The ‘World’s First’ 3D Printed Air Conditioner Sells in China for $6395

[cirr]

The ‘World’s First’ 3D Printed Air Conditioner Sells in China for $6395

BY WHITNEY HIPOLITE · MARCH 13, 2015



China has been at the forefront of 3D printing, taking the technology and utilizing it in ways that other countries around the world have been reluctant to do. Whether it is 3D printing houses, apartment buildings, or other large objects which some look at in amazement, while others just ask, “why”?, China certainly has been grabbing the attention of the international media when it comes to 3D printing intuitively designed products. So what could possibly be next for the world’s most populated country?

How about a 3D printed, aesthetically designed, working air conditioning unit? This is exactly what Chinese multinational consumer electronics and home appliance company, Haier Group has come up with. The Qingdao, Shandong based firm has unveiled what they call the “World’s first 3D printed air conditioner” — although some may debate that fact. This week at the Appliance & Electronics World Expo 2015 in Shanghai, the company was on hand to present the new 3D printed appliance.

While some may look at a 3D printed air conditioner and wonder what the point is, for one individual, the unit was worth spending a whopping 40,000 Chinese Yuan for. That’s right, the first production unit, and the only one created thus far, sold for approximately $6,395.

What makes the Haier 3D printed air conditioner so special is the fact that it can be completely customized to look and function exactly how its buyer wants it to. Who would have thought that there would be a day when you could customize the look of your air conditioner? Well, apparently that day has now arrived.



“Each piece of the unit is produced on demand, seamlessly linking users’ requirements and actual manufacturing,” Haier explains. “Building the object layer by layer, 3D printing allows unprecedented user customizaton. Every user can parametrically adjust their own model, depending on his/her taste and requirements. Each model is a unique piece.”

How’s that for a sales pitch? “No two air conditioners are alike!”



Even the casing for the LCD screen is 3D printed into the unit, allowing users to display the temperature and working status. Future units of the air conditioner will also feature 3D printed computer boards, allowing for even more customization to the end user. The company hopes that customers will utilize the customization options in order to personalize their units, with design elements such as photos, anniversary dates, quotes, art work and other personalized print patterns.

It should be interesting to see how many of these custom 3D printed air conditioning units are sold in the coming year, as a price tag of 40,000 yuan ($6395) seems a bit hefty. What do you think? Would you pay this price for your own custom 3D printed air conditioner? Discuss in the 3D printed AC unit forum thread on 3DPB.com.







The ‘World’s First’ 3D Printed Air Conditioner Sells in China for $6395 - 3DPrint.com

 

[cirr]

China opens a medical 3D Printing center

By Amit Arora on Mar 2 2015 , 10:46:55

China may have been a late starter with 3D printing technology, but there are many signs that the country is catching up quickly; whether it manufacturing clones of popular 3D printers or building houses made using a massive 3D printer, the Chinese government is showing extreme interest in the application and advancement of this disruptive technology.

According to the most recent news from China, the government has opened the country’s first Medical 3D Printing and R&D center.

The center was opened at Changchun, at the hospital which successfully conducted the construction of the world’s first 3D printed elbow replacement surgery.

The success of the operation has obviously encouraged the government to focus more on the unimaginable possibilities of application of 3D printing in the medical field. The R&D center will try and improve on the processes and find different ways to use 3D printing to help people. It is also notable that some hospitals have already begun to use 3D-printed artificial joints for prosthetic replacements in Changchun, northeast China’s Jilin province.

This R&D center is another example of China’s forward thinking government which is ready to invest resources and time, they wants to be the engine of growth of 3D printing in the world. Other countries, especially developing countries, should take a page out of China’s playbook and promote 3D printing innovation in their countries.

 

[LittleFish]

4万块纯粹卖的是个噱头。。。

 

[TaiShang]

China’s 3D Printing Manufacturer, Zhuhai CTC Electronic, Opens Headquarters in London, Expanding through Europe
FEBRUARY 16, 2015
As 3D printing technology offers a voluminous number of innovations and changes to the world, transforming manufacturing worldwide, the subject of how it will affect China is interesting and well-discussed. As their traditional methods of manufacturing have a global stronghold currently, many economical and industry pundits in the U.S. predict there may be surprising changes on all sides.

Traditional manufacturing methods in China may not be enough as the U.S. and others gain independence in production processes and are able to create more manufacturing locally as well as bringing a great deal of it back home to stay.

The other side of the coin is that China is very interested in 3D printing, and not far behind us in ambition and acumen regarding the extremely useful technology. As they sharpen their skills, the combination of 3D printing and traditional methods could be extremely enticing as they are able to lower manufacturing prices even further and offer greater efficiency.


