BCM’s 3D Experiment:'Look Mum! Look what I just printed!’
OK, Part two from me. And, as the title suggests, this time round I’d like to show some of the most innovative applications of 3D printing. Last week I spoke about the opportunity this type of technology is affording marketers and advertisers in 2014, but what really interests me, more broadly, is how this technology is being used by innovative minds across the board to create real world value and solve real problems.
I’m intrigued by the new breed of inventors, innovators, engineers, hackers and entrepreneurs (as well as the businesses that see their potential and long-term value). Combine these rather clever boys and girls with the underlying platform that technology affords, and the results are often mind boggling.
Here are just some examples – I’m literally just scratching the surface here, but hopefully (and I know this is going to sound all philosophical and utilitarian of me), they give an insight to where 3D printing has the potential to take humanity.
First of all, let’s start big, unbelievably big. Check out this example from the Sudan, an area of Africa that has suffered some of the bloodiest wars the world has seen. These conflicts and, in particular, the devastating nature of homemade explosive devices, have left their physical mark on the population. The worst of these being huge numbers of amputees, many losing either both legs, or both arms. Mick Ebeling, CEO of Not Impossible Labs travelled to the Sudan to meet a boy called Daniel. His intention was to not only 3D print prosthetic arms for Daniel, but to install, and teach to members of Daniel’s village, the equipment to do so, enabling them to help others. It’s an inspirational story, you can watch the video here:
On a similar level of freakin’ awesomeness are these examples:
In the UK, a 3D printer was used to print an identical model of a crash victim’s skull from a CT scan, allowing surgeons the opportunity to trial the re-constructive surgery prior to working on the real thing.
Image source: AFP/ABMU Health Board
On the other side of the pond, the University of Pennsylvania have decided that science fiction shouldn’t be just that and are progressing nicely in their attempt to 3D print a real person… OK, so perhaps not quite a whole person, but they have been developing a new technique that allows the 3D printing of working blood vessels, that’s right, WORKING BLOOD VESSELS! The technique involves printing a sugar based cast for the live cells to form around. #ScienceReality!
Image source: University of Pennsylvania
Next up, something not so profoundly life changing, but still a possible game changer in its own right, is the ability to 3D print fabrics. Designer-researchers like Freedom of Creation in Amsterdam, and Philip Delamore from the London College of Fashion are cranking out seamless, flexible textile structures using software that converts three-dimensional body data into skin-conforming fabric structures. The potential for bespoke creations, specifically tailored to the wearer at a fraction of the cost of visiting Saville Road’s finest, are as abundant as the patterns that can be created. Ladies, throw into the mix custom 3D printed footwear and underwear, and you could print yourself an entire wardrobe and always have something to wear…
Image source: www.ecouterre.com
The newest adopter of the technology is a US agency, who you might have thought would have been all over 3D printing like the proverbial cheap suit. NASA have begun a program of prototyping spacecraft parts and instruments, with the intention that one day, these parts could actually be printed in zero gravity up in space, reducing the need for bulky payloads arriving from earth.
Image source: NASA
Last but not least, and one of my favourites, is a 3D printer that has been developed with the intention of being able to print a clone of itself. Except for a couple of metal nuts and bolts, the RepRap printer can print a working copy of itself! I mean, making a copy of yourself, that’s all good, but what I love the most is, it’s open-source. Open-source promotes innovation through universal access to a product. We’ve seen how other open-source technologies are driving forward technological advances, far beyond anything we could have imagined. Just a couple of examples include (sorry things are about to get nerdy!) the web browser Firefox and the programming language PHP, upon which huge numbers of web solutions are built, including the client side of Facebook and the ever popular WordPress platform. As a result, a community of very clever, innovative people is building around the product, and I can’t wait to see where they take 3D printing next.
Image source: reprap.org
Steve Mair, Creative Director – Digital, BCM
Top Right Image Source: Intel/Not Impossible Labs
Please login with linkedin to comment
Latest News
Allied Nabs Nicola Gold From Pico International Dubai
Allied Global Marketing (Allied), a full-service integrated marketing agency working with entertainment, consumer and lifestyle brands, has announced the appointment of seasoned executive Nicola Gold as business director APAC, brand experience, effective immediately. Gold assumes a pivotal role in building the Brand Experience offering as part of Allied’s strategy to develop a truly integrated full-service […]
Nine’s Push For Gold, Silver & Bronze Ad Opportunities Could Break New Ground In Broadcasting
Nine insists that AI won't dominate its Olympics coverage. And not merely because Bruce McAvaney doesn't understand it.
TV Ratings (16/04/2024): Toxic City Girls Too Much For Farmer Bert
Fans calling out toxic behaviour on Farmer Wants A Wife, seemingly unaware that's the very premise of any dating show.
Kaimera Wins Afterpay ANZ Media Account
Have couriers even started to mention you're overdoing the online shopping? Probably best to avoid this Afterpay news.
Industry Reacts: Stuff Group Swoops In To Save 6pm News After Newshub Closure
As you'll read here, New Zealand's media's in a right state of flux. And nor have they forgotten 1981's underarm.
a2 Milk Launches “Only a2 Will Do’ Brand Platform In First Work From BMF
A2 milk drinkers tend not to bother everyone with their gut health issues & it's a lesson for vegans & the gluten-free.
Can You Recite It In Under 4 Seconds? Maccas Relaunches Iconic Competition With Modern Twist
Do you know what would make a fantastic ad? Drunk people at 3am trying to recite the ”two all-beef patties"
‘Liar, Liar’: Lehrmann Exposed As High Profile Defamation Case Comes To A Close
Having exhausted all avenues in his defamation case, is there only one option left for Bruce - reality television?
