When I think back to all the time I spent playing with dolls and action figures as a child, I now realize that it was smart for my parents to purchase them for me. Sure, I did unorthodox things with my Barbie dolls, like suspend them from trees with rope, give them 80’s style punk rock mohawks, and draw on them with permanent markers; they definitely sparked my imagination for hours and hours. I wonder how I would have felt being able to see my favorite dolls and action figures 3D printed on my own desk, with a special origins story arriving with them, to introduce me to the concept of how the toys are made.
This is is exactly the educational adventure that 3DKitbash wants to deliver to your children — or the child in you. Cincinnati, Ohio-based 3D printed toy design compa
Their 3D printable fashion doll, Quin, who was extruded with Thermoplastics to Earth from her home planet, Filamento, wants to see her brother NiQ again! But that’s not all: the plot thickens. Giant monsters known as the Kaiju are threatening to steal Quin’s technology, and use it for unthinkable things. 3DKitbash is asking for help reuniting the siblings and fighting off the terrible Kaiju scourge upon them and all 3D printing technology! What will happen if Quin is left all alone?
3DKitbash has already had tremendous success with their 3D printable Quin, and people have been asking for a male counterpart. Given the futuristic feel of 3D printing technology already, action figures are a great way to introduce children to 3D printing, while also teaching them about design, engineering, and assembly concepts. And don’t forget the play potential either.
For a $65 level reward, Kickstarter backers receive both Quin and NiQ figures, allowing the sibling dolls a nice “reunion”
If NiQ is able to be created in time to aid his sister, he will appear as a “high-quality, 3D printable digital model” of a handsome action figure, who is prepared to do almost anything (because he can wear clothes and equipment from other like-sized figures.) Like Quin, NiQ is engineered with working joints, using interchangeable parts that snap together using the 3DK pin system. This figure does not need any support, glue, or smoothing either. NiQ is about 11.5 inches tall, and once he arrives, he will be raring to get printed and explore Earth with his sister.
While Quin awaits NiQ’s arrival, 3D printing enthusiasts can help 3DKitbash reach their $3,000 goal. Backers of the campaign can contribute $5 to wish the project well, or enough money to be among the first to see NiQ on Earth, with contributions of $35 (for just NiQ) up to $200 (for a pre-printed NiQ and accessories).
If the kid inside you, or kids you know, aren’t already excited enough about a growing group of 3D printable action figure options, then the following video below might help change that. Have you backed 3DKitbash’s Kickstarter campaign? What do you think about 3D printing your own dolls? Let us know what you think over at the NiQ to Earth Kickstarter forum thread over at 3DPB.com.
