Safilo has a new tool to produce frame prototypes much faster than with traditional methods.
The Italian eyewear company is using the Stratasys J750 full color, multimaterial 3D printer, according to a press release.
The printer reduces the time to design and prototype frames from 15 hours using a CNC machine and manual finishing to just three hours, says Daniel Tomasin, product sample coordinator at Safilo.
The company can “quickly produce eye-catching prototypes” for its own brands – Safilo, Carrera and Polaroid – and for design houses such as Dior, Hugo Boss, Max Mara and Jimmy Choo.
Tomasin adds that “using the 3D printer’s large build tray, we can produce several variations of the frames in the same print job which helps to reduce our product development costs while stimulating more creative development.”
David Iarossi, Safilo creative designer and associate director, says the technology allows the company to 3D print prototypes with the same color and texture as the finished product.
“This is the start of a new age for designers,” Iarossi said. “Thanks to the Stratasys J750’s ability to combine a near endless gamut of striking colors with varying levels of transparency, we can produce a number of completely different frames. This allows us to perfect multiple designs early, enabling us to launch the latest fashion eyewear on-time and maintain our competitive edge.”
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