Last but not least: Mini Me 3D
Finally, a practical use for 3D printing technology: In Hamburg, you can have yourself printed as a miniature. A nice display piece for your office desk.
Now that we have successfully survived 3D films and 3D televisions, the next chapter that threatens to get on our nerves is the 3D printer. This pioneering technology is usually discussed in connection with weapons. Recently, a journalist managed to smuggle a fireable, printed handgun into the Israeli parliament (Source). Incidentally, the weapon in question was downloaded over 100,000 times in the days of its release - humanity is well aware that it will never run out of problems.
For example, more peaceful people print themselves a functioning SLR camera - for material costs of around 25 euros. Printers are getting better and cheaper - the possibilities seem endless. However, the technology only becomes really plausible with the idea of the Hamburg-based company TwinkindFor a few hundred euros, she prints customers in seven different scales from 1:12 to 1:5, making a 1.70 meter tall woman between 14.2 and 34 cm. A 1.90 meter tall man becomes an almost 40 cm high dust catcher at a scale of 1:5. The smallest scale is available for as little as 225 euros, the XXL version costs 1290 euros.
After making an appointment, customers are captured using a 3D photogrammetry scanner developed in-house. Finally, the three-dimensional portrait is brought to life layer by layer. The finished figurine can be sent to the customer's home. By the way, pets are also welcome and are bribed with treats to keep them quiet for a few moments.
Not that we needed it - but it does excite us a little. Don't you think? An eye-catcher for the wedding cake or the desk. Hamburg is always worth a visit, even apart from that. (hae)
