Own a HappyToadlet or a NaturalChicken? Win the Formlabs Contest with 3D Printed Namesake Model

There’s nothing more pleasurable in daily life than when work and fun intersect, and many of us — yours truly included — are glad to say that’s often an everyday experience. But what about the tools for your design work? Most often they are just considered utilitarian machines meant to do our bidding, and we pray they do it well without causing us any failures, expense in maintenance, or downtime.

Naming machines isn’t anything new, from cars to planes and boats. It generally signifies some level of whimsy and emotional attachment as well as — very importantly — tradition. And Formlabs has a tradition. They aren’t down with lifeless numerical names stamped and branded on their 3D printers.

Their formula, with the exception of FuzzyAvocado (due to a Formlabs engineer with a passion for the green fruit with a delectable inside), is to name each of their printers with its own name — that of an adjective and an animal, such as ConsciousOtter. These are found on the back of each Formlabs 3D printer near the USB port, and are referred to not as model names, but ‘namesakes.’

The Formlabs team was inspired for their current design and 3D printing contest by Support Engineer Brian Allan’s rendering of his namesake, ConsciousOtter, including 3D printed model, awesome paint job, and even a third eye for extra conscious charm.

Posted in the Formlabs forum, many examples have been contributed such as the ‘lithoform’ for FuzzyAvocado, and the slightly surreal ‘fox mask’ for ExclusiveFox, which certainly lives up to its name. The mask was designed in seven pieces and then handpainted as a true work of craftsmanship.

My favorite name so far is HappyToadlet. He’s joined, currently, by the likes of HappyWren, AlluringOwl, NaturalChicken, and many, many more. The contest is a lot of fun just to check out, even if you aren’t entering. It sort of makes you wonder what name you would end up with if you bought one of their printers. (Great marketing!)

Formlabs now invites everyone interested in joining in on the competition to enter their 3D prints by posting them on their forum page. Entries are being accepted through April 1^st. Not only does the winner gain the notoriety of having their work seen on the Formlabs forum, but they also receive one liter of resin and a new resin tank.

We’re all waiting to see how ConstipatedPigeon turns out, as the owner has expressed that it took some time for the name to grow on him. No one could ever accuse the team over at Formlabs of lacking a sense of humor.

Formlabs is headquartered in Somerville, MA, and is composed of a team of dedicated engineers and designers from MIT who are responsible for creating the Formlabs line of 3D printers and 3D design software. They offer educational resources, support, and more.

Do you own a 3D printer from Formlabs? If so, what name were you given, and will you be entering the contest? Share with us in the Formlabs 3D Printing Contest forum thread over at 3DPB.com.