Beehive has been using 3D printing to make eyewear for a long time. Now we want you to do it too. We’re developing an online interface for you to create glasses frames with some really simple tools.

We mean really simple. Even my mum can use it.

Check out what’s on offer here.

Beehive.

We’ve been playing around with our BFB 3000 Plus (a temperamental little devil) and managed to pop out some prototypes for our 3D Printed Custom Eyewear Interface that we’re working on.

While they may look rough & chunky, we think that’s part of their FDM (Fused Deposition Modelled) charm  . Future versions will use a different 3D Printing process, called Selective Laser Sintering, that gives a much smoother finish.. Prototypes of these won’t be far off.

Beehive.

Beehive debuts at the world-famous Bondi markets!

Thanks to all who came and chatted, the Beehive Team (and Friends) had a top day. Our 3D printer made it’s first appearance - perhaps the first 3D printer in Sydney to do so? 

We’ll see you at another market shortly - stay posted for details :)

Beehive.

It seems to me that there’s been a recent boom in the wooden sunnies market.

Why? who knows.. perhaps we’re again realising the uniqueness of timbers and coming to appreciate it’s sustainable edge over traditional plastics. Perhaps it’s just super cool to have part of a tree on your face?

Either way, we’ve started playing around with our laser cutter and some managed plantation Mahogany - the good stuff. Here are the results thus far; these will be available as rewards for our upcoming crowd-funding campaign soon to be launched ;)

Daniel @ Beehive.

This is where the interface started, a rough concept for using templates mixed and matched to create some interesting new shapes. The interface has developed a lot since then, but you need to start somewhere right?

Did you know that every pair of glasses frames is just one of thousands of identical copies?

The way mass production works means that you have to make endless clones of an item to cover the costs of making the moulds and tools. 3D printing brings an end to that.

But while you may be able to picture in your head your ideal pair of frames there are only 3 million or so people worldwide with the computer design skills to actual create their own custom pair.

That’s hardly fair, now is it?

Beehive believes in access and democratisation – everyone should be able to create individual products just for them. And of course they should be made only with sustainable materials.

So here is Beehive’s commitment.

In 2012 Beehive will launch an online interface that let’s anyone design their own pair of eyewear. Sunglass, spectacles, you name it. It’s going to be as fun to play as Sim City and so easy my mum can churn out designs that even Kanye would be jealous of.

Watch this blog to see how it develops.

When we explain 3D printing to people for the first time there is a look of confusion on their face – “So.. do you need glasses to see it?” is a common question.

As the scope and potential of 3D printing dawns on them their eyes widen and the questions come thick and fast – “can you print in metals?”, “can you print circuit boards?”, “can you print in chocolate?” (the answer is yes to all these).

The questions dry up and the ideas then start flowing – “I could design my own jewellery!”, “I could print a custom car!”, “I could make really personal gifts!”.

Beehive hatched from the hive after a conversation about the future of manufacturing. The end of it went something like:

“So even though these days we make tens of thousands of identical copies of stuff that doesn’t quite meet our needs, in the future we can make tens of thousands of individual products that meet each individuals needs.

“Well…. Why wait for the future? Let’s do it now!”

Welcome to Beehive.