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Aug 2015
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Aug 2015
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Finuvo
Aug '15

Hey guys,

You may be familiar with a technique called hydrographics which is mostly used for autobody parts in large scale contexts.

Hydrographics machines are used to apply graphics, designs, and patterns permanently to objects. Machines typically cost between $50,000-$150,000, and use toxic chemicals.

We have invented the world’s first desktop hydrographics printer. The Finuvo Aqua allows hobbyists, 3D printers, and prototypers to apply beautiful, brilliant designs to their 3D printed parts, using a completely safe and easy method.

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How does it work?

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A special hydrographics film is layed on top of the Finuvo Aqua and the 3D printed object (or any object, really) is carefully dipped into the vessel. When it comes out of the Finuvo Aqua it has a permanent coating on it.

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Computer mouse with beautiful cherry wood coating

This is what the process looks like on our prototype Finuvo Aqua:

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And here’s the final product:

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Marvin printed on the MakerGear M2 and dipped in a funky pattern with the Finuvo Aqua

When we say permanent, we mean perfectly solid. The coating will not fade, flake, or crack. We’ve put it on shoes, computer mice, water bottles and tons of other objects and the design is still as brilliant as ever after heavy use.

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Terminator Exoskull printed on our FormLabs Form 1+ and dipped in brushed aluminum coating with Finuvo Aqua

The film comes in almost unlimited designs – wood, camo, animal prints, flames, funky patterns. Soon it will also be possible to design your own film with custom graphics.

We want to make 3D printing even more beautiful and awesome, and we want to make hydrographics accessible to all of you.

Follow us on Facebook for updates 8 (and info on our upcoming Kickstarter campaign)

Also, we’d love to get your feedback: What do you want to see dipped? Tell us in the comments!

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    Aug '15

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    Feb '16
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There are 54 replies with an estimated read time of 5 minutes.

Finuvo
Aug '15

Thanks so much Arnoldas! We’d also like more ideas for things that people want to see us dip. So if you think of anything cool let us know :slight_smile:

Finuvo
Aug '15

Thanks Peter! Glad you like it :slight_smile: Let us know if you have any ideas for cool objects to dip

boydconnor
Aug '15

So interesting! What is the film made of? And how do you print the pattern on it?

Left
Aug '15

This is very cool.

I would love to see more !!

Finuvo
Aug '15

Hey Boyd! The film is made of PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) which is soluble in water. The pattern is printed on the PVA film. When the film is places on water it dissolves leaving only the ink. The pattern is printed on with a specialized inkjet printer.

Autofan
Aug '15

Wow, very cool! I never thought about hydrographics printing on a 3D printed object, but after seeing this I totally want to try it. I will defiantly be following you guys!

3Dscaleworks
Aug '15

This gives an extra dimension to 3D printing, succes with funding, and keep us posted!

Mastermind
Aug '15

Looks awesome. What are the projected prices for the system and materials?

n23d
Aug '15

Great Where Do I get it? - How about a link to materials services or something.

Finuvo
Aug '15

Nothing special, it’s very similar to an standard inkjet printer where the size has been adapted to fit our dipping skins.

Finuvo
Aug '15

Hey n23d, we’ll be launching a Kickstarter campaign this fall, so you can follow us on Facebook and leave your email address on our website to get updates about that. We’ll be updated our website to give more info about dipping skins, and more details about the Finuvo Aqua.

Finuvo
Aug '15

We will keep you posted, Johnsaen! We’ll be launching a Kickstarter campaign in the fall - you can sign up on our website to get notified when it’s available :slight_smile:

Finuvo
Aug '15

Hi Tony, we’ll be offering special pricing for pre-orders during our upcoming Kickstarter campaign - it will likely be between $700-900 for a unit.

Nikki
Aug '15

This is amazing! Marvin looks ready for the playa! Where do we mail our things for dipping? :wink:

Mastermind
Aug '15

What are the useable x,y dimensions of the printer/tank?
Will you offer any software to help make print designs or is there something available that makes it easy to get the creative patterns you’ve used?

Can you use pictures, bitmaps, etc…?

What materials will/won’t the mask stick to? I’m assuming it will work for a lot more than 3D prints.

Is there any prep required of the part being coated?

How long is the shelf life for the “ink”? My Form1 resins sometimes go more than their shelf life before I use them all.

Will the mask be water, heat and/or UV resistant? What chemicals will dissolve it?

Thanks again…

Mastermind
Aug '15

Your photo link doesn’t seem to be working.

So, are you just selling the skins or are you going to be selling a machine that will allow users to print and apply their own skins?

Martin_Cloake
Aug '15

Hey Tony_3, We’ve designed the Aqua to accept parts from most 3D printers (at least 10" x 10" x 10"); you can used the Aqua to dip almost any part, and material without prep. The size of the Aqua itself is similar to the Formlabs Form1+ (that’s what we used to print the terminator). We will provide the dipping skins for all the designs and textures you’ve seen and will be constantly releasing new designs - we’re always open to suggestions! We are working on technology that will allow you to use your own pictures. The ink is very robust and can withstand heat, water, UV… Hydrographics is normally used in the auto industry. I hope that answers all your questions! To keep updated on our progress and our Kickstarter campaign check us out on Facebook: Redirecting....

Here is a part we printed on the Form1+ today and dipped in cherry wood:

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Martin_Cloake
Aug '15

With Finuvo you can do the dipping yourself! The Finuvo Aqua is the world’s first desktop Hydrographic printer. With the Aqua you can dip almost anything! Check our Finuvo on Facebook: Redirecting... 1. Our Kickstarter is scheduled for Fall 2015. Stay tuned!

For fun we dipped a calculator. The keyboard is next :slight_smile:

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Mastermind
Aug '15

So, are you saying the machine is the dipping station, not the machine that makes the prints that get loaded onto the plastic sheets? We would send you our files and you would make the skins for us to dip in the tank you sell? Sorry if I’m making this more complicated than it is. At first I thought the system came with everything needed to produce the skins and to apply them to objects.

Also, are there materials that the skins will not stick to?

Thanks again. I guess when the Kickstarter video comes out it will be very clear.

Martin_Cloake
Aug '15

Not a problem Tony_3 :). We are going to sell the dipping station (the Finuvo Aqua) as well as skins with pre-set patterns like the ones shown post: pine wood, brushed aluminum, cherry wood… In the future we are exploring ways to allow users to upload patterns that we would the turn into films that would work with the Finuvo Aqua. Thanks for your interest!