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Abstract:

3D-printing offers possibilities to quickly and cheaply play with different body shapes, material texture, and the functions of objects as well as to test, compare and judge which of the different iterations to settle on or to combine as a final solution. In the development of new tangible(hardware) products, creative modelling can also be used to obtain retailer, user and customer opinions of new product concepts. To experience using 3D-printing as a modelling tool, we made a strict copy of simple plate product from which we could “play” with different creative solutions. We found that realizing extended product functionality that gradually emerged in the creative process had been (extremely) expensive and long-lasting using classical modelling and prototyping methods because complicated tools had had to be manufactured and changed before each test iteration. Using 3D-printing, it was easy to make changes, and new ideas could easily be tested, which increased not only the functionality but also other product values.

Keywords:

3D-printing.ideation, modelling, product values, prototyping, testing