Dimension 3D Printer Used as Output Device for Google Earth
"We were the first company in Switzerland to have a machine like this. We wanted to build our models quickly and easily, and we chose a Dimension 3D printer because it met all our expectations and lay within the price range we had set for ourselves." — Christian Jarisch, Engineer with Nestlé Nespresso
The Dimension 3D Printing Group, a business unit of Stratasys, Inc. (NASDAQ: SSYS), reports that Mitekgruppen (Mitek-group), a Swedish design firm hired to create a 3D model of the city of Stockholm, Sweden, completed the project in a fraction of the normal time by using a Dimension 3D printer and Google Earth.
One of Sweden's largest daily newspapers recently reported that the 157 square-foot replica was the second most visited exhibit in the country last year. Until recently, the exhibit was displayed at Stockholm's Kulturhuset (The Culture House) in Stockholm's city center. It is currently being stored and readied for shipment to another, yet-to-be determined, location within Sweden.
One of Sweden's largest daily newspapers recently reported that the 157 square-foot replica was the second most visited exhibit in the country last year. Until recently, the exhibit was displayed at Stockholm's Kulturhuset (The Culture House) in Stockholm's city center. It is currently being stored and readied for shipment to another, yet-to-be determined, location within Sweden.
Dimension Helps Norgaard Bring Home
and Office Furniture to Market Faster
and Office Furniture to Market Faster
and highly collaborative. Each product begins with an initial design meeting to determine the look, feel and purpose of a specific product. Once a direction for these elements is established, designers create sketches that visually represent the product.
Traditionally, these drawings were used to create small, handmade three-dimensional models to give customers a scaled-down example of the final product. However, the handmade models had limitations. Producing models proved to be too time consuming, as the project often required many revisions (sometimes up to five redesigned models) throughout the design process.
“It was very difficult for our customers to visualize the products with drawings, and although the handmade models communicated designs more effectively, they took too long to produce,” said Anders Norgaard, owner of Norgaard Designs. “Many times we were forced to go with sketches to save time and money, but it was difficult for our customers to see exactly what we were showing them.”
Traditionally, these drawings were used to create small, handmade three-dimensional models to give customers a scaled-down example of the final product. However, the handmade models had limitations. Producing models proved to be too time consuming, as the project often required many revisions (sometimes up to five redesigned models) throughout the design process.
“It was very difficult for our customers to visualize the products with drawings, and although the handmade models communicated designs more effectively, they took too long to produce,” said Anders Norgaard, owner of Norgaard Designs. “Many times we were forced to go with sketches to save time and money, but it was difficult for our customers to see exactly what we were showing them.”
Success Stories
Swedish design company constructs Stockholm city model in fraction of time with help from Dimension and Google Earth
To construct the Stockholm model, Mitekgruppen used aerial photos and drawings to create the city's buildings in a computer aided design (CAD) program. Where aerial photos and drawings weren't available, designers relied on Google Earth to prepare these CAD files for the 3D printer. The CAD files were then sent to the 3D printer to produce models of Stockholm's buildings. The finished building replicas where then positioned, secured and hand painted along with other landscape features including bridges, cars, boats trains and trees.
Combining the information from the photos, drawings and Google Earth with Dimension's accurate models, the replica was completed in under six months months. Mitekgruppen is currently engaged in discussions with other cities in Sweden to create similar city models.
Combining the information from the photos, drawings and Google Earth with Dimension's accurate models, the replica was completed in under six months months. Mitekgruppen is currently engaged in discussions with other cities in Sweden to create similar city models.
“The Dimension 3D printer is the best investment I have ever made in my studio,” Norgaard said. “We are saving time, we arrive at the final product stages much faster, and it is much easier to explain the product to our clients. Our customers now have the ability to more accurately see how the product will appear in real life.” — Anders Norgaard, owner of Norgaard Designs
"A handmade model of this scale would have been a tremendous time investment. Similar city replicas have taken years to construct. With the Dimension 3D printer and the images we gathered from Google Earth, a project that could have taken years to finished was completed in a matter of months." – Martin Jonsson, co-owner and designer, Mitekgruppen
Norgaard Designs, based in Denmark, is a home and office product design firm. The company supplies leaders in this market with furniture and lighting designs across a wide range of products including chairs, sofas, beds, bathroom accessories, table lamps and more.
At Norgaard, the furniture design process is extensive
At Norgaard, the furniture design process is extensive
The Dimension Solution
Norgaard Designs sought a more efficient, cost-effective alternative to demonstrate their distinctive designs. After researching a variety of different options, Norgaard purchased a Dimension 3D printer to simplify its design process and enhance sales efforts.
Designed to provide users a fast, office-friendly, low-cost alternative for building functional 3D models, Dimension 3D printers build accurate models layer by layer using durable ABS plastic. These 3D models then allow users to evaluate design concepts and accurately test form, fit and function.
Designed to provide users a fast, office-friendly, low-cost alternative for building functional 3D models, Dimension 3D printers build accurate models layer by layer using durable ABS plastic. These 3D models then allow users to evaluate design concepts and accurately test form, fit and function.
Dimension 3D printing can help you quickly fine tune designs and cut weeks—even months—from your development schedule. Now, with the ability to evaluate more design iterations, you can test form, fit and function right from your desktop.
An essential tool for everyone on the design team
Other companies have used the Dimension 3D printer to create neighborhood models within cities. Gordon Ingram Associates (GIA), a U.K. based lighting consultancy firm, used a Dimension to generate scaled 3D models of areas in central London, allowing interested parties the ability to witness the effects of light on the buildings in the cityscape.
"The Dimension 3D printer offers a significant advantage to organizations looking to model architectural projects and cityscapes in a short amount of time," said Jon Cobb, vice president and general manager of 3D printing for Stratasys. "We are excited to see how design and architectural firms use the Dimension 3D printer to produce these complex replicas so efficiently. The use of Google Earth for these projects is exciting, especially where aerial maps and drawings are unavailable or fall short of giving designers the information they need to create accurate replicas."
"The Dimension 3D printer offers a significant advantage to organizations looking to model architectural projects and cityscapes in a short amount of time," said Jon Cobb, vice president and general manager of 3D printing for Stratasys. "We are excited to see how design and architectural firms use the Dimension 3D printer to produce these complex replicas so efficiently. The use of Google Earth for these projects is exciting, especially where aerial maps and drawings are unavailable or fall short of giving designers the information they need to create accurate replicas."
Norgaard Designs noticed improvements immediately. Within the first year of implementation, the company experienced a 20 percent timesaving in the design cycle and a 25 percent increase in the number of products going to market.
“The detail and precision of the 3D models have reduced the need to create multiple prototypes in the design process. This brings many of our products to market faster,” Norgaard said. “We now only make one to two models per design cycle, a dramatic improvement from the four to five made prior to implementing the Dimension 3D printer.”
In addition to the time and money saved, designers have raised the difficulty level of particular projects. Three-dimensional models enable designers to make more complex constructions by visualizing how the product works in 3D.
In addition to the time and money saved, designers have raised the difficulty level of particular projects. Three-dimensional models enable designers to make more complex constructions by visualizing how the product works in 3D.
“We continue to find new uses for our 3D printer everyday,” Norgaard said. “I can’t imagine how our business functioned without it in previous years.”
7940 Cherry Ave., Suite 202, Fontana, CA 92336
Tel: (909) 829.4950
Fax: (909) 829.4969
Make It Happen
3D Printer SUCCESS
Make It Happen
Streamlining the Manufacturing Process
RAPID PROTOTYPING &
MANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT
MANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT