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LABS 3D

Scale portraits

By Brian Gallagher 16.06.14

3D printing is going to have a huge impact on design and manufacture in the same way that 2D printing has affected everything in our daily lives from how we work to how we travel. LABS 3D is the first and only workshop-studio in Barcelona offering a 3D printing service to the general public: in this case the scale miniaturization of people (animals or objects). The final product is a physical 3-dimensional reproduction that is an identical representation of the person, at a much smaller size. LABS 3D is located within the Ciutat Vella neighbourhood on Carrer Ample 12, adjacent to the Plaça de la Mercè. Customers can choose to have their 'twin' miniatures from a total of 5 options, ranging from 5 to 30 cm: mini, small, normal, large and maxi.

The process starts with a complete body scan (which takes 15 minutes approx.), post-production follows which involves working with the digitalised information, joining files, simplifying images and adapting the overall data to achieve the desired 3D artefact and then the actual 3D printing is done. The overall process, from the initial scanning to delivering the replica takes between a week and a fortnight. As well as the reproductions of people LABS 3D provides the option of including favourite pets and objects or printing these on their own. The figurines are exact replicas of the objects printed in 3D using multicolour materials.

  • LABS 3D
  • LABS 3D

    LABS 3D is a Barcelona initiative, founded by local entrepreneur Jorge Montoya, who is an engineer by profession. Fascinated by the specialized materials and nano technology involved in 3D printing Montoya travelled to the U.S. in search of ideas for starting a new business here. After visiting the two largest manufacturers of 3D printers and researching the process through some contacts in Japan (a leading country in 3D printing), Montoya opened LABS 3D this last month of May.

  • LABS 3D
  • LABS 3D
  • LABS 3D

    View of the workshop-studio on C/ Ample 12