3D printing brings flexibility

Light and materials, choose the effect that works best in your project.

LUMINOUS 2019/23

3D PRINTING 95

Printing brings flexibility

By Ruth Slavid

Advances in 3D printing allow architects, interior designers and lighting designers to specify custom luminaires for every project at a price that is affordable. And there are other advantages – speed of production and improvements in sustainability. Manufacture has already started and there are some exciting examples of collaboration between design teams and lighting engineers.

We may have all grown to consider 3D printing a process that is mostly used for prototyping, but Signify has taken the technology further by printing customisable luminaires. This is a big step forward in 3D printing, making it affordable for medium-size runs.

Kevin Raaijmakers, who is in charge of sales and marketing for 3D printing at Signify, explained that frequently architects and interior designers are looking for something slightly out of the ordinary and not prohibitively expensive. The normal method of producing luminaires is only cost-effective for large numbers, typically tens of thousands, so Signify looked at 3D printing solution. ‘We ramped up the technology so that it is faster and cheaper,’ Raaijmakers explained. ‘Normal 3D printing is like Formula 1 – very expensive. We found we could make products on a par with normal Philips products.’

94 3D PRINTING

While the approach relies on a ‘chef’s secret’ recipe, Raajimakers did explain that the approach uses polycarbonate, which does not deteriorate or lose its colour and – crucially – can resist high temperatures.

This is vital in lighting which can, locally, get very hot, and is in contrast to many materials used in 3D printing which would melt at 70 or 80C. As well as the cost for relatively small runs, another advantage is speed of production.

With traditional manufacture, it is necessary to find a factory, to tool up and to make moulds. This can take months. With 3D printing, as soon as the prototype exists – i.e. at the end of the design process – production can be virtually instantaneous.

And, Raajimakers says, ‘the third benefit is sustainability’. The carbon footprint is typically reduced by half, with no glue, screws or paint needed. And Signify has a system for taking back luminaires when they are unwanted in the future, disassembling and re-using. ‘We are ready for the circular economy,’ Raajimakers said.

96 3D PRINTING

So how does an architect, an interior designer or a lighting designer set about this process? Typically they will start with an idea, perhaps wanting a modification to an existing luminaire. They will discuss this with the team at Signify, and after some discussion, Signify will make a prototype. This can either be the basis for manufacture, or be adjusted until it is right.

The important thing, said Raaijmakers, is that the architect works with Signify and doesn’t try to do all the design themselves. ‘We need the knowledge our engineers have, to look at the light engine, at thermal issues, at the weight of the luminaire and how to fix it. Just give us an idea of what you want in terms of light effect and shape, and we can co-create it.

LUMINOUS 2019/23

The first manufacturing site is in Eindhoven, in The Netherlands, but Signify is now expanding to other sites.

Architects, for the first time, have the freedom to specify precisely the luminaire that they want, and not pay through the nose for it. And they can enjoy the fact that it is both sustainable and fast to make.

Some examples are given in the boxed copy. But what would your ideal luminaire look like? It may be time to find out.

Learn more www.tailoredlightingcreations.com

3D PRINTING 97

Materials, textures and colors to create unique and surprising experiences.

98 3D PRINTING

LUMINOUS 2019/23