Disney Toys With 3D Printing

Ah, the puns. Sometimes I just can’t help myself. We’ve covered many, many different uses for additive manufacturing here at Rapid Ready (for some of the weirder uses, check out this Roundup). Every industry from aerospace to fashion has found a use for the technology.

Entertainment has gotten into the 3D printing act, using AM for prop prototypes and to create an entire range of facial features for ParaNorman. Now Disney is set to create the next generation of toys, by combining optical fiber-style lighting, printed circuit boards (PCB) and touch sensing capabilities, all by harnessing the power of AM.

Disney’s Pittsburgh research team has published a paper (pdf) describing how they plan on using AM to build new toys, rather than assembling them. It seems the research department has wholly embraced the potential offered by AM and is doing its best to bring that potential to fruition. Researchers have even begun to print out prototypes using an Objet Eden 260V.

The project seems to have two primary objectives different objectives. The first is creating what they term “light pipes” using clear AM materials to bounce a light projection up to a target surface. This allows for the same surface to show different displays without requiring a screen. One example application of this idea is the base of chess pieces displaying the exact square they rest on (as can be seen in the clip, below).

The second object is touch sensitivity created by disrupting energy flowing through an object. This would allow parts of a toy to react to being touched or provide a sort of controller for light displays. Again, all of this is created solely through the use of AM, printing circuitry directly into the object (as has been done previously).

From the published paper:

We envision touch sensing using 3D printed light pipes embedded in the walls of future devices. Our proof-of-concept prototype attaches to a mobile projector for gesture control of projected content.

The only potential downer in the paper was the conclusion that AM hasn’t quite developed far enough yet to perform precisely as the researchers would like. Currently, the light pipes have to remain short in order to avoid light loss, and the cost of creating toys using a machine like the Eden 260V, along with the materials involved, is prohibitive. Still, with the pace of improvements we see in the 3D printing field, these ideas may come off the drawing board and into your home sooner rather than later.

Below you’ll find a video that demonstrates Disney’s research.

Source: Disney Research