Leaving aside for a moment arguments regarding the ethical implications of being part of a surveillance society, Kiwatch is helping cameras to blend into their backgrounds by making a wide variety of custom camera cases. Ranging from a natural looking aesthetic to an adorable blue hippo-monster, these 3D printed cases are helping at least the home security sector feel more, well, at home with the cameras.
Kiwatch currently offers several standard patterns as well as the option to create a customized camera cover using their online customization app. The cases can be made in a range of colors from earth tones to shocking pink or with a photo of your choice (assuming you don’t mind having a large hole in the center of the picture for the camera lens).
All of this is currently predicated on your ability to undertake the process in French, as Kiwatch is based in Nantes, France — or you can turn to Google translate for such interesting instructions as:
“The hulls ‘chameleons’ merge completely into the room. Just take a picture of its rules or writing a text for a personalized hull.”
Really though, after playing around with the interactive application, you may find the words aren’t so important as the responsive application lets you spin the model around and see the changes you are making in real time. Once you are satisfied with the final product – customized with words, colors, images, and shape — you can download a wireframe and have it printed.
Kiwatch has partnered with Sculpteo for the production of the pieces and they are created from a nylon powder that is both solid and flexible. The initial print creates a cover in a matte white finish, and you can then use the in-house finishing and dying from Sculpteo for solid colors or, if you are looking to be more hands-on, you can finish and paint it yourself.
If your design requires a more sophisticated arrangement of colors, Sculpteo also offers multi-color 3D prints that leave the printer fully colored. With a capacity for printing in over 390,000 different colors, there’s no chance that a designer will find themselves limited to a narrow palette.
Unlike the more flexible material used in the white prints that are then dyed, the material for printing in color creates a cover that is more akin to ceramic in its fragility. The multi-color print offers limited heat resistance (no security cameras in the stove!) and should not be exposed to water (i.e., don’t put it outside), both factors that are important when considering which material to use for a particular application.
By using Sculpteo’s service, Kiwatch has been able to offer these camera covers with no start up costs or time lost to their business. All it took was making the connection.
What do you think about this application for 3D printing? Do you have a security camera in your home that you’d like to fit in better with your decor? Join the discussion in the 3D Printed Customized Cases for Security Cameras forum thread over at 3DPB.com.
