THE FOCUS OF TOYS4HUMANITY
The focus of Toys4Humanity is on the use of AM for the creation, the enhancement of the performance and robust manufacturability of toys and tutorials based on mathematical and artistic shapes inspired by:
Platonic and Archimedean polyhedra with eventual inserted electronics for lights and wireless charging if budget allows, also through three-dimensional reworking of polyhedral, i.e. in the artwork of Renaissance ” The portrait of Luca Pacioli “. The products are cave for insertion of 3d printed rattles for acoustic stimulation.
Golden ratio and Fibonacci sequence inspired doll house furniture sets or 3D puzzles, as toys for education to recognize these patterns in the natural world ( flowers, branches, shells ) and in architecture.
Puppet in a golden ratio that can be rolled up.
Reproduction of some ” Toys of avant-garde” of the 1900s as democratization of artistic toys by pulling them out of museums (for example the reproduction of the “Eight Assembled Objects” by Ermann Finsterlin , exposed at The International Design Museum Munich ) as single gadgets, with cavities with rattles for acoustic stimulation or in groups as substitutes for small bees above the cradles of newborns).
Scale model of 3/4-wheels vehicles based on the golden ratio (i.e. the activity which is aimed in this experiment at creating scale toys and is also a preparation to the rump up scenario for the construction of cars, walkers, tricycles, cradles, life-size strollers).
Objectives and challenges
The objectives and the challenges of the experiment are:
Conceptualization and creation (requirements)
1) CAD DESIGN: polygonal/curve modelling and digital sculpting (by Autodesk Fusion 360, ZBrush and Rhinoceros) to develop files of toys as various polyhedra; puzzles, doll furnitures, puppets and tutorials in the Golden ratio/Fibonacci sequence, dolls and puppets elaborated from 2D paintings and sculptures by past and avant-garde artists of the 1900s, one mock-up of golden ratio based of a baby walker/car. Multicolor/multimaterial FDM using Ultimaker 3/5 and eventually resins with Formlab 2/3.
Design and construction (AM restrictions, degrees of freedom)
2) Analysis of economic sustainability both “downwards” towards mass market and “upwards” towards the market of personalized and hand-finished designer toys.
Printing technology (suitable platforms, technical requirements)
3) Use of electronics embedded in the 3D printed toy. Initial trials with Classic PLA and planned experimentations with biobased polycarbonate, tough PLA, recycled/recyclable/compostable materials and elastic filaments etc.
4) Use of integrated wireless receivers (prefabricated and eventually with 3D printed with conductive material filaments) to reduce the use of connections (cleanability) and using rechargeable batteries (reduced environmental impact).
Finishing and QA (final processing, customer requirements)
5) Materials as PLA and innovative 3D printable materials which allow the limitation of products finishing.
Skills gaps (training, expert consultation, outsourcing)
6) Analysis of IP protection of images, 3d files and tutorials for possible use in the educational non-profit sector.
Business case (deployment, ramp-up scenario, financing)
7) Promotional channels will include, fairs, professional media, publications, crowdfunding operations, art exhibitions, a book with the story telling of concepts at the base of Toys4Humanity idea. Sales point as museums, pharmacies, shops for high-level toys.
