Ultimaker’s 3D Printing Models Engage Architects at AIA

From laboratories and research facilities to the consumer market, 3D printers have exploded in popularity and affordability in recent years. The innovation seen in 3D printing is beginning to make an impact throughout various industries. Matt Griffin is the director of community for Ultimaker, a global 3D printing solutions company and spoke with MarketScale at AIA last week about the growing versatility of 3D printing and where to the architecture industry can expect the technology to pop up in the future.

One of the biggest trends of late is the dramatic decrease in the price of not only 3D printers, but also the materials used to make the products. Ultimaker’s printers are low cost, averaging at just under $6,000 according to Griffin.

“In the past, 3D printers were expensive, and you’d have to use a third party team with other costs involved, so people were more hesitant to use it,” Griffin said.

In regards to software, modern innovation has enabled greater user-accessibility. Architects can use whatever design tools they want, according to Griffin.

“Mesh export has been a priority for a reason and there has been a lot of rendering software that has been able to be applied. You can almost always use your own personal mesh models and export it to our software. The people using this software can kick out models and meshes from their designs and use them for project iteration,” he said.

With this expansion in technology comes expansion in industries. One new frontier for 3D printing is architecture and urban planning.

“The use cases keep showing up. In urban planning, people will make master plan models but also make another layer of data visualization to give a better picture of what’s going on. To make it physically means you can communicate better to stakeholders what you are doing,” Griffin said.

“The main use in this field is designing, but now were seeing a lot of different kinds of planning. Many contractors and planners are finding this helpful in better communicating and visualizing to stakeholders and others involved in a project, and it’s no longer a laborious process,” Griffin added.

In the past, print scale digital models took days to render.  This is no longer a week-long agononizing project with tens of thousands of dollars of costs. This process is now expedited with cheap materials and quick processing.

By expediting the amount of time it takes architects and contractors to visualize a project, and by doing so with greater detail, 3D printing companies like Ultimaker can be of great use.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

authenticity for success
Tara Salvietti: Organization and Authenticity for Success
December 29, 2024

Tara Salvietti, Senior Manager on the Marketing Partnerships Activation Team at Extreme Networks, reveals her superpowers of exceptional organization and building authentic connections. Her unique organization method, such as CC-ing herself on emails as task reminders, ensures composure in complex situations. Tara emphasizes the importance of treating everyone with respect and forging genuine relationships across…

Read More
embracing growth
Jonathan Hooper: Embracing Growth with the Sponge Mindset
December 29, 2024

Jonathan Hooper, Director of Americas Distribution at Extreme Networks, shares his insights on achieving enduring career success through continuous improvement. Advocating for the “Sponge Mindset,” he highlights the importance of being coachable, setting goals, staying curious, and actively building a network. Drawing inspiration from James Clear’s “Atomic Habits,” Hooper emphasizes the power of small changes…

Read More
professional growth
Benj Nopper: Professional Growth and Authenticity at Extreme
December 29, 2024

Benj Nopper, SLED Account Manager at Extreme, shares his career journey, emphasizing authenticity, mentorship, and personal development as keys to success. Drawing from lessons in “The Go-Giver,” he highlights the importance of honesty and vulnerability in building trust with customers and colleagues. Nopper credits mentorship from Baylor University and Extreme colleagues as transformative, advocating for…

Read More
intellectual property
Cherise Cross: Balancing Intellectual Property and Community at Extreme Networks
December 28, 2024

Cherise Cross, Intellectual Property Paralegal at Extreme Networks, plays a pivotal role in managing intellectual property rights while supporting the legal team with precision and care. She thrives in the company’s close-knit, inclusive culture, finding meaningful connections through the Asian Pacific Islander (API) group that celebrates shared heritage and cultural interests. Outside of work, Cherise…

Read More