Aeromechanical engineer Angry Monk is bringing the world of 3D printing to a new level with 3D-printed tape measures. He designed and printed a tape measure, which resembles a traditional tape measurer. He assembled 114 individual pieces to make this fully functional tape measure. The model does not fit as much tape as a typical tape measure. It also has a crank since it’s not possible to print a working spring.
Angry Monk says he would have liked to make the tape measure in one piece but the printing restrictions limited him. He believes his piece has no practical use but has opened up the possibilities of 3D printing.
To do something just to see if it could be done is what inspired this artist and is what we should all live by. Life is about investigating and challenging the impossible.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Customizable 3D Printing
- The 3D-printed tape measure showcases the potential for creating customizable 3D-printed products, opening up opportunities for personalized manufacturing.
- Functional 3D Printing
- The design of the tape measure highlights the growing capabilities of functional 3D printing, prompting advancements in creating fully usable 3D-printed items.
- Hybrid Manufacturing
- The combination of printed and assembled parts in the tape measure demonstrates the potential for hybrid manufacturing methods that blend traditional assembly with 3D printing techniques.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Manufacturing
- The use of 3D printing in creating functional tape measures suggests disruptive innovation opportunities within the manufacturing industry, especially for customized and hybrid production methods.
- Design
- The development of 3D-printed tape measures pushes the boundaries of design, offering new possibilities for creating unique and functional products.
- Engineering
- The engineer's exploration of 3D printing in creating tape measures highlights potential breakthroughs in engineering, such as finding efficient ways to integrate printed and traditional components in complex structures.
