14 DAY TRIAL // Scissors don't normally qualify as something that can make a statement of style, but there is one very public type of event where they are in full view of the populace: public inaugurations. Those events are what 3D Systems was thinking about when it created the scissors in the attached gallery.
If anything, scissors have been portrayed more as dangerous cutting and stabbing implements in popular media, instead of something worth admiring.
We've long since lost count of how many horror games had the beleaguered main character stab other people, animals, or zombies with scissors. Or how many had enemies doing that to the main character.
When they aren't depicted as murder implements, scissors aren't really central to any scenes, even during fashion design montages or whatnot.
And yet the people at 3D Systems decided to reinvent the scissors anyway, although we suppose that the renovation and reopening of the Cooper Hewitt Museum, housed in the Carnegie Mansion, does qualify as good incentive.
The 3D printed scissors
During the grand opening or reopening of a restaurant, church, public buildings, or other edifices, some important official is often tasked with cutting a long, red ribbon.
It's all symbolic, signifying that the edifice is finally up and running, ready to do the job it was built for. Often it's the president (of a company, council, country, etc.) or mayor doing it.
Over the past three years, the curators and administrators of the Cooper Hewitt Museum in the Carnegie Mansion have been hard at work renovating the establishment.
The museum is now enhanced and modernized, to fit with the times and its location on the Fifth Avenue in New York City.
To go with the “cutting edge” of the technology, 3D Systems designed the scissors we've been talking about. Not the size and the intricate design of the blades and handles. Not a bad way to finish the collaboration on the historical renovation project.
How the scissors were made
A Sense 3D scanner was used to create the basic shape from a normal scissors. Then the model was carved in virtual space, without sacrificing functionality. After that, a ProJet 6000 SLA printer was used to create the two halves. The same printer on display at the Museum.
Said halves were sanded, nickel-plated, and polished until they were smooth and shiny enough to resemble mirrors.
The scissors will be included in the museum's official collection. Currently, everyone is trying to decide where they should go.
