Formlabs, a leading 3D printing company, and audio specialist Sennheiser’s AMBEO division partnered to develop a production method that enables customers to affordably and easily customize their earphones to fit their unique ears. The custom-fit, 3D-printed ear tip prototypes in development further refine an immersive sound experience.
“Our technology collaboration with Sennheiser seeks to change the way customers interact with the brands they love by enabling a more customized, user-centric approach to product development,” said Iain McLeod, Director of Audio at Formlabs. “Formlabs’ deep industry knowledge and broad expertise in developing scalable solutions enable us to deliver tangible innovations to our customers. In this case, we are working with Sennheiser’s AMBEO team to deliver a uniquely accessible, custom fit experience.”
Formlabs’ automated manufacturing solution provides the capability to bring mass customization to the consumer audio industry. By automating multiple Form 3B printers and processes around an integrated digital workflow, an affordable and simple solution is now available to mass 3D print custom-fit earphones.
“We are very excited about the concept of custom fit to deliver a custom experience to further enhance immersive listening,” said Véronique Larcher, Director of AMBEO Immersive Audio at Sennheiser. “Formlabs shares Sennheiser’s drive for innovation – and improving the customer experience through this prototype is a testament to that mindset.”
Audio is one of the many industries Formlabs’ innovative 3D printing technology can impact. The company’s printers are used in engineering, manufacturing, dental and healthcare, and they are the number one seller of stereolithography 3D printers worldwide. In the audiology space, Formlabs has once again disrupted the industry by cutting costs and production time for 3D-printed hearing aids and enabling the creation of accessible, custom-fit earphones.
