Light Zoom Lumière: 3D printing and Lighting – An Inventarisation of its Use

Who are the key players in the sector? What are the current uses of additive manufacturing? Light Zoom Lumière dedicated a comprehensive online article to this topic, covering the most recent activities, suppliers and applications in the lighting industry in order to educate and guide lighting professionals in the use and adoption of 3D printing.

The Evolution of 3D Printing Technology

The first 3D printing techniques appeared in the 1980s. Since then, using a digital 3D file (CAD file), it has been possible to make objects by adding material successively. This process is often defined as the next (or 3rd) industrial revolution.

Various additive manufacturing processes have proved to be very interesting in certain fields such as aeronautics, medicine but also in the so-called “conventional” industries of which the lighting industry is a certainly a part.

Indeed, the ease of use and the absence of heavy upfront investments in tooling and inventory makes it the ideal process for prototyping activities and the production of small series. In addition, the possibility of customizing an infinite light module has become the most productive method of the moment.

Printed Optics

The challenges facing optics in the lighting industry are manifold with the advent of LED lighting. To overcome these challenges, the time has come to adopt new design and manufacturing approaches. And this is where additive manufacturing comes in.

Luximprint is mentioned here as the one and only company globally specializing in additive manufacturing services for custom optics in the lighting industry.

Conclusions

Lighting is no longer simply functional, it is used in an emotional, engaging and personal way to create a atmosphere of well-being. The advent of 3D printing in the lighting sector opens the way to mass “customization”, whether it is thermal design, lighting boxes, tailored optics or lampshades. There is no shortage of examples. Many start-ups may understand this principle and get started at a lower cost. This phenomenon has already happened by revolutionizing the music and film industries. The giants of the sector will have to adapt quickly or risk giving way to the young 3D printing shoots.

Read more in the original article, with a reference in the footer of this post, that was originally published by Light Zoom Lumière. Please note that the article is available in French only.

Source: “Impression 3D en éclairage : état des lieux des usages” https://www.lightzoomlumiere.fr/article/impression-3d-en-eclairage-etat-des-lieux-des-usages

Credits: images in this post are courtesy of Light Zoom Lumière.