FormBox is one of the latest success stories on Kickstarter. Kickstarter has never been shy of bringing innovation and creation to the masses, but FormBox could spark creativity in the home similar to that of 3D printing has within the Maker Community. FormBox’s Kickstarter campaign secured almost $600,000 in funding: 11 times the original goal.
The Maker Movement
The Maker Movement accompanied the advent of 3D printing. While expensive for most, 3D printing was a relatively cheap way of prototyping, empowering individuals and small businesses to create physical representations of what was once just a thought. 3D printing is capable of printing items as large as car parts or as small as trinkets created using your smartphone thanks to OLO – the latest 3D printer to disrupt the Marker Movement. Dublin has even got its first 3D printing shop in Rathmines: a trend which has become increasingly popular in the US.
While 3D printing has enabled some to join the Maker Movement, many consider it to be slow, still expensive and requiring far too much knowledge of computer programs such as CAD. This is where FormBox comes into its own
FormBox is Making for the masses
If you have ever peeled a spud, you can use the FormBox. While 3D printing depends on filaments and pipe to print your computer generated 3D model, layer by layer, FormBox only requires you have some sort of physical 3D model. The team at Mayku have demonstrated the use of carved potatoes combined with their machine to create various useful designs and moulds. The FormBox heats material and then, using your vacuum at home, moulds this material to the 3D model (potatoe). Here’s Ben from Mayku to explain it.
Yes, that’s cool personalised thinks at home as well as finding a use for your vacuum. You can literally create any shape from a banana to candle holder, flower pot to customised toys. Simply place the shape you want on the platform, turn on the vacuum, lay down the plastic and pull a lever, its just so simple.
Using the moulds you can then create personalised chocolates, candles or even a concrete clock. The only real cost after the initial setup would appear to be the $20 for 30 plastic sheets used in the initial moulding phase. The FormBox will cost around €350 to €400 when it officially launches in May 2017.
