【3D Printing Case Study】Taiwanese Startup Design Power, Advancing into the European Market!
"Medium2 Studio" is a startup company dedicated to product design aesthetics, upholding the belief of balancing product appearance with practicality. Two of their office chairs are currently continuously hot-selling in the European market.Two chair models from a famous German furniture manufacturer were developed by Medium2 Studio using anUltimaker 3D printer to assist in the development process.
Among these two office chairs, the SN-07 achieved sales far exceeding market expectations and boasts excellent quality, having passed European safety standards. It is precisely this meticulous pursuit of both aesthetics and practicality that has earned them favor in the European market.
(Two chair models: S CHAIR on the left, SN-07 on the right.)
This young design company possesses various processing equipment, such as 3D printers, CNC machines, and laser cutting machines, enabling in-house development and sample production. Walking into the office, the walls are covered with various design sketches, and the tables are filled with a dazzling array of project models.
Product development is a lengthy process. The use of 3D printing not only allows for a tangible view of the product's appearance but also helps correct visual errors between imagination and reality (e.g., Penrose triangle illusion), preventing substantial losses due to structural flaws discovered late in the development process. From sketches to 3D modeling, and repeated verification with 3D printed samples, it then transitions to 1:1 models for ergonomic and comfort checks. Mechanical components are integrated into the 1:1 samples, finally moving into the mold-making stage.
The company currently finds that 3D printing 1:4 scale models offers the most effective development benefits. Not only can clients easily estimate the real size, but it also relatively shortens printing time. What's special is that because PVA is only used at the small interface between the object's body and PLA supports, the large area of PLA support at the bottom can be removed first, and then immersed in an ultrasonic cleaning machine to rapidly dissolve the PVA, significantly reducing production time. (Further reading: Ultimaker Cura Advanced Features for Professionals)
(As shown, the white part is the PLA body, and the long support structure below also uses PLA. Only the thin transparent layer at the support interface is PVA.)
Taking the SN-07 model as an example, from Ultimaker 3D printing to the final model completion, it only takes five days to provide clients with product evaluation. The realism of these scaled models is almost identical to the final product. In addition to simulating the appearance, they can actually demonstrate assembly and disassembly, stacking quantities, and packaging and shipping effects. This is key to successfully winning design proposals, and they also use an in-house laser cutting machine to create custom packaging for delicate models to protect the samples.
Initially, the company also experimented with other 3D printers. However, considering the relatively complex structure of office chairs, the need to avoid printing in separate parts to save time, and the demands for product precision and aesthetically pleasing support interfaces, the Ultimaker dual-extrusion 3D printer emerged as the most economical and efficient perfect choice.
(Using 3D printed small models to actually test the feasibility of structure, assembly, stacking, etc., and calculate actual quantities is an important test before mass production.)
"The chair models have many small grooves for mesh fabric infill. After trying various 3D printers and different techniques, only the water-soluble support of the Ultimaker dual-extrusion system could meet our standards. This is also an important reason why we chose the Ultimaker 3D printer."
3DMart was honored to be invited to interview Medium2 Studio and share their development experience. They offered more professional advice, such as hoping that Cura software could further speed up printing and that Ultimaker 3D printers could develop larger build volumes. They are also enthusiastic about taking on any design challenges.
It's exciting to see Taiwanese startup design companies entering the international market. Utilizing 3D printers for design development can rapidly shorten product delivery times, becoming a growing industry trend. Do you also have similar products or development needs? Stop the drain of cost and time now; you can acquire an industrial-grade Ultimaker 3D printer and quickly complete products to seize new business opportunities.
Follow our fan page so you don't miss out on deals: https://www.facebook.com/3dmart.com.tw/
Contact Medium2 Studio: Official Website, Instagram, Facebook, Behance
Are you also a fan of 3DMart products and have new products or works you'd like to share with us? Feel free to tell us here or contact us. We will arrange an interview and share your products.