SLS 3D Printing Leads to Better Augmented Reality Glasses
Augmented reality has, believe it or not, been around since 1968, although it didn’t start making significant progress until the 21st century. Many people think of augmented reality, or AR, as purely an entertainment technology, meant for things like Pokémon Go and other games. It’s actually an extremely useful technology in the workplace, however, particularly in industrial settings. AR allows workers to closely examine complex processes and components, often in a hands-free manner thanks to special AR glasses. For example, a drop in temperature or pressure can alert workers via images on their glasses, so that they can respond in time. The glasses can also detect things like airborne contaminants, display relevant parameters of the environment, and suggest actions to take.
AR glasses can be problematic, though. They’re typically large and heavy, covering most of the face. In an industrial setting, that’s not exactly convenient, as workers are often required to also wear protective masks and helmets. German researcher Professor Rigo Herold decided that there must be a better way.
He needed to create glasses with rims that were lightweight but precise, allowing for the incorporation of all the necessary elements without becoming too bulky. They also needed to be durable and resistant to high temperatures. He turned to 3D printing to achieve his goals, but finding the right technology was tricky.
“Data glasses are composed of complex, precisely positioned optical components – among others sensors and mirrors,” said Herold. “To ensure uninterrupted sharpness of the virtual image, all optical components must be set in with the highest precision. The filaments used in the early data glasses printed in 3D technology were not accurate enough.”
He then looked into SLS 3D printing as an alternative. First he used service providers, but found that the wait time was too long. So he purchased a Sinterit Lisa 3D printer, which delivered the results he needed. The glasses could be 3D printed in one piece, without support structures, and could be produced either in a short series or as custom-made items. They could be mounted on a helmet, or adjusted for use with other equipment. The freedom of design that SLS 3D printing allows meant that several different, individually tailored items could be made.
The glasses were also durable, flexible, precise and lightweight. They were shock resistant and could be incorporated easily with other protective equipment such as masks, helmets and earphones.
The 3D printed glasses could have a number of other applications, as well. They could be used by hearing-impaired people or those watching movies in a foreign language to see subtitles, or they could be used to enhance city or museum tours. Using SLS 3D printing to create them means that they can be produced very quickly, and using a desktop SLS 3D printer such as the Lisa keeps costs low – especially now that the Lisa’s price has been significantly cut.
There’s a lot to be gained from combining 3D printing and augmented reality, and Herold’s work shows another example of how one disruptive technology can be used to advance another. Learn more about Herold’s work below:
Discuss this and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com, or share your thoughts in the Facebook comments below.
[Images/video courtesy of Sinterit]
Subscribe to Our Email Newsletter
Stay up-to-date on all the latest news from the 3D printing industry and receive information and offers from third party vendors.
Print Services
Upload your 3D Models and get them printed quickly and efficiently.
You May Also Like
Daring AM: 3D Printing Antennas, Factories, and Rockets in Space
From 3D printed antennas rising 100,000 feet above Earth to futuristic orbital factories and metal parts made in space, 3D printing is reshaping how we build for space. In three...
New Tech Transmits 3D Printing Granules in Microgravity
Researchers from the University of Glasgow have secured a patent for an in-space microgravity 3D printing technology. The patented invention employs a conveyor-based system to transport granulate material for fused...
Flexibility Is the Bottom Line: Touring the Visitech Americas DLP Light Engine Factory
Visitech, a leader in optics for digital light processing (DLP) and powder bed fusion (PBF), recently expanded its footprint in the U.S. with a new factory in Allen, Texas. This...
3devo’s Filament Maker TWO Advances Custom 3D Printing Filament Production
The Dutch firm 3devo has been producing compact filament makers for several years, establishing their devices as mainstays for polymer and filament companies worldwide. The 3devo machines enable these companies...