Trumpeting the value of 3D printing
PostNL has recently been involved in a project to test how 3D printing technologies and delivery services can be made to work in harmony. According to a report published on the www.3ders.org website today (16 March), Joris van Tubergen, the Creative Director of Utrecht-based FabLab ProtoSpace, challenged PostNL to see if it could transport a Ultimaker 3D printer in one of its delivery vans – while the machine was busy producing a 3D trumpet.
In order for PostNL to complete the challenge successfully, the delivery van had to arrive at the home of renowned trumpeter Eric Vloeimans with a newly-3D-printed musical instrument in note-perfect working order.
Apparently, the task is harder than it sounds because, according to the experts at 3ders.org, “even the slightest nudge [can] offset the extrusion head during printing – which can lead to layer placement where they’re not supposed to be – [and] can ruin your perfect 3D printed surfaces”.
The 3ders.org article includes various clips showing the trumpet’s production, journey and – cue the fanfare – its delivery to Vloeimans, who was blown away by the “incredible” sound quality.
As previously reported on Post&Parcel, Amazon has shown an interest in installing 3D printers onboard delivery vans (and even filed a patent for a possible system in February 2015). Now, PostNL and Ultimaker have had the brass to do it.
