There’s a new and interesting 3D print application deployed by Recognize Good.
The Texas-based organization is a non-profit that was formed to provide a systematic way to recognize acts of kindness and charity. The organization launched 2008, and has now issued over 750,000 “acts of gratitude”.
Recently they have deployed a new method of recognition: 3D printed medallions and artifacts. It’s one thing to receive a letter or certificate, but another to receive a physical object that recognizes a charitable act.
The company worked with Saber Data to develop a system that provides an “end to end” workflow to produce such artifacts using 3D printing. The concept is that a non-profit company anywhere that wishes to recognize their supporters could use the new system to design and produce 3D printed items for them.
Currently the site offers easy design of keychains, coins, medallions, coasters and specialized items. The user is taken through a simple design tool to customize pre-made designs, resulting in 3D printable multicolor objects.
The designs then have to be physically produced on a 3D printer. However, the user of the service are unlikely to be able to own and operate their own equipment, and Recognize Good provides a way to do that, too.
Saber Technology used 3DPrinterOS behind the scenes to create a virtual network of 3D printers that can take on print jobs dispatched from the design flow. Apparently initially this was an in-house configuration, but they are increasingly adding other 3D printers to this network. These can include 3D printers from non-profits that do operate their own gear.
This is an excellent example of how to activate those that are unable to handle a full 3D printing workflow on their own.
Some ask why there isn’t more 3D printing being done, and that’s because people simply don’t know how. The answer is to build out the parts they can’t do and let them ride on top.
Via Recognize Good
