Valerie Eacret for Zondits, March 25, 2015
The applications of 3D printers are expanding rapidly, from shoes to hearts to sports cars, but this is the first time Zondits has seen it used for air conditioning. Printing an air conditioner allows customers to select the exact size they need, which can reduce energy if the smallest boiler-plate-sized air conditioner that would meet a customer’s minimum needs was larger than their exact load, if the efficiency of the printed AC is as good as or better than the boiler-plate air conditioner. Because each unit is customized, it may also open opportunities for integrating the air conditioner into a building’s energy management system.
Without knowing the efficiency of these systems, we can’t comment on whether or not using this unit will result in realized savings. The units will have to come down in price to be sold more widely, as the only unit available at the annual Appliance and Electronics World Expo in Shanghai, China, sold for $6,395. As it is presented now, it sounds like the biggest reason to print your own air conditioner is that it will match the style of your living room.
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Haier Unveils World’s First 3D Printed Air Conditioner in China
China Topix, March 14, 2015
Chinese consumer electronics and home appliances firm Haier Group has unveiled the world’s first ever 3D printed fully functional air conditioner at the annual Appliance and Electronics World Expo held in Shanghai, China.
The first and only unit available was sold for some US$6,395.
Future buyers will have the ability to completely customize the design and function of the 3D printed air conditioner according to how they want it to be.
“Each piece of the unit is produced on demand, seamlessly linking users’ requirements and actual manufacturing,” said Haier.
“Building the object layer by layer, 3D printing allows unprecedented user customization. Every user can parametrically adjust their own model, depending on his/her taste and requirements. Each model is a unique piece.” Haier added.