14 DAY TRIAL // Normally, to build something out of wood, you need to cut planks or sheets out of larger trunks, or sculpt something directly. Basically, by removing pieces until you get the desired results. A polish company called Jelwek went the other way though when it designed its new watches.
In truth, techniques have existed for a long time that take sawdust, and by mixing it with a bonding agent, use it to create solid objects. Many pieces of furniture are made this way.
It's still considered a low-quality technique, however, with results that people pay for because they are so much cheaper than genuine wood objects and structures.
Nevertheless, a turnaround may be in the making now, thanks to what Jelwek did not so long ago.
Jelwek reveals watches 3D printed out of wood
There are many benefits to 3D printing. Speed is one of them, reduction in waste is another. In this case, there is a third benefit: complex aesthetics.
From what we can see, you'll still need to find a professional wood carver if you want something that looks as awesome as it does authentic.
However, if you're not so hardcore at heart, the new 3D printed wood watches from Jelwek may very well make your day.
The watches you see in the gallery are printed from a wood / PLA composite material made of 70% PLA plastic and 30% wood fiber. It might sound unbalanced, but wood alone doesn't make for a good filament.
Besides, all things considered, the objects made from the filament possess a look and feel very similar to genuine wood, even if the natural lines are absent.
Jelwek has created two types of watches, 3D printed timepieces colored a lighter shade and a darker wood brown, each with the same weight of 44 grams / 1.55 ounces.
Availability and pricing
Jelwek doesn't have the resources to market the 3D printed wood watches yet, but has set up an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign in order to raise the required funds. All things considered, $4,500 / €3,680 is a pretty low target. Then again, each watch costs $220 / €177, so the number of pledges won't grow as quickly as it otherwise might have.
If the campaign raises enough money by January 20, shipments are guaranteed to begin at some point in May 2015. One might think that 3D printing would make it go faster, but Jelwek probably wants to make sure all watches turn out perfect and that no one feels slighted by having their product shipped later than others. Also, some components can't be 3D printed and need to be added after the main bodies are done.
