3D PRINTING & INNOVATION LAB TO OPEN IN ASHEVILLE
Lab features first publicly available 3D printers in the Asheville areaASHEVILLE, NC – Mojo Coworking and The Van Winkle Law Firm announced a new partnership to unleash creativity through the
Mojo • Van Winkle 3D Innovation Lab.3D printing has the potential to revolutionize creative industries. Like the garage tinkerers of generations past, 3D printing is a new tool for digital tinkering and invention. In the future, consumers will be able to print virtually any three dimensional product from their home including common household goods and tools. Need a fork? Print it. Need a bolt? Print it. Have an idea? Print it.
Mojo Coworking, a leader in the innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurial communities of Asheville, is partnering with The Van Winkle Law Firm, the largest law firm in Western North Carolina, to launch the Mojo • Van Winkle 3D Innovation Lab.
“3D printing has been around for about 30 years, but the idea of it being accessible to anyone is brand new,” says Craig McAnsh, founder of Mojo Coworking. “Since Mojo is the place in Asheville where anyone can plug into social, creative, and entrepreneurial energy, it makes sense for us to stay on the leading edge of technologies that support these values.”The Lab features the first publicly available 3D printers in the Asheville area.
3D printing accelerates creativity. Through mass customization and speed to market, a designer can make products and showcase them to an audience overnight.
Custom accessories have taken off among 3D printing businesses. Online communities like Thingiverse.com, Cubify.com, and Shapeways.com offer an online marketplace where individuals can make, buy, and sell their own products. Jewelry designers, for example, upload their 3D digital designs and customers purchase them. Once an order is placed, a 3D printer prints the product and the online partners ships it. 3D fans can also download the working files and print their item at the Mojo • Van Winkle 3D Innovation Lab.
On demand creativity is not just the future, but now.“If you want to learn how to make it yourself, join us at the 3D Lab,” says R. Brian Johnson, a patent attorney at The Van Winkle Law Firm. “’What will you make?’ is our concept. We want to invite inventors, creators, designers, and innovators to push their boundaries of creativity.”
A grand opening event with remarks will be held November 20, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. with special guest Adam Reichental – national retail sales manager of 3D Systems, Inc.
Features of the 3D Lab
The Mojo • Van Winkle 3D Innovation Lab includes two 3D printers – the Cube and the Cubex Duo – and a Macintosh 3D computer design station along with a variety of software and design tutorials. A 3D scanner will be added as soon as they are available.
The Cube will allow users to create plastic items in a single color up to 5” x 5” x 5” inches. The Cubex Duo will allow two colors up to the size of a basketball.Classes and demonstrations will be held at the Mojo • Van Winkle 3D Innovation Lab. Mojo Coworking members will have premium access and member-pricing, and events will be open to the public. To learn more about future programs, sign up for the Mojo Coworking e-newsletter at http://tinyurl.com/joinmojo.
About 3D Printing
3D printing is a process of making a three-dimensional solid object of virtually any shape from a digital model. Using additive manufacturing, 3D printers create objects by adding one thin layer of plastic at a time. (Wikipedia)
3D printing technology is used for prototyping and manufacturing with applications in various industries including architecture, construction, engineering, dental and medical industries, fashion, and education fields. (Wikipedia)
Wall Street has projected 3D printing “‘…is on the cusp of seeing much broader adoption across more upstream production applications and the consumer end market,’ which could triple the size of the market within 5 years.” (Market Pulse, The Wall Street Journal, August 26, 2013)
About Mojo Coworking
Mojo Coworking is an open office environment that offers entrepreneurs, soloists, freelancers, remote employees and small businesses an alternative way to work. Mojo Coworking provides a functional, professional, collaborative, affordable and fun place to work without the hassles of setting up your own office. Mojo members have access to high speed Internet, Canon laser printers and all utilities as well as 3 state of the art conference rooms and a community area (with ping pong table, sofas, kitchen, bar and fresh brewed coffee). Mojo Coworking is a modern workplace where anyone can plug into social, creative and entrepreneurial energy. For more information, visit www.mojocoworking.com.
About The Van Winkle Law Firm
Founded in 1907, The Van Winkle Law Firm is one of the oldest firms in the state. With forty attorneys, it provides legal representation in personal, business, and government matters. The firm’s focus on patents, trademarks, and copyrights makes it an invaluable asset to startups and businesses taking their next big step in this era of rapid innovation. For more information, visit www.vwlawfirm.com.
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Hello, my daughter is interested in taking a 3 d printing class for her sr . Project. She is hoping to go into the engineering field. And was very interested in learning how this is done and would like to be able to create Ana object for her project. Do you know of any workshops that would be given in the area? We live in Hendersonville. She will probably need a mentor door this project too. Thanks for your time.