MECCA & Fendi Among Premium Advertisers For oOh!media Woollahra OOH Network Launch
If you've not been to the snooty suburb of Woollahra, the locals would like to thank you again for staying well away.
Yahoo Academy Announces Class Of 2024
This academy is strictly for "emerging leaders". Courses don't include 'sleeping at your desk' or 'bunking off early'.
Top 35 Media Leaders Announced For 2024 TikTok Agency Accelerator Program
Despite the ban threats, TikTok keeps marching on. Cementing its reputation as the Julian Assange of the tech.
AiMCO Announces First-Ever Diversity Webinar To Explore Inclusion In Influencer Marketing
Think influencer marketing's a little on the white side? This free webinar's for you. Sadly, it's not given TV ideas.
Anthony Ellis Promoted To CEO Of Publicis Media Exchange
Anthony Ellis takes the opportunity to thank the office fern in his press photo following recent work promotion.
Indigenous Stars 3% & Jessica Mauboy Fuel New Supercars Campaign Via WILDCARD
Jessica Mauboy brings the tunes to new Supercars campaign. Meanwhile, Shannon Noll promises a revenge best served cold.
Nine Launches New Look Olympic Experience 100 Days Out From Paris 2024
9Now rolls out Olympics push, but can it bring Aussie gold in handball?
Must-Watch Marketers At Cannes In Cairns!
Is there a better conference agenda than Cannes In Cairns, we ask? Sure, Captain Feathersword yet to put pen to paper.
Retail Media Demands A New Organisation Dynamic
There's no denying retail media's become adland's hot button topic du jour. Much like tomato being the soup du jour.
News Corp & NRMA Unite For Urgent Action To Fix Notoriously Dangerous Bruce Hwy
A top road safety initiative from News & the NRMA. If they could turn their attention to potholes next would be ideal.
Facebook And X Ordered To Remove Sydney Church Stabbing Video; Meta Swiftly Responds, X ‘Too Busy’ To Care
Tech giants ordered to stop running video of Monday's church attack. Not that it's bothered most major news sites.
Tara Ford To Serve On Titanium Jury At Cannes Lions
Monkeys seemingly ruling themselves out of back-to-back Titaniums, as agency ECD takes up Cannes red pen & clipboard.
“Be Like A Skunk At A Garden Party”: Author Patrick Radden Keefe On Investigating Pharma
Patrick Radden Keefe (pictured), author of global bestseller, Empire of Pain, talked to B&T‘s Nancy Hromin at the Samsung Jaipur Literary Festival about reputation laundering, aggressive marketing strategies and the privilege of still being able to practice pure journalism and be paid for it. Keefe’s in-depth reporting in publications such as The New Yorker and […]
Stuart Archibald Departs Half-Eponymous Agency, Archibald Williams
Stuart Archibald departs Archibald Williams after 12 years. And, no, it's not for golf & bowlo club-priced schooners.
B&T’s Campaign Of The Month Wrapped: Queensland Health’s Frightening Skin Cancer Campaign, Via CHEP
Queensland's beautiful one day, perfect the next but there's still lots that can kill you - crocs, skin cancer & XXXX.
TV Ratings (15/4/24): Amidst It All, Seven News Is The Most-Watched Program In Australia
Network 10 may have had a win in the courts yesterday but, alas, it appears viewers heard all about it on Seven.
Even More Cairns Crocodiles Awards Judges Added As Entries Go Gangbusters!
Cairns Crocodiles assembling ominous judging panel that just so happens to coincide with B&T's office sponge bake off.
“Bias Influences Who & How We Appoint”: Aimee Buchanan On Why Diversity In Leadership Matters
When Aimee speaks, B&T goes full Vanilla Ice: "Stop collaborate & listen, GroupM boss back with a brand new invention."
Dove ‘Won’t Use AI To Represent Women’ To Celebrate 20 Years Of ‘Campaign For Real Beauty’
Yet again, Dove pioneering the adland zeitgeist but ignores current clamour around AI, thank god.
Multicultural Comms Agency Ethnolink Announces AI-Enhanced Multilingual Campaigns
Here's an excellent multilingual AI initiative that will hopefully allow us all to finally comprehend drunk Irish people.
Gate 7 Bolsters Visit California & Brand USA Teams
Travel marketer boosts its team for its US destinations. Any talk of the Aussie dollar remaining strictly off limits.
Mediahub Snares Linda Fagerlund From Carat
Mediahub nabs Carat's Linda Fagerlund after reportedly dangling a large carrot or similar root crop vegetable.
BMF’s Tom Hoskins & Dave Roberts Promoted To Group Creative Directors
More evidence two brains are better than one comes these two promotions. After all, a third brain can cause tensions.
QMS Secures Toyota, Stan, Allianz and Patties Food As Paris 2024 Launch Partners
No one's looking forward to Paris like B&T. We're particularly excited about watching countries who detest one another.
Publicis Groupe APAC Strengthens Its Senior Leadership Team With Key Appointments
Publicis rings the changes with three new appointments. No wonder, given it got all that new biz money last year.
Slew Of Promotions & A New Hire At History Will Be Kind
It's promotions & new recruits at History Will Be Kind. Plus the inevitable angst for staffers who didn't get one.
Latto “Talks Snack” With Menulog Via Thinkerbell
Do Aussie agencies think ads with Americans makes us want to eat more? The food deliverers appear to think so.
ING Invests In Finance Partnership With Seven
Seven amps up its finance coverage in latest partnership. Sadly, it's not bringing Kochie out of the cryogenic freeze.