The development of technologies for the digitisation of three-dimensional objects and rapid prototyping progresses at an extremely fast pace. On this basis and under the aegis of Prof. Oliver Vogt, Martin Güntert, a student of product design at the School of Arts and Design Kassel, developed ‘your very own’, a system for the customisation of products on an industrial scale. At Designmai 2007 he shows six eyeglasses for skiing and sports, which can be tailored for any customer. 3D scanner technology, for example, ensures that glasses can be adapted to the highest possible wearing comfort, while rapid manufacturing facilitates frame production. Synergies of new technology and a new retail system make products possible, that might change our standards in wearing glasses. The perfect fit is particularly important for the sports glasses sector.

Every customer’s face would be scanned by the optician or sports gear dealer. This ‘digital plaster cast’ can be used to modify the desired glasses’ geometry individually, according to the contact surface on the face. The modified frame – partly or as a whole – is manufactured in a selective laser sintering machine from extremely rigid polyamide. Whereas the preliminary models were produced on the university-owned fused deposition modelling machine, the final models are actually serial parts in material and quality. A surface finish or coating (sanding, laquer, colour die, sublimation print, galvanising etc.) is possible and even neccessary for the eyeglasses application for hygenic reasons and easy cleaning. After the glass part, mostly injection moulded polycarbonate, and in some cases a thin layer of neopren and straps are attached, the product is ready to be sent to the customer.

The resulting glasses offer a stunning glimpse of tomorrow’s individualised market.

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