FAB

Mobile 3D Printing: Envisioning a Future of On-Location Part Fabrication

By 2 Mins Read

Putting a 3D printer in the back of a car might not be that revolutionary, but considering what kind of power that could put into the hands of various service people? Now that’s getting interesting. From plumbers to electricians and even general contractors, the ability to have on-demand part production on-site could rapidly speed up the repair or presentation process and put an end to any “we’ve gotta wait for the part to come in” headaches. French digital fabrication shop leFabShop teamed up with automaker Renault to explore what having a 3D printer in a driving car might be like, and could a 3D part feasibly be printed while driving on bumpy roads? Here’s an interesting user experience scenario that gives a peak at what printing on the way to a client presentation might look like in the (very near) future.

The Mobile 3D-Printing Lab Experience

Review Design
Screen Shot 2013-10-21 at 10.35.45 AM

Final CAD adjustments
Screen Shot 2013-10-21 at 10.35.35 AM

Export STL File
Screen Shot 2013-10-21 at 10.37.09 AM

Reminder! Gotta Leave Now!
Screen Shot 2013-10-21 at 10.35.59 AM

Load STL file on to SD Card
Screen Shot 2013-10-21 at 10.37.29 AM

Out the Door!
Screen Shot 2013-10-21 at 10.37.58 AM

Load SD Card into In-Dash Reader
Screen Shot 2013-10-21 at 10.38.19 AM

Start Car (and 3D Printer)
Screen Shot 2013-10-21 at 10.39.10 AM

Off to a Great Start!
Screen Shot 2013-10-21 at 10.39.21 AM

Cruisin’…Did I Load up the ‘Get Pumped’ Playlist?
Screen Shot 2013-10-21 at 10.40.02 AM

Making Progress!
Screen Shot 2013-10-21 at 10.40.15 AM

A Wonderful Day for a Drive to the Countryside!
Screen Shot 2013-10-21 at 10.40.25 AM

Pulling in to Parking Lot…5 Minutes Until Go Time
Screen Shot 2013-10-21 at 10.40.37 AM

Alright, Let’s Grab This Print!
Screen Shot 2013-10-21 at 10.41.03 AM

Not Too Shabby!
Screen Shot 2013-10-21 at 10.41.12 AM

One Last Review…
Screen Shot 2013-10-21 at 10.41.24 AM

… and Off to Presentation!
Screen Shot 2013-10-21 at 10.41.54 AM

And here’s a closer look at that print:

(Images via leFabShop)

Author

Simon is a Brooklyn-based industrial designer and Managing Editor of EVD Media. When he finds the time to design, his focus is on helping startups develop branding and design solutions to realize their product design vision. In addition to his work at Nike and various other clients, he is the main reason anything gets done at EvD Media. He once wrestled an Alaskan alligator buzzard to the ground with his bare hands… to rescue Josh.

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