Free Shipping over $200 | Orders ship out at 2pm EST and PST - Monday-Friday

Gillette Uses 3D Printing to Unlock Consumer Personalization

October 24, 2018

New technologies create opportunities for businesses to evolve and re-think their business models. Additive manufacturing is one such technology. 3D Printing offers advancements in prototyping and has grown to allow the creation of end-use parts. Where 3D printing excels is ease of customization, and razor manufacturer Gillette is taking full advantage of that with their new Razor Maker™ concept. 

“Combining our best shaving technology with the power and flexibility of 3D printing opens up a whole new world of product design possibilities,” said Rob Johnson, design engineer and Razor Maker™ co-founder.
The Razor Maker™ website allows consumers the chance to customize their razor's handle and make it completely their own. They have the option to choose from 48 designs, a variety of colours, and can add custom text. This gives Gillette a unique edge over their competition: in a market saturated with mass-produced goods, they are able to give consumers something uniquely theirs.

“We know consumers today are looking for brands that innovate in ways that let them express themselves – and that’s exactly what this pilot is all about,” said Evan Smith, global product manager for Razor Maker™.

However, this level of customization required Gillette to re-think their approach to manufacturing. Previously, 3D printing was only used for prototyping designs but advancements with the material and hardware have made it viable for producing end-use parts. Cue the Formlabs Form 2. After a razor handle is designed on the website by the consumer, this stereolithography (SLA) printer allows for it to be grouped with other designs and printed in a single batch. Each handle is then washed, post-cured, coated and assembled before being shipped directly to the consumer.
“It allows us to think about form in a way that was never possible before,” said Rory McGarry, industrial design lead at Razor Maker™. “In a traditional sense, we could only do one or two razor designs a year, whereas now we can have an idea, create it in 3D, print it, look at it, adjust it, and say that’s it.”

 



Also in News

Join us at CMTS (FOR FREE!) - Canada's National Manufacturing Event
Join us at CMTS (FOR FREE!) - Canada's National Manufacturing Event

September 20, 2023

Nothing replaces in-person connections - Which is why we'd love for you to join us at the Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show! Register as our guest with a FREE Exhibit Floor Pass (Valued at $100), then come see us September 25-28, 2023 at Toronto Congress Centre, North Building, in Toronto, Ontario. We'll be at Booth #2440 showcasing the Formlabs Form 3L, Mayku Multiplier and offering live 3D scanning demos with Shining3D's EinScan HX. Read on to learn more!

 

Continue Reading

Summer Maintenance Madness
Summer Maintenance Madness

August 01, 2023

Bring your UltiMaker 3D printers in for a summer tune-up and put the ultimate back in your UltiMaker!

Continue Reading

Top Reasons why you should consider buying an UltiMaker S7 3D Printer
Top Reasons why you should consider buying an UltiMaker S7 3D Printer

July 25, 2023

The UltiMaker S7 is the latest offering from UltiMaker’s S-Line series of 3D printers. It takes everything that you loved about the UltiMaker S5 and makes it even better. The Ultimaker S7 is packed full of the latest and greatest technology from UltiMaker, making it easier than ever to go from ideation to 3D print. We have outlined below some of the top reasons why you should consider the UltiMaker S7 for your workspace.

Continue Reading