At Nike’s Advanced Innovation Center in Beaverton, the Oregon Dragon Bench was installed. The sculpture was made by MX3D using its Robotic Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) technology. At Nike’s world headquarters, the bench is part of the new LeBron James Building.
Due to MX3D’s robotic 3D printing technology, the Oregon Dragon Bench pushes the limits in terms of sculptural presence and size. A “structural gradient” has been incorporated into the bench that is both structurally useful and aesthetically pleasing. A structure that densifies where structural stability is needed and opens up where weight can be reduced is called a “structural gradient”. It is 33 feet long, 10 feet wide and 8 feet high. It is made of Duplex 2209, a stainless steel used in metal 3D printing.
The designer was able to produce these intricate, interconnected shapes using MX3D’s 3D printing technology, giving the bench the appearance of creating a kind of loop. Put another way, he placed the material only where it was absolutely necessary after using topological optimisation to identify the points that were subject to the most weight. It’s safe to assume that making such a remarkable object is a great achievement.
The teams’ laborious procedure to produce the imposing structure involved combining their expertise in design and additive manufacturing. Joris Laarman, a well-known Dutch designer and businessman whose work is often influenced by cutting-edge technologies, is the mastermind behind this project.
By combining robots with intelligent control software and advanced welding machines, he can create sculptures without the need for support structures. The Dragon Bench series debuted at Friedman Benda’s 2014 exhibition and are the first sculptural pieces created with WAAM robotic technology and printer.
Compared to powder metal AM procedures, MX3D WAAM enables the production of geometries at a faster rate and cost. MX3D technology has several advantages and allows you to move quickly from concept to finished product by controlling the entire WAAM workflow from CAD to printing. If you need more information, don’t hesitate to contact us: we will be ready to help you and discover the best solution for your project.