Prints (0)

Description

This summer, Formlabs hosted The Digital Factory, a conference about digital manufacturing, at the MIT Media Lab. We expected hundreds of guests, and a mass-produced 3D printed part seemed like an appropriate souvenir.

Since the digital factory of the future promises mass customization at no extra cost, we decided to parametrically generate a few hundred design options so each attendee could leave with a one-of-a-kind pen. The pens were designed with an eye toward a future where everyday objects are customized for individual users.

We've included 8 of our favorite parametrically generated designs as well as the Grasshopper definition so that you can customize and print one for yourself. These are made to use the cartridges from a standard Bic Ballpoint Pen. To learn more about the design and printing process, read Formlabs' Blog '7 Days, 700 Pens: Parametric Design for Customized Conference Swag'

Grasshopper Definition

The pens were generated using the Grasshopper plugin for Rhino. The following steps outline a way to access this definition: 

1. Download a free trial of Rhino. 

2. Install Grasshopper (free). 

3. Open the definition.

4. Use the built-in sliders to drag and preview the settings you want to change. 

5. Right click and Bake.

6. Select Model. 

7. File > Export Selected in STL format. 

8. Print with your favorite 3D printer. 

9. Share your model on Pinshape!

  • Design Files

    File Size

    custom_pen_basefile.3dm
    169 KB
    custom_pen_editor.gh
    29.1 KB
    1.stl
    9.25 MB
    2.stl
    10.1 MB
    8.stl
    9.79 MB
    3.stl
    10.5 MB
    4.stl
    10.2 MB
    5.stl
    10.1 MB
    6.stl
    10.2 MB
    7.stl
    10.2 MB
    cap_thin.stl
    3.65 MB
    cap_thick.stl
    5.11 MB

    Comments

    briankb
    several of these .STL files will not import correctly into the lastest version of PreForm and you are prompted to "repair". I've tried multiple times and the last time it crashed PreForm.
    Reply7 years ago
    prototyping
    it looks good,and if somebody want to do print it,please contact us, we can help you print it in a short time.and also spray painting on the surafce as you need.we are the SLA 3D printing manufacturer, please email me at gaojiemodelsales01@163.com Debbie
    Reply4 years ago
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