, as you can see in the image below, the two parts printed in one go. Although the maximum volume is 110 x 150 x 130 mm, the machine achieves an incredible level of detail.
High-end PEEK printing
PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone) material is well-known in engineering thanks to its excellent mechanical and chemical resistance properties, even at high temperatures and pressures. Now, iMakr offers two machines that can 3D print with PEEK filament: Intamsys Funmat HT and Apium P155.
Although PEEK filament is ideal for specialized science and medical applications, it does come with a hefty price tag of around £600 per kilo, so it’s best reserved for groundbreaking 3D prints worthy of it.
Finishing 3D Prints
You wouldn’t expect a weathered marble statue on the shop floor of a 3D-printing shop, but this masterpiece was in fact printed with standard PLA.
But how? Apparently, the art is in the finish. It took multiple layers of filler, primer, and painting, and a week of effort to achieve this effect, explains iMakr finishing artist Allie. With a degree in fine art, Allie now works exclusively on finishing 3D prints to the desired visual effect.
Scanning for Details
iMakr stocks some really high-spec scanners, and we have a go at scanning a disturbing head. The handheld scanner flashes a bright light as we move it around the head, and it recreates the digital image in real time through the software.
Buying your own scanner is a large investment and only useful if you are planning to scan loads of objects, explains iMakr Research Director Guillaume. “It’s more cost-effective to use the scanning service we provide if you only have a few objects to scan,” he said.
Furniture?!
Looking around the store, we immediately notice the lit up gummy bear. He is as tall as the fireplace, and he looks plump and colourful. How was he made?
A huge Delta printer is responsible. It’s so huge in fact, that there’s no use feeding it regular filament. The spools are too small! Instead, it gulps up plastic pellets which melt at the nozzle and ooze out in thick layers. Adding dye to the pellets at random intervals gave the teddy its striated colour. Sit on the chairs at iMakr, and you’ll notice that they are made similarly, on the Delta.
Custom Design
We meet iMakr Head Designer James who tells us about his process for working with customers to create custom models.
“Sometimes customers know exactly what they want, and I will design the model according to those specifications,” James said. “But often, the customers only have a sketch or an idea in their head, so I help interpret their concept and come up with their unique design.”
James shows us the organic shapes he makes, such as his bracelet, using Zbrush for the sculpting element. The jewellery pieces on the table in front of us are really impressive, and James explains how SLA prints can be used as a mold and the final piece cast in silver, as in the case of the ring.
Toast
We were so immersed in the tech and our chats that we didn’t notice the time. Apparently, a good three hours had passed, and we were nearing the end-of-night toast.
iMakr Founder Sylvain Preumont and CEO Eric Savant spoke about the history and importance of iMakr. The company has been in the industry for 5 years, and iMakr are now the world’s largest independent 3D printing store.
Their first store opened on Clerkenwell Road in London in 2013, with a second one opening in Manhattan the next year.
The company is moving from Clerkenwell to Oxford Circus, which they expect will be more convenient for tourists and shoppers, and also close to many design studios.
Preumont unveiled plans to open another store in Paris and support a franchise model, that will allow further iMakr stores to pop up around the world.
You can find the new iMakr shop here: 17 Wells Street, W1T 3PF, London, UK