QalamSila – Turning Ordinary Pencils Into Elaborate Construction Sets via 3D Printing

Everyone loves those construction sets that we all have played with at one time or another. Whether it’s Legos, K’nex, Tinkertoys, or Cleversticks, at one point in our lives, we all have probably enjoyed letting our imaginations run wild while building anything that popped into our heads. 3D printing is increasing the options we have available when it comes to the creativity of building things.

Just last week, we reported on a series of 3D designs, which were recently created, called the Free Universal Construction Kit.  This was a set of adapters that allowed for the interchangeability of 10 different construction sets, including Legos, K’nex, Tinkertoys and more. These adapters are available to 3D print at home.  All of a sudden, thanks to these kits, kids have the ability to create objects of their own desire, using multiple construction sets at once.

Today we have yet another creative idea that has emerged from the possibilities presented through 3D printing. A 3D printed  product called QalamSila, allows kids to have fun building anything that their imagination can come up with, using simple 3D printed connectors in combination with pencils. That’s right, your typical wooden pencils. QalamSila connectors are built in such a way that they fit perfectly together with any standard hexagonal wooden pencil.

QalamSila has been designed and manufactured in Lebanon by a French architect and designer named Guillaume Credoz. About one year ago, he opened a company called Rapidmanufactory in Beirut. It was the first 3D printing and rapid manufacturing shop in the Middle East.  From there, he came up with the unique idea for QalamSila.

<blockquote>”The toy’s name has an Arabic origin, meaning “pen” (qalam) and “connected” (sila),” Kristin Krause of RapidManufactory tells 3DPrint.com. “With pencils of different lengths and a variety of more than 70 connector types, some rather simple and others for more challenging constructions, there are endless ways to assemble and connect. Wheels, rotating joints and pinion steering gears make the constructions move and turn.”</blockquote>

QalamSila kits can now be purchased in specific design shops located in Beirut, as well as online at freshlybakedtoday.com. Currently three kits are available; The Bulldozer, The Airplane, and The Buggy, which features a suspension and pinion steering system. While there are only 3 sets currently available, by combining different sized pencils, there are literally endless creations that can be made using these 3D printed connectors.

What do you think? Have you purchased a QalamSila kit? We’d love to see your creations. Discuss in the QalamSila forum thread on 3DPB.com.  Check out some more photos below: