The Big Kube does exist, and it’s at InkBit headquarters.
What’s this all about? The “cube” in question is pictured at the top. It’s a variation of a popular 3D model that is articulated and can be folded over and over.
These 3D models are printed in one piece and use joints in two directions to permit the folding. As a figurine piece, it’s ideal: you can fold it over and over, endlessly. I have one made by the now-defunct Nexa3D, shown here.
However, Inkbit CEO Davide Marini posted an image of a gigantic “Big Kube” on LinkedIn, as seen at the top. Marini explained:
“By popular request, I have decided to reveal a truth that many suspected over the years … Big Kube does exist. It lives in our building! We have only made one exemplar of Big Kube but are always happy to gift baby Kobayashi cubes to our visitors at trade shows. If you really want one now, just let me know and we will ship it to you!”
Hit the LinkedIn post to see the video, but when you do, you will notice all kinds of extreme detail on this particular model, including an embedded QR code.
In fact, I actually held a regular-sized version of this very print at an event last year. It seems that they have scaled up the 3D model to fill the build volume of their 3D printer.
This is in fact a demonstration of Inkbit’s 3D printing production process, Vision Controlled Jetting (VCJ), which is quite unusual. It involves high-density jetting over a large build volume, layer by layer. VCJ uses wax as a support material, meaning each print completes as a large, solid block of wax with parts embedded inside. After the wax melts, you have a huge pile of perfectly finished parts. VCJ can also handle up to four different polymers in a single print job.
VCJ is one of the few true production processes in 3D printing, designed from the beginning for volume production.
Because of the wax support material, it’s possible to print a full build volume jammed with parts, as shown here.
It’s also possible to print complex articulated pieces like the Big Kube.
Via LinkedIn
