While doing some research on 3D printing, I learned that Unisource Engineered Solutions was using this technology to create packaging and prototypes as a service! I had seen plenty of examples of 3D printing, but here was a “paper” company who invested in the machines and was using them to help customers and actually make things relevant to the print world. This was the piece that was always missing; how could we use 3D printing in the commercial print space.
Needless to say I became slightly fascinated with this process, and reached out to my awesome contact over at Unisource Worldwide – Warren Seidel, Zone Manager – Paper, to help me get in touch with someone who could answer a few questions. Warren of course delivered, (as he always does!) and that is how I connected with Trevor Kirchner.
In all honesty I didn’t quite get the answers I had hoped for (like will there be opportunities for commercial printers with 3D printing!), but with much respect Trevor is a busy guy and I am very appreciative to him for his time, and to the people at Unisource Worldwide who have allowed me this access.
DC: Who is Trevor Kirchner and what does he do?
TK: I am a packaging engineer with Unisource Engineered Solutions (UES) and have been designing packaging for over 20 years in multiple materials.
DC: Can you tell us a little about Unisource Engineered Solutions and your capabilities?
TK: This video and the brochure I sent have all the information you require on our capabilities.
Download the Unisource Engineered Solutions PDF brochure
DC: Ok, without further adieu – you have a 3D Printer! What are you doing with it???
TK: Currently we are using our 3D printers to make both sample molds and sample products. At this time UES has both plastic and paper 3D printing capabilities. We are using the printer for printing both thermoform and molded pulp molds and sample products, and creating product prototypes. This improves the package development process by allowing you to check form, fit and function, and make corrections before going into production
The 3D printer also reduces time to market by utilizing 3D CAD files to rapidly build molds. We can go from 3D CAD model to formed parts in less than 24 hours and build durable models that can be drilled, tapped, sanded and painted, and then evaluated and tested under real-world conditions.
DC: Based upon your experience and of course expertise, where do you think 3D printing is heading? Will there be opportunities for commercial print shops to utilize this technology in their services?
TK: 3D printing reduces the turnaround time for design work from months to hours. Savings in time equals savings in money and also means happy customers. As machines continue to get smaller, cheaper and faster we will continue to see more people with them. These machines will eventually make their way into our homes where we can buy parts on-line to print out on our personal 3D printers. If my dishwasher breaks and needs a new widget, I could go on line and purchase the file for that widget and print one out while never have to leave my house. No driving to buy a new part or waiting for parts to be shipped to me! Just print one out!
DC: Many people believe that packaging is the main growth area for the print industry. Do you agree with that, and where do you see packaging heading in the next 5-10 years?
TK: Deborah, I really can’t say much about packaging’s impact on the printing industry. As far as packaging in the next 5-10 years. I see packaging in the future getting leaner and meaner. Since entering this profession I have done nothing but cut out material and cost every day. At UES we reduce packaging costs for customers, make packaging more ergonomical, make packaging “greener” and speed up their time to market. Our 3D printers are just “one” piece of the puzzle. I saw huge investments in the future here at Unisource and wanted to be part of it!
