The Dragon Bench is the first of its kind. Made entirely out of metal, it wass 3D-printed, to the astonishment of many. Fashioned using a groundbreaking new technique called MX3D-Metal, the Dragon Bench ushers in an era of affordable metal structures. As Fast Co Design points out, "It's an exciting prospect, given the possibilities: Metal, after all, plays a key role in the infrastructure of buildings and cars."
Developed by Dutch designer Joris Laarman and backed by Autodesk, the original MX3D-Metal was a little rough around the edges, but the Dragon Bench shows that it has come a long way. Currently the centerpiece of a show held at the Friedman Benda gallery in New York City, it is an undulating structure made of intricate metal strips.
3D-Printed Metal Furniture
The Dragon Bench by Joris Laarman is the First of Its Kind
Trend Themes
1. Affordable Metal Structures - The Dragon Bench showcases the potential of 3D-printed metal furniture, opening up opportunities for creating affordable metal structures for various applications.
2. Advancements in 3D Printing Techniques - The development of MX3D-Metal revolutionizes 3D printing techniques, allowing for the creation of complex metal furniture and structures.
3. Integration of Metal in Design - The use of metal in furniture design signifies a trend towards incorporating metal as a key element in creating unique and innovative furniture pieces.
Industry Implications
1. Furniture Manufacturing - The rise in 3D-printed metal furniture presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the traditional furniture manufacturing industry, enabling the production of more intricate and cost-effective metal furniture pieces.
2. Construction and Architecture - The introduction of affordable metal structures through 3D printing opens up possibilities for disruptive innovation in the construction and architecture industry, facilitating the creation of innovative metal-based building components.
3. Automotive Industry - By exploring the use of 3D-printed metal, the automotive industry can leverage disruptive innovation opportunities to develop lightweight and durable metal components for vehicles, leading to improved performance and fuel efficiency.