3d print big objects for everyday use

19th April 2016

WASProject

Nat Bowers

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WASP has produced a new line of 3D printers designed to produce big objects which can be used in everyday life. Early experimentation concerned 1m high objects, but could easily print products of different measurements. Since this is a custom made line of printers, WASP are able to modify printers for users as necessary.

Massimo Moretti, Founder, WASP, commented: “Since the beginning, WASP has been interested in self production of relief goods. So WASP's development and innovation have been proceeding in that direction. A good printer, accurate and speedy, able to print a product rendering is an interesting result for the industrial field and design world. But a printer that could directly make the final product could be utilised in digital handcraft and other jobs. These are the bases of what we named 'Maker Economy'.”

During its growth WASP has encountered many problems, including the choice of filaments. When printing big objects, it is not possible to use filaments with a diameter smaller than 1mm because it would simply take too much time. So WASP created a nozzle between 4 and 10mm in diameter.

Controlling cost is also an important factor. Filament prices still hover around €30 for a 1kg spool, but row material (as grains and PLA pellets) prices are around 3€ for a 1kg pack. WASP solved the problem by making an extruder that works directly with grains. The result is a printer that uses 10kg of material in 8 hours.

WASP has realised an important objective of 3D printing: everybody can make their own, low-cost custom made objects; and companies are able to produce custom made products and do not require stock in storage.

WASP wanted a usable but also fashionable product, so the company recruited a team of creative people including recent graduates, designers and professors. Thanks to the support of Giorgio Gurioli, an expert teacher from ISIA-Faenza, this project is particularly focused on chairs where others explored other pieces of furniture including tables & stools.

DeltaWASP Pellet

The 3m high DeltaWASP Pellet was first used to print some experimental models, later improved by Giulio Buscaroli, a young student involved in an internship at WASP. This created the first line of chairs.

“We are very proud of our results and we expect further evolution" said Massimo Moretti. "We’re materialising a new model of development based on common knowledge.”

This printer will be in the shops soon. WASP wants to make the DeltaWASP Pellet available for those interested in the self-production of customised furniture. In step with the 'Maker Economy': makers able to realise standard objects that normally require expensive tools.