CTC Mercury 3D Printer

While what transformations and changes will truly take place remains to be seen, today China has their sights set on Europe. Zhuhai CTC Electronic Co., Ltd., a leading producer of 3D printers in China, has just announced the opening of an office in London as they set down roots in new headquarters meant to serve as the base for the beginning of their expansion not only in the UK but throughout Europe.

The office is 4,000 square feet and located on the southern bank of the Thames River.

“The ultimate goal of setting up a London office is to establish business relationships with local 3D printing services businesses and retailers across Europe. Most Chinese developers only focus on the Chinese market, causing them to remain quite closed-minded as their knowledge and understanding remains limited to their local market. But the fact is that there is broader space for development beyond the Chinese market,” said Zhuhai CTC Electronic PR director Siyi He.

Founded in 2004, Zhuhai CTC Electronic has no problems thinking outside the box when it comes to business and expansion, which is signified simply enough by their transition from 2D to 3D, embracing highly modern, progressive technology which still has plenty of skeptics worldwide.

“China has always regarded the American market as the benchmark and the American 3D manufacturers as the model that Chinese 3D start-ups should learn from and emulate. As the American and Chinese markets become ever more similar to each other, a 3D printer that has gained traction and been successful in America is quite certain to be a profitable product or a source of inspiration for China’s 3D development once introduced to China,” added Siyi He.



Now, with over ten years in 3D printing and exponential growth, they are expanding marketing efforts globally, with a research and development facility in India and logistics warehouses not only in Europe and Australia, but also the U.S.

 

[BoQ77]

Do they reveal Which parts are 3D printed ?

The ‘World’s First’ 3D Printed Air Conditioner Sells in China for $6395

BY WHITNEY HIPOLITE · MARCH 13, 2015



China has been at the forefront of 3D printing, taking the technology and utilizing it in ways that other countries around the world have been reluctant to do. Whether it is 3D printing houses, apartment buildings, or other large objects which some look at in amazement, while others just ask, “why”?, China certainly has been grabbing the attention of the international media when it comes to 3D printing intuitively designed products. So what could possibly be next for the world’s most populated country?

How about a 3D printed, aesthetically designed, working air conditioning unit? This is exactly what Chinese multinational consumer electronics and home appliance company, Haier Group has come up with. The Qingdao, Shandong based firm has unveiled what they call the “World’s first 3D printed air conditioner” — although some may debate that fact. This week at the Appliance & Electronics World Expo 2015 in Shanghai, the company was on hand to present the new 3D printed appliance.

While some may look at a 3D printed air conditioner and wonder what the point is, for one individual, the unit was worth spending a whopping 40,000 Chinese Yuan for. That’s right, the first production unit, and the only one created thus far, sold for approximately $6,395.

What makes the Haier 3D printed air conditioner so special is the fact that it can be completely customized to look and function exactly how its buyer wants it to. Who would have thought that there would be a day when you could customize the look of your air conditioner? Well, apparently that day has now arrived.



“Each piece of the unit is produced on demand, seamlessly linking users’ requirements and actual manufacturing,” Haier explains. “Building the object layer by layer, 3D printing allows unprecedented user customizaton. Every user can parametrically adjust their own model, depending on his/her taste and requirements. Each model is a unique piece.”

How’s that for a sales pitch? “No two air conditioners are alike!”



Even the casing for the LCD screen is 3D printed into the unit, allowing users to display the temperature and working status. Future units of the air conditioner will also feature 3D printed computer boards, allowing for even more customization to the end user. The company hopes that customers will utilize the customization options in order to personalize their units, with design elements such as photos, anniversary dates, quotes, art work and other personalized print patterns.

It should be interesting to see how many of these custom 3D printed air conditioning units are sold in the coming year, as a price tag of 40,000 yuan ($6395) seems a bit hefty. What do you think? Would you pay this price for your own custom 3D printed air conditioner? Discuss in the 3D printed AC unit forum thread on 3DPB.com.







The ‘World’s First’ 3D Printed Air Conditioner Sells in China for $6395 - 3DPrint.com

 

[Keel]

Holy noodles
@￥40K+ for a 3D customized air conditioner!

I bet the cost will come down substantially soon when standardization of production and economies of scale kick in
Good luck!

The raging Yellow River Hukou waterfalls
Watercolour painting

 

[opruh]

Wow, I love the design.

 

[TaiShang]

Wow, I love the design.

Yes, very futuristic. What is more important is that the technology opens up a myriad of possibilities in terms of 3D printable home/office appliances.