Disney Research is exploring the use of 3D printers to build new kinds of light features into toys and objects. Researchers at the Pittsburgh facility are working on such techniques with 3-D printing including “light pipes” and tubes of enclosed air that can be manipulated to “glow” in controlled ways. 3-D printers can create objects with pinpoint accuracy that would otherwise be costly and complicated to build, leading the way to create new kinds of toys. 3-D printers can also create “real world” prototypes in minutes – as opposed to having to wait for a factory to retool the product.
Disney Research published a paper detailing prototypes already created including a bug-like figure with glowing eyes ; chess pieces that use light to display information about their position on the board, and blocks of plastic that appear to show explosions inside when light is shone at them.
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I like the plastic blocks with the explosions. Those sound great for creative play.
Those prototypes sound neat!
3d printing is awesome! leave it to disney to embrace 3d printing for toys. so cool.
i really like the idea of the chess board.