3D model builds future for New Zealand printers

Suited to architects and designers, property companies and developers, the three-dimensional modeling technology can also be used for the creation of prototypes, industrial tooling and pattern making for moulds.

A model of a mansion that was created using this technology (pictured) has been entered in this year’s Pride in Print Awards, under the ‘Innovation in print’ category. 3D Print director, Richard Keesing said that the effect of the model was remarkable. “The architect’s clients were amazed to see how their house would look when it was finished,” he said.

3D Print, based in Albany on Auckland’s north shore, grew from a specialist print company, The Colour Box, which has been operating in the large format ink-jet market since the mid 1990s, specialising in exhibition displays, posters, outdoor signs and banners. The move towards three-dimensional printing came when The Colour Box director, Peter Dawson, saw the possibilities of using the Z Corp three-dimensional machine in the New Zealand market.

Peter said three-dimensional technology has been around for a while but the new machine is a substantial step up.

“Ours is one of only a handful of such machines in this country and I could see that it had immense potential,” he said. “It not only provides a rapid model solution, it does so at a price which is affordable and which can save considerable time and expense compared to the traditional methods of relying on drawings, artist’s impressions and prototypes.”

3DP sees itself now as consultants and experts in this area offering a whoa-to-go service including the ability to design from scratch in-house in 3D or convert 2D drawings and files into 3D files suitable for printing.

The company will know if they have won a Pride In Print award when winners are announced at Awards Night at Christchurch Convention Centre on June 15.