OVERVIEW: 3D-printing ALLOWS FOR TYPICALLY IMPRACTICAL formal details such as undercuts, variable wall thickness, AND VARIABLE DUROMETER; it also makes possible the production of one-to-one objects for the infinitely variable shapes, sizes and tastes of individuals, all while significantly reducing waste at manufacture, distribution, and end of life.
APPROACH: FORM LIBERATED BY PROCESS
OUTCOME: A custom-fit, 3D-PRINTED frame constructed using my own key facial landmarks.


STATUS: IN PROGRESS
FOCUS: ERGONOMICS, SURFACING, DFM
FACIAL LANDMARKS ARE USED TO GENERATE CONSTRUCTION LINES THAT ENSURE THE LENSES ARE CURVATURE CONTINUOUS WITH THE FRAME; THE BRIDGE, TEMPLE, AND NOSE PADS ARE APPROPRIATELY SIZED AND POSITIONED; THE EYES ARE CENTERED IN THE FRAMES; AND THE FRAME BROW FOLLOWS THE CONTOUR OF THE ORBITAL RIDGE.
A 3D-SCAN OF MY HEAD WAS USED TO TRANSLATE THE SILHOUETTE TO THREE DIMENSIONS FOR A PERFECT FIT.
BY 3D-PRINING THE FRAME, A SEAMLESS HINGE CAN BE ACHIEVED; USING VARIOSHORE TPU FILAMENT, THE DUROMETER OF THE FRAME CAN BE MADE SMALLER (SOFTER) AT THE TEMPLES.
BECAUSE 3D-PRINTING ALLOWS FOR THE PRESENCE OF UNDERCUTS, THE FRAME IS 30% THINNER THAN TYPICAL ACETATE FRAMES AS THE LENSES ARE CRADLED RATHER THAN ENCASED.
MACHINED ACETATE FRAME
MACHINED ACETATE FRAME
CROSS SECTION WITH LENS
CROSS SECTION WITH LENS
3D-PRINTED TPU FRAME
3D-PRINTED TPU FRAME
CROSS-SECTION WITH LENS
CROSS-SECTION WITH LENS