What on earth do CNC milling and SLS (selective laser sintering) have to do with BAFTA- and Oscar-winner Lady Gaga? More than you’d probably think—until you consider her dedication to the wildest outfits in the entertainment industry.
Rapid prototyping is a well-worn phrase in the world of R&D and design engineering. Most of us read an article, receive an email, or see a notification about rapid prototyping on a daily basis. Most of the information we receive is highly technical, letting us know about new developments and technological capabilities that help speed up the already “rapid” process of modern prototyping.
But let’s take a step back for a moment and take off our engineering hats. How does rapid prototyping affect the daily lives of regular people outside of our professional circle?
3ERP, a leader in rapid prototyping providing one-stop product development services, has experience creating unique items. Because of their dedication to providing quality products and solutions for end users, they’ve followed a few of their creations through a number of incredibly interesting case studies. One of the most adventurous products they’ve been tasked with creating was a pair of very unique shoes for the one-and-only Lady Gaga herself.
In 2012, Lady Gaga was getting ready to launch her first signature fragrance, Fame. For the big release at Macy’s Herald Square in New York City, she needed to make a big statement. As someone known for her wild clothing and accessories, this would be a huge challenge. 3ERP faced the situation head-on with inspiration taken from Gaga’s recent Fame ad campaign.
Their challenge wasn’t only to create a wild look; they also had to ensure that the shoes were functional and safe. As such, polycarbonate was chosen for the main frame of the shoe itself. Rather than create a solid block, 3ERP made a CNC-milled hollow design with ribs, using a titanium rod to create a sturdy heel. The tip of the heel was also CNC-milled, and the shoe was wrapped in carbon fiber to ensure strength.
The golden men were built through additive manufacturing, specifically SLS (selective laser sintering) in polyamide, then completed with a chrome sputtering finish.
Once received, Gaga’s team finished the attention-grabbing shoes with leather and attached the golden men to create a truly unique look for her big launch.
This is just one of many case studies that 3ERP has had the pleasure of creating. To find out more about 3ERP and how they can help you create efficient, affordable prototypes, visit www.3erp.com.
ABOUT 3ERP
3ERP is an ISO certified CNC machining and low volume manufacturing and rapid prototyping company, built on the philosophy of 3Es, namely Excellent, Efficient and Economic, along with a dedicated team and the latest techniques to ensure your project runs successfully. 3ERP is committed to providing top quality rapid prototyping and low volume manufacturing service, including: CNC machining,vacuum casting , pressure die casting ,3D printing, rapid tooling & injection molding, sheet metal prototyping, plastic and aluminum extrusion.
